Toyama's H2 partners are Utaka Wada and Choon-Eui Han, with the former being the inventor and the latter the angel who makes the project happen. Wada is also a resident of Hawai`i Island who lives in Puna's Leilani Estates. Based on what he already knew about the use of sonic frequencies to enhance electrolysis, Wada devised a scheme to use this aspect of sonochemistry to extract hydrogen from water more efficiently.
This is where the tiny bubbles come in, although Toyama explains they are better described as nano-sized. Wada uses acoustic frequencies to create the bubbles, which, as they pop, increase the temperature and pressure of the water, making it easier to wrest the hydrogen away from the water molecules.
Put more simply, the H2 Technologies invention uses sound to add energy to the water. Energy equations being what they are, the more energy in the water the less electricity is required to drive the process.
While engineers have long known how to use hydrogen gas as a fuel, the obstacle to its widespread adoption has been the imbalance in the energy equation. It takes too much electricity to produce hydrogen from water in the first place to make it a practical substitute for other fuels. Advocates have long argued that the true value of the scheme lies with using renewable sources, especially those that are not available 24/7, to make hydrogen fuel. Converting the energy found in free sources like sun or wind to a gas that can be stored, shipped and burned whenever it is needed makes them more useful to a society striving to kick the oil habit.
This is the only application in which H2 Technologies is interested. Toyama is adamant that the company's systems operate with renewable energy inputs. With every dollar added to the price of oil, pressure to find alternatives increases, making an option that tips the balance of the equation in humanity's favor, not only more popular but more feasible.
H2 Technologies already has a working alpha prototype. They are currently refining their beta prototype, which they hope to have finished by the end of the year. "Our goal is to create a home-based hydrogen system that uses PV cells or a wind turbine, not to produce electricity, but to produce transportation fuel."
The system Toyama envisions is "like an appliance" -- a little smaller than a refrigerator -- and it uses electrical current coming from a solar or wind system to drive the electrolysis that yields the hydrogen. The gas is then compressed into a tank and it can be hooked up to a vehicle the same way natural or liquid propane gas tanks can be used to power a drive train.
One kilogram of hydrogen is equivalent to one gallon of gasoline and Toyama says his system will take a week to produce that amount.
He isn't ready to put a price on the home hydrogen system, although with some pressure he does come up with an approximation. Considering the hesitancy with which he produces the figure, it wouldn't be fair to quote Toyama. Still we can report that the price is not outrageous and within the reach of enough early adaptors to support the next phase of a reasonable business plan.
In a fuel efficient car, the kilogram the system produces will get you 20-some miles, in a 50cc moped 100-some miles, and in a hybrid 50-some. If these figures don't impress you, keep in mind that internal combustion engines are a thing of the past as far as hydrogen geeks are concerned.
"Fuel cell vehicles are the future," states Toyama, "fuel cells, using electric motors."
Think of this technology as the yin to H2's yang. While electrolysis frees the hydrogen from the water, the fuel cell takes the energy directly from the hydrogen, without burning it, and creates electricity which in turn drives the electric motor. This combination of technologies will yield anywhere from 24-56 miles on the equivalent of a gallon of gas.
There are a number of fuel cell cars already in operation. Toyama points to the Honda Clarity as an example of what consumers can expect on a massive scale in the not too distant future. He bristles at the notion that 2010 is a good estimate for widespread adoption of these hydrogen based systems. "I certainly hope so. It better be before then," he says in earnest.
In the meantime, his team has converted a Honda 50cc moped to run on hydrogen, a simple process the way he describes it: "We didn't need to change anything, really. We just swapped out some parts." The conversion fit the bill for an easy way to demonstrate the technology to the general public. The scooter is being billed as transport that runs on sun and water and it will be on display at the upcoming Kuleana Green Business Conference held at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort, April 29.
H2 Technologies' other major goal is also transportation related. As part of a state plan to shift towards a hydrogen-based economy, the Hawai`i Natural Energy Institute recently began soliciting proposals for units to operate as hydrogen fueling stations in conjunction with local renewable energy outlets. Hawai'i Island is being targeted for the first Hydrogen Highway demonstration projects and Toyama is angling to get the contract. "We want to put the natural back into the Natural Energy Lab," says Toyama as he points out that, for the most part, the hydrogen being used for experimentation in the state is derived from fossil fuels.
This past year, Toyama and his partners took advantage of the state's power to issue special purpose revenue bonds for energy projects. The legislation passed to assist H2 Technologies still needs the governor's signature, but once it clears that hurdle, financial institutions can offer the bonds to investors with an incentive. To encourage investment in renewable energy projects, the state waves taxes on the interest generated from these bonds.
Toyama has other ideas for how the state can encourage the shift to hydrogen. He wants to see purchasers of his home systems qualify for the same state energy tax credits they would earn if buying a solar system. He also has ideas for increasing local demand for hydrogen but he's keeping these close to his chest for now.
Expect this former marketing executive to do everything he can to get the Hydrogen Highway up and running before the first decade of the 21st Century comes to an end.
Kibitzor wrote on Apr 18, 2008 2:46 PM: