DeKALB | Within a year, there may be an alternative energy choice in the form of a car with the ability to run without gasoline.

BMW recently announced the release of the hydrogen-powered 7 series for early next year.

The vehicle has a top speed of 143 mph and runs off a V-12 internal combustion engine with 260 horsepower, said Andreas Klugescheid, corporate communication manager of western operations for BMW.

“The vehicle is also capable of running on gasoline, which takes advantage of the small hydrogen infrastructure,” Klugescheid added.

Klugescheid said BMW also has plans to distribute the vehicle to selected users in hopes of promoting hydrogen power, which has multiple ways of being obtained and used.

“It could burn with oxygen in an engine or a burner similar to other hydro-carbon fossil fuels, but it could be used in a fuel cell to produce electricity without any moving parts, just electro-chemical reaction,” said Milivoje Kostic, associate professor of mechanical engineering. “The BMW hydrogen car can burn hydrogen in a combustion engine and could use regular fuel instead. It does not use fuel cells.”

Hydrogen power produces cleaner emissions than fossil fuels.

“It is very clean when hydrogen is used directly rather than through conversion from other conventional fuels using a reforming process,” said Pradip Majumdar, professor of mechanical engineering. “The only by-products of fuel cells are water and heat when hydrogen is used as fuel.”

Hydrogen is obtainable from multiple sources in nature.

“Hydrogen is part of water, natural gas, bio-mass and landfill gas,” said Patrick Serfass, director of program and technology development for the National Hydrogen Association.

Hydrogen power, however, also has drawbacks that could delay its development.

“Since the molecular weight and density of hydrogen are very small, storing and transporting a significant amount of hydrogen in its gaseous form requires very large, high pressure containers which may not be feasible in application such as in automobiles,” Majumdar said.

There also are safety issues associated with the energy source.

“Hydrogen, as a very reactive gas, has a whole host of problems with regard to storage and distribution,” Kostic said. “That’s why the American Academy of Arts and Sciences issued a statement that without a major breakthrough there is not a future for hydrogen economy.”

Anima Bose, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is hopeful Illinois can step up and help the nation with its renewable energy resources.

“Illinois has abundant resources for renewable energy to resolve the energy problems in our state,” Bose said. “I hope that Illinois’ leadership takes advantage of these resources to be the leader in alternate energy development and technology.”

Alan Edrinn is a City Reporter for the Northern Star.