Ford joins university to develop hydrogen engine

An Australian automobile manufacturer is supporting a long-term university research project to develop a hydrogen engine.

Ford Motor Company of Australia will contribute engines and resources to the University of Melbourne's study of efficient and practical hydrogen-fuelled vehicle technologies.

"The University of Melbourne project is the first to research hydrogen engine alternatives using an Australian sourced engine, and will be an important complement to these initiatives," said Ford Australia president Tom Gorman.

"This project will use cutting-edge research into low/zero emission technology," said University of Melbourne senior lecturer, Dr Michael Brear. "It will also tackle the important energy issues of hydrogen generation from renewable energy and its high-density storage requirements."

The first stage of the project aims to develop, build and test a hydrogen-fuelled turbo-charged Ford 6-cylinder engine using advanced combustion technology (HAJI "“ hydrogen assisted jet ignition).

The aim of the study, which will build on many years of hydrogen combustion research at the University of Melbourne, is to demonstrate the characteristics and benefits of hydrogen assisted internal combustion.

The long-term research project is scheduled to begin in July.