Chemistry in Renewable Resources

One of the premier products that utilize renewable energy is the Hydrogen Hybrid Bus. Commissioned by the Center for Transportation and the Environment. The bus, running at the University of Texas, does not use non-renewable resources but instead runs on hydrogen gas.


"The fuel cell system is made up of two, proton exchange membrane or PEM fuel cells that can run separately or in parallel. Allowing the fuel cells to shut down when not needed should enable a longer system life. Hydrogen to power the fuel cells is stored in tanks on the roof of the bus. These systems continuously recharge the batteries as the bus is running and extend the distance the bus can travel without having to return to the charging station. Energy from the fuel cell system is used to continuously recharge the high voltage battery system.

The bus is equipped with an all-electric energy storage system made up of lithium-titanate batteries. Using only the fully charged batteries, the bus has a range of about 25-30 miles. This is possible through an advanced efficient drive train and regenerative braking. Regenerative braking means that the bus is configured to recover up to 90 percent of the energy expended by the batteries when the bus slows down. This energy is then reused to recharge the batteries."
-hydrogenhybridbus.com 

This bus is a great example of a way that a community can implement ways in which to switch from harmful and costly non-renewable resources and use alternative sources of energy.