State-run Indian Oil Corporation plans to set up the country’s 2nd hydrogen fuel-dispensing station in the vicinity of the Commonwealth Games Village before 2010 for catering to more than 100 government vehicles to be used for demonstrating the usefulness of the fuel.

“We have sent a proposal to (the) Delhi Government for land in the vicinity of (the) ‘Commonwealth Games Village´ for setting up a hydrogen fuel station. This would be used for dispensing fuel to more than 100 vehicles to be used for the mega event,” executive director (Research and Development) Indian Oil Corporation R.K. Malhotra said.

Malhotra said the Delhi Government had asked IOC to identify land for setting up a hydrogen fuel-dispensing station. “We proposed to them to allocate land in the vicinity of the Commonwealth Games Village. We are awaiting their response,” he said.

“Since the Commonwealth Games will showcase India’s ability to organize such mega events, the government also wants to use hydrogen fuel-compatible vehicles during the event for demonstrating its environment concerns. Therefore, such a station in the vicinity of the ‘Games Village´ would serve the purpose,” he said.

‘Will dispense mix of Hydrogen and CNG in the ratio of 20:80′

The station will dispense a mix of hydrogen and CNG in the ratio of 20:80. In the initial phase, Indian Oil is targeting CNG vehicle which can be run on hydrogen fuel mix with a little modification. However a completely new engine (Fuel Cell) is required for using 100% pure hydrogen as fuel.

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country’s largest oil-marketing company by sales, is to open the hydrogen fuel-dispensing station in New Delhi by the middle of this month. Initially this station would cater to government vehicles to be used for demonstrating this new fuel technology.

In 2006, the government unveiled its National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap for achieving its target of making one million vehicles fit for running on hydrogen. Automobile manufacturers like Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra have been involved in IOC’s efforts to test hydrogen fuel as a commercially viable fuel option in the country since 2006.

In 2005, talks were conducted between IOC and Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Company (RECC) to fine-tune the hydrogen fuel technology for large-scale commercial use in the country. No progress was made on the joint venture, says RECC.

Indian auto major, Tata Motors has signed a partnership agreement with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to build India’s 1st fuel-cell car (possibly for 2009) . Fuel Cell technology is considered the cleanest vehicle technology in a world due to water vapors emissions.

“The contract for a pilot project to observe whether H2 can be utilized to fuel automobiles has been signed and the operation started“, said Mr. G Madhavan Nair (Chairman of ISRO) that creates satellites as also their launch vehicles.

We are working with Tatas to see how best prototype model can be put on road by next year. Hydrogen-powered and the storage and handling etc, we will take care from whatever we know and the Tatas are good at making best cars.

- Mr. G Madhavan Nair said.The planned vehicle will utilize some of ISRO’s technology of rocket fuel technology. The future car will be fully electricity driven which will be created by mixing H2 and atmospheric O2 in a fuel cell. The vehicle would meet all hydrogen storage and other regulations. It would be driven purely by the electricity generated from fuel cells.

Source: Auto India

A group of scientists at the Loughborough University demonstrated the ENV, the worlds – the world’s first ever hydrogen-powered motorbike. Yup, you heard it right, hydrogen it is. The bikes look like they came from the future and that’s good as it will take at least half a decade for these to hit the road.

Instead of a standard fuel tank, the ENV (short for Emissions Neutral Vehicle) contains an onboard fuel cell that can be filled with hydrogen in just three minutes. The cell then converts the hydrogen to electricity, enabling speeds of over 50 mph, and a range of 100 miles, with no emissions except warm air and sweet water.

According to project leader, Prof. Bob Thring, “we start with renewable electricity, which we put into an electrolyser, and split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell will combine the hydrogen and oxygen and use that energy to make electricity.”

The university already plans to create a fleet of hydrogen motorbikes for use around the university campus. Chris Colton of research partner Intelligent Energy (also behind the forthcoming Suzuki Crosscage fuel-cell concept) said the bikes are “fantastic to ride, if you can ride a pushbike you can essentially ride this motorcycle.”

IAB Comment- It might cost a lot to mass-produce them, but far away in the future, after the age of hybrid and electric motorcycles, hydrogen-powered bikes will dominate roads of Planet Earth. We’re dead serious.

Source : gas2.org