HYDROGEN DRIVE

Skai – Get A Glimpse Of The World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Air Mobility System

Skai has a sleek, uncluttered, and minimalistic design

03 June 2019 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: 2019, Aviation, Featured

Skai, the world’s very first air mobility system powered by hydrogen fuel cells was recently unveiled by Alakai’s Technologies. The rather simple and yet revolutionary energy solution is specifically designed to eliminate complexities and provide an air mobility solution that’s truly clean from start to finish.

Hydrogen-Powered Air Mobility With a Range of 400 Miles

Skai has a sleek, uncluttered, and minimalistic design combined with a safe and radically simple electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL). With all these features and a fuel source system running solely on hydrogen fuel cells, Skai will transform how our world moves by being the most versatile, cleanest, and safest air mobility solution the world will ever know.

World debut of the @Alakaitech #Skai hydrogen fuel cell powered #aircraft. Goal of bringing #zeroemission travel to airspace. 400 mile range, 5 passengers, goal of simplicity #FCEV @SkaiGlobal #green pic.twitter.com/9RWIWJ8DmE
— Nicolas Stecher (@man_vs_himself) May 29, 2019

Skai was developed by a team comprised of members recognized nationally as experts on the aerospace field, as well as engineers, and seasoned pilots who have worked in top-level positions at Cirrus, Beech, DayJet, Raytheon, NASA, and the Department of Defense. Their collaboration is run by a vision of providing a solution to some of the most urgent global challenges across the world which include the environment, energy, and transportation.

Front of Skai designed by Alakai Technologies Corporation - hydrogen fuel cell powered air mobility (eVTOL) — (Alakai Technologies Corporation)

“This remarkably impressive team have come together to build on our collective experience to finally realize our singular, critical vision to launch Skai and transform transportation,” said Brian Morrison, Co-Founder, President and Chief Technology Officer of Alaka’i Technologies. “Skai offers practical, real-life solutions to everything from relieving traffic congestion to delivering supplies during natural disasters. Skai is set to offer affordable, realistic applications in the commercial, private, freight, and personal air mobility markets.”

Alakai Technologies Corporation presents inner Skai - hydrogen fuel cell powered air mobility (eVTOL) — (Alakai Technologies Corporation)

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BMW Group’s design innovation studio Designworks co-designed Skai to give its creative expertise an edge and form a vehicle that’s truly world-class. This resulted in stripping Skai away from any unnecessary waste, complexity, potential failure points. They only left the craft with the most crucial components and optimized these for an extremely intuitive experience. The most innovative feature of Skai is also its heart, which is the utilization of an end to end clean environmental solution, the hydrogen fuel cells. Being reusable by 95% and with the remaining 99% recyclable, you can only expect the hydrogen fuel cells to provide environmentally clean, reliable, and safe emissions composed entirely of water and heat. At the same time, they allow Skai to travel long distances of up to 400 miles with high payloads.

Hydrogen-Powered Air Mobility Skai Seats up to Five Passengers

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“Air mobility is a very exciting and fascinating topic,” said Holger Hampf, President of Designworks. “Our focus for this project was to help building a new consumer facing brand from scratch – considering and designing all touchpoints – digital, physical and service. And as a result, delivering an all-encompassing user-centric experience which is purposeful and highly desirable in all aspects.”

The test program has already been initiated by Alakai’s Technologies with the FAA. With pending certification, there are endless possibilities that Skai will be able to create in hydrogen fuel cells utilization, personal mobility for all, and distribution of economical freight as an extremely reliable and stable zero-emission source of energy.

Side of Skai designed by Alakai Technologies Corporation - hydrogen fuel cell powered air mobility (eVTOL) — (Alakai Technologies Corporation)

Seat of Skai designed by Alakai Technologies Corporation - hydrogen fuel cell powered air mobility (eVTOL) — (Alakai Technologies Corporation)

Rotor of Skai designed by Alakai Technologies Corporation - hydrogen fuel cell powered air mobility (eVTOL) — (Alakai Technologies Corporation)

Blue Skai designed by Alakai Technologies Corporation - hydrogen fuel cell powered air mobility (eVTOL) — (Alakai Technologies Corporation)

Top of Skai designed by Alakai Technologies Corporation - hydrogen fuel cell powered air mobility (eVTOL) — (Alakai Technologies Corporation)

California – True Zero’s Hydrogen Network Cutting 2.3 Million Pounds GHG Emissions in 2016

True Zero will now equip every hydrogen charging station with a sustainability label

17 January 2017 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Featured, MOTORING

The race to tap into clean transportation has long since become a global issue. It seems battery powered electric cars are the top dog when it comes to clean transportation. And you think the market for hydrogen-powered cars doesn’t play a decisive role anymore? Maybe the following facts of True Zero change your mind.

