Michigan hoping to unlock geologic hydrogen

Posted on by farlane
Hydrogen Bus at the Capitol by Flint MTA

Hydrogen Bus at the Capitol by Flint MTA

UpNorth Live shares that the State of Michigan is exploring the extraction of naturally occurring hydrogen beneath northern Michigan:

Geologic hydrogen, a naturally forming gas, produces water instead of carbon dioxide when used as fuel. Federal mapping has identified Michigan as one of the most promising locations in the U.S. for this resource. Researchers suggest the state’s underground geology may allow hydrogen to form and be trapped deep below the surface.

Matt Schrenk of Michigan State University said, “These rural communities, some of them are really struggling, some of them struggling to find an economic foothold and looking for new areas of development. And so I think to find ways to make use of things that already exist there could be really valuable.”

The photo is of one of the Flint Metropolitan Transit Authority‘s hydrogen buses at the state Capitol. You can read more about the Flint MTA’s pioneering alternative fuel program that includes a hydrogen refueling station in East Village Magazine.

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Rosa Parks was tired of giving in

Posted on by farlane
The Rosa Parks Bus by Rafael Peixoto Ferreira

The Rosa Parks Bus by Rafael Peixoto Ferreira

“The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” -Rosa Parks

70 years ago today on December 1, 1955, African-American seamstress Rosa Parks was arrested for failing to give up her seat on a Montgomery city bus to a white man. This broke existing segregation laws, and many believe her courageous act sparked the Civil Rights movement. The Henry Ford has a detailed page on the Rosa Parks bus that the museum was able to purchase the bus at auction for $492,000:

After sitting unprotected in a field for 30 years, it is not surprising that The Rosa Parks bus needed a substantial amount of work. Its seats and engine had been removed, many windows were broken, metal had rusted through and the lime, white and gold paint job was a mere shadow of its former self. Our experienced conservation staff carefully examined the vehicle and consulted with various experts.

Three interested companies bid on the extensive restoration work, and finally, MSX International, an automotive engineering and technical services firm headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, was selected to perform the work at a cost of over $300,000. Museum and MSX employees researched every detail of the bus so that the restoration would be truly authentic. Original material was reused wherever possible and original parts from identical 1948 GM buses were used when necessary. Our goal was to restore the bus to its condition in 1955—a seven-year-old urban transit coach.

I couldn’t think of a more fitting image for this than the Rosa Parks bus, just one of many amazing relics of American history that are displayed at the Henry Ford (see their exhibits). See more in Rafael’s great Detroit gallery.

Here’s Rosa Parks relating the story of that day to the BBC.

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Get on the (green) bus, Gus

Posted on by farlane

MTA Flint Hydrogen Bus

Hydrogen Bus at the Capitol by MTA Flint

Kyle Davidson of the Great Lakes Echo has an excellent feature looking at a new, $30 million program to help Michigan’s public companies and private businesses buy low emission freight trucks, buses, tugboats and cargo handling equipment:

Beneficiaries of the program choose electric, alternative fuel or new diesel models, said Nick Assendelft, a public information officer for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The first round of funding will provide $16 million to replace outdated freight trucks and buses with new models. At least half of that is earmarked for electric vehicles.

…Later rounds of funding include opportunities to replace Great Lakes tug and ferry boats, airport ground support equipment, port cargo handling equipment and forklifts.

…Some organizations are already transitioning their fleets to alternative fuels. Over the past 11 years the Mass Transportation Authority of Flint and Genesee County has reduced annual diesel fuel use from 1.4 million gallons to 30,000 gallons. The public transportation agency has done that by converting its fleet to run on compressed natural gas, propane and hydrogen, said Edgar Benning, the authority’s chief executive officer.

Fueling a hydrogen bus costs about twice as much as fueling a diesel bus, Benning said. In return for the extra cost, you get almost double the mileage. Along with the performance and the maintenance of the vehicles, you really pick the cost up on the other side, Benning said.

Alternative fuel vehicles make up 95% of the authority’s fleet. They provide fixed-route busing along with transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities. The authority also has about 200 cars to provide non-emergency medical transportation. 

Lots more in the Echo!

The photo comes from MTA Flint, Genessee County’s transit authority.

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