Hydrogen-Powered Generator to Debut at CES

The HydroPak should provide electricity for up to 14 hours like a traditional generator, but without the noise, weight and emissions.

Hydrogen fuel cells may usually come up when discussing next-gen fuel sources for automobiles, but Millenium Cell Inc. and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies envisioned a different use for the technology: a portable generator. The companies announced on Thursday that they would debut a pre-production version of their HydroPak portable hydrogen-fueled generator at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The HydroPak will use disposable hydrogen fuel cells to provide instant power in the place of a traditional gasoline- or diesel-powered generator. It’s designed to be lighter and quieter than those options, and will also run indoors without problems thanks a to a lack of harmful emissions.

According to the companies, one fuel cell should provide enough electricity to recharge a laptop eight to 10 times, or provide continuous electricity to low-power devices like portable work lights, portable televisions, and ad-hoc communications networks for 14 hours.

Both companies hope to bring the system to market some time in 2008. The generator should cost about $400, while refill hydrogen packs will run about $20.