According to own statements, True Zero operates the world’s largest network of hydrogen charging stations for cars. In 2016 alone, they powered 3.7 million emission-free miles on California roads with their provided hydrogen fuel. Accordingly, hydrogen-powered cars filled up at True Zero’s hydrogen charging stations saved over 1.15 million kg of greenhouse gas emissions. “That’s the greenhouse-gas equivalent of planting a forest nine times the size of Disneyland,” explained Joel Ewanick, CEO of FirstElement Fuel, True Zero’s parent, which is based here.

Hyundai Tuscon charging at True Zero hydrogen station in the US (True Zero)

“With a hydrogen network that spans across California and allows drivers to charge up in four minutes, electric fuel-cell cars with over 300-mile range are proving they can replace gasoline cars,” said Joel Ewanick, Founder and CEO of FirstElement Fuel, True Zero’s parent. “This kind of ramp means customers are choosing electric fuel cells as a vehicle that does it all, but with zero emissions.”

sustainability label - Hydrogen at this station is sourced from 100% renewable feedstocks. A small percentage of non-renewable energy is needed for delivery and on-site processing (True Zero) — Sustainability label - Hydrogen at this station is sourced from 100% renewable feedstocks. A small percentage of non-renewable energy is needed for delivery and on-site processing (True Zero)

With the aim to make people and car owners more aware of the clean benefits of driving on hydrogen, True Zero will now equip every hydrogen charging station with a sustainability label. They declare the societal impacts of driving a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicle and provide clear information about the consumed resources and how they support the environment.

Two of True Zero’s charging stations provide hydrogen fuel sourced from 100 percent renewable feedstock

“We got into this business to make a positive impact on the world,” said Ewanick. “Our customers are making a difference with every mile they drive. It’s exciting to see such substantial benefits so early on, and we want to help tell that story.” Compared to a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle, it is possible to cut off emissions by more than 60 percent.

Toyota Mirai charging at True Zero hydrogen station in the US (True Zero)

True Zero hydrogen station in Santa Barbara, USA (True Zero)

Around one-third of the True Zero hydrogen fuel is produced with energy from renewable sources. This proportion is expected to grow further. “We’re already seeing far more growth than we expected during the first phase of our hydrogen network,” said Ewanick. “To keep up with demand and help automakers sell more fuel-cell cars, our future stations have to be larger and able to charge up multiple cars at the same time.”

Two of True Zero’s charging stations provide hydrogen fuel sourced from 100 percent renewable feedstock. This lowers greenhouse gas emissions by 93 percent compared to a typical petrol-powered car. The company has set an ambitious target: By 2023, 100 percent of the hydrogen shall be sourced renewable.

“It’s thanks to the monies and commitment from the State of California and our other funding partners that this retail hydrogen network has been brought to life,” said Ewanick.

True Zero hydrogen-charging station in Saratoga (True Zero)

True Zero's hydrogen-charging station in Long Beach, California - eco urban transport — True Zero's hydrogen-charging station in Long Beach, California (True Zero)

HOW IT WORKS

Compared to conventional gasoline-fueled cars, hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles are less noisy. They can be larger than battery-powered electric cars and they also emit no harming carbon dioxide, but therefore they only need up to five minutes to refuel. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cells are completely non-toxic and pose no risk to our climate. But there are some drawbacks, too. High production costs or the higher flammability and risk of explosion are issues still to be solved.

The number of fuel cell cars on California roads has risen considerably during 2016. And it seems more to quadruple during 2017. Toyota began in late 2015 retailing its hydrogen-powered Mirai in California. In December 2016 Honda introduced its next-generation and hydrogen-powered Honda Clarity. Other carmakers, such as Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz, are also leasing fuel cell cars in the state.

Another #hydrogen station joins the California network! Read more here: https://t.co/ZiIoUp8dBY via @CalEnergy pic.twitter.com/UxDwlstZSN
— FCHEA (@FCHEA_News) January 13, 2017

The newest hydrogen filling station from True Zero called Hollywood was opened at 5700 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. By the way, Riversimple Rasa is another testament to the power of hydrogen.

