WA to lead the nation with hydrogen fuel cell bus trials: Minister

6/12/00
Transport Minister Murray Criddle announced from Germany today that Perth would become a major player in a new international push to accelerate the development of non-polluting hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Mr Criddle said the State Government had formalised an arrangement with German bus manufacturer Daimler-Chrysler and BP that would see three fuel cell 'clean machines' operating on Perth service routes by late 2002.
He said the Perth buses would be part of a 30-strong fleet of the revolutionary zero-emission buses being manufactured at the Daimler-Chrysler plant in Stuttgart.
"Perth is the only city outside Europe to be invited into this exciting trial which could lead to mass production of this zero-emission technology much earlier than first thought," the Minister said, speaking from Stuttgart.
"We will get three of the new commercial prototypes with the remainder of the fleet being tested by a number of major European cities.
"This deal means that Perth will be an integral part of the most ambitious attempt yet to prove up a viable alternative to the conventional internal combustion engine."
Mr Criddle said BP would invest more than $1 million in WA to establish a hydrogen manufacture and supply chain for the Perth trial.
"BP plans on building a small purification unit at its Kwinana refinery to produce the high quality hydrogen needed for this trial, and will also establish Australia's first hydrogen refuelling facility at a suburban bus depot," he said.
The Minister said hydrogen could be manufactured from a variety of sources including natural gas and BP would use the Perth and European trial to help develop an efficient and effective hydrogen supply network for the future.

He said that WA was working with the Federal Government in Canberra to involve the Australian Greenhouse Office through its Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program.
The Perth trial had been given formal support by State and Territory Transport Ministers at their Australian Transport Council meeting in Launceston last month.
State and Territories Ministers saw the Perth trial as likely to result in 'significant environmental, economic and national interest benefits'.
Mr Criddle said the trial of hydrogen fuel cell technology was a cornerstone investment in the environment.
"We are already heavily involved in identifying reliable and environmentally-friendly power sources for Perth's new Transperth bus fleet, including a new arrangement to trial direct-injection compressed natural gas buses," he said.
"We are taking this unique opportunity to play a pivotal role helping to accelerate the arrival of zero-emission hydrogen technology because of the immense environmental rewards it offers the community.
"Hydrogen fuel cell technology could offer an important pathway in our search for a way to break free from our dependence on imported oil and capitalise on our abundant supplies of natural gas.
" We also need power sources that will not hurt the environment and can help us meet out commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
"We are embarking on a long-term strategy to build a public transport system based on hydrogen fuel cell technology because it is recognised as having the best potential to combine zero emission with reliability."
Fuel cells work by passing hydrogen through a membrane and mixing it with oxygen. The resultant chemical reaction produces a continuous electric current which is used to power the vehicle. When utilising on-board hydrogen storage, the only emission during operation is water vapour.
"Perth commuters had a brief encounter with the revolutionary technology when an early prototype of a Mercedes hydrogen fuel cell bus was demonstrated around city streets earlier this year," Mr Criddle said.
"We want to enhance Perth's image as the 'clean air' capital of Australia and our involvement in the hydrogen fuel cell technology gives us that opportunity.
"The international trial has been endorsed by the United Nations Environment Program and the United Nations Industrial; Development Organisation."
Mr Criddle said WA had made dramatic advances with regards to clean fuel initiatives and in January this year it became the first State to remove lead from petrol under new fuel regulations. From January 2001, WA would also be the first State to benefit from Australia's cleanest fuel with its move to E3 standards petrol. The fuel has just one per cent benzene and 150 parts per million sulphur, compared with up to five per cent benzene and 2,000 parts per million sulphur in other States.
Mr Criddle said the push to include the zero-emission fuel cell technology in the public transport fleet was perhaps the most exciting clean fuel initiative yet.
Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333
Attachment:
Full text of Media Statement from Murdoch University Group:
PERTH CHOSEN FOR HYDROGEN TRIAL
A major European trial to examine the potential for using the Hydrogen Fuel Cell in public transport has included Perth. The 10 European cities have been extended to include Perth due to the extra range and speed of travel in its bus fleet.
'It is a major boost for Perth as it makes us part of a big international project' claimed a group of five energy researchers from Murdoch University who have become part of the trial along with BP and Daimler-Chrysler. The UN Environment Program is a major backer of the project.
'The phasing out of oil-based transport is a necessary process whether you approach it from oil scarcity, greenhouse gases or air quality issues' the group claimed.
The transition using gas is one option but the long term has always been one of shifting to the Hydrogen Economy.
Hydrogen overcomes most of the problems of greenhouse gases and air pollution associated with fossil fuels like oil and gas. Although the hydrogen option is currently more expensive than gas and oil the costs are falling dramatically and the environmental and social benefits are outstanding.
Hydrogen is definitely the fuel of the future and it is very exciting to be part of the first international project to take this seriously by using a Hydrogen fuel cell,' they said.
'Funding for the Australian end of the project is urgent' the group claimed 'and the need to see this as a chance to get into the new technology, should be reason enough to support the trial.
There are definitely good industrial development prospects and real environmental benefits from this technology. However, the chance to redeem Australia's international image on greenhouse gas initiatives should also be a good basis to get behind the project,' they claimed.
CONTACTS:
Professor Peter Newman 08 93602902;
Professor Phil Jennings 08 93602274;
Associate Professor Goen Ho 08 9360 2167;
Associate Professor Pritam Singh 08 9360 2379;
Dr Trevor Pryor 08 9360 6286.
Professor Peter Newman
Director Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy Murdoch University
PERTH Western Australia 6150
AUSTRALIA
ph: 61-89-360-2902
fax: 61-89-360 6421
e-mail: newman@central.murdoch.edu.au
web site: http://wwwistp.murdoch.edu.au
and
Visiting Professor
City and Regional Planning
University of Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA PA 19104 6311
USA