Could the next decade turn out be the one where hydrogen fuel cells finally become a part of the transportation scene? With fuel cell powered cars from BMW and Honda already available — and now Toyota throwing their hat into the ring — momentum is starting to build towards that reality. With the Obama administration firmly standing behind pumping cash into the green tech field, we may see even greater infrastructure development for this future. But back to Toyota…

In an interview with the NY Times on Tuesday, Masatami Takimoto, a Toyota executive vice president and board member, disclosed the company’s hydrogen plans. “By 2015, we will have a full-fledged commercialization effort,” Mr. Takimoto said. The company’s test subject right now is their Highlander SUV — which has been converted to run off of fuel cells; much like GM’s Equinox. As Congressman Eric Massa (D-NY) proved earlier this week, a hydrogen refueling infrastructure needs to be in place before the industry can take off; something equally echoed in Takimoto’s remarks. “On each side, it will take time,” he said.

So, give or take, most of the major automakers should have hydrogen vehicles available in the next six years or so. Whether they will be affordable (Honda’s FCX Clarity costs $600/mo!), is another story .

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For automakers, and auto-lovers, the Detroit Auto Show has always been an exciting time. Traditionally, major auto manufacturers have shown slick futuristic cars, with a focus on speed, horsepower, and design. But, these are different economic times and the shift in manufacturer consciousness is palpable.

This year, Detroit’s drum-beat is to the tune of “I Will Survive” as The Big Three convince attendees they can indeed last, at least a little longer. For example, Rick Wagoner, the chairman of General Motors, said that a $13.4-billion federal aid package would be sufficient to keep the company solvent…through March.  This is a frustrating time for U.S. automakers as they are poised to bring new, clean technologies to the auto market, technologies consumers are clamoring for, but can these automakers survive long enough to make these electric vehicle dreams a reality?

Well, The Big Three have some very serious international competition. Toyota plans on releasing its plug-in hybrid during 2009—way ahead of the Chevy Volt release. Honda is not far behind with a hybrid and even China is stepping up with companies like BYD (Build Your Dreams) developing better battery technologies for electric vehicles. The good news: this year the Detroit Auto Show has focused on fuel economy, cleaner technologies, and (maintained) design. There are electric vehicle concept cars by major auto manufacturers that are visually stunning and much, much cleaner than gasoline or diesel, making a shift to electric vehicles inevitable.

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We’ve seen solar-powered cell phone chargers before, but this is the first pocket-size device I can remember powered exclusively by hydrogen. It’s called the Mini-Pak and comes to us from Horizon. According to the release, the charger combines the company’s mass-produced consumer fuel cells with compact solid-state hydrogen cartridge systems. It can be used to charge everything from cell phones to MP3 players and contains no heavy metals (mercury, lead or cadium). Up to 1,000 charge cycles can be expected from the unit.

In terms of refills, the press pack indicates that you can purchase 2 packs or 6 packs. Even more interesting, the company is planning a home refueling station for 2010. Of course, pricing is currently unavailable — so we’ll be left guessing until we catch up with the future. Still, great to see such products emerging.

For more details, check out the PDF on the Horizon here.

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Under HP’s new e-waste recycle program, consumers will receive money for recycling their old PCs, servers, phones, printers, and other electronics, regardless of brand name. The amount of cash given to consumers depends on the resale value of the item being recycled, but even with no resale value, the consumer can have his/her item recycled for free. While recycling these old electronics and PCs is good for the environment, the process also has these companies seeing green.

According to greentechmedia.com, “the worldwide market for electronic recycling will come to $11 billion this year and is growing at around 8.8 percent annually, the fastest segment in solid waste. In the U.S., electronic recycling services will be a $17 billion business.” This creates an ideal situation for all parties involved: the recycler is typically free to keep any money obtained from selling old parts or raw materials. In the ideal situation, recyclers can collect a bounty for a PC, refurbish it, and sell it again. Refurbishing is more environmentally friendly (because no energy is expended and no materials get lost) and the recycler makes more money from selling a refurbished product than metals or other parts extracted from old machines. So, clean out your closets filled with unused PCs, old cell phones, broken cameras, and recycle them. Start the New Year off right, with a little clean in your closets and green in your pockets.

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Although Toyota executives have stressed that despite tough economic times for Toyota (with the company experiencing its first operating loss in 70 years) it will remain a leader in green technology and will not cut back on environmental research; therefore, until this new “secret” automobile can be confirmed by Toyota, it remains simply a car-myth, the yeti of automotive technology.