Riversimple Launches Hydrogen Powered Car For The Masses

In order to provide an affordable hydrogen-powered car, the fuel cell system has been scaled down

21 February 2016 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: MOTORING

Hydrogen powered car with European type approval

They intend to produce the first hydrogen powered production car scheduled for 2018 at a rate of 3,500 units per annum. The UK-based company Riversimple unveiled their lightweight car, called Rasa, with a range of up to 300 miles on 1.5 kg of hydrogen. With its completely different architecture to conventional cars, it has the lowest carbon emissions for any vehicle ‘well-to-wheel’. Water is of course the only emission.

Indeed, Rasa is not the first fuel cell vehicle. The FCX Clarity, manufactured by Honda, was the first hydrogen powered car available for retail clients but with a small number of customers. The discontinuation of the FCX Clarity was announced in July 2014. Others, for instance, are Hyundai ix35 FCEV, Toyota Mirai or fuel cell buses from Daimler, Thor Industries or Irisbus.

Compared to Toyota or Honda, Rasa is not based on common vehicle templates. Riversimple wipes the slate clean and presents a new type of hydrogen powered car with new elegant and clean lines. In order to provide an affordable fuel cell car, the system has been scaled down which is only possible with a considerably reduced car weight. Consequently, it provides only essential features and no superfluous shenanigans.

The seats, for example, have a small weight of only 10.8 kg each. The chassis is made of carbon composite material. The total kerb weight of just 580 kg is nearly the half of a small car. This is not only due to the fact that Rasa is a two-seater car. The interior features only essential elements. With its 18 moving parts in the entire powertrain, Riversimple will adopt an open-source approach to its technology and componentry. The aim is to encourage the proliferation of this technology and economies of scale within the sector. According to Riversimple, Rasa has been engineered by a highly-skilled team from some of the world’s most renowned carmakers, Formula 1 teams and aerospace engineering companies.

The high range of 300 miles are also the result of the more than 50 percent recovered kinetic energy produced under braking. With a claimed fuel economy equivalent of 0,9 litre per 100 kilometre (250mpg), Rasa can be refuelled with 350 bar of pressure. It is quite high but also cheaper and does not require pre-cooling of the hydrogen. Refuelling the empty tank takes around three minutes. Hydrogen can be produced via electrolysis of water and renewable energy sources like wind and solar radiation.

Rasa is built for full European type approval and will be offered through a ‘sale of service’ model. Riversimple will cover all repair, maintenance, insurance and fuel expenses for a fixed monthly fee plus a mileage allowance. The expenditures can be compared with leasing.

Under braking, the motors act as a Kinetic Energy Recovery System - similar to that found in a Formula 1 car - generating electricity and replenishing the car’s bank of 120 quickcharging lithium hybrid super-capacitors (pictured left), using the kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat. (Riversimple) — Under braking, the motors act as a Kinetic Energy Recovery System – similar to that found in a Formula 1 car – generating electricity and replenishing the car’s bank of 120 quickcharging lithium hybrid super-capacitors (pictured left), using the kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat. (Riversimple)

Hugo Spowers, Founder of Riversimple Movement Ltd, said: “The Rasa engineering prototype marks another key milestone in bringing an affordable and highly-efficient hydrogenpowered car to market. We really have started from a clean sheet of paper. The Rasa gives us the opportunity to introduce customers to a more convenient concept of motoring, a lightness of ownership that neither places a burden on the pockets of motorists or the surrounding environment. The car is simple, light and fun in every respect.”

Powertrain
Fuel cell	8.5 kW
Lithium ion capacitors	1.9 MJ of usable energy
Electric motors	4 x 170 Nm hub motors
Transmission	None (forward, neutral and reverse controls only)
Suspension & Steering
Front suspension type	Double wishbone
Rear suspension type	Semi trailing arm
Steering type	Rack and pinion
Dimensions
Length	3673 mm
Width incl mirrors	1630 mm
Height	1332 mm
Boot volume	170 litres
Fuel tank capacity	1.5 kg

Performance & Fuel Economy
0-60 mph	10 sec
Top speed	60 mph
Torque Nm (lb ft)	680 Nm (direct drive)
Fuel consumption	about 250 mpg
Maximum range	300 miles
Refuelling time	3 minutes per full tank
CO2 emissions at tailpipe	0 g/km
CO2 emissions well to wheel	about 40 g/km

After a public 12-month Beta trial of 20 Rasa prototypes, in 2018 the first full production model comes to market.