Fuels conference attracts stakeholders
Engineering managers from four automakers said their auto companies are investing in cleaner burning fuel-efficient hybrid cards during the transition when industry resources move to hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The need to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere is urgent, said Ford Motor Company Director Paul Killgoar, a panelist at the Sustainable Fuel Technologies Conference sponsored by WSU's World Bridge and the College of Engineering. Ford plans to offer combination gas/electric versions in many of its popular selling cars and trucks.
reduce carbon emissions in the
atmosphere is urgent, said Ford Motor Company Director Paul Killgoar, a panelist at the Sustainable Fuel Technologies Conference sponsored by WSU's World Bridge and the College of Engineering. Ford plans to offer combination gas/electric versions in many of its popular selling cars and trucks.
In January, emerging hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) technology got a boost from President Bush who pledged to support HFC research and development. More than $270 million in federal dollars is committed for fiscal year 2004 to hydrogen fuel cells, part of a $1.7 billion pledge over five years, said Charles Winter, WSU professor of chemistry who spoke on the Freedom Car and Fuel Initiative.
Ralph Kummler, interim dean of the College of Engineering, said about 200,000 automotive related jobs geared to the current technology are at stake. "As we seek a better way to power our cars, it is fitting the College has established collaborations to solve these problems," he told conference guests. "As we move to new technologies, the College must be at the forefront of this change."
One key element for a successful changeover will be the need to work closely with the current auto supplier chain, said Steven Arwood, chairman of operations for NextEnergy. The new state-sponsored NextEnergy center will be located in the WSU Technology Park going up north of campus. The center aims to foster businesses and University collaborations involved in the new technology.
Ford staffers offered a look into the future by displaying its experimental hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle in the hallway outside the College's Smart Sensor and Integrated Microsystems laboratories.
The converted Ford Focus uses oxygen from its air compressor and hydrogen from the fuel tank in fuel cells to generate electricity.
Chris Barroni-Bird, director of General Motor Corp's Highwire and Autonomy Program, presented his company's ambitious approach to the future - a thoroughly redesigned car with a 'skateboard platform' that places its HFC propulsion system directly under the passenger compartment.
While a few HFC car prototypes are up and running, major issues, including hydrogen storage, a nationwide fueling infrastructure, universal electrical output standards, and expense still need to be successfully addressed. "Fuel cells aren't ready for prime time, at least not tomorrow, and probably not by the time I retire," said Ford's Killgoar, a man in his middle age.
The Department of Energy has targeted the year 2020 for hydrogen fuel cell powered cars to be available in dealer showrooms. To bridge the time, automakers are offering more and improved hybrid vehicles, as well as taking a second look at diesel.
John German, a manager with American Honda Motor Co., touted the Honda Civic hybrid, which went on sale last year in the United States. The five-seater subcompact with standard amenities achieves 51 mpg highway driving, he said. This compares favorably with 26 mpg, the average gas mileage for cars on America's roads today.
The American public response to the early hybrids has been 'better than we expected,' said German. With the 'innovators' among the public convinced, his company's challenge now is to persuade the 'early adopters.'
Killgoar said Ford is dedicated to the realization of fuel cells and "the road to reducing our independence on fossil fuels." In the meantime, Ford would like more Americans driving diesel cars. "We believe diesel technology to be a major player in the future to get to hydrogen fuel cells," Killgoar said.
Fuel-efficient cars using vastly improved cleaner diesel engines than what the American experience has been make up a large number of the cars being driven in Europe, the automakers said.
Reginald Modlin, DaimlerChrysler's director of Environmental and Energy Planning, said the sticker price for the new hybrids need to come down before the public gets interested. Right now, the savings in fuel consumption for hybrid cars does not make up for the price except for families who put a lot of mileage on their cars. Modlin said he would like to see diesels in the American market. "Fuel cells will not happen in the next few years. We've got to work on what we've got."
World Bridge provides support to faculty and students in areas of study aboard, global grants, visiting scholars, exchanges, and international agreements. The College of Engineering with more than 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students offers a wide range of fully accredited engineering disciplines. Its well-respected graduates represent a large force in Michigan industry and the engineering field.