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Solar Hydrogen Fuel Pumps at Gas Stations (Italy)

inhabitat.com -- By Timon Singh

Clean energy company Acta has unveiled plans to install a network of solar-powered hydrogen fueling stations throughout Italy. The new fuel pumps will harness solar energy to produce hydrogen fuel from water through electrolysis.

"...they offer an alternative to the standard gas-guzzling automobile."

Hydrogen technology has certain advantages over batteries — it doesn’t necessitate emission-creating production lines and it doesn’t require long recharge times. The tech has proved that it can work in conjunction with batteries and that it can also become a fully-fledged alternative fuel.

"...completed more than 170 installations during 2009,...paving the way for a more sustainable fueling network."



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Submitted Aug 31, 2010 By: UncleCurt
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  
Author Topic: Solar Hydrogen Fuel Pumps at Gas Stations (Italy) Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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six_ball_man
Champion Author Rochester

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Message Posted: Sep 9, 2010 4:20:20 AM


JeffaKnight wrote: At least at a proper plant you can expect regular inspections and certification.

Yeah...just like they do with oil rigs.
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 6:29:34 AM

Dosequi: some fleet cars have been H2-powered for a long time.
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 6:28:27 AM

prcoqui: guess what... computers when they first came out were about 10 and more times as costly as they are today. And a lot bigger and bulkier.

And cell phones.. same thing.. they used to come in carrying bags and weigh a half ton. Now, you barely even can find it they're so light and you can talk on the phone and surf the web on the new ones. Computers... obsolete in 5 or 10 years. Same will eventually happen with fossil fuel powered cars. And hydrogen and other alternatives are the way to go. Just because the US is dragging the collective heavy derriere doesn't make it bad when other countries are leading the charge.
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prcoqui
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 6:14:50 AM

Those cars are even more expensive than the hybrids or plug in.
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 6:11:42 AM

those who whine "same old crap" - there's nothing that says you MUST post and show how much you are Ameri-centric with big ol' blinders on.
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TRAIN RIDER
Champion Author San Bernardino

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 1:27:52 AM

THEY MUST HAVE HYDROGEN FUEL CELL CARS IN ITALY.
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DosEquis26
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:53:21 AM

what cars can run on this?
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2fast4uFL
Rookie Author Florida

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:52:18 AM

Reliability is important and new technology can be risky business so yeah they'll most likely have to have a mixture or at least a backup fuel source.
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panama303
All-Star Author Denver

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:51:35 AM

yawn...
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Quick68
Champion Author Columbus

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:49:22 AM

Turn the page please. This is old news.
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RENEGADEGAS
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:47:30 AM

inhabitat.com....Of course this is a real reputable news source. Please.
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ashishpa
All-Star Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:46:25 AM

sounds interesting... Europe is always ahead in alternative technologies...
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Bubba44612
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:45:07 AM

It just isn't getting here fast enough.
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Number43
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:37:45 AM

Same old crap from yesterday.
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ThatHunt
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:33:25 AM

Europe always ahead
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Rageagainsttm
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:31:35 AM

That's not on my way to work so I'll Pass.
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Buddy2264
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:30:04 AM

I am all new alternatives that are renewable and save the environment. There will have to be a mixture to make it all work. Conservation keeps your money in your pocket.
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kyrunner
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:29:58 AM

I wonder how well this system works in cold climates?
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JettaKnight
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:23:23 AM

HEBster
Kentucky
"Wish fuel cells made more sense..."

Lots of city busses all over the U.S. & Canada use hydrogen fuel cells. The tanks are on the roof.
They provide the busses with lots of power so that they operate just like any other diesel powered bus, but without the dense particulate exhaust (black smoke) coming out the pipes.
Great in rush hour, especially for anyone outside of the vehicles.
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camel1
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:21:01 AM

Manufacturing process sounds good. is it sustainable in all climates?
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tedjm1
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:20:49 AM

Let's see how this works out. Owners will want to give their opinions on the cars & charging.
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Bus561
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:18:39 AM

This sounds better than electric cars and a whole lot more reliable.
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TBONE3
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:16:35 AM

Sounds interesting but how reliable. Probably not at all here in the US.
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LoneGuy
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:15:46 AM

I don't think the US is going in this direction yet. We need a direction rather than throwing money everywhere.
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Blue_Cruzer
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:15:11 AM

It will be interesting to see what alternate fuel system dominates.
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JettaKnight
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:14:39 AM

NHLiveFree
New Hampshire
"Now THIS is THE way to go!!! In the next 5 to 10 years, we could easily generate our own hydrogen in very simple electrolysis stations at home. That's why all the present large corporations and utilities don't like or want this to be part of our energy future!"