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While other electrolyzers that produce similar hydrogen output can cost over $10,000, the AS1 will cost you fractions of the price as it is selling for less than $400. The AS1 was created with three specific and altruistic goals: (I) to help reduce carbon greenhouse gas emissions in order to slow or stop global warming (2) to reduce or eliminate our country’s dependence on foreign energy sources, specifically crude oil (3) to help create a better and cleaner environment for our children and our grandchildren.

From these objectives came a product that can efficiently and effectively create hydrogen for practical purposes such as: a) creating hydrogen on demand and on a continuous basis for pennies per liter b) combining hydrogen with compressed natural gas (CNG), making this an ideal low cost solution to a CNG refueling station, offering instead a CNG-Hydrogen blend c) use as a home hydrogen refueling station.

With the holidays just around the corner, this could be an excellent gift for those who like to tinker with hydrogen, for researchers who need in-lab on demand hydrogen, or for educators trying to spread the word about this new fuel. Let’s face it, allowing a family member to assert energy independence is a much better gift than a lousy sweatshirt with bluebirds perched on holly branches. For more information about this product, sold exclusively through Fuel Cell Store, click here.

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It is incredibly optimistic to see such utilization of advancing technologies, and the BlueZERO is expected to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January. There are no price points yet, but I imagine that a luxury automobile with a 15kW lithium-ion battery will likely be a bit pricey. We can’t forget, though, that it’s a sleek design and Mercedes-Benz is including as many green materials as possible (even down to the lights and paint); it’s an interesting look at the future of automobiles…maybe next year you can put this on your Christmas list.

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It’s not surprising these days to hear of buildings drawing their power from photovoltaics, but for some reason I still get a kick (or perhaps some hope) everytime something new embraces renewable energy.

Take for instance the new $17 million “Hangar 25″ operated by charter flight operator Avjet at the Bob Hope airport in California. The structure has rooftop solar panels that can provide enough electricity for lights, forklifts and tow vehicles. At over 60,000 sq. ft., the structure has been given LEED Platinum status.

Obviously, the $3 million dollar solar system (1,530 solar panels) isn’t the only feature making this Hangar green. The building also features sustainable landscaping that includes a synlawn (synthetic grass), electric tow vehicles, a chemical-free fire system, bamboo furniture, low-flow plumbing, and plenty of natural lighting. Los Angles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hailed the project as “the greenest aviation facility in the world.”

Love it. Here’s to open more “green” hangars start springing up around the country.

Source

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“Conventional solar cells use thick, expensive silicon substrates. The MIT researchers said they ran extensive computer simulations and laboratory experiments on 2-micron silicon films that utilize new materials for both front and back coatings. As a result, light is trapped inside the cells’ silicon layer, permitting the thin-film to extract as much as 50 percent more energy per photon.”

One of the largest cost-saving measures will be the limited use of refined silicon. The MIT breakthrough only requires 1% of the silicon for standard solar cells.

We expect to learn more during the official announcement tomorrow. Till then, check out the press release for more information.

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San Francisco Bay Area cities promised to build the electric car capital of the United States, announcing a plan on Thursday to work with start-up Better Place to put battery-powered autos on the road in 2012. Mayors of San Francisco, Silicon Valley capital San Jose, Oakland and other cities in the region said they would offer incentives and standardize infrastructure with Better Place, a start-up that aims to offer electric cars as a service, like a cell phone, at prices similar or below standard cars.

Better Place already has experience in building charging station networks; albeit in smaller markets like Israel, Denmark and Australia. Their plan is to garner the capital for the project over the next 18 months (no easy task in today’s economic environment) and then launch a test for 2010. By 2012 — when the market for electric cars is a reality — a full launch will occur around San Francisco.

Gizmodo gives us the DL on how this will all be paid for:

Naturally, a project this vast isn’t going to be cheap—$1 billion is a lot of money to burden the taxpayers with. Fortunately, that won’t be a problem because the project will be funded with an incentive plan directed at companies who install the chargers. Building permits will also be expedited to help move things along. Better Place will also be working with Renault-Nissan to distribute electric vehicles in “much the way telecoms distribute cellphones. Customers will subscribe to drive a certain number of miles and get an electric vehicle at a discounted price. Better Place will own the battery.”

What do you think? Too much too soon? Pie in the sky development? Or just what America needs to kick-start the electric automobile revolution?

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