Frequently Asked Questions
How does hydrogen and fuel cell technology work?
To put simply, the fuel cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Hydrogen and oxygen is delivered to the fuel cell to electrochemically produce electricity. Heat and water are the by-products of the reaction.
A fuel cell combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen from air to produce electrical energy efficiently, quietly and without combustion. The only by-products are water and heat.
Where does hydrogen come from?
BC Transit uses hydrogen from hydro-electricity and recovered waste gas.
Hydrogen is an energy carrier and is produced from energy sources such as: natural gas, coal, gasoline, methanol, or from renewable sources such as biomass from bacteria or algae through photosynthesis; or by using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Most of the hydrogen used in North America today is produced from natural gas. Renewable energy sources currently being used for hydrogen production include hydroelectric, solar, wind, tidal, biomass and geothermal energies.
Hydrogen can be stored, transported and used as needed, allowing the introduction of renewable energy sources into the global energy system.
Isn't there greenhouse gas emissions in the production of hydrogen?
If hydrogen is produced from fossil fuel energy sources such as natural gas, coal, gasoline or methane, carbon dioxide is produced. To address this, work is being done on technologies to capture and contain carbon dioxide at the source.
If hydrogen is made from a renewable energy source such as hydro-electric power there are zero emissions.
Aren't there greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping the hydrogen to Whistler?
Even with emissions produced by shipping the hydrogen, the fleet has reduced emissions significantly. In the first million kilometres, the hydrogen buses saved over 1,000 tonnes of emissions compared to diesel buses and almost 100 tonnes compared to hybrid buses.
Hydrogen is no different from fuels that have high energy content and, like most fuels already in daily use, hydrogen must be handled properly to be safe. In general, hydrogen is no more or less hazardous than gasoline, natural gas, propane, or methane.
As with any fuel, safe handling depends on knowledge of its particular physical, chemical, and thermal properties and consideration of safe ways to accommodate those properties. Hydrogen, handled with this knowledge, is a safe and beneficial fuel.
Hydrogen is already safely produced, stored, transported, and used in large volumes by industry following well-established practices. These practices can be adopted in transportation uses of hydrogen to attain the same level of routine safety.
Fuel cell buses that use hydrogen are designed and built to meet necessary vehicle safety requirements.
What is the difference between hybrid and pure fuel cell technology?
In a pure fuel cell vehicle, the fuel cell alone provides power to operate the vehicle. Hybridizing fuel cell vehicles with electrical energy storage (batteries, ultra capacitors) can have several benefits - for example, enhancing fuel economy and capturing regenerative braking energy. Hybrid technology is already in use with automobiles using gasoline and electricity. BC Transit has been operating hybrid buses that use diesel and electricity since 2005.
What are the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell buses?
Hydrogen fuel cell powered buses:
- produce no harmful emissions
- produce no smog-creating emissions
- produce no greenhouse gas emissions
- can be twice as energy efficient as conventional buses with internal combustion engines
- can use a variety of fuel sources, including renewable fuel sources such as hydro-electric power
- are much quieter than conventional buses
What is the importance of hydrogen fuel cell technology in transit operations?
Transit is already an environmentally responsible option, efficiently moving people in urban communities. Hydrogen fuel cells are a source of energy that produce zero emissions. Developing hydrogen transit fleets will allow for even greater health, social and environmental benefits than transit already provides.
We all benefit. A zero-emission transit fleet provides important social, health and environmental benefits and, according to recent studies, reduce health costs.
There are also economic benefits. Canadian innovation in hydrogen and fuel cell research and development is recognized world-wide. Canadian firms are positioned to capitalize on the market opportunities that full scale commercialization of this technology will bring.
The buses are manufactured by New Flyer Industries of Winnipeg. The three main sub-contractors are ISE Corporation of San Diego, which is responsible for the hybrid drive system; Ballard Power Systems of Burnaby, which provide the fuel cell modules; and Dynetek Industries of Calgary, which work on the hydrogen storage system.
Is BC Transit alone in buying these vehicles?
Among others, BC Transit joins Europe, the United States, Korea, Japan, China and Australia in pursuing the similar goals.
The Hydrogen Bus Alliance: www.hydrogenbusalliance.org
- On October 5, 2006 representatives of the public transport companies of London, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Berlin and Barcelona joined with BC Transit to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate and work together with regard to hydrogen powered buses. Perth, (Western Australia), South Tyrol (Italy) and Cologne (Germany) have subsequently joined the MOU.
- This group will share information and knowledge on hydrogen powered bus technologies and refueling infrastructure, planned procurement programs and tender procedures, documentation and evaluation. The Alliance is developing a strategy for joint activities to bring hydrogen fuelled buses closer to commercialization.
- The Alliance continues to promote the expansion of its membership.
CHIC: http://chic-project.eu/
CHIC, the Clean Hydrogen In European Cities Project, is the essential next step leading to the full market commercialization of Fuel Cell Hydrogen powered (FCH) buses.
The project involves integrating 26 FCH buses in daily public transport operations and bus routes in five locations across Europe – Aargau (Switzerland), Bolzano/Bozen (Italy), London (UK), Milan (Italy), and Oslo (Norway). The project will also link with similar projects in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Whistler (Canada). These projects will bring their results to the CHIC partnership so that the CHIC cities can leverage their considerable expertise and experience in the operation of hydrogen buses in public transport fleets.
Do drivers need to be specially trained?
Transit drivers, mechanics and maintenance staff are trained to operate fuel cell buses, just as with any other new technology bus or new technology in a conventional bus design.
You can go for a ride on one of these demonstration buses on the Whistler Transit System.