Hydrogen Development for Alaska
Contributed by Daniel N. Russell, Physicist
A first hydrogen-powered train has been delivered to San Bernardino County Transportation Authority by manufacturer, Stadler, which announced up to 29 more orders for California service in https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/stadler-unveils-first-hydrogen-train-for-u-s-announces-order-for-up-to-29-more/.
We need hydrogen fuel-cell commuter train service from Seward to Anchorage and points north to Palmer, Wasilla, Willow, Talkeetna, etc. Constantly closing, repairing, and enlarging our road system every summer is too expensive, inefficient, frustrating, and hazardous. Driving in winter can be un-dependable and deadly, especially for senior citizens. Hydrogen fuel-cell commuter trains would remove, potentially, tens of thousands of vehicles and their polluting emissions, every day, from our poor roads, and it would make our roads last much longer, too. I invented a way to make hydrogen safer to use, distribute, and store in an article, "20 ppm Anhydrous Ammonia Odor Agent Proposed for Hydrogen Fuel for Safe Detection of Leaks", published in the journal, Detection, Vol.10 No.1 on January 13, 2023 (See the DOI: 10.4236/detection.2023.101001 ).
Some argue that hydrogen is too expensive. But new catalysis’s have been developed to produce green hydrogen from sea water, more cheaply, without producing any pollution. Electric power could be harnessed from our massive tidal currents, our many active volcanos, and our massive rivers to make green, clean hydrogen fuel. While other nay-sayers argue, there are not enough people in Alaska to justify converting to it, hydrogen fuel-cell rail service would stimulate economic development of our state, and it would breathe new life into the proposed Alaska to Alberta (A2A) hydrogen fueled rail proposal, which could bring millions of people into Alaska. Using green, clean hydrogen is far more appealing to tourists than diesel-burning trains, and this would attract many more tourists. Publicity from opening and marketing such a modern, clean rail service would also encourage more people to come and ride the Alaska Railroad.
Please, convey your support for hydrogen fuel-cell commuter rail service to Christy Terry, Alaska Railroad External Affairs Director at 907-265-2357 or email: publiccomment@akrr.com.