Fuel Cell Technology Update, September 1998:
(August bulletin follows Sept.)
Nissan Unveils Fuel Cell Prototype Vehicle. Nissan has announced plans to begin selling fuel cell vehicles by 2003-2005. In the prototype car, the fuel cell runs on methanol and is aided by a lithium ion battery for extra power. Nissan's vehicle uses a Ballard fuel cell.
Ford to Have Fuel Cell Vehicle Prototype Within a Year. Ford is preparing for delivery of a Ballard fuel cell engine for integration into its P2000 vehicle platform. Ford developed its fuel cell engine system through the U.S. government's Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles program, and will integrate the Ballard fuel cell stack into that system. Ford's manager for alternative power source technology, Bradford Bates, said "We expect it to act just like your friendly family Taurus from the standpoint of acceleration and so forth." He also said the company hopes to have a prototype fuel
cell vehicle within a year.
In related news, Ford officially unveiled the new name and logotype of their joint enterprise with Daimler Benz and Ballard -- Ecostar Electric Drive Systems Company. Ford will be the majority shareholder of the company, which will develop advanced electric drive systems for battery-powered and hybrid electric vehicles, as well as non-automotive applications such as stationary power units.
Shell Joins Daimler Benz to Work on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars. Shell Oil has teamed up with DBB Fuel Cell Engines, a subsidiary of Daimler Benz, to develop the hydrogen infrastructure necessary for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, using Shell's Catalytic Partial Oxidation technology, which can convert liquid fuels into a hydrogen rich gas. Dr. Graeme Sweeney, head of Fuels Development at Shell, says the agreement is an "exciting opportunity to focus our joint research resources on a common goal of more environmentally friendly motoring."
EPA Begins Pilot Project to Convert Biomass to Methanol. Initial tests have begun on a new technology to convert biomass -- including sewage sludge, wood, and switch grass -- into synthetic gases which can then be converted into methanol. With partial funding from EPA, researchers at the University of California, Riverside, are supervising the tests,
demonstrating conversion of biomass into synthetic gas. After completion of these tests, steam reformers and methanol conversion units will be added for demonstration of the second step of the process. A Mobile Source Report story notes that the project's goal is to test the biomass-derived methanol in 17 vehicles over the next four years. The fuel would then be made commercially available by 2005.
Chrysler Interns Design Fuel Cell Jeep. Each year, students in Chryslers' Design Intern Project must design their "dream cars of the future." This year, one of the vehicles designed was a fuel cell powered Jeep Terrain, which would be a "sporty camping vehicle" with a rear fold-out tent, and "hot and cold storage within the console." In addition to providing the vehicle's power, the fuel cells would produce water as a by-product, which could be converted into drinking water for the camping passengers.
Ballard Enters Commercialization Stage; Looks to Increase Hiring. A recent Globe & Mail article reports that Ballard Power Systems is now attempting to move from the development and research stage, into a commercial stage with its fuel cell stack. Following on the recent establishment of partnerships with Ford and Daimler Benz, and the resignation of the company's chief financial officer Mossadiq Umedaly, Ballard will be looking for people who will take the company
into the next stage. CEO Firoz Rasul was quoted as saying the company will need "production, engineering, and reliable testing and marketing people" as well as "cost engineers and service people for the end users." On a related note, General Motors contracted with Ballard for $1 million in fuel cell test equipment and services.
Team to Develop and Demonstrate Hydrogen Power for Ships. DCH Technology of Valencia, California, has put together a venture with Asian Infrastructure Development Group of Los Angeles to design hydrogen-based power systems (including fuel cells) for use in a variety of ship designs for the U.S. Navy. The group plans to meet in
September, and could begin testing of ships at-sea as early as 2000. Down the road, the group may look at developing hydrogen-powered leisure ships and ferries.
Fuel Cell Cabs Hit the High Street. ZEVCO's fuel cell powered taxis are being tested in-use on the streets of London. The cab runs on the same type of fuel cell which powers the Space Shuttle, uses pure hydrogen as the fuel, and costs about US$7,363 more than a conventional diesel cab. Nick Abson, ZEVCO's founder, expects the firm can cut the fuel cell cost by more than 80% by 2001. According to an article in The Economist, Abson also claims that his company will
find a way to replace the platinum on the fuel cell electrodes with cobalt, which costs much less.
Energy Research Corp. Spins Off Battery Group, Sets Up Joint Venture on Fuel Cells. Energy Research Corporation of Danbury, Connecticut, has announced plans to create a separate company for its Battery Group, which is working on nickel-zinc batteries, enabling ERC to focus on its fuel cell interests. Also in August, ERC set up a joint venture with Xiamen Hi-Tech Innovation Centre in China to form the Xiamen-ERC Technology Company, Ltd. The new company will focus on development and commercialization of various advanced electrochemical technologies, including fuel cells using biomass derived fuels.
