The University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology- Hydrogen Futures Update- Montana’s H2 Economy- November 2003

HIGH SCHOOL HYDROGEN CONTEST

Today’s high school students will be Montana’s hydrogen leaders. To promote student inquiry and hydrogen education, the UM-MCOT is sponsoring a statewide hydrogen program contest. All high schools in Montana are invited to participate in the contest by completing a community hydrogen resource inventory. All participating schools will receive hydrogen curriculum materials while the best five inventories will be awarded solar to hydrogen production demonstration units. Deadline for the contest entries is December 15, 2003.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY LEARNING CENTER

The initial steps to establish an Alternative Energy Learning Center in Missoula are moving forward. A 10 KW wind turbine has been relocated from a Montana Tech research site near Norris. This EPSCOR piece of equipment was acquired in the 1990s along with a 50 KW turbine to be moved from Ennis to the Missoula area. When the approval process is complete, it is planned that the 10 KW turbine will be erected on the eastern edge of the University campus to capture the power from the much maligned Hellgate wind. Solar voltaics and a fuel cell have already been secured with plans to add an electrolyzer, hydrogen storage, micro-turbine, grid connections, and H2 fueling station in the future. This laboratory will provide a readily accessible facility for a variety of student uses.

HYDROGEN FUTURES PARK PLANNING GRANT

The University of Montana College of Technology has received preliminary notification that the University is to receive a grant to implement the first phase of planning for the H2 Futures Park @UM. This grant will facilitate the initial steps that are necessary to complete the preliminary steps for the first sustainable, hydrogen-powered campus. More details to follow.

ENERGY TECHNICIAN/ENGINEER PROGRAM

Preliminary curricular work is being coordinated between the UM-MCOT and Montana Tech to design WEB-based degree programs that will help create the educated infrastructure needed in a hydrogen economy. The design will include opportunities for students to enroll in a one-year certificate program, a two-associate degree program and/or a four-year engineer program. More details to follow!!

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY LEARNING CENTER

Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality has teamed up with the UM-MCOT to submit a grant proposal to establish a new learning center in Montana focused on providing the education essential to create the hydrogen economy that the Montana Legislature supported in its March session. The national competition is keen for this Center but cooperative projects like this lay the groundwork for future collaboration.

ALTERNATIVE FUELS FROM CARBON-BASED RESOURCES

Montana’s great abundance of carbon-based fuels makes it a natural to produce synthetic fuels for the transition from present fuels to a new hydrogen infrastructure. Connections and liaisons with companies that specialize in hydrogen-enriched synthetic fuel production from coal, natural gas, and biomass are being established to open new possibilities for Montana’s economy, jobs and the future. Synthetic fuel will help the country meet trucking fuel needs and 2005 pollution standards.

UNIVERSITY ENERGY SUMMIT

Each summer, The University of Montana sponsors a summit that invites key national leaders representing a variety of viewpoints to discuss national issues. The summer 2004 summit will critically look at the many issues surrounding a new energy paradigm. A special invitation list and agenda are now being developed.

HYDROGEN ROUNDTABLE

Each year, Richard McKean, UM’65, through his Montreux Energy, Geneva, Switzerland, sponsors a special international Hydrogen Roundtable. This year R. Paul Williamson attended the meeting in Denver and came away with new knowledge, information, many new network contacts and renewed faith in establishing a hydrogen economy in Montana.

ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS

An important alternative energy project possibility was recently brought to the UM-MCOT. The Department of Energy contacted the UM-MCOT and invited the College to partner with the DOE, Indiana and Kentucky to participate in a proposal that will put an electric bus in each area for demonstration and monitoring. UM-MCOT is working with the Stevensville Public Schools to place the bus there, if the grant is awarded.

OFFICE OF ALTERNTIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

Plans are being developed to establish an Office of Alternative Energy Development in Missoula’s MonTEC. This office would facilitate the coordination of alternative energy businesses with appropriate communities around Montana.

GRANT STATUS

Grant applications to establish the Montana Hydrogen Telecommunications Network through The National Telecommunications and Information Administration and develop a statewide Hydrogen Micro Enterprise System through the National Science Foundation have both been denied. The work, however, will serve to support continued work to find the necessary funding to support the creation of a Montana Hydrogen Economy. No word on FutureGen at this point.

H2 WEB INFORMATION EXPANDED

We continue to develop our Web site for Montana’s Hydrogen Economy Project at The University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology. Go to http://www.cte.umt.edu and click on “Montana Hydrogen Economy” to go to the hydrogen page. At the hydrogen page, click on any topic Web page for more information

VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE

We are looking for a volunteer to help coordinate the High School Hydrogen Program Project. If you are interested, please contact