NOTES: Catalyst breakthrough boosts. A combination of Nickel and Platinum in nano layers improves the cathode catalyst reaction 90 times over the performance of Platinum on Carbon, which is the best cathode (oxygen side) method to date. Hydrogen Electric Racing Association announces its racer specs for 2009. Got a three hundred kW fuel cell that will fit in a car? Current 200 kW systems fill half a semi trailer. New Optical Sensor can see hydrogen flames.
Greetings and Introductions: Chapter President, John Gotthold, greets all attendees and asks each attendee to state their name and a short synopsis of their background and what they hope to learn by attending the meeting. 10 minutes.
1. Transportation: Now GM is making 2010 series production noises for the Sequel fuel cell SUV. First hundred to be built in Canada and distributed to drivers in Ontario, Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Detroit, all places where there are hydrogen refueling stations. WV Touran HyMotion, nearly ready for limited production.
2. Technology Update: ITM Power finishes 5 kW electrolyzer test. Estimated cost $95/kW. Production in Q1 2008. Super grid across the North Sea. Wind up to 74 gigawatts worldwide. Dutch fuel cell tourist boat to run Amsterdam canals.
3. Government Support for Hydrogen: Danish government to free hydrogen cars of all taxes. Multi-million dollar prizes for hydrogen tech breakthroughs. Solar equipment back at the White House, both solar water heat and solar electricity. Can the California Solar Initiative make solar as common as central air? Of course, if you have solar you can also make hydrogen.
4. Global Warming and Oil Depletion: Seas rising faster than predicted. Seas rose 17 cm in the 20th century, Possibility of 1.4 meters by 2100. How much of the bay under water? Man made warming likely unstoppable, all we can do at this point is slow down the rate. Tankers may ship water to parched cities in the future! Nations set tuna quotas amid extinction fears. Gee, are we overusing the planet? Europe to be 70% dependent on imports, the US 65 %, China 75 %, all by 2020. Russia and several other OPEC producers talking about when they will have to limit exports! Canadian oil sands about the only place to invest on the open market. All major producers limiting production to their national oil companies! Shia influence map of Middle East. Branson's $25 million prize for a workable way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Are we already entering Lovelock's Hell, where the human race has to spend all its time trying to keep the atmosphere balanced?
5. Hydrogen Business: Australian solar powered home hydrogen fueling station. Production in 2009. Wal-Mart planning to install 100 megawatts of solar over next five years. Nanologic sells first hydrogen powered generators.
6. Speaker: Have confirmed speaker from the solar company for February. They claim to be able to produce solar array at 1/10 current cost. Again, a great breakthrough , if real!
