Honda Develops Next Generation Solar Hydrogen Station for Home Refueling

Copyright Honda Motor Co.

Honda announced on January 27, 2010, the start of field testing for a next generation solar hydrogen station in the United States of America. Designed to be compact enough to fit in a home garage, the new system is intended for home use as a supplier of hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

With its newly developed high-differential pressure electrolyzer, Honda has integrated the production and compression of hydrogen into a unit that requires no compressor, and has realized a compact, low-noise, and low-cost system. When operated for eight hours, the system produces 0.5 kilograms of hydrogen, which is enough to run Honda's FCEV, FCX Clarity, for about 50 kilometers.

By eliminating the high-pressure hydrogen storage tank, the tested system can be further downsized, facilitating simpler home installation. When combined with a high-pressure hydrogen tank like existing systems, the system can be used in both households and may have a wider range of uses in various future applications.

Designed to complement public hydrogen station networks, the system will help to meet the various needs of FCEV users when combined with five-minute rapid chargers at public hydrogen stations.

Honda worldwide website
http://world.honda.com/

Posted: 2010/05/24 06:00:15 AM

TAG Energy , Manufacturing industry , Transportation