Ohio Transit Agency Makes Strides Towards Green Hydrogen Future
Key Ideas
- Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) in Ohio is transitioning towards green hydrogen by partnering with Enbridge and the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub to produce hydrogen on-site using solar power.
- The project aims to reduce carbon emissions, increase supply, lower costs, and improve resiliency of the transit system, potentially starting hydrogen production as early as 2028.
- Despite initial use of 'gray' hydrogen imported from Canada made from natural gas, SARTA aims to shift to 'green' hydrogen to align with environmental goals and advancements in hydrogen technology.
- The project, funded significantly by federal grants, including those from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, reflects a broader trend towards cleaner energy sources in the public transportation sector.
Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA), based in Canton, Ohio, is making significant strides towards a greener future by transitioning its fleet to green hydrogen. SARTA, which currently operates 22 hydrogen fuel-cell buses, is partnering with energy company Enbridge and the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub to produce hydrogen on-site using solar power, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and improve the sustainability of its operations.
The move towards green hydrogen comes as a response to the environmental impact of traditional hydrogen production methods and the need to lower emissions in the transit sector. By generating hydrogen through the electrolysis of water with solar power, SARTA plans to increase its hydrogen supply, lower costs, and enhance the resilience of its transit system. This initiative, which could potentially start on-site hydrogen production by 2028, is in line with broader efforts to adopt cleaner energy sources in public transportation.
While SARTA had initially relied on imported 'gray' hydrogen, which emits significant carbon dioxide per ton of hydrogen produced, the shift towards green hydrogen signifies a commitment to aligning with environmental goals and leveraging advancements in hydrogen technology. The project, estimated to cost around $15 million with substantial federal funding, reflects a growing trend towards sustainable practices in the transportation industry.
Despite some skepticism regarding the choice of fuel-cell buses over other alternatives like electric buses or biodiesel, the project by SARTA and Enbridge is anticipated to make a positive impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through this transition to green hydrogen, SARTA aims to contribute to energy independence goals and drive innovation in the public transit sector, showcasing the potential for cleaner and more sustainable transportation solutions.
Topics
Public Transit
Renewable Energy
Clean Energy
Energy Independence
Technology Advancement
Transit Agency
Federal Funding
Infrastructure Law
Climate Emissions
Latest News