Hydrogen station formally opens 3/31/2009 12:08 AM
By MIKE GELLATLY Staff writer
South Carolina's first hydrogen refueling station was officially opened Monday in Aiken, along with the new South Carolina Hydrogen Highway.
Aiken and Edgefield dignitaries, along with many who work on hydrogen projects, gathered as the fuel pump and a sign to mark the highway were unveiled.
"What you're seeing today in Aiken, and later in Columbia, is a landmark event for the state of South Carolina," said John Troutman, chairman of the Economic Development Partnership.
Aiken County's hydrogen fueling station sits at the Sage Mill Industrial Park.
Heading the program was South Carolina Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, who likened the effort to develop a chain of hydrogen stations to the laying of railroad tracks before that mode of transportation had really caught on.
"And hydrogen fueling stations are much cheaper to build than railroad tracks," Harrell added.
The focus of the event was the potential of hydrogen as a fuel, as an industry to employ South Carolinians and, for areas like Aiken with 50 years of local hydrogen research experience, to excel and lead the nation.
"When we started, it wasn't really cool to head down this pathway," Harrell said. "Aiken County, Edgefield County and South Carolina are leading the charge to get us off foreign oil."
After speeches were made, a ribbon cutting took place, and the "Hydrogen Highway" road sign was revealed. Officials demonstrated how to fill up a hydrogen-powered vehicle, which is similar to a regular fill-up at a gas station.
A locking nozzle is attached to a standard-sized opening on the vehicle's side. After the pump self-checked, like gasoline, hydrogen could be heard filling the tanks of the hydrogen-powered truck.
With no hydrogen being made in South Carolina, a kilogram of hydrogen costs around $7. A kilogram is similar to a gallon of gasoline. However, with more demand, supply would increase and the price would drop.
"Hundreds of stations and thousands of vehicles would drive down the cost dramatically," Harrell said.
The Aiken County-owned truck has a range of about 150 miles on a full tank, but more impressive for travel was the Kia Borrega, which was also filled up. In the fuel cell vehicle, a 7.9 kilogram fill-up translates to more than 400 miles of travel in the SUV.
Contact Mike Gellatly at mgellatly@aikenstandard.com.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Posted by: Dot.net On: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 8:45 PM
Comment Title: dotcom
All of those things are still out of reach for me. My old tv is still pluggin' along, the only blue ray I'm interested in is the shark, my car is a 1989 Geo Spectrum with excellent gas mileage. Life is good.
Report Abuse
Posted by: dotcom On: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:50 PM
Comment Title: RE: Wow
Prices come down with time. Flat screen TVs, Blue Ray players, Hydrogen cars. The first versions are always expensive but price drops over time.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:33 AM
Comment Title: WOW
Yeah at $7 a gallon and how much for a Hydrogen vehicle...Sign me up...get real! Only the rich can afford such. What about the rest of the world. I would be glad to jump on the GREEN band wagon but who can afford to pay $7 a gallon.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 6:59 AM
Comment Title: Wonderful
This is a to the future and very good news to Aiken County to be the first - but why can't you all understand that Exit 11 - Bettis Academy Rd is not Aiken - but Graniteville. During the train wreck - it was no problem stating Graniteville as the site - but when good things happen it all turns to being in Aiken. Give us a break --
Report Abuse
4