Japan – Fuel Cell Bus Trials on the BRT Hikoboshi Line

Fukuoka Prefecture, Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT), and Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) have entered an agreement to conduct trials of a small fuel cell electric bus (FC bus) that runs on hydrogen, an environmentally-friendly next-generation energy source, on the BRT Hikoboshi Line (officially “Hitahikosan Line BRT”), a bus rapid transit system planned for launch around the summer of 2023.

This initiative will be the first implementation of the partnership agreement between Fukuoka Prefecture and CJPT, entered into on December 26 last year, to expand commercial FC mobility and create a sustainable hydrogen society with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality. Fukuoka Prefecture and CJPT will work with JR Kyushu to hold the trials with a view to bringing FC mobility to local transportation.

With the cooperation of communities along the line, JR Kyushu is working toward the launch of the BRT Hikoboshi Line, which is under development based on the concept of being “kind to people, communities, and the future.” Expectations are that the trials of a next-generation small FC bus will further advance efforts toward regional development as an environmentally friendly transportation option.

Going forward, Fukuoka Prefecture, CJPT, and JR Kyushu will collaborate in preparing to launch the trial runs as follows.

1. Overview of the initiative

Trial runs for the practical application of next-generation small FC buses that run on hydrogen energy

Significance and aims of the trials

– The trials aim to deepen awareness of hydrogen as a future energy source by using it to operate a local transportation system familiar to residents while achieving region-wide sustainable growth.
– By verifying the feasibility of adopting FC mobility, the trials will increase the options for local transportation and help create a green transportation system.
– While bringing the use of hydrogen to local transportation, the trials will lead to the development of areas along the Hitahikosan Line BRT.

Roles of each party

Fukuoka Prefecture: Overall coordination and support for improving the environment of the trial runs CJPT: Development planning for the next-generation hydrogen bus and coordination of the trial vehicle JR Kyushu: Operation of the trial vehicle on the BRT Hikoboshi Line

2. Trial vehicle

Vehicle styling

Drawing on the image of hydrogen as an environmentally friendly energy, the trial vehicle is styled to reflect the blue skies prevalent along the route of the BRT Hikoboshi Line. The use of a pattern that depicts the flowing robes of Orihime―a name for star Vega and lover of Hikoboshi (the star Altair) from Japanese legend―creates a unified and original styling for all vehicles to operate on the BRT Hikoboshi Line.

Vehicle overview

Small FC bus 1 vehicle
FC bus based on the Toyota Coaster, 20-seater(1) with actual seating for 14 (planned)

Length x Width x Height 6,990 mm x 2,100 mm x 2,630 mm
Second-generation FC system from Mirai FCEV, with outstanding environmental performance of zero CO2 emissions during operation(2)

Trial period

Approximately fall 2023 to spring 2025 (planned)

Additional information

Detailed information, including the start date and timetables of the trial to be conducted prior to the trial runs and the actual trial runs, will be announced at a later date.

(1) Includes driver’s seat
(2) FC mobility options are environmentally friendly vehicles that use a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, which does not generate CO2 emissions during use.

For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/38698094.html.

Copyright ©2023 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Recounting the Trials of Every Immigrant

Hollywood, CA – WEBWIRE



To become a citizen of a country entails overcoming obstacles, especially if one is an immigrant. The number of immigrants entering the United States has steadily increased over the century as restrictions have become laxer. To ensure that the past does not repeat itself, an account of such hardships was required, and what better than a book written by a former immigrant who wrote her entire life journey within its pages?


“Marriage to a Nation” is Evelyn de Wolfe’s account of the very hardships she had to face that most immigrants face when coming to attain happiness whilst living in a foreign country. It retells every meaningful account of her life leading to her achieving her goal of living without receiving resentment from the locals.


Most readers of this book were surprised to have their minds and opinions changed regarding their view of immigrants living in the country, as it shows just how hard a life they live already. As for the rest of the readers, this serves as a motivational tool as it inspires fellow immigrants to keep trying their best and to never let their goals out of sight.

 

 

Marriage to a Nation: For Better or For Worse

Written by: Evelyn De Wolfe

Paperback: $12.95

 


Renditions of this thought-provoking biography are available on Amazon. Grab a copy and feel the moments of gratification experienced by the author with every flip of the page sharing her side of the story.

 

About the Author

Evelyn was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, she has traveled around the world and is married to photo-journalist Leonard Nadel. She has a long career in journalism and experience being a translator for different US government agencies. She currently lives in Hollywood, CA, has two children, two granddaughters, and four great-grandchildren

Stoneheart Trials: Discover New Fortnite Creative Experiences and Earn In-Game Rewards!

WEBWIRE



Are you an avid fan of Fortnite Creative, or just like to discover new Fortnite experiences? The Stoneheart Trials will reward you with in-game items for playing Battle Royale and placing in the top 10. You can also earn a reward by playing and voting for your favorite Creative map out of the six available, which have all been designed by up-and-coming French creators!


We have selected these six French map creators to participate in the Stoneheart Trials: 

 

  • Darki
  • Mension
  • Edouard
  • Lemoon
  • Volvic
  • Wiskstars


How to Participate in the Stoneheart Trials

Log into your Epic Games account on the Stoneheart Trials website and head over to the Challenges page to get started. Then, accomplish the page’s challenges while playing Fortnite and keep track of your progress on the website! (Please allow up to 90 minutes for your progress to refresh on the website.)


The Stoneheart Trials will take place from February 14 at 4 AM ET to February 20 at 11:59 PM ET. You can consult the official rules on the Stoneheart Trials Official Rules page.

Earn In-Game Rewards 


You’ll earn one badge for every two Top 10 placements you get in Battle Royale Solo matches. The following rewards are unlocked based on how many badges you earn:

 

  • One badge unlocks the Doomed Affair Spray.
  • Six badges unlock the Hearty Wrap.
  • Eleven badges unlock the Thorns of Passion Pickaxe.


Vote for Your Favorite Fortnite Creative Map


The Creative maps and their creators are the stars of the Stoneheart Trials! After trying out the maps, vote for your favorite one on the website to receive the Grim Devotion Emoticon. The top three most-voted maps will be played during the Stoneheart Night Tournament detailed below! You can vote from February 14 at 4 AM ET to February 19 at 5:59 PM ET. 

The Stoneheart Night Tournament


To conclude the Stoneheart Trials, fan-favorite French content creators in the community will participate in the Stoneheart Night Tournament, featuring the top three most voted maps of the Trials.


The Stoneheart Night Tournament will take place on February 20 beginning at 2 PM ET. To watch, tune into a participating creator’s stream starting at or before the same time! Here are all the creators participating:

 

  • Nanass
  • Joelavanille
  • Xylia
  • MelFishy
  • Maevys
  • Pirastack
  • Blackbird
  • Zetfar
  • Blondiepeach
  • Unchained


We hope you will enjoy the Stoneheart Trials! 


By The Fortnite Team