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Telluride Power and the Hydrogen Revolution

The use of hydrogen as a carrier of energy has been discussed since Jules Verne first wrote of a mythical island where the fuel was made from water, giving the inhabitants an almost limitless power supply. While the realities of the hydrogen economy preclude free energy for everyone who wants it, the increased efficiencies and decreased pollutants of hydrogen systems do promise a cleaner, healthier, more energy-efficient future.

The technology required to realize the hydrogen economy is developing rapidly. During the past decade a spectrum of private and public research has refined the essential components of the infrastructure. Many of these groups are focused on the creation and refinement of technologies to produce hydrogen, while others create the uses for hydrogen - vehicles and power systems for example. Few groups seem intent on being the supplier of hydrogen, apparently content to allow the existing energy companies to retain market control into the future.

Telluride Power marks that key component - who sells the energy - as focus for its activities. From the seed business of power supply grow shoots of mobile and stationary consumers of hydrogen. Our application of business concepts such as fractional ownership and cooperative production strengthens our customer support base. We've researched strategic transit corridors, fueling locations and travel circuits surrounding natural attractions, cities and National Park lands of the American Southwest to design a simple yet complete hydrogen infrastructure. Telluride Power's implementation of hydrogen technology to these transit routes and use concepts has been holding for the availability of the necessary components to build a model hydrogen infrastructure. That time is now.

Stage One: Testing the system

The first stage of Telluride Power's operation is a pilot project to test the performance of infrastructure components and hydrogen-fueled vehicles under general use by the public. Electricity from the historic and spectacular Bridal Veil Falls Powerhouse is delivered to electrolyzer equipment three miles away. Here, a hydrogen filler supplies three vehicles driven by co-op members. The location is on the direct entry path to Town Park, passed more than 50,000 times by visitors during the Bluegrass Festival Weekend alone.

The execution of this stage includes the utilization of a web-based fractional ownership scheme. As most people in Telluride don't use their vehicle every day of the week, most people don't need to pay for an entire car. And, the high price of first-stage vehicles eliminates many people from participation. Fractional ownership allows five owners to share two vehicles with the company vehicle used as overflow, sharing the cost of first-generation vehicles. In this way, a variety of driving styles can be documented to estimate the hydrogen performance of multi-fuel Toyota Tacoma 4x4s. As the company grows and the per-unit cost of vehicles decreases, the fractional ownership model will allow more drivers in expansion regions to take advantage of hydrogen fuel.

The first stage is underway with the development of a port-injected engine conversion on a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. Initially, the truck will be used as entrant in the Rama Road Rally, July 22-August 14, 2005. This stage race across the United States will take us through 21 major cities, and across many miles in between. After the race, the extra tanks will be used for a second conversion, with the goal of three vehicles on the road by early 2006.

Stage Two: Large-scale Introduction, 2005/2006

Our second stage includes the construction of two 100Kw DC hydroelectric plants and several Solar/Wind energy sites specifically designed for connection to electrolysis equipment, as well as the required infrastructure for delivery to distribution points. This stage adds fueling ports in Montrose, Colorado and Moab, Utah and increases capacity at the Telluride fueling station. Increased network size supports economies of scale production for vehicles, bringing the cost to a 25% increase over single-fuel dealer models.

Montrose, about 75 miles from Telluride, is the main destination of most vehicles from Telluride whether locals or tourist based. While a single-tank round trip is possible within the vehicles' 200 mile range, the addition of a fueling port in Montrose makes hydrogen feasible by increasing the range from the main route that vehicles may roam. Additional hydrogencan be produced using building-integrated solar power and wind installations throughout the target region.

Moab, Utah, a mecca of desert adventure activity, is located one fillup away from Telluride. Here, more than 2 million annual visitors come to play in the desert landscape on bike, by foot, and by 4x4 truck. The city offers direct access to Arches National Park, Dinosaur National Monument and the grand Slickrock Wilderness. Daily rentals of hydrogen-powered 4x4s for rocky road adventure will add to Telluride Power's business here, while still supporting a local usergroup. The second stage cost is approximately $8 million, and expands the user capacity to 90 vehicles.

Stage Three: Network Growth

The third stage involves growth in the Telluride vicinity and network expansion to Flagstaff, Arizona, Durango and Aspen, Colorado. Here, Telluride Power expands the systems developed during the second stage with renewable sourced generation near or at the new fueling facilities. Businesses and groups in expansion locations will join in the co-op in a variety of ways. There is no closure to the third stage, as expansion to new towns and cities will continue as the co-op ages.

California Connection, 2010

On April 20, 2004 the Governer of California, Arnold Swarzenegger, signed an executive order calling for hydrogen fueling stations to be built throughout the state by the year 2010. In his remarks, Governer Swarzenegger told the gathered group:

All across our highway system, hundreds of hydrogen filling stations will be built. And these stations will be used for thousands of hydrogen powered cars, trucks and busses. This starts a new era for clean California transportation. These vehicles poduce no emissions and no smog. They will clear the air and get rid of the smog that is hanging over our cities - and reduce the health problems caused by our pollution.

After completion and successful operation of the regional infrastructure, Telluride Power will build a connection to Los Angeles to tie in with the first hydrogen economy in North America. Telluride Power will be well positioned to tap this market, having established a business presence in California through sales of home fueling units and built the co-op through educational demonstration tours through targeted areas of California.

The mapping of a travel corridor across the desert is complete, requiring only three stations between Flagstaff and Los Angeles to connect the Telluride Power infrastructure surrounding the Four Corners with the west coast system. Those Californians who choose the cost of early adoption will be eager to flex their wheels and get out of the state. Co-op membership will not only lower the cost of fuel for their trip but will encourage fuel purchase at co-op placed stations where they live. In this way, Telluride Power grows to meet the California Hydrogen Rush.



The information contained within telluridepower.com is the sole creation of EPEich, IV. It is his own proprietary information, and in the process of viewing it you recognize his ownership of it. In other words, don't steal this execution of the general hydrogen idea.
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Telluride Power is a seed-stage hydrogen fuel startup company centered in southwest Colorado and the Four Corners