As Hawai'i pursues alternative energy sources, the first hydrogen vehicle generation and fueling station in the Defense Department was unveiled yesterday at Hickam Air Force Base.

The official party, which included state and federal officials, pulled up to the event on a hydrogen fuel cell- and battery-powered bus.

The $1.5 million station can produce 50 kilograms of hydrogen a day from water. A bus that's used as a shuttle on base and a step van each hold 10 kilograms and can cover about 100 miles on a full tank, officials said.

Tom Quinn, director of the Hawai'i Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies, a division of the state's High Technology Development Corp., said consumer fuel cell vehicles and the network of stations to support them are probably still 15 years off.

"(The cost for hydrogen production) is more than what we're paying for a gallon of gas, but the goal is to get to where it's equivalent," Quinn said. "You have to start somewhere, and that's what this is — it's a start."

The state partnered with the Air Force in 2001 to establish a National Demonstration Center for alternative fuel vehicles at Hickam. Phase 1 focused on the development of battery-powered vehicles and fast-charging stations.

The state and Air Force in February 2004 unveiled Hawai'i's first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, a 30-foot bus also powered by batteries. That was followed by a step van and aircraft tow tractor.

The hydrogen generation and fueling unit is modular, can be deployed by aircraft, and is expandable. Hydrogen previously was obtained from Air Liquide at Campbell Industrial Park, Quinn said.

The state said the hydrogen generation station start-up marks the completion of a major milestone in the alternative-fuel vehicle development program.

The state has invested $10 million in renewable hydrogen fuel development, Quinn said.

"It's to support the development of and use of hydrogen and break us of this dependence on imported petroleum," Quinn said.

The alternative fuel vehicles program, which has been championed by U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, has received about $6 million in federal funding over the past several years, Quinn said. The next step, he said, is to develop renewable energy sources to power the electrolysis that generates hydrogen. The fuel cell fleet of vehicles will be increased over time.

The Air Force said the fueling station will serve as a model for other Defense Department installations.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.