Next Year's "People Mover" May Be Powered on Hydrogen

Researchers at the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) are taking an active role to ensure the future of your transportation through the most abundant element on earth: hydrogen.

There are two primary ways of powering a vehicle through hydrogen. The first of those ways is very similar to the internal combustion engine system used today. The second which researchers view as ideal, uses fuel cell technology.

“Fuel cells have low emissions, produce water as a byproduct and are best for large scale cost effectiveness,” said Michael Thurston, Research Faculty and Technical Director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability.

Currently, researchers are looking at all the little pieces that prevent fuel cell technology from becoming a reality, and the General Motors Fuel Cell Research Center is helping to answer those questions.

“GM put a lot of investment into fuel cells,” Thurston said. “They’re taking a very proactive approach to the solution.”

However, the biggest hurdle may not come from technological issues, but from the economy itself. Researchers know that converting the entire United States to hydrogen fuel overnight isn’t financially conceivable due to the high costs but a transition program must be put into place.

The E. Philip Saunders College of Business is working to help resolve that very problem.

“What we’re finding is that many issues aren’t just technical,” according to Thurston, “We’re bringing together multiple disciplines to resolve these issues together.”

Locally, Monroe County has established specific programs working with bio-fuels. RIT has also been working with New York State to procure a hydrogen car for on campus use. The purpose being to demonstrate, understand and experience the offerings of hydrogen vehicles.

New York State is also working on a project to build hydrogen-fueling stations at strategic locations along the interstate. Allowing drivers to traverse the entire state without the use of current fuel solutions.

Since hydrogen is a gas, there would be a different coupling on both the fueling station and the car, but it would resemble current standards.

Michael feels that the best plan for success is, “adoption through education,” and that education is finding roots right in our backyard.