| When you think “Honda” and “Engineer” most people think of names such as Yonekazu Uestsuji who was responsible for Honda’s groundbreaking GX OHV engines in the 1980s. Thus it comes as something of a surprise to learn that recent visitors to Australia, Kazuhiko Funakawa and Mamoru Kokubu, are members of the Japanese giant’s Solar R&D team.
Solar? Honda?
We are talking about the same company here?
Not only the same company, but also one that is far more advanced in this field than most of us would know.
Honda already manufactures the advanced solar panels that Messers Funakawa and Kokubu had brought with them for a 12-month trial. Staff Engineer Mamoru Kokubu explains what is different about Honda’s solar technology to that already available: “Honda has taken an overall view of the impact on the environment that includes the manufacture of the solar cells,” he says. “Unlike conventional silicon-based cells, Honda has developed technology based on copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) that has far less environmental impact.”
Senior Staff Engineer Funakawa has been involved with Honda’s solar projects for over twenty years. “This is nothing new for us, our company has been investigating alternative energy for a very long time.”
Suddenly it all makes sense: As the world’s largest manufacturer of hydrocarbon fuel engines, Honda stands to lose the most from the problems caused by dwindling petrol reserves and escalating petrol prices (Although the company is currently ‘winning’ such is the demand for fuel-efficient scooters and motorcycles).
Solar has a twin role, as OPE Industry stalwart Bob Donaldson points out:
“Firstly, as a direct source of alternative power (electricity).
“Secondly, as an indirect source of alternative energy (hydrogen-powered).”
In the first role, Honda’s solar cells each produce about 125W per hour (or eight combined deliver 1kW/h). Fully installed, eight panels (1kW) currently cost about $15,000. This reduces to about $7,000 after a Federal Government rebate. However, that is not the end of the matter, as Australian jurisdictions have quite generous “Feed-In” prices for solar energy that enters the grid from alternative sources. On average, electricity suppliers “buy” electricity at 44c/kW while they “sell” it at about 15c/kW (1kW into the grid pays for 3kW from it). This obviously enhances the financial attraction of installing solar panels here, making it a worthwhile investment.
Solar’s second role involves Honda’s revolutionary FCX “Fuel Cell” vehicles. These hydrogen-powered cars use Honda’s V Flow fuel cell stack in combination with a compact new Lithium Ion battery pack and a single hydrogen storage tank that powers the car’s electric motor through the reaction of Hydrogen combining with atmospheric Oxygen. The vehicles also scavenge energy that would otherwise be lost through braking and other deceleration into the battery.
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And the cars hit the magic number when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions: Zero!
This is not tomorrow’s technology; some FCX vehicles have already been manufactured.
There is but one small problem: Where do they get the Hydrogen?
The most common element in our Universe is plentifully available on earth combined with Oxygen in the form of water. Honda’s concept uses solar energy to power the process needed to separate the Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms, not just at fuel stations but also at the driver’s home/workplace.
“Free” non-polluting fuel available when wanted (the current FCX vehicle has a range of about 700km on a tank of Hydrogen). Obviously there are costs involved in the manufacturing the vehicle and refuelling station. Honda’s is currently trialling a program in emission-conscious California of three-year leases for about $700 a month. With the prospect of petrol prices over $2/L that looks very attractive.
“I have done some calculations that show where consumers install a 4kW Solar system and add the Honda Fuel Cell Car (electric/hydrogen) petrol savings to Government Rebates and ‘Feed In’ Tariffs, the ‘pay back’ period reduces to less than four years!” Bob Donaldson says. “Thereafter consumers save $15,000 pa which would pay for a new Honda Fuel Cell Car every three years – while helping save the planet.”
Which brings us back to Messers Funakawa and Kokubu.
“Australia is an ideal market to evaluate the progress that we have made with solar technology. We have plentiful sunshine, an evolving solar industry and a government committed to ambitious alternative fuel targets.” Bob Donaldson says.
“Honda sees a future where all products currently powered by hydrocarbon engines will be powered by alterative fuels,” Bob continues. It is a claim that sounds far less outlandish than it may have before meeting with him and the solar engineers.
“In the interim, Honda engineers are always working to increase the fuel efficiency of the 23-million engines Honda makes every year and for people looking for alternatives to cars we have a large range of low-fuel consumption scooters and motorcycles that help save consumers pockets and the environment at the same time,” Honda MPE MD Stuart Strickland points out.
I think that last bit was a “commercial”.
And I think that we have not heard the last of Honda solar….
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