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Technology Stocks : Ballard Power -world leader zero-emission PEM fuel cells -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Hawkeye who wrote (3788)	2/4/1999 12:49:00 AM
From: Stephen O	Respond to of 5827

How large are they to produce say 90 HP, accelerate from 0 to 60 in 10 secs?

To: Hawkeye who wrote (3788)	2/4/1999 11:32:00 AM
From: Hawkeye	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 5827

Bloomberg Automobile News Thu, 4 Feb 1999, 11:26am EST STUDY CITES LOW COST FOR METHANOL REFUELING STATIONS WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- A study by the environmental engineering firm EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. found that refueling stations for dispensing methanol are very similar to today's gasoline fueling stations, and the capital costs to implement this new fueling infrastructure are moderate. Given the strong commitment by the world's automotive industry to develop methanol fuel cell vehicles, the study was prepared for the American Methanol Institute (AMI) to address the need for fueling infrastructure to serve these vehicles. The researchers looked at the capital costs associated with various ways adding methanol fueling capacity to existing retail gasoline stations. "There are a number of ways to turn corner gasoline stations into energy stations that can pump methanol for fuel cell vehicles," said Irwin Weinstock, Senior Project Manager for EA Engineering. "Fortunately, there is a broad experience base in methanol refueling developed in California, New York and elsewhere to serve thousands of methanol vehicles sold in the late 1980s and early 1990s. From this past experience, we know how to build methanol compatible refueling stations, and we know the costs are reasonable." The study identified five options for adding methanol capacity to existing gasoline stations: installing a new underground storage tank; installing an above-ground tank; cleaning and reusing an existing underground gasoline storage tank; reusing existing gasoline tanks by constructing a new fiberglass tank inside the existing tank; and replacing an existing underground gasoline tank. Each option includes the installation of a two-hose methanol compatible fuel dispenser and associated piping. Converting an existing gasoline storage tank to methanol and installing new piping and a dispenser is the lowest cost option. An existing gasoline or diesel tank can be cleaned and a methanol dispensing system added for slightly less than $20,000. The cost for installing a new fiberglass tank-within-a- tank is around $30,000. The capital cost for adding methanol capacity to an existing gasoline station by installing a new 10,000 gallon, double-walled underground storage tank, piping and dispenser is about $62,400. The cost to add an above-ground storage tank (frequently used by fleet operators and rural retail stations) is around $54,500. Replacing an existing tank in a multi-tank field is a higher cost option due to problems associated with excavating near other tanks, and is estimated to be about $70,000. "Adding methanol pumps to existing gasoline stations is very doable," said AMI President and CEO John Lynn. "This study shows that there are a range of inexpensive options for gasoline retailers looking to sell methanol for fuel cell vehicles. With major automakers like DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Volkswagen and Volvo looking to introduce methanol fuel cell vehicles by 2004, this is the time to start thinking about how we add the methanol pumps needed to serve the next generation of cars." The report was released in Washington today during a two-day conference titled "The Road to Fuel Cell Vehicles: A National Forum." Sponsored by the American Methanol Institute, the forum is designed to help the nation build a roadmap for the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles which have emerged as a promising alternative to the internal combustion engine. SOURCE American Methanol Institute