Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumUsing Hydrogen to Power Disaster Relief - DHS
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Using Hydrogen to Power Disaster Relief
DHS S&T, along with its public and private partners on this project, is proving that zero-emissions doesnt have to mean a compromise in capability.
By Homeland Security Today | August 21, 2023
In an emergency, its all-hands-on-deck when communities are suffering and lives are potentially at risk. Emergency responders brave the elements to deliver resources and support affected areas, often without electricity, in order to mitigate damage and prevent further harm. S&T has joined forces with federal and industry partners to build a new vehicle that will not only get them there safely, but also directly provide power at the scene for up to 72 hours as they assess next steps. And it does all this running on hydrogena much more sustainable solution for our environment. The new H2Rescue Emergency Relief Truck (H2Rescue), which started as an ambitious idea years ago, is now a full prototype demonstrating the feasibility and value of this concept.
I dont think people fully appreciate what it means to not have power, you dont realize how critical it is for communities until you dont have it, said S&T Under Secretary Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov, who saw the vehicle up close at a demonstration at the U.S. Department of Energy headquarters in June.
H2Rescue is a zero-emission, hydrogen powered truck that can carry a total load of about 33,000 pounds (truck and cargo) into disaster zone. It is equipped with a mobile command center and the capability to generate enough power to run about 15 homes for three days, accomplished with only water vapor coming out of the tailpipe. Where traditional diesel trucks use their limited carrying capacity to transport generators that emit exhaust into the environment, H2Rescue is the generatoremitting nothing but steam. In fact, while the truck is only a prototype now, a future enhancement will likely include the capability to convert the tailpipe water vapor into potable water, something always welcome at a disaster site. According to S&T calculations, a full load of hydrogen on the H2Rescue would provide hundreds of gallons of drinkable water as a byproduct of its normal operation...more
https://www.hstoday.us/federal-pages/dhs/using-hydrogen-to-power-disaster-relief/
Imagine: "We'll be there as soon as our 4 ton battery charges!"
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Think. Again.
(10,206 posts)GREAT to finally see a successful, tangible effort toward the energy transition made by an official department of the good ol' U.S. of A.!!!
Refueling this with portable H2 tanks will be a lot easier than having to haul it off to the nearest EV charger in the middle of a disaster zone, too!
CoopersDad
(2,243 posts)I observe battles to the death between hydrogen and battery advocates.
Neither are perfect, both need to be part of the future.
That's all, thank you for this post.
Caribbeans
(807 posts)The battle between hydrogen and battery advocates is mostly about money.
Many battery advocates want only one tech - Li-Ion batteries- to be the ONLY answer to mobility.
And many of these battery advocates have never driven a battery powered car yet, and know absolutely nothing about recycling of these dead batteries.
The future is about using every single tool available to green up the world. This H2 advocate welcomes batteries, hydrogen, plasma and things not invented yet.
OKIsItJustMe
(19,991 posts)I definitely dont believe that one size fits all.