SMUD unveils solar-powered hydrogen fuel cell vehicle fuelling station

Power from the sun fuels clean vehicles that emit only water from the tailpipe

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) steps into the future of automotive technology as it formally opens a solar-powered hydrogen fueling station for fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The station is a joint SMUD, BP, Ford and U.S. Department of Energy project to demonstrate FCEV’s and generation of hydrogen from renewable resources.

The station produces hydrogen onsite using power produced by a large solar array. The hydrogen will fuel SMUD FCEVs and others in the region. As the solar panels make electricity, an electrolyzer uses that energy to separate water into hydrogen to make clean fuel for the vehicles.

The project is the next step in a nearly two-decade long effort by SMUD to improve local air quality by advancing alternative fuel clean transportation as well as cleaner power sources. The solar array that powers the production of hydrogen at the station produces 80 kilowatts of electricity. This is equivalent to powering about 40 single-family homes or enough hydrogen for about 14 fuel-cell vehicles.

There will be a demonstration on Tuesday April 1, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. at 6101 S Street, just west of SMUD HQ building (Thomas Guide page 298 A-7). The demonstration will include a viewing of the Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle fuelling station covered by large solar panel array and numerous fuel cell vehicles. There will also be an opportunity to talk to experts from SMUD, BP hydrogen; Ford Motor Company FCEV and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Source: Fuel Cell Today