GM splits its bet between fuel cell vehicles and Chevy Volt

Although Hawaii was the last state admitted into the Union, it plans to be the leading state for vehicles powered by hydrogen. The goal of the recently announced Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative is to reduce Hawaii’s energy dependence by commercializing hydrogen-fueled cars in five years. General Motors and The Gas Company (TGC), a Hawaiian utility that produces synthetic natural gas, created the partnership in May 2010, and were recently joined by an additional ten partners including universities and agencies.

In spite of the anticipated success of the Chevy Volt, GM never gave up on developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. One of the biggest challenges to commercialize hydrogen cars, however, is the lack of infrastructure. You can charge an electric car at your home, but when was the last time you saw a filling station that provides hydrogen?

Through the collaboration of GM and TGC, Hawaii wants to solve that problem. Hawaii depends on imported fossil fuels for 90% of its energy requirements, and has a strong incentive to develop homegrown, sustainable energy. TGC uses petroleum byproducts to make synthetic natural gas, which contains 5% hydrogen. So here in the Pacific is the perfect recipe for a hydrogen future: Hawaii has the need, GM has the fuel cell technology, and TGC has the hydrogen.

But what about the infrastructure? TGC has an inventive answer to that as well. TGC currently distributes its natural gas through 1,100 miles of pipeline across Hawaii. As part of the initiative, TGC plans to install up to 25 hydrogen fueling station that tap into the gas line. These stations would use a pressure swing adsorption system to separate the out the hydrogen, and return the natural gas to the pipeline. According to Jeffrey Kissel, president and CEO of TGC:

The downside to this initiative, however, is that fossil fuels are still needed to produce hydrogen. With TGC’s technology, the petroleum that Hawaii imports may be used more efficiently. But the energy is not renewable nor carbon neutral. Although the Hawaii’s unique situation may make it ideal for hydrogen transportation, fuel cell cars will never succeed as an alternative in the rest of the nation until hydrogen can be produced economically from a renewable feedstock.