Hydrogen Futures Update – Montana’s H2 Economy

The University of Montana College of Technology, Missoula, MT April, 2003

PUTTING MEAT ON THE H2 ENERGY IDEAS

Progress is being realized on many fronts and meat is being put on the bones of the Hydrogen Futures Project ideas, moving closer to a Montana Hydrogen Economy. Progress includes:

LEGISLATURE’S HYDROGEN ENERGY PLAN

The 2003 Montana Legislature, in a joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives, has voted to "support all necessary steps to move Montana into a hydrogen-based economy." In HJ-26, the Legislature recognized the opportunity and need for Montana to move forward with the Montana Hydrogen Futures Project which promises to create a focused hydrogen-based economy. The resolution supports implementation of the Montana Hydrogen Futures Park at The University of Montana-Missoula; instituting necessary state polices and legislation to promote the Hydrogen Futures Project; establishment of energy alliances; creation of a first-class hydrogen training and education system; development of the Energy Products Network and a statewide Micro-Enterprise System; and the production of hydrogen to meet national needs.

$1 BILLION FUTUREGEN PROJECT

President Bush’s recent support of hydrogen development has created an immediate opportunity for Montana. Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy announced its FutureGen project and plans to locate somewhere in the United States a $1 billion coal to hydrogen plant. A proactive initiative has been planned in Montana starting with a May 1, 2003, public forum in Miles City to review the project, the technology, and the steps that Montana must take to be competitive in its pursuit of the plant. Nationally known coal gasification and CO2 sequestration scientist, Dr. Meyer Steinberg from Brookhaven Labs and Dr. Lowell Miller, DOE FutureGen Project Director, will be at Miles Community College to address the Forum. Great coalition support from all around the state already has come to bear on the project led by The University of Montana. The co-sponsorship continues to grow, including the three congressional delegations, the Governor’s Office, MRED, MSE, Montana Tech, and Eastern Montana economic development, community, and legislative leaders.

HYDROGEN FUTURES PARK

Excellent progress is being made in site identification for the Montana Hydrogen Futures Park in Missoula. Although a great deal of work needs to take place to identify funding streams, this state-of-the-art training, education and research campus will play a pivotal role in ushering in the Montana hydrogen economy, attracting hydrogen-related businesses and industry for the entire state, and training a world-class hydrogen workforce.

WIND TURBINE ELECTRICAL AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

The University of Montana College of Technology is anxiously waiting for the weather to break in Montana so that work can continue in the collaborative effort with Montana Tech to move two wind turbines from Norris to the Missoula area. The wind turbines will be installed as key centers for training and research in Montana, providing opportunities for students to learn first hand about the many technologies surrounding wind generation and hydrogen electrolysis.

HYDROGEN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

A joint effort between Montana Tech and The University of Montana College of Technology is under way to develop a 2+2 program of study that will enable students to take the first two years of an energy based curriculum at the COT with the option for students to complete a four-year degree at Montana Tech. There is a great need for hydrogen-related technology trained specialists around the world and in the new hydrogen-based economy that Montana is moving toward. It is anticipated that as much of the energy curriculum will be developed for web-based delivery as possible, thereby providing worldwide training and education opportunities for the Montana higher education.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR PRECIOUS METAL AND HYDROGEN
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

A proposal seeking to attract $6.2 million dollars for a five-year project in Montana has been submitted to the Department of Energy by The University of Montana College of Technology in cooperation with the University’s Chemistry Department and Montana Tech. Key parts of the project would be to find improved ways to recover platinum and explore value-added options for in-state precious metal use in the fuel cell industry.

HYDROGEN MICRO-ENTERPRISE SYSTEM

The World Trade Center located at the University of Montana has partnered with The University of Montana College of Technology to submit a proposal to the National Science Foundation that would enable the two groups to implement the Energy Products Network’s Micro-Enterprise System as set forth in the Montana Futures Project. A funded proposal would enable the two groups to work with communities statewide to catalog resources and match those resources with hydrogen-related businesses interested in coming to Montana.

OTHER HDROGEN-RELATED PROJECTS

Using wood biomass to produce hydrogen is moving forward with an entrepreneur from Hamilton setting up a research station at The University of Montana College of Technology to use the recently acquired hydrogen production unit from China. The COT will explore the types of wood biomass that can be used to produce a new value-added product for Western Montana forests – hydrogen.

Although in its infancy, Montana’s potential as a hydrogen-based economy is attracting attention from hydrogen-related businesses. A high-tech transportation company, hydrogen production companies, and hydrogen-based electrical generation companies are in dialogue with state leaders to assess potential opportunities.
>When used as an energy carrier to fuel cells, hydrogen is ideal for establishing distributive energy sites. The World Trade Center is exploring the use of such a system for powering telecommunications infrastructure.

MONTANA FUTURES COALITION

This fall marked the creation of the Montana Futures Coalition to serve as a rallying point for the numbers of interested and supportive persons interested in making Montana a hydrogen economy. Anyone wishing to become a member (no fees) should send an address and e-mail address to [email protected]. Members will be kept informed as to statewide programs, projects and progress to accomplish a hydrogen economy. (For existing members, convince a friend to do the same.)

H2 WEB INFORMATION EXPANDED

We continue to develop our Web site for Montana’s Hydrogen Economy Project at The University of Montana College of Technology. Go to http://www.cte.umt.edu and click on "Montana Hydrogen Economy" to go to the hydrogen page. At the hydrogen page, click on any topic Web site for more information. Questions regarding the Project may emailed to [email protected].
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Please add me/company/organization to the Montana’s Hydrogen Energy Futures Project so that I/we can keep informed about its progress and be active in the development:

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Mail to: UM-COT, MT H2 Futures Project, 909 South Ave. W, Missoula, MT 59801