Fuel cell no longer powers car wash

 End of government grant makes hydrogen too costly to use

 

By James Weldon, North Shore News July 7, 2010

 

 

 

The Easywash car wash is still eco-friendly thanks to a host of other design features.

Photograph by: Mike Wakefield, NEWS photo

NORTH Vancouver’s hydrogen-powered car wash, part of the province’s touted Hydrogen Highway, has not been powered by hydrogen since the beginning of April.

The Easywash eco-friendly car wash at Main Street and Mountain Highway has been running on electricity from the public grid for the past 3* months, ever since government funding for the demonstration project expired.

The facility, which opened in 2006, boasts a number of green features, including water recycling, rainwater collection, the separation of oil from wastewater, a LEED-certified building and other technologies designed to reduce its ecological impact.

In September 2007, with the help of funding from the provincial and federal governments, a $1.2-million industrial fuel cell was installed on site, which used waste hydrogen from nearby chemical manufacturing facilities to supply most of the carwash’s peak energy needs. At times of low use, the company even sold power from the cell to the public grid.

The facility has been highlighted by the province as a component of the Hydrogen Highway, a project sponsored by technology firms and government agencies to demonstrate the potential of the gas as a fuel. The project, given special prominence during the 2010 Olympics, also features hydrogen-powered buses and light vehicles, fuelling stations and other components.

The car wash still appears on the Hydrogen Highway website and, as of Tuesday, the Easywash website still stated it was powered by the gas.

But on March 31, the fuel cell’s funding expired, the device was shut down and the car wash reverted to drawing power from BC Hydro. The cell will be dismantled over the next couple of weeks.

The fuel cell was not self-sustaining, economically, said Colin Armstrong, whose company, Sacré-Davey Innovations, purified and compressed the waste hydrogen used in the project. The gas simply isn’t used widely enough for the costs to stay down, he said.

About 70 per cent of the fuel cell’s costs were covered by a grant from provincial and federal governments.

The car wash project was only intended to show the concept could work, which it did, said Armstrong.

Laura-lee Normandeau, co-founder of Easywash, said the car wash remains eco-friendly due to its other low-impact practices. The company’s website just hasn’t been updated, she said.

jweldon@nsnews.com

Read more: http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/technology/Fuel+cell+longer+powers+wash/3245595/story.html?id=3245595#ixzz0uGr9qnXc

Car Washing and the Environment

It’s true! Commercial car washes are more environmentally friendly than washing your car at home. Car washes tend to have more water efficient equipment such as computer controlled systems, high-pressure nozzles and pumps that minimize water usage. According to reports, washing a car at home may use between 80 to 140 gallons of water, while a commercial car wash averages less than 45 gallons per car.

Under the Clean Water Act of 1972 car washing companies must make sure that the water is drained to the appropriate channels. This is important as there are strict regulations protecting our drinking water from run-off pollution. Many also choose to recycle and re-use the rinse water.

For more information on why car washes are better for the environment, visit the International Carwash Association.

What You Can Do When Washing Your Car at Home

Of course, there are those who enjoy washing their car at home on a sunny Saturday afternoon, and can still do so with these helpful, environmentally friendly tips. 

• Don’t let the hose continuously flow. Using a spray nozzle that controls the water flow works best as it flows only when you need it.
• Use environmentally friendly soaps instead of harsh detergents. Stay away from products that contain phosphates, petroleum-distillates, kerosene, silicone, or mineral spirits. If your car isn’t too dirty, try using water and a sponge. 
• Using only a bucket filled with soapy water will help to limit the amount of soap and water that runs into the street. Dispose bucket content into the sanitary sewer system, i.e. toilets and sinks.
• Don’t use paper towels, instead try re-usable microfiber towels.
• When wringing sponges and washrags, do so in a bucket and not onto the ground.
• Try washing your car on a grassy area or any other area – like a gravel parking lot - that will allow soil to hinder soapy water from entering streets and storm drain ditches.

It’s very important to make sure that soapy water does not flow into storm drain ditches as it leads directly into lakes, rivers and creeks without any treatment. This can hurt wildlife and is detrimental to the environment.  

The Stormwater Manager’s Resource Center offers these suggestions on how to protect storm drain ditches while car washing as well as information for companies who have car washing facilities.

What You Should Know about Biodegradable Soap

Biodegradable only means that the soap will break down over time and does not necessarily guarantee it is better for plants, animals and the environment. Some biodegradable soaps are still toxic to fish and other aquatic species because they have cleaners that may harm fish by destroying the external mucus layers that protect them from bacteria and parasites and may also cause damage to its gills. Using soaps that are labeled non-toxic, phosphate-free and that are vegetable- or citrus-based is your best bet. 

There is another alternative to using soaps – waterless car wash products. These formulas have been on the market for quite some time and can be useful when spot cleaning. Waterless car wash contains different ingredients such as wetting agents and lubricants. Combined, the product softens and emulsifies surface grime as well as protects the surface without the use of water!

For more information on soap alternatives and eco-friendly cleaners, check out these websites…

• EPA’s Green Cleaning
• Green Seal – A nonprofit dedicated to helping the environment through the promoting of greener, cleaner products.
• Low Impact Living product list
• Amazon.com – Top 10 Green Auto Products

Or, try these recipes for homemade cleaners.

Sustainable Summer Fund-raising

Car wash fundraiser season is in full swing during the summer months. From Little League teams to churches, the popularity of car washes is understandable. Splashing about with friends while working hard to bring in money for a cause one supports may be fun but it can also harm the environment if not done correctly.

