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Architectural concept of the planned hydrogen station
Proposed SMUD hydrogen refueling station
Location and schedule
SMUD/BP is proposing to build a small hydrogen demonstration refueling station just west of the SMUD Headquarters building in the 6200 block of S Street. The anticipated construction completion date is Summer 2007.
Description
SMUD is part of a select group chosen to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles under the U.S. Department of Energy's Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project. SMUD is participating in the program with Ford and Daimler-Chrysler -- which are providing the prototype cars -- and BP, which is installing and operating the hydrogen station refueling equipment.
The facility will feature an eco-friendly design that uses solar panels to make electricity, which is then used to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen generated from water is used to power hydrogen fueled vehicles. This simulates natural processes similar to photosynthesis as used by trees and vegetation to make energy.
While SMUD currently uses a hydrogen refueling station at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in West Sacramento (8.0 miles away) and another site at the local Air Products industrial plant (4 miles away), this planned station will better support testing of the vehicles as part of the demonstration program. The facility will also be used for public education and to promote hydrogen generation from clean renewable electricity.
The amount of hydrogen produced at the site will be kept low. The station will store the equivalent of 50 gallons of gasoline, which is not much more than what a typical large commercial truck carries in its fuel tank. The station will comply with all applicalbe regulations and standards.
The station will not be open to the public and will be limited to use by SMUD and State of California fuel cell vehicles. Approximately two to three vehicles a day are expected to refuel at the facility, causing no impacts to local traffic.
Additional hydrogen facts
Hydrogen could offer a sustainable approach to energy development that meets the needs of the customers and the environment in the future. It is considered the ultimate clean motor fuel since hydrogen-fueled vehicles produce no harmful tailpipe emissions, just water.What is hydrogen?
Hydrogen is an environmentally clean and abundant fuel source found in water, natural gas and other organic compounds. It has the highest energy content per unit weight of any known fuel. Hydrogen is clear, odorless, tasteless, and it is non-toxic.
How is hydrogen fuel used?
Hydrogen is used two ways in vehicle applications to provide vehicle power, through a device called a fuel cell or a modified internal combustion engine. In the fuel cell, the hydrogen combines with oxygen from the air to produce electricity. Fuel cells onboard a vehicle generate electricity to power an electric motor that drives the vehicles. The only "exhaust" is water vapor. For internal combustion engines running on hydrogen, the hydrogen is used the same way gasoline is used, but with considerably less air pollution coming out of the tail pipe. The Ford Focus vehicles for this project will use fuel cells.
Is hydrogen safe?
Like any fuel, hydrogen requires proper handling and a safe system designed for production, storage and usage. In general, hydrogen is as safe as gasoline, diesel or natural gas -- and in some regards, safer.
How is hydrogen produced?
Hydrogen gas rarely occurs on its own in nature. Instead, it readily combines with other elements and can be extracted from a variety of compounds in a variety of ways. At BP refineries, hydrogen is produced by a process called steam reforming. It can also be produced by electrolysis, in which an electric current is used to split water into its components -- hydrogen and oxygen. Electrolysis is the process that will be used in the proposed SMUD station.
What experience does BP have with hydrogen?
For more than 40 years, BP has been producing enormous amounts of hydrogen -- routinely and safely -- at its refineries around the world. Now that experience is being applied, on a much smaller scale, to produce, store and use hydrogen as a fuel. BP has 11 hydrogen refueling locations around the world.
Will the SMUD station operate safely?
Safety is the absolute highest priority to SMUD, BP, Ford Motor Company and Daimler Chrysler. During the coming months, the project partners will work closely and communicate with the community on our hydrogen demonstration project. The station will fully comply with all applicable safety regulations, codes and standards, and will feature state-of-the-art safety equipment and systems.