SASKATCHEWAN'S PATHWAY TO A HYDROGEN FUTURE

Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert unveiled two projects today that will help fuel the province's drive to a hydrogen-based future in transportation, as we move into our second century.

The world's first modified pickup truck fueled by a combination of hydrogen and gasoline was unveiled by the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) in Saskatoon today, just nine months after SRC unveiled a similar prototype fueled by a combination of hydrogen and diesel.

SRC developed the technology and applied it to a General Motors 6.0 litre engine. The vehicle will run on hydrogen and gasoline at the same time.

"The development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel is a key part of a green and prosperous economy," Calvert said. "I believe the pathway to a hydrogen future runs through Saskatchewan."

The total value of the project is $655,300 which includes $192,300 in newly announced funding from Saskatchewan Industry and Resources. Several sources will make up the remaining $463,000, including Saskatchewan company ECCE Energy Corporation and SRC.

SRC is also a key participant in a second complementary project announced today to develop and install damage detection systems for pressurized cylinders used in stationary and mobile applications including pickup trucks, vans and buses.

This is a part of the Intelligent Control Systems for Fuel Cells and Natural Gas Vehicles project that was initiated in 1999. The damage detection project will cost $807,000 and involves support from SRC and Precarn Incorporated. Precarn is a member-owned, not-for-profit national consortium of corporations, research institutes and government partners supporting the development of intelligent systems technologies.

"The damage detection system project is a prime example of the important role that intelligent systems technology can contribute to move forward the application of hydrogen fuel cells as an alternate energy source for the automotive sector," Precarn Incorporated Vice-President of Operations Paul Johnston said.

Research will be undertaken to develop and then install an electronic monitoring system to detect damage in large (150 litre) high-pressure cylinders. A system has already been successfully developed by SRC to detect cuts, gouges, ruptures and fatigue in smaller (33 litre) cylinders.

The detection system, if successful, could become an integral part of monitoring on-board pressurized cylinders, such as hydrogen cylinders, in the vehicles of the future.

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For More Information, Contact:

Karen Potter Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Saskatoon Phone: (306) 933-7089