The main problem is run-off and where it will go. A lot of car wash fundraisers take place in an empty lot along the side of the road or in parking lots. Since storm sewers, or storm drain ditches, are found near curbs and low-lying outdoor areas, those managing the charity event must make sure that local water sanitation regulations are followed to make sure runoff does not escape into storm sewers. An excellent option would to ask the local car wash if they offer fund-raising options for schools, teams and charities. Wash water from commercial car washes goes to sewage treatment plants rather than down a storm drain. This way, the organizers don’t have to worry about water sanitation regulations in their area and won’t overuse the water supply that has already suffered with the little rain Indiana has had this season. The eco-friendly tips when washing cars at home (above) also apply to fundraisers as well.

Eco-friendly Tips on Washing Your Boat

Summer is also the time for fishing and water sports. Like when washing a car, it is important to be safe when washing your boat. For tips on environmentally friendly boat maintenance and boating, check out the BoatU.S. Organization’s guide. More eco-friendly boating tips can be found at eartheasy – an online magazine supporting sustainable living.

For More Information…

…on how to be a better steward of the environment when it comes to the purchasing, owning and driving a car, check out these websites geared to help you become a greener driver.

• NPR’s Car Talk – Driving Tips for Treehuggers
• National Geographic’s The Green Guide
• Environmental Defenses’ Guide to Cleaner Vehicle Production, Use and Disposal
• Green Car Guide
• Greener Cars

Link- http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/indiana/misc/art22036.html

Tech update: Social media

YCM March 2010

Nov. 19, 09

Words: 537

V1

Gain a following

Social media boosting brands

By Michelle MacLeod

As consumers choose to plug into their smart phones, rather than flip through the Yellow Pages, retailers who build a significant brand presence online stand to benefit. Building an interactive website can be costly, however a multitude of social media tools, like Twitter and Facebook, allow businesses to connect with potential customers free-of-charge.

Taylor Kenyon, owner and operator of Trixie’s Car Wash in Chilliwack, BC, decided to start blogging about personal and professional news last August to become more accessible to his customers and improve loyalty. “Blogging is easy and cost-effective,” he said. Each month, Kenyon offers specials to readers of his WordPress blog, Squeaky Clean, such as $2 off any touchless wash.

“I think there’s an added depth to blogging over traditional advertising,” he said. “I wouldn’t take out a full-page ad discussing environmental concerns or new soap, but with blogging, Facebook or Twitter, you’re creating communication with customers.”

Kenyon also uses the micro-blogging site, Twitter, for the same purpose: sharing news, directing traffic to his blog and website, and sharing links to interesting car wash sites. “A friend of mine who owns a restaurant ran a customer appreciation day where customers had to reserve a table via Twitter. It went very well for him, and 200 people showed up, so I thought I should give it a try.”

On Twitter, users can choose to ‘follow’ any accounts they find relevant, which are streamed into one live news feed. But with only five ‘followers’ so far, Kenyon is still experimenting with new ways to add value. “You have to entice customers to become followers. They’re not just going to sign up.” 

Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc. started using Facebook last summer to promote its proprietary brand – Froster, said Donna Yuen, senior marketing manager at Mac’s. “Facebook is very relevant to our target age group for this brand, which is 12 to 20. Within three months our fan base grew from zero to 22,000.”

By using an add-on service called Facebook Connect, Mac’s brings Facebook users to its own site, MyFroster.ca, which offers more interaction through games, downloadable photos and contests.

Last fall, Mac’s leveraged its fan base, by running a competition to name a holiday Froster flavour.  Yuen said they received hundreds of suggestions. The winning name, Berry Frostmas, was named by a 12-year-old, and promoted in stores across Ontario.

The advantage of using Facebook is immediate feedback, Yuen said. “It’s very timely, so you get a level of engagement and dialogue that is not possible by traditional e-mail.  The user-generated content is much better.”

One challenge to putting your company online is receiving negative postings. “There’s a fine line. You can’t screen comments too much or (the discussion) doesn’t become authentic. At the same time, you don’t want lewd pictures on your fan page.”

But as retailers grow more comfortable with the technology, Yuen expects more small business owners to become engaged. Her advice for getting started: “Be clear of what your objectives are; figure out what you can offer in terms of content, and determine who you’d want to recruit for your base.”

Sources

Taylor Kenyon

Trixie’s Car Wash

Chilliwack, BC

Blog: http://trixiescarwash.com/blog/?p=17

Website: http://www.trixiescarwash.com/

E-mail: taylorjkenyon@gmail.com

Phone: 604-316-4772

Donna Yuen

Senior marketing manager at Mac’s

Phone: 416-291-4444 x7254

E-mail: Donna.Yuen@macs.ca

Micro-site: http://www.myfroster.ca/

This officially is Trixie’s first blog!!! My name is Taylor Kenyon and I am the owner/operator of Trixie’s Car Wash. You may have seen me around Chilliwack or on site at Trixie’s. I hope to connect with my many customers through this blog where you can interact with me, check out updated  specials, provide feedback and learn about the car wash industry.

Currently for the month of August, we are offering $2 off any touchless wash. The code is  14017. Enter the code at the front teller which will prompt a $2 off discount. Hurry offer expires Aug 31st.

Under the Tab Pages and About- you are able to post comments, which I think is awesome. I would love to hear from you. If you have any questions, an opinion about something or feedback, this is the place to do it!!!! You can also email me at taylorjkenyon@gmail.com