Oct 14, 2008 5:00 pm US/Eastern
EnergyWatch: Is Hydrogen The Future?
LEHIGH, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
For the first time ever, two hydrogen-fueled vehicles hit
the streets of the Lehigh
Valley, along with their
gasoline-fueled counterparts. It's part of a $2.4 million research
and education project funded by the Federal Transit Administration aimed at
experimenting with alternative energy sources for mass transit.
"Fuel is a huge concern. The economy is driven by
energy, and we have serious concerns. We have energy dependency on foreign
sources and on fossil fuels," said Rob Fox, associate director
of education at Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown.
Proponents of hydrogen, the most abundant element in the
universe, said it's safe, clean and effective. Colorless and odorless,
it's pollution free.
"The only effluent from a hydrogen-fueled vehicle is
water, water vapor, just like you have in the air every day," said David
Taylor, vice president of energy businesses at Air
Products.
The problem with hydrogen is that it's costly to
produce. Buying a hydrogen-powered vehicle right now could set you back
anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000. While many automakers are starting to
produce these vehicles, critics said it could be decades before hydrogen-fueled
technology becomes mainstream. That's why these experimental trials are needed.
"The stations should look familiar. The nozzles
should be familiar. The driving experience should be familiar, and that's
what we've been striving for over these past few years," said Taylor.
Air Products and Lehigh Valley
Hospital have signed on
to use the shuttles on their campuses for one year. The data will then be on
display at Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown
for future research.
"This becomes a key element to making sure the
public understands and students understand. They become the new scientists and
the new engineers that are going to help raise this hydrogen technology,"
said Fox.
RELATED LINKS:
www.davinci-center.org
www.hydrogenfuturetoday.com
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