Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Technology State of the ... - NEXTHYLIGHTS

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Technology State of the Art Review
extended through the partnership with the HyFLEET:CUTE) and the recent deployment
of three buses for the Beijing Olympic Games (2008). The UNDP-GEF II phase will
introduce up to 6 new buses in Shanghai from 2010, for a two years demonstration.
Beijing has permanent hydrogen refuelling station operative from 2006, whilst Shanghai
is developing its own by 2010. The collaboration with international projects is intended
by the MOST as additional to the domestic demonstration programmes [CFCB, 2010]
[IDRC, 2008][UNU-MERIT, 2006]. The Tsinghua University and the Nanyang
Technological University (Singapore) recently unveiled a new hybrid fuel cell bus, jointly
developed by the two universities. The bus will provide shuttle services in occasion to
the Youth Olympics in Singapore. Finally, the Clean Energy Automotive Engineering
Centre (CEAEC) of Tongji University announced 50 fuel cell buses in shuttle service in
occasion of 2010 Asian Games and Asian Para Games in Guangzhou City [FCW, 2010].
Japan
Japan is one of the world leaders in hydrogen and fuel cell research and development
activities, having an extensive national research program (mainly focused on basic
research). The Japanese program involves a large number of authorities and research
centres in an extensive network of RD&D activities. Figure 38, below, reports the
structure of the national program for fuel cell vehicle, a ~ $250 million/year program
throughout 2004-2007. The Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration project
(JHFC) is responsible for vehicles‟ technology test and demonstration with the ultimate
scope to facilitate their commercialisation. The JHFC was initiated in 2002 by the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in collaboration with public authorities
and private firms (international and Japanese), and is organised in two coordinated
branches:
a) Fuel Cell Vehicle Demonstration Study;
b) Hydrogen Infrastructure Demonstration Study.
In JHFC‟s phase I (FY 2002-2005), the project‟s objectives were focused on vehicle and
hydrogen production & dispensing efficiencies. In the current phase II (2006-2010), the
project‟s objectives are focused on data collection, public awareness and identification of
actual use conditions. JHFC aims to mature a comprehensive knowledge on vehicle
performances, production & distribution characteristics and environmental impacts to
help develop a Japanese roadmap for mass-scale commercialisation. From 2009 the
JHFC has been subsided by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development
Organization (NEDO). The Japan‟ two FCB demonstrations have been promoted under
the JHFC programme (Toyota/Hino, a total of 8 buses).
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