By Rob Wilson, Manager IPWEA FLEET
The ACT Government has made a significant environmental statement and an important early step towards zero emissions transport by ordering 20 Hyundai next-generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles. The vehicles are to be delivered in 2018 and form part of the Renewable Transport Fuels Test Berth in Canberra.
According to Hyundai Australia, the $23 million Test Berth project, delivered by Neoen, Megawatt Capital and Siemens, was made possible through the Hornsdale Windfarm Stage 3 contract with the ACT Government.
Hornsdale Windfarm Stage 3 will provide renewably-sourced electricity to the Renewable Transport Fuels Test Berth, which features a state-of-the-art Siemens Silyzer System hydrogen refueler.
At full capacity, this state-of-the-art refueler will be capable of providing fuel-grade hydrogen H2gas for over 1000 zero-emissions Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles travelling an average of 14,000km a year – and it does so without using any fossil fuels.
The new generation hydrogen Hyundai hits the market in 2018 replacing the current IX35 production hydrogen vehicle. Hyundai claims the hydrogen model performs much the same as other SUV’s in terms of acceleration, safety, range and practicality.
The benefit of hydrogen powered cars is that the tailpipe emits only water. However, a long time criticism of hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles has been the emissions generated during the hydrogen fuel production process. The ACT project uses only renewably sourced energy.
Another challenge with fuel cells is the availability of infrastructure. This is the classic “what comes first” question with the need to provide refuelling facilities to encourage take-up of the technology.
Again, this project provides both the cars and the infrastructure and could well be a catalyst towards broader networking of hydrogen re-fuelling facilities.