Topic: B.C.’s eco-bus debacle

[tpl]

There are multiple ways of making hydrogen, from fossil fuels is just the easiest way.  The same goes for creating electricity.  Of course both can be made with green methods, but hydrogen can be stored better than electricity.

Are you certain about this?  Hydrogen, due to it being the smallest molecule or something like that, happily seeps out of anywhere you try to contain it.  With the proliferation of electric cars, "surplus" electricity could be stored in them.  In fact, the grid could be more efficient if there was a draw for power during the nights, such as for recharging cars.

You can also "store" electricity by pumping water uphill, or reducing flow through hydro plants.

You're totally correct about hydrogen. It was described to us as the Houdini of gases.  Can't imagine having aging poorly maintained cars with hydrogen tanks in an enclosed space like a parking garage.

For all kinds of reasons, not just H2 I suspect that mass produced FC cars would have to have mandatory maintenance more like an airliner than a Chevrolet...if you want them to keep working that is.  Which would be a good thing for all cars...but it would of course be called a 'tax-grab'

[X-Traction]

http://www.hyperproject.eu/page/4859/

"Hydrogen gas has a very low viscosity and so it is very difficult to prevent hydrogen systems from developing leaks. Pipe work that was ‘leak tight’ when pressure-tested with nitrogen will often be found to leak profusely when used on hydrogen duty.
Hydrogen leakage through welds, flanges, seals, gaskets, etc is an important consideration and an important design and operational issue for hydrogen systems.
The use of suitable sealing interfaces and appropriate components within a hydrogen system, however, will significantly reduce the likelihood of this occurring if fitted by a competent person. For high-pressure storage systems, hydrogen would leak nearly three times faster than natural gas and over five times faster than propane. However the low energy density of hydrogen means that it produces substantially lower energy leakage rates."

Well from the sound of it a spark from a garage door opener might send things flyin' high 

Ballard Power Systems tried for many years, and soaked up an awful lot of tax money, trying in vain to develop a viable FC system for cars.  One time a tanker truck delivering Hydrogen to their facility started leaking. They evacuated for several kilometers around the area, and I recall the fire chief being interviewed on tv.  You could see he was shaking, probably from fear of a gigantic explosion.  You can't take shampoo on an airliner but there's no concern about these things?

[Fobroader]

Hydrogen eh.....




Im not one of those easily scared types, but having the Hindenburg in the garage kinda makes me pucker....

[tpl]

All that smoke and flame was the doped fabric exterior and the gas bag material burning.

Anyway not even in BC do they attempt to moor buses up in the air.

[dkaz]

Not hydrogen but two young women died when the natural gas car they were in was rear ended in a border lineup and exploded.

[safristi]

"Doped Fabric" is that the nouveau nomenclature ...I'll Huff and I will PUFF but not inhale
 to get to the Liquoiri store....