With the recent release of two vision documents (one from Japan and one from the California Fuel Cell Partnership) focusing on fuel cell vehicle commercialization and the hydrogen infrastructure, the time was ripe for a road trip. The Hydrogen Road Tour, a two-week trip across the U.S. to showcase fuel cell and hydrogen-powered cars, made a stop in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, August 14th and Fuel Cells 2000 was there. More info and pictures after the jump.

In the wake of record high gasoline prices, cheesy websites and poorly researched news reports are promoting new products that promise drivers they can improve gas mileage by “up to 50%!”

Products like Water4Gas, the Hydro Assist Fuel Cell and other “HHO generators” claim that drivers can drastically boost horsepower, performance and gas millage by utilizing hydrogen in a new, breakthrough system.

Of course, we’ve all heard that hydrogen is being considered by auto manufacturers as a solution for next-generation automobiles and busses, but the public wants an answer now. So why should we have to wait for those fat-cat auto executives to get off their butts to do something about this looming crisis?

If this inexpensive “solution” is available today, why not take action? Besides, we can get hydrogen from good old, everyday tap water. Plus, if I can stick it to the large oil companies and OPEC, I’ll finally be able to teach them a lesson!

Sounds great, right?

WRONG!

Follow the jump to find out why.

A recent article in the architectural design magazine, Building Design, discusses the future use of fuel cells in new buildings. Growing concerns about GHG and carbon emissions are leading to greener design efforts, especially given London’s plan for new commercial buildings to cut carbon emissions by 20 percent. There are now plans for five London buildings to have a portion of their power supply delivered by fuel cells, and around the world fuel cells are fast becoming part of the climate change discussion. Just last year, Ballard Power Systems and Plug Power sponsored a study outlining the role fuel cells can play in addressing these issues. The author in Building Design quotes an engineer involved in these projects, who says “Ten to 15 years from now, every single new building will be powered by fuel cells…It’s the magic bullet — until we get fusion power going.” For more building installations, check out Fuel Cells 2000’s worldwide installation database here - Japan has already installed more than two thousand fuel cells at residences across the country, and there are thousands more worldwide.

Our good friend Peter Hoffmann (Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Letter) has a 2-part series on the Huffington Post addressing the global problem of climate change and global warming and making the case for hydrogen playing a big role in the solution.

Part 1

Part 2

Globetrotters, trendsetters and even champions for a cause. Sometimes, we can’t help but be enthralled by celebrities, and recently many of them have been making changes we should all pay close attention to.

Famous names accross the board have picked up on the benefits of hydrogen and fuel cells, and are using the technology in their cars and in their homes. Check out Ecorazzi.com for all green celebrity info, but a few of note, including Johhny Depp’s Carribbean island are after the jump.

Editor’s Note: The following article was contributed by Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO, SFC Smart Fuel Cell (SFC), based in Germany. SFC manufactures fully-commercialized direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) for mobile and off-grid power applications serving the leisure, industrial and defense markets and has sold more than 9,000 fuel cells for a wide range of applications. That is truly an astounding number for our industry. A recent presentation on commercialization from SFC can be found on our “Resources” page.

PopularMechanics.com now features an interview with the program manager for Volkswagen of America’s advanced powertrain research program, entitled 14 Big Questions on Hydrogen, Hybrids and More for VW’s Alt-Fuel Chief. He’s a fan of hydrogen and fuel cells and discusses the current limitations of battery technology, as well as the possibility of a battery-powered car that uses a fuel cell range extender.

There is vigorous debate as to whether auto manufacturers should pursue development of battery vs. fuel cell-powered vehicles. But VW, and before that GM with the Chevy Volt, both talk about using the two technologies together – what do you think?

Fuel Cells 2000 secured GM’s fuel cell Equinox for a ride and drive for teachers participating in the Smithsonian Institute’s Energy & Motion Academy here in Washington, DC. See more pictures and a short video after the jump.

Bud DeFlaviis is the Director of Government Affairs of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council, the trade association for the fuel cell industry.

In 2005, Congress passed historic comprehensive energy legislation that created an Investment Tax Credit designed to incentivize the purchase of fuel cell systems. Congress is currently considering a long-term extension of the $1000 per kilowatt (kW) up to 30% investment tax credit for qualified fuel cell property for at least an additional six years.

Fuel Cells 2000 has been tracking the presidential candidates’ proposed energy policies and has compiled a report of their comments regarding fuel cells (Where the U.S. Presidential Candidates Stand On Fuel Cells and Hydrogen).
While their comments on energy focus on the general categories of “renewable energy” and “advanced technologies” the candidates do touch, albeit briefly, on hydrogen and fuel cells. For example, Senator McCain has spoken several times about expanding efforts to develop advanced automotive technologies, including hydrogen-fueled vehicles, and has promised to encourage infrastructure development and market growth for fuel cells and other alternative technologies. Senator Obama hasn’t yet mentioned fuel cells or hydrogen specifically in his policies, but in the past has supported legislation encouraging development of fuel cells and fuel cell vehicles. He has also secured funding for several fuel cell projects in Illinois.
Given the recent focus on other renewable fuels and alternative technologies, how can we ensure that fuel cells are adequately addressed in a new administration’s national energy policies? What stance should Senators McCain and Obama take to further development of fuel cell technologies and a hydrogen infrastructure?

~ Sandra Curtin