Fuel Cell News

[Dover]

Question: If Fuel Cells are not going to be a significant option in our future, why are all these companies acting like it is?


Fuel Cell Technology Update – October 2006



TRANSPORTATION APPLICATIONS


GM to Build Large Fuel Cell Fleet Next Year, Unveils New Postal Service Fuel Cell Vehicle.

General Motors Corporation (GM) plans to build a fleet of more than 100 fuel cell vehicles for on-road testing next year. The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicle will feature GM's fourth-generation fuel cell system and will be designed to run for 50,000 miles. Under a plan dubbed "Project Driveway," GM will deliver the vehicles to a variety of drivers in California, the New York City area, and Washington, D.C. GM also announced that a HydroGen3 fuel cell minivan will be added to the U.S. Postal Service’s Irvine, California, fleet – marking the first time a fuel cell vehicle will be used for mail delivery on the West Coast.

http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=74&docid=28560

http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=3&docid=28992



U.S. Army Takes Delivery of GM Fuel Cell Vehicle

The U.S. Army has received a Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicle, an engineered prototype of the vehicle General Motors will use as part of its new 100-vehicle “Project Driveway.” The Army’s vehicle will be used for non-tactical transportation purposes, primarily on military bases in Virginia and California. The vehicle is powered by GM’s fourth generation fuel cell propulsion system.

http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=2&docid=28809



Hartford Contracts with UTC Power for New England’s First Fuel Cell Bus.

The Greater Hartford Transit District has contracted with UTC Power for a 40-foot hybrid electric fuel cell-powered transit bus that will be used in revenue service. As part of the agreement, UTC Power will also provide two years of program support, including the use of a hydrogen refueling station located at UTC’s headquarters. The program is supported by a $2.9 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

http://www.utcpower.com/fs/com/bin/fs_com_Page/0,9235,04532,00.html



Proton Motor Fuel Cell Bus Hits Streets in Germany.

Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH has delivered a fuel cell bus to the City of Barth (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) in Germany.

http://www.proton-motor.de



Nissan Purchases General Hydrogen Fuel Cell for Forklift.

General Hydrogen Corporation has sold a Hydricity® Pack to Nissan Motor Corporation. Nissan will be showcasing the hydrogen fuel cell power pack in a Nissan Electric Class 1 battery electric forklift.

http://www.generalhydrogen.com/downloads/NISSAN_GH_NR_Sept%207_06.pdf



Suzuki Unveils Fuel Cell Wheelchair.

Suzuki Motors has produced the MIO, a fuel cell-powered wheelchair that uses methanol solution and is backed up by a lithium-ion battery. The MIO requires four liters of methanol for a full tank, which runs for up to 25 miles.

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/313/C9805/



STATIONARY APPLICATIONS



EnBW and Siemens to Build Megawatt Power Plant.

EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG and Siemens Power Generation (PG) are joining forces to build a highly-efficient megawatt-class fuel cell hybrid power plant. The goal of this research project is acheive 70% efficiency. The necessary groundwork is scheduled to be completed by 2008 with construction of an initial, small pilot plant to begin in 2012.

http://www.enbw.com/content/en/press/press_releases/2006/09/PM_20060912_CU_jm02/index.jsp;jsessionid=4C3F7EEAAE355CA40A49A0FE6EFDEBDC.nbw05



Ceramic Fuel Cells Develops Next Generation of Fuel Cell.

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited develops more powerful fuel cells announced a major step towards commercialization with the development of its next generation of fuel cells. These 1-kW fuel cells have demonstrated significant performance improvements, particularly in power density, and will be incorporated into m-CHP (combined heat and power) units to provide clean power for homes.

http://www.cfcl.com.au/Links/CFCL_ASX-Announcement374699_20060921.pdf



PORTABLE/BACKUP POWER



IdaTech Unit Receives NEBS Certification, Receives CERDEC Contract.

