| Previous successful
hydrogen demonstration projects in Iceland have inspired VistOrka (the
largest shareholder of Icelandic New Energy) to allocate at least 3,5 million
$US to take the next steps into a hydrogen future based entirely on renewable
energy. The SMART-H2 (Sustainable Marine and Road Transport,- Hydrogen
in Iceland), is a supported market introduction where different companies
impose various demands on the hydrogen technology in mixed customer niches.
SMART-H2 involves hydrogen cars, operation of a fitted fuel cell system
on board a boat, further development of hydrogen distribution, as well
as research. VistOrka’s role in SMART-H2 is to form the steering committee
for the project, finance its management, subsidise hydrogen vehicles, fully
finance all equipment for an auxiliary power unit (APU) on board a boat
and partially support the research to follow up all parts of the project.
The SMART-H2 will be one of the largest H2 demonstrations in the world,
the implementation phase starts in July 2007 and ends by 2010. Many Icelandic
and international partners participate in SMART-H2. Whereas the Icelandic
partners in VistOrka are public companies this undertaking shows the devotion
of the Icelandic community to hydrogen development.
The organisation of this diverse
and comprehensive project will be described as the project unfolds along
with the partners in each phase. The first steps are to introduce in July
two A-Class fuel cell vehicles (from DaimlerChrysler) and ten retrofitted
(by Quantum) Toyota Prius hydrogen vehicles in September. Customers
select the type of car that fit their service fleets and buy or lease them,
and technical support is included. The first customers are energy companies,
investment funds and the Herz car rental service. Then up to 30 cars will
be provided according to demand and availability in 2008 and 2009. The
type will depend on availability and the customer’s selection, preferably
fuel cell cars.
The Auxiliary Power Unit (10-15 kW
hybrid system) based on fuel cells and gaseous hydrogen will be designed
in Iceland and installed on a 150 passengers’ whale watching vessel that
operates from Reykjavik. The SMART-H2 and the hydrogen economy concept
will be outlined in a showroom onboard.
Data from the performance of the
equipment will be collected extensively and used in research and supportive
studies which is a large part of the SMART-H2. Research institutes, universities,
Master and PhD students have been appointed in order to follow up the outcomes,
not the least on economic terms.
From end of April 2008 people in
Iceland can rent a hydrogen car for an environmentally friendly sightseeing
tour in Reykjavik and experience a memorable whale watching trip including
hydrogen excursion at sea.
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