H2PIA is a fully sustainable, hydrogen city concept based on a lifestyle, free of addiction to oil, coal and gas, well before the widely projected date of 2050. If all goes well, H2PIA will begin contruction in 2007.

Here’s how it works: “The renewable energy comes from solar or wind power and is used to split H2O, ordinary water into H2 and O2, hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is vented into the atmosphere, which already contains about 20 percent O2. The hydrogen is used in fuel cells that can produce energy, for instance in the form of electricity and heat. In the fuel cell, the energy is created by silent electrochemical processes with no pollution. The only product left over when the hydrogen is used up, is pure water. During periods with low energy demand, we can store the hydrogen. Then, when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining, we use the stored hydrogen.”

H2PIA residents will have a number of options for their home: Plugged, Unplugged, Hybrid…and the latter even comes with a hybrid hydrogen car which feeds energy into the community grid when not in use. Besides all the awe-inspiring plans for energy production, the development takes into account many other elements of healthy living, such as public community space, indoor/outdoor home design, abundant greenery, and enough urban infrastructure concentrated in one place to reduce (or eliminate) the need to commute.

Apparently construction was to start in 2007 but this concept city has since dropped off the map. Below are more concepts revolved around a hydrogen society.

Fuel Station

Have you ever wondered why all gas stations look exactly the same? Despite the inconvenience of getting in and out of them (especially Arco), the design of gas stations is based on a prototype that hasn’t changed in 60 years. Now finally, inspired by the possibilities of future-forward fuel, architect Alan Eliot Goldberg is trying to change this.

Goldberg has proposed the Advance Refueling Retail Center (ARRC) as a design for a new generation of service stations which will heighten the public’s awareness and acceptance of hydrogen as a clean, safe, renewable energy.

The design of the ARRC aims at changing the layout of the ordinary gas station. Goldberg was a design consultant for Mobil Oil Corporation for roughly 25 years, so the man knows his gas-station design – and he knows what can be done to update it for maximum efficiency. The new radial layout will provide for a more consumer-friendly environment and a more easily accessible dispenser for faster refueling.

The Center for Architecture in New York City, the ARRC/H2 alliance officially launched along with their Information Center which displays a hydrogen car and an exhibit to promote public awareness regarding hydrogen fuels.

via: Treehugger & inhabitat

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