Hydrogen Futures Update- Montana’s H2 Economy – December, 2002

University of Montana College of Technology, Missoula, MT

HYDROFORUM WEEK SET

The Department of Energy has agreed to sponsor a HydroForum in Missoula the last week of March, 2003 to highlight the progress that hydrogen energy has made in recent years. Focusing on the pollution-free environment created by hydrogen use and the opportunity hydrogen gives the United States to become energy independent, the week will showcase a variety of presentations that will give interested business, political, economic, environmental, community leaders, and others timely information on a wide array of hydrogen-related products influencing a hydrogen economy. Missoula is the first rural HydroForum to be scheduled. Others have been held in Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles.

FIRST STEPS TO INITIATE MONTANA H2 ECONOMY

It is clear that Montana is at least five years behind where it needs to be in relation to the competitive world of state economies and innovative hydrogen technologies. This is extremely disappointing considering the fact that Montana is the only state in the nation that holds all the natural resources to be a hydrogen state. By fall it is apparent that three major steps must be in order to catch up and not be in a position of picking up crumbs as an “also ran” follower.
Three things must happen:

1. Montana needs to adopt a Hydrogen Energy Plan.

2. Montana needs to create a “Best Business Environment” Plan that will facilitate the hundreds of businesses and products that will be part of the hydrogen future.

3. Montana needs to break ground on the Hydrogen Futures Park.

GREAT INTEREST AND EXCITEMENT

As the Dean of the UM College of Technology has traveled around the state speaking to groups about a hydrogen economy for Montana, great interest and excitement has been generated. Thus far, presentations have been given in Missoula, Helena, Miles City and Kalispell to citizens, political leaders, state government heads, two-year college CEO’s, native lands spokespersons, businessmen and women as well as community, education and environmental advocates. It is hoped that this interest will continue to build and grow as these Montanans speak with others and promote a new future for the state.

STATEWIDE PRESENTATIONS

Presentations at various events around the state will be delivered by R. Paul Williamson, dean of The University of Montana College of Technology highlighting the great potential that Montana has when it moves to a Hydrogen Economy. Williamson will overview what the state has to do to make this happen, why it is so imperative that we do it immediately and how we can turn economic lemons into lemonade as state and a nation to become a pollution-free, hydrogen-based economy. Presentations will be given at:

• Dawson Community College, Glendive, at the Regional Economic Development Conference January 7th and 8th.

• Western Montana College of The University of Montana in Dillon, at the Agricultural Conference Jan 10th.

ALTERNATIVE-FUELED TRANSPORTATION

Recent meetings with the College of the Desert (COD) in Palm Desert, California, have set in motion the opportunity to initiate alternative-fueled transportation training in Montana. The COD has developed and implemented cutting-edge training programs using hydrogen and fuel cells to power automobiles. Cooperation between the UM-COT and the COD will open up new opportunities for Montanan’s students and provide training that a hydrogen economy will demand.

HYDROGEN-POWERED VEHICLES

Recently, while in Palm Springs attending a meeting of the Fuel Cell Association, R. Paul Williamson, dean, UM-COT, participated in a demonstration project that netted opportunities to drive hydrogen powered DaimlerChrysler and Ford cars and ride the quiet, pollution-free hydrogen bus that is presently in service in the resort community. Little difference was noticed in the performance of the vehicles. All major vehicle manufacturers in the world have turned their attention to hydrogen-powered vehicles with one company planning to market their hydrogen- powered fuel cell vehicle in the United States in 2003.

STATEWIDE CONSORTIUM PLATINUM GRANT

Preliminary work has been put in place to ready The University of Montana College of Technology to lead a statewide consortium stretching from Missoula to Butte to Bozeman. Done in preparation to meet the needs of a request for proposals (RFP) from the Department of Energy (DOE) to complete platinum/fuel cell research and business creation, the consortium will include educational institutions, mining, and businesses entities all working together.

WIND TURBINE PARTNERSHIP

As part of the University of Montana’s EPSCOR project, under the direction of Jerry Bromenshenk, The University of Montana College of Technology and Montana Tech of The University of Montana are working together to move two wind turbines to the Missoula area that will serve as training and research equipment. The UM-COT will install and maintain the turbines as part of a new alternative energy training program that is being developed with the anticipation that solar voltaics, microturbines, hydrogen electrolysis, and metal hydride batteries will become part of the “training centers”. Data will be communicated to Montana Tech via telemetry from the wind turbines to continue to support its research. (This is a first step toward the goals of creating the best-trained hydrogen workforce in the country and for The University of Montana College of Technology to develop training that can be replicated throughout the State.)

OTHER STATES CONTINUE TO MARCH FORWARD TO A HYDROGEN FUTURE

As knowledge of other efforts in the “hydrogen revolution” come to light, it is apparent that states are scrabbling to move hydrogen technologies forward and into the hydrogen economy. Ohio’s state economic development emphasis has moved to hydrogen, Iowa is focusing on the biogeneration of hydrogen, Hawaii is moving to become hydrogen- (instead of carbon fuel) dependent, Michigan has a statewide plan to move into the hydrogen arena and Florida is using its new coal gasification plant to produce hydrogen for electricity generation. — as a few examples. In all, there are approximately 20 states at various stages of hydrogen development.

NEW DOE REPORT

November, 2002 marked the date of a new “comprehensive” telephone book sized report, “Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program” from the Department of Energy on the progress and status of all the hydrogen-related technologies. Because hydrogen is such an all-inclusive and pervasive technology, the report touches on almost every element of business, technology and economics. Go to http://www.eren.doe.gov/hydrogen for more details.

MONTANA FUTURES COALITION

This fall marked the creation of the Montana Futures Coalition to serve as a rallying point for the numbers of interested and supportive persons wishing to make Montana a hydrogen economy. Anyone wishing to become a member (no fees) should send an address and email address to [email protected]. Members will be kept informed as to statewide programs, projects and progress to accomplish a hydrogen economy. (For existing members, convince a friend to do the same.)

MONTANA’S ENERGY PRODUCTS NETWORK

One of the key tenets of the Futures Project is to solidify cooperation and collaboration in Montana and taking advantage of its “big/little” status. The Montana Energy Products Network is a network established to translate the interests of businesses and communities wishing to be part of a hydrogen economy. As the network develops, communities will be encouraged to inventory resources and become part of the network and produce some of the many new products that will be needed in a hydrogen economy.

STATE LEGISLATORS AND CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

All Montanan’s who are sincere about turning around the economy of Montana, reducing pollution, supporting national energy security and creating funding streams for Montana’s infrastructure are encouraged to contact their political representatives and request their support of the Montana Hydrogen Energy Futures Project.

H2 WEB INFORMATION EXPANDED

The initial Web site for the Montana Hydrogen Economy at The University of Montana College of Technology’s Web site has been expanded by adding additional information and Web links for those interested in learning more about the project. 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 site for more information. Questions regarding the Project may emailed to [email protected].

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Please add me/company/organization to the Montana’s Hydrogen Energy Futures Project so that I/we can keep informed about its progress and be active in the development:

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Mail to: UM-COT, MT H2 Futures Project, 909 South Ave. W, Missoula, MT 59801