If hydrogen power is the way of the future, then Iceland is ahead of its time, according to Hjalti Pall Ingolfsson.
Ingolfsson, project leader of Icelandic New Energy Ltd., spoke in Houston Hall yesterday on the future of hydrogen power and said Iceland is leading the way in using renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen and geothermal power, due to governmental support and natural resources.
Iceland is "quite unique and in a good situation to test this energy," he told the audience of about 30.
He described the virtues of hydrogen power, calling it a clean way to reduce pollution from cars.
Icelandic New Energy is being funded by non-profit groups and other companies, including Royal Dutch Shell PLC and DaimlerChrysler AG, to test alternatives to fossil fuels.
The group has introduced three hydrogen-powered buses in Iceland to garner public support for hydrogen and study its feasibility.
Ingolfsson noted that the buses have taken some getting used to. The technology made the vehicles taller, and drivers hit overhanging signs early in their operation.
Another glitch came in the form of a small explosion at a hydrogen filling station, Ingolfsson said.
"We had quite a big bang," he said. "The operators were quite scared."
Icelandic New Energy plans to expand its efforts, introducing hydrogen cars and ships in the next few years. Iceland aims to be the world's first hydrogen-powered nation, a goal the group sees being accomplished by the year 2050.
Ingolfsson said it would be advantageous to the United States to invest in renewable resources to wean itself off foreign oil.
The United States "needs to rely on unstable areas," he said, apparently referring to the Middle East.
Ingolfsson said that people are starting to look towards Iceland as an example for renewable energy, and he displayed a picture of senators Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) meeting with members of Icelandic New Energy as evidence.
"We have received a lot of attention in Iceland, sometimes more than we can handle," Ingolfsson said. "We only have three other employees."
"It was great and interesting," said Engineering junior Simon Caron, who said he came because energy engineering is one of his majors.
