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Gold/Mining/Energy : Global Thermoelectric - SOFC Fuel cells (GLE:TSE) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: CH4 who wrote (4927)	4/21/2000 8:55:00 PM
From: CH4	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6016

BMW Group Clean Energy: The Hydrogen-Powered BMW 750hl To Appear At New York International Auto Show ... New York, NY, April 19, 2000?A glimpse into BMW's future and the future of the automobile will appear at the New York International Auto Show. The BMW 750hL, powered by sun and water, is setting the trend for the future with the ability to meet the strictest emissions standards in the world with this renewable energy source. BMW will document the development status of hydrogen engines with this luxurious long wheelbase 7 Series model. As an additional highlight, the BMW 750hL will feature a fuel cell implemented where BMW Group researchers consider it to be most useful: as a battery replacement to provide vehicle electrical power. This means, for example, that the air conditioning system can be operated without the engine running. This will be important in climates where drivers are tempted to leave their engines and air conditioners running in the summer even when they are not in the car. Since hydrogen fuel is not widely available, the V12 engine of the 750hL is configured to run on hydrogen or gasoline. Running like a normal smooth-as-silk 12 cylinder gasoline engine, this one produces the same power of approximately 204 horsepower from a displacement of 5.4 liters, whether using hydrogen or gasoline. BMW Group engineers see the development opportunities with this high-tech power-plant, which will allow it to approach the same levels of utility as modern gasoline engines. BMW researchers have attained a travel range of up to 250 miles on one tank of super-cooled fuel (-423o F). If the hydrogen tank is empty far away from a hydrogen station, the driver simply switches to gasoline operation. The BMW 750hL and its present day gasoline model both comply with all necessary safety requirements and international standards. The hydrogen tank was subjected to all types of crash tests along with the vehicle, and has been shown to be as safe as a conventional gasoline tank. Numerous safety systems ensure that tank pressure never exceeds 59 psi. Even during a severe collision, there is virtually no danger posed by the hydrogen tank. The hydrogen 12-cylinder represents the fifth generation of BMW vehicles using hydrogen engines. BMW has been working since 1978 on this environmentally-friendly power alternative under which hydrogen is converted to steam by combustion in a practically emission-free process. When liquid hydrogen is produced from water by electrolysis using solar and hydroelectric power, an ideal and absolutely environmentally friendly energy production cycle is achieved. Since a practically inexhaustible supply of water is available on earth, and water is converted back to water using this system, resources are not consumed and the greenhouse effect is not impacted. In spring 2000, BMW will build and offer a limited number of hydrogen-powered 7 Series automobiles in order to demonstrate that this advanced power concept is ready for series production. This 750hL fleet will be utilized between Munich and Hanover under a worldwide project for Expo2000 to demonstrate the suitability of hydrogen power for daily use on public roads. If politics and the petroleum industry will support the necessary service station infrastructure for hydrogen the most environmentally friendly of all fuels soon widespread use of hydrogen-powered engines will no longer be a vision of the future, but rather a practical reality. bmwusa.com go to news headings for complete story.