The Glenn Research division of NASA has decided to build and install a hydrogen refueling station based on renewable energy in downtown Cleveland. The hydrogen fueling station will use water and wind from Lake Erie to create the hydrogen. Solar power will also be used.
The water from Lake Erie will be split into hydrogen and oxygen using a high tech, high-capacity customized electrolyzer. A wind turbine will capture the blustery Lake Erie winds and use this to electrolyze the Lake Erie water.
The hydrogen fueling station will be located at the Great Lakes Science Center in downtown Cleveland on the edge of Lake Erie. The science center already uses wind and solar power for itself and will tap into this to power the hydrogen fueling station as well.
The hydrogen from the station will be used as a demonstration project to power a fuel cell bus. Another purpose of this project is to create green jobs for the citizens of Ohio, which has been hit hard by the manufacturing downturn over the past couple of years.
NASA has a long history of using hydrogen as fuel for propellant in its rockets. But, NASA is also known for powering onboard systems for astronauts using hydrogen fuel cells as well, even using the resulting H2O for drinking water.
It’s good to see the high-flying NASA coming back to Earth and getting grounded in their community in regard to hydrogen fuel. This brings the future into the now and states that hydrogen isn’t just for astronauts anymore, it’s for common people driving their everyday cars to and from work and life.