Norway
HyNor Project
Imagine a working hydrogen test facility that spans a large portion
of a nation. Imagine setting the standard for the world to follow.
Imagine a "Hydrogen Highway" in the heart of Norway.
Imagine no longer since this is becoming a reality very soon.
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Norway HyNor Corridor |
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The Norway HyNor Project is developing rapidly between the cities
of Oslo and Stavanger. This project will provide a sensible means
of providing hydrogen transportation along a test strip some 350
miles in length from the years 2005 to 2008. The project will
also be quite challenging because of wide variations in climate
and topology including very cold seasonal temperatures, not conducive
to many fuel cell vehicles.
As part of the signed Kyoto Treaty, Norway realized cutting emissions
from power production was not a viable option, but perhaps they
could take a bold step forward in implementing the infrastructure
needed for a common and accessible means of hydrogen refueling.
This alternative made sense because the emissions from hydrogen
vehicles is zero compared to fossil fuel based vehicles which chug
1.5 billion tons of gas emissions into the environment.
The Norway HyNor Project is working with both governmental agencies
as well as the private sector to produce this hydrogen corridor.
The plans include the commercial feasibility of large-scale hydrogen
fuel based vehicles such as cars, taxis, trucks and buses. Private
vehicles will also be used in this globally anticipated study
and fueling stations are slated to be completed so that a real-world
test case can provide the evidence needed for a shift in the world's
fuel dependence.
As one might image, the Norway HyNor Project has gained substantial
support from global environmental groups. The main support, however
for this hydrogen highway system has come from energy and transportation
companies along with public authorities and research and development
institutions.
Currently, Norway generates much of their energy for homes and
businesses through hydro-power and biomass. In fact, Norway has
a long history of hydrogen generation by electrolysis through
the use of hydro-power. The use of renewable energy resources
for creating hydrogen are expected to serve as a model for other
nations contemplating the move to a hydrogen-based economy.
The Norwegian government has also made the unprescendented move
of offering tax incentives for hydrogen cars and vehicles. Registration
fees and annual vehicle taxes will be removed starting January
1, 2007, lifting some of the barriers of the commercialization
for hydrogen vehicles.
On May 9, 2006, Quantum Fuel Systems announced that they have
received an order from the Norway HyNor project for 15 Toyota
Prius Hybrids to be converted to run on hydrogen gas. The vehicles
will be put into service later in 2006 and in 2007 as part of
the project.
The ultimate achievement would be for the world to recognize
that a model for hydrogen transportation is feasible, practical
and happening right now. If the Norway HyNor Project is successful,
a national infrastructure will be achieved in a few short years
with the well noted environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel firmly
in place. In that moment, the world may begin to see a rapid readjustment
to an entirely new fuel supply.
Most current car manufacturers have concept vehicles that are fueled
by hydrogen and have had very positive test results from these vehicles.
As more and more hydrogen refueling stations become available, the
switch to hydrogen fuel based vehicles will move the world from
imagination to a common sense reality. In order to see what is happening
in the U. S., check out the information on the California
Hydrogen Highway corridor.
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