Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
03/10/2011 03:00 PM House ENERGY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Demonstration by Innova Labs on Remote Autonomous Hydrogen Production Stations | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 103 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
March 10, 2011
3:09 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Lance Pruitt, Co-Chair
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Pete Petersen
Representative Chris Tuck
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kurt Olson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): DEMONSTRATION BY INNOVA LABS ON REMOTE
AUTONOMOUS HYDROGEN PRODUCTION STATIONS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
MARVIN ADAMS, President
National Capital
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation by INNOVA
Labs on remote autonomous hydrogen production stations.
CAREY HILTON, President/CEO
INNOVA Labs
Fort Worth, Texas
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided the presentation by INNOVA Labs on
remote autonomous hydrogen production stations.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:09:33 PM
CO-CHAIR LANCE PRUITT called the House Special Committee on
Energy meeting to order at 3:09 p.m. Representatives Pruitt,
Tuck, Lynn, Saddler, and Foster were present at the call to
order. Representative Petersen arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
^Presentation: Demonstration by Innova Labs on Remote
Autonomous Hydrogen Production Stations
Presentation: Demonstration by Innova Labs on Remote Autonomous
Hydrogen Production Stations
3:10:20 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT announced that the only order of business would
be a presentation by INNOVA Labs on remote autonomous hydrogen
production stations.
3:11:32 PM
MARVIN ADAMS, President, National Capital, informed the
committee he is a life-long Alaskan originally from Yakutat, and
provided details of his heritage. He is presently president of
the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) Camp 87 in Anchorage. Mr.
Adams spoke of his past employment by the Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA) and of his involvement in several notable
projects. He also served as vice-president of Native American
Bank, and he described his experience in Alaska in financing and
energy development businesses. Addressing the high cost of
energy in rural Alaska, he observed that rural residents suffer
when forced to choose between heating their homes and buying
groceries, clothes, and fuel. However, there is hope because an
alternative fuel source that is economical to produce and
readily available has been found: Hydrogen. Mr. Adams informed
INNOVA Labs of the energy crisis in Alaska, and invited Mr.
Hilton to review the situation here. Additionally, Mr. Adams
spent an extended amount of time studying hydrogen technology,
and discussed the breakthroughs in hydrogen storage with Alaskan
energy experts.
3:16:16 PM
CAREY HILTON, President/CEO, INNOVA Labs, said his company has
been working on this technology for about five years and with
military and commercial entities for the last one and one-half
years. The military and Alaska have a similar need for a
portable, autonomous fuel source that is easy to produce and
that can be safely stored. INNOVA Labs is different from other
hydrogen companies because it has an efficient way to produce
and store hydrogen. Typically, hydrogen must be stored at
5,000-10,000 pounds per square inch (psi) capacity in large and
heavy tanks, which use as much electricity for compression as
for production. However, INNOVA Labs produces the hydrogen with
wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, or excess grid power, and then
can store it in canisters that are small, high-capacity, and at
200 psi or less. The material inside the canisters is a form of
a composite metal hydride that absorbs the hydrogen at a rate of
about 500-600:1. For an example, he displayed a small bottle
that held 100 liters of hydrogen. Conventional long-term
storage of hydrogen at high pressure is not practicable or safe.
3:20:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked what characteristics of hydrogen
make it a good choice for fuel.
3:21:34 PM
MR. HILTON explained hydrogen is one of the most abundant
elements in the universe and it is a fairly simple process to
get it from water. When hydrogen burns, the byproduct is water
vapor, leaving no carbon footprint or environmental impact. It
is also a powerful fuel and more efficient than a fossil fuel;
in fact, it will boil water three times faster than any other
fuel. Hydrogen can be extracted from freshwater or seawater and
because Alaska has a lot of water and wind, hydrogen production
is a "perfect fit."
3:23:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how hydrogen could be burned.
MR. HILTON said hydrogen can be used for heating and cooking and
also for locomotion after the conversion of small internal
combustion engines such as four-wheelers, snowmobiles, outboard
motors. It can also provide portable power generation from
four-stroke, diesel, or rotary engines converted to use the
canisters. Furthermore, many of the materials used to make the
pellets in the canisters are made from rare earth elements that
are available in Alaska, and which presents an opportunity for
manufacturing.
CO-CHAIR FOSTER asked whether hydrogen enriches, or replaces
fuel in an engine.
MR. HILTON clarified that he is describing the complete
replacement of any fossil fuel by hydrogen.
3:27:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN toured a facility in Iowa that was
converting engines to be fitted onto small tractors. The only
exhaust emitted was a few drops of water.
