NEW ENERGY IN ICELAND

Every calculation NewEnergyNews has seen shows that energy is lost when using electricity to make hydrogen fuel or hydrogen fuel cells. Just use the electricity to charge electric vehicles -- and make electric vehicles go farther on the charge.

Iceland phasing out fossil fuels for clean energy
Peggy Mihelich, September 20, 2007 (CNN)

WHO
Professor Bragi Arnason, University of Iceland (retired) – aka "Professor Hydrogen"; General Motors, Toyota, DaimlerChrysler hydrogen fuel testing operations;

A geologically dynamic place, actively developing ALL its resources. Can your country claim the same? (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Iceland is a half-century ahead of the rest of the world in its commitment to New Energy. Arnason and others want to use Iceland’s geothermal and hydroelectric capacity to create hydrogen fuel and turn Iceland into the world’s first hydrogen economy. Car companies are working with the concept in Iceland.

WHEN
- Iceland has been developing its New Energy capacity for 50 years, beginning with heat from its volcanic (geothermal) geysers and power from its abundant hydropower resources.
- In 2003, Reykjavik had 3 hyrdogen fuel cell buses that an all day w/o refueling. The 3-year test cost $10 million. No follow-up is reported. (Just use electricity.)

WHERE
Iceland is a lonely island in the North Atlantic. Capital: Reykjavik

WHY
- A lack of domestic fossil fuel resources and the high cost of importing them drove Iceland to its now seemingly prescient commitment to renewables.
- Despite being an advanced, industrial society, Iceland is 53rd in the world in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Gas from imported oil is $8/gallon in Iceland.
- Hydrogen fuel is made from water with electricity and Iceland would need to import neither.
- Mercedes Benz is testing the A-class F-cell , an electric car powered by a DaimlerChrysler fuel cell. It goes 100 miles on a tank of H2 + 18miles on an electric battery. It refuels in 5-6 minutes.
- Fuel cell: converts hydrogen and oxygen to electricity with a byproduct (emission) of water.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell vehicle stuck in remote Iceland looking for a hydrogen refueling station.

QUOTES
- Arnason: "Iceland is the ideal country to create the world's first hydrogen economy…"
- Asdis Kritinsdottir, Reykjavik Energy, on the F-cell: "It's just like a normal car…"