IdaTech’s ElectraGen™ family of critical backup power proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell products have satisfied all testing requirements to receive NEBS (Network Equipment Building Systems) Level 3 certification. The NEBS Level 3 certification is a requirement for sales to many North American telecommunications carriers and includes operational continuity over extreme climate conditions, structural integrity and resistance to earthquakes, drops, firearms and other impacts. The testing also ensures electronic emissions safety and compliance, and that the systems will withstand shipping trauma and exposure to fire. In other news, the Communications-Electronics Research Development Center (CERDEC), the Army’s information technologies and integrated systems center, has awarded IdaTech a new contract worth more than US$3 million for the development of a 3-kW Tactical Fuel Cell Generator.

http://www.idatech.com/media/news.html?article=84

http://www.idatech.com/media/news.html?article=83



NexTech and Plug Power to Collaborate on SOFCs.

NexTech Materials, Ltd. and Plug Power Inc. are collaborating to develop a Solid Oxide (SOFC) fuel cell power system and plan to complete a number of joint activities including market research, fuel cell stack development and testing, system design and prototype construction. The initial target market is military, particularly for U.S. Air Force and Army applications. Other potential markets include premium assured (wireless communications) and commercial stationary backup power applications

http://www.nextechmaterials.com/view_page.php?id=56



Altergy and Eaton Sign Two Agreements.

Altergy Systems has signed two agreements with Eaton Corporation to provide fuel cell power solutions for telecommunications and other premium power and mission-critical applications. Through this collaboration, Altergy’s fuel cells will be integrated with Eaton Electrical’s electrical control and power distribution products, to create complete stationary fuel cell systems. Additionally, Eaton will install, commission, start up, monitor and service Altergy fuel cell products and systems at customer sites worldwide through Eaton’s network of over 1,000 service professionals.

http://www.altergysystems.com/announcements/eaton.asp



Protonex Accelerates Reformer-based Fuel Cell Product Introduction.

Protonex Technology Corporation has accelerated its plan to introduce a line of reformer-based fuel cell products to specifically target commercial markets. Based on progress to date, including expansion of Protonex facilities and several key senior hires, the Company expects to introduce the first of these products for evaluation by OEMs in mid-2007. Initial products will run on reformed methanol and provide 200 to 300 watts of power for a diverse set of portable applications including emergency services, backup power, military equipment, and leisure applications such as marine and recreational vehicle auxiliary power.

http://www.protonex.com/09-27-06%20Reformer.pdf



Jadoo Introduces Fuel Cell System for Emergency Responders.

Jadoo Power Systems has introduced the XRT, a fuel cell system geared toward the emergency preparedness market. The XRT can be used for power-hungry emergency response applications that need power support, such as portable radio and laptop battery recharging, as well as a battery replacement for emergency lighting and critical communication devices like satellite phones and modems. The system includes six n-Stor360 fuel canisters, which can provide up to 2200 Watt-hours of runtime, and only weighs 50 pounds.

http://jadoopower.com/pdfs/pdfs/Press%20Releases/2006_09-12_XRT.pdf



Millennium Cell Develops Fuel Cell-Powered Wireless Camera Prototype.

Millennium Cell and Gecko Energy Technologies have developed a fuel cell-powered wireless camera prototype system with infrared sensing and audio capability. This is the first integration of Millennium Cell's Hydrogen on Demand® sodium borohydride fuel technology and Gecko's PowerSkin™ fuel cell technology into a hydrogen battery. http://millenniumcell.com/fw/main/default.asp?DocID=92&reqid=906278



Power Air Signs MOU with H-Plus, Announces Successful Testing of Third Party Products.

Power Air Corporation it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with H-Plus Group to establish a Korean-based Joint Venture Company. The Joint Venture will develop, manufacture, and commercialize back-up power systems, using Power Air's zinc air fuel cell (ZAFC) as the power source, in Korea and Asia. Power Air Corporation also announced the success of its initial testing of third party Air Cathode products in its Zinc Air Fuel Cell (ZAFC) power supply.

http://www.integratir.com/newsrelease.asp?news=2130980200&ticker=PWAC&lang=EN

http://www.integratir.com/newsrelease.asp?news=2130980460&ticker=PWAC&lang=EN



Angstrom Power Secures $18 Million.

Through a private equity financing deal, Angstrom Power has secured $18 million to advance its work on high energy density micro-structured fuel cells. Angstrom received the funding through an agreement with an investment consortium headed by VantagePoint Venture Partners.

http://www.angstrompower.com/press_details.jsp?iid=1175



FUELS/REFORMERS/STORAGE



DOE Funds Six New Hydrogen Production Projects.

