ASES Solar Energy Conference Draws to a Close
------------------------------------------------------------------------Portland Oregon - July 16, 2004 [SolarAccess.com] This year's American Solar Energy Society (ASES) conference in Portland, Oregon, "Solar 2004" has officially wrapped up. All the snazzy company displays and their tired occupants have left the Northwest to once again focus their attention on their businesses in the solar, and renewable energy markets. In addition to awards, and the unveiling of new products, a number of interesting items were on display this year. A hydrogen powered Prius, the 'hydrogen highway' becoming a reality, and several innovations in green building were presented to attendees at this year's conference.
Following a build-it-and-they-will-come strategy, according to Richard Schoen of Solar Integrated Technologies (SIT), there are currently thirteen hydrogen fueling stations along California highways with plans for 19 more.
Schoen, SIT's Executive VP of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), also described the use of integrated solar photovoltaic roofscapes to eventually power electrolyzers that will fuel Frito-Lay route trucks converted to run on hydrogen.
"We're not on the roof we are the roof." He further plans to support a 'hydrogen highway' by using this type of integrated system for the solar real-estate on 'big box' stores, such as Target and Home Depot, along the route.
A hydrogen-powered Prius offered a futuristic look at transportation. According to Stanford Ovshinsky, co-founder of Energy Conversion Devices (ECD), the Prius is safe, produces no pollution and can drive the distances consumers have grown accustomed to. Ovshinsky said, "Any person can drive a hydrogen car and be at home with it." |
