The relentless march of alternative fuels towards everyday convenience has taken a step forward with Honda engineers in North America kicking-off trials of a home refueling station for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
Previous solar hydrogen refueling systems required an electrolyser and a separate compressor to create high pressure hydrogen. The new system developed by Honda and now undergoing testing, fits into a home garage.
The system produces 0.5kg of hydrogen in an 8-hour overnight fill - sufficient for most daily commuting (16,000kms annually).
Honda's system uses a new high differential pressure electrolyser which eliminates the need for a compressor.
The Honda Solar Hydrogen Station (HSHS) also eliminates the need to store hydrogen and allows consumers to take advantage of off-peak electrical power charges by refueling overnight.
Compatible with a 'Smart Grid' energy system, HSHS can also export renewable electricity to the grid, providing a cost saving to the consumer while remaining energy neutral.
Now under test at Honda's Los Angeles, California R& D facility, the new system uses a 48-panel solar array with the solar cells produced by subsidiary company Honda Soltec Co. Inc. Compared to conventional solar cells, Honda's unique thin-film cells reduce the amount of C02 generated during manufacture.
Honda says the slow-fill overnight replenishment of fuel cell electric vehicles needs to be complemented by a public network of fast-fill hydrogen stations to provide five-minute 'top-ups' for long trips. Honda's FCX Clarity electric vehicle is fast-fill capable and currently affords a driving range between refills of more than 300kms.
