The Hydrogen Economy in the Red River Valley

“We are on our way to leaving the 100 year old technology of the internal combustion engine behind and moving toward profound changes, including hydrogen-powered vehicles, that will significantly improve our lives” according to U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan. Chris Guzy Vice President of Ballard Power Systems echoed this outlook saying, “fuel cells will be the automotive power train of the 21st century.”
The Coordinating Center
The Coordinating Center of the Red River Valley Research Corridor will be a catalyst for the development and growth of science and technology-based enterprises throughout North Dakota.
The current state-of–the-art and the rapidly unfolding future of the hydrogen economy was explored by 175 participants in the Red River Valley Research Corridor Action Summit, November 7 at the EERC in Grand Forks. Speakers and attendees discussed regional initiatives and the status of fuel cell, hydrogen storage, and production technologies. The first-ever hydrogen-powered ice refinisher made its world debut in Grand Forks and attendees viewed video of AeroVironment’s hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

What’s it going to take to make significant inroads to the hydrogen economy? According to Bruce Wood, President of ePower Synergies, Inc. three factors are critical at this point – market niches, motivated users and accomplished providers. For the EERC, Director Gerald Groenewold is anticipating that the success of their hydrogen initiatives will be built on the same foundation of partnerships that has made the EERC a global technology player in other technology fields.

Common themes throughout the summit:
  • We must end our addiction to oil.
  • The solution lies in a diverse portfolio of energy sources.
  • We can put a stake in the heart of the hydrogen bogeyman - H2 technologies have been proven to work.
  • The future is now - H2 technologies are already working.
  • The most immediate opportunities will be in niche markets and regional applications using local resources
  • Public/private partnerships are required to build the H2 economy
  • North Dakota can and will be an epicenter of activity in building the hydrogen economy

Regional H2 Initiatives

The National Center for Hydrogen Technology at the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) located on the campus of UND is a prime example of the rapid advances taking place in H2 Technology. Research and Development at the EERC has led to a number of advancements including:
  • technologies that will allow safe and efficient refueling of consumer vehicles with hydrogen
  • the use of hydrogen fuel cells working in our everyday lives
  • developing, demonstrating, and commercializing technologies that produce hydrogen from fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum
  • using renewable sources of energy indigenous to North Dakota such as crops, trees, wind energy, and agricultural products to create hydrogen
  • Developing outside partnerships to test technologies in real-world situations
Basin Electric Cooperative, based out of Bismarck, and Xcel Energy, a regional investor-owned utility, are testing and demonstrating systems to produce hydrogen from wind energy. Basin Electric has taken the lead on a project located near Minot, ND to develop an infrastructure which produces hydrogen using electricity from nearby wind turbines. The electricity from wind generators would power an electrolyzer which separates the hydrogen and oxygen elements of water. Hydrogen is then stored and used as a fuel source. Xcel Energy is pursuing a similar project through the University of Minnesota in Morris MN.

The Upper Midwest Hydrogen Initiative is persuing funding for a project designed to build a Hydrogen energy infrastructure titled “Northern H Project”. The Northern H Project calls for the construction of hydrogen fueling stations in four upper Midwest cities, including Fargo-Moorhead by 2008, and five more by 2010.

Back to Top

Hydrogen 101

The second day of the two day Hydrogen Economy Action Summit featured a short course designed to allow attendees a glimpse into the basics of Hydrogen technology. The short course, dubbed “Hydrogen 101” covered a range of basic topics including hydrogen’s molecular structure, the chemical reaction hydrogen undergoes in a fuel cell, and even put to rest myths and concerns about the safety of hydrogen as a fuel source.

The workshop was developed and delivered by the EERC’s National Center for Hydrogen Technology. A diverse group attended the workshop including two groups of high school science students – one from Belcourt and the other from West Fargo.

For more information on the basics of of fuel cells and other hydrogen technologies, visit:


One champion in the U.S. Senate for developing the hydrogen economy North Dakota is Senator Byron Dorgan. Using his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Dorgan has directed millions of federal dollars to the EERC for hydrogen energy research. Jerry Hinkle, with Senator Dorgan’s office, explained hydrogen related provisions in the Energy bill authored by Dorgan. These provisions will play an important role, providing a roadmap for developing a future hydrogen fuel infrastructure.

Powered by a provision authorizing $3.75 billion for hydrogen research, the Energy bill will decrease U.S. dependency on foreign oil, develop the national hydrogen economy, and encourage the development of North Dakota as a hydrogen economy leader. Key Energy Bill provisions provide research and development funding, mandate the number of government vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells over the several years, provide a foundation for a sustainable hydrogen infrastructure, and sets goals for the number of consumer vehicles on the road by 2015 and 2020.

The EERC is distinguished as the National Center for Hydrogen Technology by the U.S. Department of Energy. This distinction, along with the energy research capabilities of the EERC, places North Dakota on the forefront of the emerging hydrogen technologies. The EERC has the potential to be a major player in the infrastructure and technology development of the nascent hydrogen economy. Ultimately the advanced research at the EERC’s National Center for Hydrogen Technology will translate into commercialization of hydrogen technologies right here in the Red River Valley.

Back to Top

Upcoming Events

January 17-18
Marketplace for Entrepreneurs
Fargo, ND
http://www.marketplaceofideas.org

January 17
Midwest Association of Seed and Venture Funds Conference
In conjunction with Marketplace for Entrepreneurs
Fargo, ND
http://www.masvf.com

February 22-23, 2006
Wind VII & Renewable Energy Developments & Opportunities in the MidContinent.
Grand Forks, ND


Send Us Your Science & Technology News
Visit www.theresearchcorridor.com for the latest news about what’s happening in science and technology in North Dakota and the Upper Great Plains. Let others know about emerging science & technology developments in your company, college or organization by e-mailing to delore@theresearchcorridor.com


 The Red River Valley Research Corridor
The goal of the Red River Valley Research Corridor is to expand upon the research capacity at North Dakota's universities to help build and attract high-tech businesses, generate new economic opportunities and create good-paying jobs for the region.

Visit theresearchcorridor.com.

This website and action summit prepared and maintained by the Red River Valley Research
Corridor Coordinating Center to advance the Red River Valley Research Corridor initiative.