DOE Announces Opening Of Hydrogen Moneypissawayathon - $350M To Start

[hatrack]

DETROIT — The Energy Department announced $350 million in grants Tuesday to more than 130 research institutions and companies, including the Big Three automakers, to put hydrogen-fueled cars on the road by 2015.

The projects, which are worth $575 million with private funding, are aimed at removing some of the obstacles to developing the cleaner-burning technology for widespread use.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said the projects will address problems such as how to store hydrogen and how to make hydrogen fuel cells that are durable and affordable. "It's a very comprehensive program that has brought together for the first time the major energy and the major automotive companies of the world to work on this extremely important challenge," Abraham said.

EDIT

Detroit's Big Three automakers — General Motors, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler — each will lead research teams, as will Texaco Energy Systems LLC and Air Products and Chemicals Inc. Other companies chosen to take part in the projects include Shell Oil Products, BP, and foreign automakers."

EDIT

http://www.enn.com/news/2004-04-28/s_23253.asp

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. it's a (bullshit) "good faith effort"

to show the world we're trying to find alternative forms of energy. If we were serious and actually sunk money into it, we'd already have the technology. Unfortunately, the companies listed that are leading the research teams are exactly the same people who stand to lose from switching to alternative fuels.

[whosinpower]

2. Our province has already achieved hydrogen/diesel

hybrids and the research group is taking the next step to build a fleet.