MR. HILTON advised that most hydrogen vehicles are running from
high-pressure hydrogen in an internal combustion engine or from
high-pressure hydrogen in fuel cells. This approach is
expensive, inefficient, and has many problems. INNOVA Labs has
taken a holistic approach on a small scale that allows a small
operation to produce, store, and use hydrogen in a safe manner.
He displayed a slide of a small power generator with a two
hundred cubic centimeter (200cc) engine that weighs about
eighty-five pounds and can produce five kilowatts of power. Mr.
Hilton said INNOVA Labs will provide at a later date a
demonstration of a generator or a four-wheeler in operation. He
restated that the INNOVA Labs approach is a holistic approach of
production and storage to provide the "whole package." He
displayed a slide of a remote charging station that was designed
to be airdropped to locations with a water source and provide a
self-sufficient source of power. The hydrogen production
stations are scalable and can be sized to produce and store what
is needed.
3:33:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for a description of "charging" the
hydrogen.
MR. HILTON explained that a remote production station will use
water and electricity from wind or solar to break the water down
into hydrogen and oxygen through a very sophisticated method of
electrolysis. Afterward, the oxygen is vented or used
separately, and the hydrogen is stored in a large vessel. The
canisters are connected to the vessel and charged with the
hydrogen until needed. As this is hydrogen gas, this is an
efficient way to store energy.
3:35:48 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT asked if saltwater can be used in the production
of hydrogen.
MR. HILTON advised that either a pre-filter system cleans and
desalinates the water before it reaches the hydrogen generator,
or the electrolyzers can be changed to accept saltwater.
3:37:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked whether the system can generate
the electricity it takes to create the hydrogen.
MR. HILTON said that may be possible in the future. At this
time, the system is not perpetual. He then presented a slide
showing the inside of a production station, and a slide showing
a still stimulation of a station producing hydrogen using
electricity from a wind turbine. The next slide showed a large,
fully charged canister penetrated by gunfire, but not damaged by
any type of explosion. He advised the committee that the
pellets inside the canisters are programmed to stop working when
exposed to the atmosphere thus there is no worry of "runaway
hydrogen." In addition, canisters can be stacked, are approved
for use by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and can be
transported all over the world by air or ground shipping.
3:42:39 PM
MR. HILTON returned to the potential of using Alaska as a source
for rare earth elements; in fact, INNOVA Labs could have a self-
fulfilling relationship with Alaska as it would be an end-user
and also a source for the materials in the canisters.
Additionally, INNOVA Labs will develop and provide hydrogen
conversion kits for oil stoves, portable generators, ATV's,
snowmobiles, and boats.
3:44:53 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT asked for the cost.
MR. HILTON estimated that a 6,000-9,000 liter per hour
production facility, including thousands of conversion kits and
training, will cost in the $3-$3.5 million range. Three
facilities spread around the state could be built for
approximately $7.8 million.
3:46:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN surmised there are military applications for
the production facilities.
MR. HILTON agreed, and said he could not speak to military
applications or testing. In further response to Representative
Lynn, he confirmed that INNOVA Labs is the sole source of this
product at this level. There are other sources for hydrogen,
but his company's methods are the most efficient, and possess a
ready-to-use, practical application.
3:48:40 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER asked for a comparison of the cost to one gallon
of gas.
MR. HILTON advised that a 400cc engine needs 5.5 gallons of gas;
alternatively, the engine could be powered by three canisters
for approximately $0.35 per liter. At this time the gasoline
gallon equivalent (GGE) is $2.00, and if a system were connected
to existing wind power, the cost would be pennies.
3:50:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked how the use of hydrogen fuel affects
engine life.
MR. HILTON observed that hydrogen burns cleaner than any other
fuel; in fact, engines will last longer because they burn
cooler. Gasoline and diesel fuel work under pressure and
combustion creates carbon build-up. For the long-term, the cost
of maintenance and service will be reduced. Typically, four-
stroke engines burning gas have 26 percent efficiency, and when
they burn hydrogen there is 60-120 percent efficiency.
3:53:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned INNOVA Lab's focus on small
scale operations, rather than on "mega-generation."
MR. HILTON explained that INNOVA Labs is a no-debt small company
and large scale operations are beyond its budget. For the most
part, the key focus of his company is on the safe storage of
hydrogen. In further response to Representative Saddler, he
said the hydrogen is stored molecularly into the materials in
the canisters; the hydrogen is bonded to the materials at a very
high capacity.
3:55:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for the British thermal unit (Btu)
equivalent.
MR. HILTON stated the formula varies, and noted that hydrogen
burns and ignites 5,000 times faster than gasoline; he offered
to provide comparison data at a later date.
3:56:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked for the cost of a conversion kit
for a snowmobile or four-wheeler.
