The Hydrogen Road Of Norway

By Author: David Tanguay
Total Articles: 78
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In the last post, the focus was on California's Hydrogen Highway Network initiative. This one will look at a similar initiative, but on a global scale. HyNor, the Hydrogen Road of Norway, joins various industries together in order to accomplish a goal that has been in the making for several years. Although 2008 is the final year of this project it began in 2005. The beginning conceptualization started 2 years prior that in 2003.

HyNor, an infrastructure produced from hydrogen energy, runs along a 580 kilometer (roughly 360 miles) route between Oslo and Stavanger. The types of transportation that HyNor has incorporated in their plans include buses, taxis, and private vehicles. The official website of HyNor asserts that this venture includes "a partnership connecting major industrial and energy companies, transport companies, regional and national public authorities, and R&D institutes." This partnership offers a comprehensive approach to the implementation of the hydrogen energy infrastructure.

Because of Norway's vast resources in hydro power, natural gas and biomass, the country is an ideal location ...
... to attempt such an endeavor. They have secured backing from a number of interest groups who believe the ideas formulated through HyNor are achievable. In addition, the changeable climatic conditions that Norway experiences allows the project to test the reliability of hydrogen energy "under conditions of large seasonal fluctuations and cold ambient temperatures." This then extends to various segments of the world and will demonstrate the practicality of a hydrogen energy based transportation system.

According to the PDF document prepared by HyNor, the following are the industry participants who are involved in the succession of the project:

* Energy companies
o Hydro, Statoil, Lyse, Vardar, Akershus Energi
* Public transportation companies
o Stor Oslo Lokaltrafikk, Miljøbil Grenland, Rogaland Taxi, Telenor, Norgestaxi
* Universities/colleges and R&D inst.
o Vestlandsforskning, Østfoldforskning, IRIS, UiS, Høgskolen i Agder, Høgskolen i Telemark, Sintef, IFE, NTNU, HiB
* Environmental organizations
o ZERO, Bellona
* Vehicle and vehicle component manufacturers
o Raufoss Fuel Systems, Think
* Public institutions
o Rogaland County, Telemark FK, Akershus County, Drammen, Aust-Agder FK, Lyngdal, Stavanger, Buskerud FK, Oslo, Hordaland County, Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm, Skedsmo, Akershus County
* Others
o Lindum Ressurs, ASG, TeamConsult, Innova, Irmat, GassTEK, RÃ¥det for Drammensregionen, Energiparken, CMR Group

In 2007, HyNor began incorporating hydrogen vehicles to the infrastructure. Beginning with the 15 Quantum H2 Prius vehicles, they added 4 plug-in hybrid H2 TH!NK cars. The latter, a vehicle that not only can be recharged by plugging it into a wall, but that is also powered through a hydrogen fuel cell, was discussed in detail in a previous post. In 2006, HyNor Stavanger, a hydrogen station, was opened. This facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In June 2007, HyNor Grenland, a second hydrogen facility, launched its operation. HyNor Oslo, the third station, plans its inauguration sometime in the Fall of 2008.

HyNor is demonstrating for the rest of the world the benefits of a hydrogen based transportation system. Through their endeavors, we will ideally embark on a more environmentally practical way of getting from one place to another.