Alternative Transportation Fuels
Hydrogen Powered Vehicles: A Saskatchewan First
One much touted green alternative to gasoline and diesel fuel is hydrogen. Burning hydrogen produces only energy and water, so there are no pollutants or GHGs.
Hydrogen (H) should be the ideal fuel, since it is the most abundant substance in the universe. However, it takes energy to extract it from parent materials like water (H20). The ultimate energy system would involve an economical way to use solar or wind power to make hydrogen.
Developing a hydrogen-based economy involves a number of steps, one step being prototype hydrogen powered vehicles. In 2004-2005, the Saskatchewan Research Council developed the world's first hydrogen-diesel and hydrogen-gasoline vehicles.
The world's first hydrogen/diesel truck was the result of a feasibility study on hydrogen fuel being conducted by SRC for the Ecce Energy Corporation, a Saskatchewan company. The study demonstrates the technical feasibility of dual-fueling existing diesel and gasoline truck models with hydrogen.
Proprietary hydrogen systems being developed in Saskatchewan are considered a critical bridging technology as the transportation industry moves towards vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Dual fuel vehicles burn hydrogen in an internal combustion engine, whereas a fuel cell is more like a battery and uses hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity.
It is anticipated that greenhouse gas (GHG) and other tailpipe emissions will be significantly reduced by using hydrogen blends. SRC's unique modification of existing vehicles to use hydrogen alongside conventional fuels provides an opportunity to reduce emissions at the lowest cost, with greatest flexibility for the vehicle operator.
Two prototype vehicles using hydrogen have been developed. The first is a General Motors (GM) heavy-duty pickup truck with a 6.6-L turbocharged diesel engine. It can be operated on diesel fuel alone, or on a combination of diesel and up to 60% hydrogen. The performance of the vehicle is excellent, and there is no power loss when operating in the dual-fuel mode. The second prototype developed is also a GM pickup truck, but it is powered with a 6.0-L engine that will burn gasoline and/or hydrogen.
Development of the prototypes is expected to lead to demonstration of this novel hydrogen technology in Saskatchewan. This development and demonstration is positioning Ecce to commercialize the technology and to develop hydrogen infrastructure in the province.
Active Transportation
One of the most effective alternatives to gas powered vehicles is called active transportation, that is, human powered transportation by foot or bicycle.
In addition to reducing GHG emissions, pollution, and resource consumption, regular participation in active transportation can result in the reduction of health risks of 30-40 percent for breast cancer, 30-40 percent for colon cancer, and 50 percent for Type 2 diabetes. It can also reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and even depression.
Another benefits to active transportation is financial. The Canadian Automotive Association estimated that the average cost of driving a vehicle in Canada in 2003 was 53 cents per kilometre or $9,525 per year (based on gas price of 80.1 cents/L and an annual driving distance of 18,000 kilometres).
And remember that cycling can even be faster than driving during peak commuting hours.
Saskatoon already has the second-highest proportion of cyclists of all major Canadian cities, twice the national average. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society and In Motion (a provincial movement to encourage more physical fitness) are urging Saskatonians to get even more active by encouraging a little friendly competition called the Hike and Bike Challenge.
The 2003 Challenge involved 33 teams and more than 300 participants from in motion workplaces. By choosing active transportation to travel an estimated total distance of 13,180 km, participants saved 1,318 litres of gasoline and eliminated 3,084 kilograms or three tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.