MR. HILTON said a pilot projection is $400 per kit. In further
response to Representative Petersen, he restated that storage is
in the pellets, which could be manufactured in Alaska along with
the canisters.
3:58:44 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER recalled that hydrogen is used by the Space
Shuttle, and asked for more information on its combustion.
MR. HILTON said when it is stored in the pellets, it is not
hydrogen, and if the canister is breached, what is there is
released into the atmosphere instantly. In further response to
Representative Foster, he advised that a production station
producing 9,000 liters per day uses 50-60 kilowatt hours (kWhs)
of electricity.
4:02:32 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER asked whether there is a loss of power when an
engine is fueled with hydrogen.
MR. HILTON reported a quality engine conversion will result in
more torque and power with hydrogen fuel.
4:03:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK expressed his belief that this product would
provide the solutions for the energy storage problem at the
Alaska Wind-Diesel Applications Center in Fairbanks and for
other problems in rural areas.
4:05:46 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT asked for the amount of water needed for a
6,000-9,000 liter per day production station.
MR. HILTON stated generally, 1,000 liters of hydrogen is
produced from one liter of water. In response to Representative
Saddler, he added that the energy value depends on how the fuel
is used. These are applications that his company has not
considered before and engineering data will be forthcoming;
however, he opined 1,000 liters of hydrogen "has a lot of energy
value."
4:08:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked for information on INNOVA Labs and its
founder.
MR. HILTON gave his personal background, and relayed that INNOVA
Labs has been quietly conducting research and development for
five years in the field of hydrogen.
4:09:38 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER asked how hydrogen differs from fuels made from
corn oil.
MR. HILTON reminded the committee the bio-fuel industry requires
a product to grow, although the two industries can work together
to complement each other. There is a possibility that bio-waste
can be used to produce hydrogen in the future.
4:12:16 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER spoke to Mr. Hilton's background.
MR. HILTON added that INNOVA Labs employs a staff of PhDs and
engineers.
4:13:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, noting that every fuel source has
critics, asked for the downside of this process.
MR. HILTON acknowledged the downside is the slow speed of
development. He pointed out that this process has no
environmental impact, does not dismantle an existing industry,
and is safe. In further response, he said he was invited to
come to Alaska by Mr. Adams.
4:16:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked for the cost of the container.
MR. HILTON estimated that the canisters now cost hundreds of
dollars because they are made in small quantities. In fact, the
major cost is the pellets made of rare earth elements.
Ultimately, these costs will be reduced dramatically. He shared
his vision of the future.
4:18:29 PM
MR. HILTON, in response to Representative Lynn, said INNOVA Labs
has six employees.
4:18:34 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT asked Mr. Hilton for his expectations for INNOVA
Labs.
MR. HILTON said his company is focused on the following:
improvements to the canisters; increasing the efficiency of the
electrolizer; getting hydrogen production stations in use;
continuing the research and development of the best products
possible.
4:20:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Mr. Adams about financing efforts.
MR. HILTON indicated that his company is raising capital;
however, government funding is needed to get the technology to
people. In further response to Representative Saddler, he said
that propane is safe to transport and has an existing
distribution infrastructure, but there is no competition between
the two fuels, and they can work together. In response to Co-
Chair Pruitt, he said that the canisters can be charged and
discharged with an almost zero loss of fuel, thus their lifespan
is unknown; however, it is forecast that the containers will
store for 10 years. In further response regarding charging
stations for cars, he indicated that it takes over one hour for
the pellets in a large container to absorb the hydrogen.
4:25:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether INNOVA Labs has any
government funding for research and development.
MR. HILTON said no.
4:26:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN suggested applying for renewable energy
grants from the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA).
4:27:00 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT expressed his hope that rural Alaska can benefit
from this new technology and thanked the presenters.
4:27:52 PM
MR. ADAMS questioned how the state can help INNOVA Labs develop
this infrastructure. The technology to have production stations
operating by late 2011 is available now. He said he was aware
of the AEA Emerging Energy Technology Fund grant program and
suggested a good demonstration project for the state would be to
build three production stations.
4:29:52 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT offered that AEA has the means to advance this
type of project.
MR. ADAMS cautioned that the AEA application limited the volume
that an applicant could request. He restated his interest in
meeting the immediate need by making this a mandate from the
legislature.
4:31:26 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT acknowledged that the presentation has opened a
discussion on the great potential for this technology.
4:32:21 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Energy meeting was adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Innova Labs on Hydrogen Production Stations.pdf |
HENE 3/10/2011 3:00:00 PM |
Innova Labs Overview on Hydrogen Charging Stations |
| Innova Labs History and Introduction.pdf |
HENE 3/10/2011 3:00:00 PM |
Innova Labs Overview on Hydrogen Charging Stations |