The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a contract to Michigan's Energy Conversion Devices Inc. to develop small hydrogen internal combustion engines.
The estimated total cost of the Department of Energy project is approximately $1.7 million, with the department providing $1.2 million.
Under the contract, the Rochester Hills, Mich., company will develop a low-cost method to convert small gasoline internal combustion engines to run on hydrogen fuel while maintaining the performance and durability of unmodified engines.
"This is a great opportunity for us to advance the work done to date on hydrogen-ICE fueled scooters and three-wheeled taxis ...," said ECD President Stanford Ovshinsky.
He said there is a significant potential market for reliable, low-cost engines with near zero emissions in stationary and mobile applications that include two- and three-wheeled vehicles, lawn and garden care equipment and small back-up generator sets.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