True. People COULD make it at home. Solar or wind power would be the best renewable sources of free energy to do it, otherwise watch your electric bill skyrocket because electrolysis is an inefficient method. (Use a rain barrel for free water, or the utilities will increase water rates too.)

The bigger problem with home processing to get hydrogen would be (possibly) millions of idiots processing, transferring & storing hydrogen gas in substandard containers or ignoring other safety standards & laws. Get to know your neighbours. Would YOU want any of THEM processsing, transferring & storing explosives near YOUR home? At least at a proper plant you can expect regular inspections and certification.
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zeddieiv
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:13:17 AM

nIMBY, not in my back yard
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BlueVanGroup
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:11:51 AM

Makes sense. I'm concerned here that the environmentalists would soon start denouncing how much water we use for our cars, though.
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Panama Red
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:11:10 AM

Can't get much cleaner than solar combined with hydrogen.
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HEBster
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:10:47 AM

Wish fuel cells made more sense...
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Toppers
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:07:45 AM

Now there's a combo of clean energy...
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CobraLeader
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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:06:50 AM



... Isn't hydrogen explosive if near a flame? ...
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lolite
All-Star Author San Diego

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Message Posted: Sep 1, 2010 12:00:01 AM

it all good
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JettaKnight
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:59:37 PM

jimsin630
Chicago
"The problem usually comes down to environmentalists, and those that don't want a hydrogen storeage station closer than 80 miles from anyone because it might be made to explode somehow"

Real environmentalists would most likely approve of hydrogen stations since H2 is a MUCH safer fuel than gasoline, natural gas or propane. The biggest gas explosion in the U.S. happened in New Jersey when a natural gas line ruptured & ignited. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edison,_New_Jersey_natural_gas_explosion
Propane explosions are still too common, often at licensed transfer stations where employees SHOULD know better.
Hydrogen doesn't accumulate in a puddle & burn like gasoline.
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danreino
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:58:19 PM

Far Cry from Rush (the band) says it all about mideast oil.
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civicdutie
Champion Author Rochester

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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:50:32 PM

At almost $8.00 a gallon for regular gas, It comes as no surprise that Italy has pushed alternative fuel faster than here in the USA.
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TFowler513
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:47:17 PM

PERFECT!!! Now there is something else we could import!!!
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NHLiveFree
Champion Author New Hampshire

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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:42:30 PM


Now THIS is THE way to go!!! In the next 5 to 10 years, we could easily generate our own hydrogen in very simple electrolysis stations at home. That's why all the present large corporations and utilities don't like or want this to be part of our energy future!
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AKmailman
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:37:45 PM

so where are the cars that run on hydrogen fuel ?
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OGW
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:36:20 PM

All hydrogen beats electric powered vehicles.
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beachbumCA
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:32:07 PM

Lets see the real world.
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RioGrandFuel
Rookie Author Rio Grande Valley

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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:23:49 PM

I believe it would be better for electric cars if you are able to plug in while shopping.
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Phynque
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:23:22 PM

"---EVBuddy
Champion Author Nevada

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Joined:Sep 2004 Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 10:03:01 PM Ignore EVBuddy Report Abuse

Hydrogen is flamable, sounds like a mistake---"

Well, GASOLINE is flamable too.... was that a mistake?
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divebomber
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:19:30 PM

We'll seeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...................!
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bby
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:16:29 PM

whatever...
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Vette1967
Champion Author Albany

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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:16:06 PM

There is greater incentive to seek out alternate fuels, especially in Europe, where the price of gasoline is so high. Hopefully we can learn from the Italians success.
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abcdMA
Champion Author Worcester

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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:15:06 PM

solar is becoming a better option
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Lukus
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:11:55 PM

A lot of new uses for Solar.
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EVBuddy
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:03:01 PM

Hydrogen is flamable, sounds like a mistake
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BrucePen
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Message Posted: Aug 31, 2010 11:01:13 PM

Great News
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