Fuel Cell Technology Update
August 1998:
CARB Report Positive on Fuel Cell Vehicles, Wary on Cost. The California Air Resources Board's study of the prospects of fuel cell automobiles concludes that "two or three" companies could be offering commercial fuel cell vehicles by 2004 or 2005. The study, prepared by four independent experts under contract to CARB, says that
commercialization on such an abbreviated timetable depends upon "a complete success scenario." While substantial uncertainties and risks remain and "unprecedented" cost reduction is required, , there appear to be no technical nor fundamental barriers to success. The report, "Status and Prospects of Fuel Cells as Automobile Engines, is available electronically from carb.ca.gov.
Honda to Have FCV by 2003. According to a story in Nikkei America, Honda's president, Hiroyuki Yoshino, recently announced the company plans to develop a fuel cell vehicle by 2003. The brief report did not give any other details.
Toyota Won't Make 2003 Goal. Toyota is sending mixed signals on its technology. A 2003 commitment goal was set by Toyota President Hiroshi Okuda, and Vice President Akihiro Wada in early July. However, a recent Kyodo News report now says Okuda is negative on the prospects of meeting the goal.
Connecticut Fuel Cell Company Restructures, Teams With Toshiba on Fuel Cells for Cars. On August 1, 1998, United Technologies Corporation teamed up with Toshiba to set up a joint venture in the U.S. which aims to start commercial production of fuel cells for cars in 2003. The new company, International Fuel Cells -- once a part of UTC's Hamilton Standard division -- will now report separately, through a board of managers, to UTC Chairman George David. The restructuring allows UTC to put more focus on fuel cell development for vehicles, and brings significant new financial resources to the job.
Euro R,D&D Strategy Unveiled. The European Commission has released a document of its "Fuel Cell Research, Development and Demonstration Strategy for Europe Up To 2005." Priorities will include low temperature fuel cell systems for stationary, mobile or portable applications, high temperature fuel cell systems for cogeneration and large scale electricity production (including combined cycle systems), and fuel processor systems. The EC has set a cost target of <1,000 ECU/kW for stationary power and <100 ECU/kW for road transportation. Durability targets were set at >40,000 hours for stationary power and >5,000 hours for road transportation.
Houston Gets PEM Research Center. The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) has opened a Fuel Cell Research and Applications Center. The industry-driven center will be governed and directed by corporate sponsors who will be able to supplement and/or combine their current research on fuel cells with other types of research performed at
the center. The center's first priority is to demonstrate the value of stationary fuel cell units in both small and large-scale applications.
Breweries Tap Fuel Cell Energy. Fuel cell power plants made by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation are providing power to the Asahi and Sapporo Breweries in Japan, according to a recent report by Nikkei America. Kirin Brewery Company's Tochigi brewery will be getting a fuel cell next year, utilizing hydrogen extracted from methane gas produced in the brewing process. After studying the fuel cell's technical and economic feasibility, Kirin hopes to install similar units at other locations.
Daimler-Benz Receives Patent for Methanol Reforming Process. Daimler-Benz has received a patent for a methanol reforming process that can provide a constant "methanol conversion rate" despite "fluctuating throughputs of gas mixture," according to an abstract by Micropatent Publications. The methanol is passed through a catalyst-containing vessel that is temperature-controlled for high conversion and low CO formation.
Micro Fuel Cell Benchmark Hit. Energy Related Devices has announced success in boosting the power output of its micro fuel cell to .4 milliwatts per square centimeter. Bob Hockaday, inventor of the technology, says this benchmark "confirms we are on track toward our goal of having a fully working prototype of our micro fuel cell by year-end."
Daimler-Benz Affiliate Signs Agreement on Stationary Fuel Cells. MTU Friedrichshafen Gmbh, a subsidiary of Daimler-Benz AG, has signed a cross-licensing and cross-selling agreement with Energy Research Corporation of Connecticut. A Business Wire report notes that ERC will manufacture and sell direct carbonate fuel cell (DFC) power plants based on MTU's 300kW base module in North America. Reciprocally, MTU will be allowed to manufacture and sell fuel cell power plants based on ERC's 1.2 MW base module in the European market. Both companies' products will continue to use ERC's DFC-9000 fuel cell stacks.
Volvo Report Says Fuel Cell Technology Still a Long Way Off. Volvo has released a report comparing a hybrid fuel cell/battery engine with a diesel engine, using simulations based on a Volvo 850, five-seat family car. The report concludes that "When the total energy chain is considered, the ICE is still in ahead of the fuel cell." The report also acknowledges this would change "if the expected development of the fuel cell system is taken into account."
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