The Department of Energy has announced the selection of six projects to develop technologies to aid in alternate hydrogen production and greater hydrogen utilization. The six projects focus on two different areas of interest: hydrogen production from coal; and demonstration of protocols for hydrogen or hythane mixtures and modifications to reciprocating ICEs for advanced engines. DOE will provide $12.9 million toward the projects.

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2006/06051-Hydrogen_Production_Projects.html



FUEL CELL COMPONENTS/TESTING



Fraunhofer Institute Develops New Ceramic Film.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Germany have developed a new type of ceramic film called Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC). The research team has developed a cost-effective way of integrating additional non-electronic functional elements into the ceramics. Structures can be applied not only to the surface of the ceramic, but also to the inside. The micro fuel cells are criss-crossed with tiny channels that transport hydrogen or fluids. http://www.fraunhofer.de/fhg/EN/press/pi/2006/08/ResearchNews8-2006-Topic2.jsp



REPORTS/MARKET STUDIES



Stationary Fuel Cell Market Opportunities.

Research and Markets has released Stationary Fuel Cell Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2006 to 2012.

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/028b15/stationary_fuel_cell_market_opportunities



REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS



Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program Releases 2007 RFP.

Ohio’s Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program has released its 2007 request for proposals, anticipating up to $7 million in grants to be awarded for Research, Development and Commercialization Projects, and up to $3 million for Market Readiness Demonstration Projects. Individual project awards will range from $250,000 to $1 million. Letters of intent are due October 12, 2006.

http://www.thirdfrontier.com/open_rfps.asp



MISCELLANEOUS


Parker Introduces TekStak.

Parker Energy Systems, a unit of Parker Hannifin Corporation, has introduced the TekStak product line to familiarize students with Parker’s fuel cell system capabilities while they explore this alternative energy technology. Each TekStak kit comes complete with molded plastic endplates, graphite composite bipolar plates, membrane electrode assemblies, hardware, gaskets, an assembly manual and an instructional DVD. The kit can be assembled as a stack of one, five or ten fuel cells and retail for $150 for the one cell stack, up to $400 for the ten cell stack and can be purchased online through authorized TekStak Distributors.

http://www.parkerenergysystems.com/



NRC Opens Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation.

National Research Council of Canada (NRC) opened the doors of the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation (NRC-IFCI), – Canada's premier applied research organization in support of the nation's hydrogen and fuel cell industry. The new $20M facility is located on the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus.

http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/newsroom/news/2006/ifci06-nr_e.html



Wisconsin Universities to Become Energy Self-Sufficient.

U.W. Stevens Point (U.W.S.P) was selected to take part in a project which should make the campus energy self-sufficient in five years. U.W.S.P. already has solar panels on the roofs of some buildings that power the hot water heaters for the dorms and pool, and also has a green roof on top of the library insulates and cools the building. By 2012 U.W.S.P. will add wind and fuel cell projects to power the campus as well. Three other U.W. schools were selected - U.W. Green Bay, Oshkosh and River Falls.

http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/4250076.html



CONFERENCES


For a complete list of conferences, please go to http://www.fuelcells.org/news/conf.html.



GenerationFC 2006.

GenerationFC 2006: Shaping the Southern Fuel Cell Economy will be held December 4-6, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia. For conference details, please visit http://www.sfcc.tv/genfc.html.



2nd Fuel Cells Durability & Performance.

The 2nd Fuel Cells Durability & Performance conference will be held December 6-8, 2006, at the Wyndham Resort & Conference Center in Miami Beach, Florida. For conference details, please visit http://www.knowledgefoundation.com/.



FSEC Short Course.

The 2007 Short Course in Fuel Cell Technology will take place February 4-7, 2007, at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa, Florida. For details, go to http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/fuelcellcourse/



FC Expo 2007.

The 3rd International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Expo will take place February 7-9, 2007, at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan. For details, please visit http://www.fcexpo.jp/english/.

[davidwparker]

1. thanks for the info. I'm hoping my next car can be with fuel cells