M4 to Become Hydrogen Highway Options

[Blake]

I was delighted to read this, I cannot wait to dump my polluting and rip-off fossil fueled motoring and switch to renewable.

This should help slash our CO2 emissions and help save the planet from climate change; bring it on!


M4 to become 'hydrogen highway'
A busy motorway is soon to cater for green motorists, ministers have announced.

Drivers of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles will be able to refuel and recharge their low carbon vehicles on the M4, which spans from south Wales to London, they said.

The Government made the announcement as part of proposals to boost the renewable energy sector.

The "hydrogen highway" aims to promote electric, hydrogen, compressed natural gas and bio-methane as an alternative fuel to petrol and diesel.

Ministers confirmed that south Wales will become the latest Low Carbon Economic Area, with the M4 offering the biggest low carbon refuelling infrastructure in the UK.

There are also plans to include other regions, with similar filling points proposed for Swindon, London and the Midlands.
Source: http://www.rac.co.uk/news-advice/motoring-...drogen-highway/

[TallDarkAndHands...]

I was delighted to read this, I cannot wait to dump my polluting and rip-off fossil fueled motoring and switch to renewable.

This should help slash our CO2 emissions and help save the planet from climate change; bring it on!


M4 to become 'hydrogen highway'
A busy motorway is soon to cater for green motorists, ministers have announced.

Drivers of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles will be able to refuel and recharge their low carbon vehicles on the M4, which spans from south Wales to London, they said.

The Government made the announcement as part of proposals to boost the renewable energy sector.

The "hydrogen highway" aims to promote electric, hydrogen, compressed natural gas and bio-methane as an alternative fuel to petrol and diesel.

Ministers confirmed that south Wales will become the latest Low Carbon Economic Area, with the M4 offering the biggest low carbon refuelling infrastructure in the UK.

There are also plans to include other regions, with similar filling points proposed for Swindon, London and the Midlands.
Source: http://www.rac.co.uk/news-advice/motoring-...drogen-highway/

Be a great target for Al-Queada Operatives as well. Imagine all that Hydrogen going up.

[user23]

Be a great target for Al-Queada Operatives as well. Imagine all that Hydrogen going up.

As opposed to the highly stable substance most people now use for fuel?

[Iommi]

I was delighted to read this, I cannot wait to dump my polluting and rip-off fossil fueled motoring and switch to renewable.

This should help slash our CO2 emissions and help save the planet from climate change; bring it on!

[Torchy]

I seem to remember the Hindenburg was Hydrogen powered...

Seriously though, how is the Hydrogen generated? Fossil fuel wouldn't play any part by chance?

[Bloggo]

I seem to remember the Hindenburg was Hydrogen powered...

Seriously though, how is the Hydrogen generated? Fossil fuel wouldn't play any part by chance?

I believe that Hydrogen is one of the most prolific gases on the Planet. It's almost inexhaustable but difficult to process for commercial use.
So I expect that manufacturers, distributers and the Government will all be making as much money as they can out of it.
Don't expect to see any low prices any time soon.

[Andy1]

Be a great target for Al-Queada Operatives as well. Imagine all that Hydrogen going up.

Big Bang for sure. I wonder what would happen to the Middle East long term though if there wasn't such a big need for oil anymore

[Biker1]

I don't think I fancy driving along with a pressurised container of liquid hydrogen on my vehicle.

I wonder what the safety measures are?

[Blake]

All this has been considered and suitable materials developed to hold the gas under pressure.

I am certain the hydrogen stations will be secure.

This should be the answer to our low-carbon prayers. Can't wait to use it.

[Strafin]

I was delighted to read this, I cannot wait to dump my polluting and rip-off fossil fueled motoring and switch to renewable.

Can't you do that already? Isn't LPG much greener? I don't know if it uses fossil fuels to produce though.

[Blake]

LPG is a by-product of fossil fuels.

I guess one drawback of hydrogen is if numpties were to drive onto our much-loved Newbury bollards and get the tanks pierced. Still, the resulting explosion could rid us of idiot drivers...sounds like a win-win scenario.

[Iommi]

LPG is a by-product of fossil fuels. I guess one drawback of hydrogen is if numpties were to drive onto our much-loved Newbury bollards and get the tanks pierced. Still, the resulting explosion could rid us of idiot drivers...

...and the bollards, and a shop front.

sounds like a win-win scenario.

Agreed.

[dannyboy]

Can't you do that already? Isn't LPG much greener? I don't know if it uses fossil fuels to produce though.

errr, LPG = Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

[Berkshirelad]

I would have thought that using wind power electricity to produce hydrogen from sea water would overcome the issue of no electricity when the wind isn't blowing.

At the moment, there has to be sufficient non-wind capacity in the Grid to provide continuing power on still days.

[JeffG]

I would have thought that using wind power electricity to produce hydrogen from sea water would overcome the issue of no electricity when the wind isn't blowing.

Thought that was a bit of a non-sequitur, until I read it again. Do you mean produce hydrogen when the wind is blowing, then burn it in turbines when it's not? Not sure how efficient that would be.

Sounds a bit like Dinorwig where they pump water up the hill to the reservoir at night when demand is low, then use it to generate hydro-electric power during the day.

[On the edge]

I would have thought that using wind power electricity to produce hydrogen from sea water would overcome the issue of no electricity when the wind isn't blowing.

At the moment, there has to be sufficient non-wind capacity in the Grid to provide continuing power on still days.

Yes, it is a great way to use electricity being produced 'for free' at times when no one wants to use it. Way back, it was thought of for nuclear generation, where a nice big load at night would be very useful! Just an aside - Transport for London will have 8 hydrogen powered busses by the end of 2010 and intend converting taxis. Apparently biggest issue is public perception. Hindenburgh disaster - most of the deaths were people falling from the airship. Same as our own R101 - which was sent on its way with known faults simply to save political faces. Hydrogen blow UP not along like petrol, so you are far less likely to get seriously burned. Petrol is far more dangerous because of that.

[Brewmaster]

I seem to remember the Hindenburg was Hydrogen powered...

Seriously though, how is the Hydrogen generated? Fossil fuel wouldn't play any part by chance?

There are a number of ways. One is by electrolysis, which breaks up water into hydrogen and oxygen. The electricity could be produced by solar power, rather than fossil fuels. And when the oxygen is burned, you are back to water again.

[Bloggo]

There are a number of ways. One is by electrolysis, which breaks up water into hydrogen and oxygen. The electricity could be produced by solar power, rather than fossil fuels. And when the oxygen is burned, you are back to water again.

And yet, water is 2xOxygen and 1xHydrogen atoms???

[lordtup]

There are a number of ways. One is by electrolysis, which breaks up water into hydrogen and oxygen. The electricity could be produced by solar power, rather than fossil fuels. And when the oxygen is burned, you are back to water again.

No wish to enter into the science of the subject , but surely oxygen is more precious than anything . With the diminishing rain forests syndrome leading to less generation of the gas now is not the time to waste it on transportation.
The answer lies in the nuclear fusion field ( fusion not fission ).
Short term fix seems to be de rigueur in the present political spectrum to our long term detriment .

[Bloggo]

And yet, water is 2xOxygen and 1xHydrogen atoms???

Sorry, other way around. 2xHydrogen and 1x Oxygen. Doh!!!!!!