I n B r i e f
Chinese hydrogen station for BP BP is a partner in a new hydrogen vehicle demonstration project being established by the Chinese Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST). BP will design, construct, operate and supply hydrogen refueling facilities for the project, which will see hydrogen-powered vehicles in Beijing and Shanghai. It will draw on experience it has gained through participation in similar hydrogen projects elsewhere.
The technology in the Chinese stationhopefully the first of many there -is likely to include on-site production of hydrogen via electrolysis, and a way to tap into the natural gas network for reforming into hydrogen. These approaches should help cut costs because they would replace the expensive trucking-in of hydrogen in gaseous or liquid form.
MOST is developing and cofunding the project with the UN Development Program and the Chinese national hydrogen program. It is still finalizing details with other potential partners, but it should be operational by mid-2005.
GM fuel cell curriculum receives SAE award
General Motors' nationwide in-school fuel cell education program, 'Fuel Cells: Driving the Future', has been honored with an Environmental Excellence in Transportation (E2T) award by the Society of Automotive Engineers. GM's curriculum was honored in the Education, Training & Public Awareness category.
The fuel cell curriculum (www.gmability. com/education) was launched in 2002, and has reached nearly 3.5m middle-school students. It was developed by Lifetime Learning Systems, and provides science teachers with a free curriculum that highlights the fundamentals of hydrogen fuel cell technology.