Fuel Cell Technology Update - December 2001
TRANSPORTATION
Boeing to Explore Fuel Cells for Commercial Airplanes. Boeing Commercial Airplanes will develop and test a fuel cell-powered single-engine airplane that would use an electric motor to turn a conventional propeller, in order to evaluate fuel cells for future Boeing products. Boeing is ultimately interested in exploring the use of fuel cells to replace the gas turbine auxiliary power units in commercial transports. <http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20011127/bs/boeing_electric_plane_1.html>
Suzuki Unveils Fuel Cell-Powered Two-Seater at Tokyo Motor Show. Suzuki unveiled a fuel cell-powered Covie two-seater at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show. The vehicle features a General Motors fuel cell stack, and uses natural gas as the fuel. theautochannel.com <http://www.theautochannel.com/content/cybercast/2002autoshows/tokyo/suzuki.html>
Diahatsu Presents MOVE FCV-K-II. Diahatsu presented the MOVE FCV-K-II, a four-seater fuel cell mini-vehicle that uses a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank system. The MOVE FCV-K-II uses a 30 kW Toyota fuel cell stack, installed beneath the floor at the rear of the vehicle. <http://www.ybreo.com>
Manhattan Scientifics Wins Award, Introduces Fuel Cell Scooter. Manhattan Scientifics' fuel cell bicycle, designed by Italian bike maker Aprilia S.p.A with a fuel cell from the NovArs unit of Manhattan Scientifics, Inc., has been named one of Time Magazine's "Inventions of the Year 2001." The bicycle stores compressed hydrogen in a 2-liter canister in the frame and has a range of about 50 miles, twice as far as electric bikes, and a top speed of 20 miles per hour. The bicycle is expected to be available in 2003 with a price tag of approximately $2,300. Manhattan Scientifics has also recently completed initial testing of an environmentally friendly electric scooter, powered by the company's 3-kilowatt (kW) fuel cell. The hydrogen-fueled fuel cell is capable of powering the vehicle for a total of 120 miles before refueling and is able to propel the scooter at a top speed of 35 miles per hour. <http://www.mhtx.com/media_center/pressrelease41.htm> <http://www.hawkassociates.com/mhtx/mhtxpr43.htm>
Ballard and Ford Sign US$43.9 Million Agreement. Ballard Power Systems has signed a three-year agreement valued at US$43.9 million with Ford Motor Company to supply fuel cell engines and support services. This order brings Ford's total recent orders to over US$63 million. <http://www.ballard.com>
Electric Fuel Corporation Demonstrates Fuel Cell Bus. Electric Fuel Corporation is conducting an on-road public demonstration of its zinc-air, zero emission fuel cell bus in Las Vegas. Utilizing Electric Fuel's patented zinc-air fuel cell system, the 40-foot bus produces and stores enough energy to transport up to 77 passengers for an entire day. <http://www.earthvision.net/ColdFusion/News_Page1.cfm?NewsID=18655>
Caterpillar and FuelCell Energy Announce Fuel Cell Agreement. Caterpillar Inc. and FuelCell Energy have signed an agreement to distribute fuel cell products for industrial and commercial use, and to jointly develop fuel cell systems, including highly efficient hybrid products integrating Caterpillar's turbine engine technology. <http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/site/investor/press/releases/2001/11_15_01.html>
Santa Fe Scores Best in Class at Michelin Bibendum. A Hyundai Santa Fe, powered by an International Fuel Cells' 75-kW PEM fuel cell, scored best in class in two key performance tests at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, an annual event where new automotive technologies are evaluated by independent judges. The Santa Fe scored an "A" in noise and a "B" in energy efficiency. < internationalfuelcells.com; STATIONARY POWER
Fuel Cells Installed on Long Island. The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) has successfully installed 55 fuel cells manufactured by Plug Power. Currently, 18 of the 55 fuel cells are fully installed and generating electricity for LIPA's grid. <http://albany.bcentral.com/albany/stories/2001/10/29/daily31.html>
DCH Technology to Supply Fuel Cells for Military Posts. DCH Technology, Inc. announced that LOGANEnergy, a leading fuel cell services firm, has been awarded a contract by the United States Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) to provide a 3 kW DCH Enable fuel cell for installation at the Ft. Jackson Army post in South Carolina. DCH will also provide three Enable 3 kW fuel cells to power housing units at the Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The fuel cells will be delivered by October 2002 and the Southwest Research Institute will provide support services. <http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011114/law033_1.html> <http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-08-2001/0001611163&EDATE>
Ford's New PAG HQ to Feature Fuel Cell. Ford Motor Company has dedicated a new headquarters for its Premier Automotive Group (PAG) in southern California. The new facility will include a natural gas-powered fuel cell that will provide 25 percent of the building's power and hot water needs and will help provide electricity for the facility's 35 electric vehicle-charging stations. <http://www.ford.com>
PORTABLE POWER
Hydrogenics Signs Contract With U.S. Army. The U.S. Army has contracted with Hydrogenics Corporation to design, manufacture, and commission a self-contained regenerative fuel cell generator system for auxiliary power deployment on army vehicle platforms. The system will be designed to operate for up to ten hours at a field destination with an average load of 3 kW, and peak power demand of 5 kW. The initiative is through the Army's TACOM (Tank-automotive and Armaments Command). <http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=hyg.to&script=411&layout=6&item_id=227060>
MTI, ATK to Explore Fuel Cells for Army. Mechanical Technology's MTI MicroFuel Cells and Alliant Techsystems' ATK Integrated Defense Company have signed a teaming agreement to explore military applications for direct methanol micro fuel cells in the U.S. Army's Objective Individual Combat Weapon program. <http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/article.cfm?a_id=2821>
USC and JPL Form New Company. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory and USC's Loker Hydrocarbon Institute have formed DM-Power, a company working on methanol fuel cells for small and medium applications.
Electric Fuel Develops Zinc-Air Micro Fuel Cell. Electric Fuel Corporation has developed an ultra high performance zinc-air micro fuel cell for consumer electric applications, capable of powering a notebook computer for over 16 hours. The zinc-air fuel cells are expected to be available for commercial applications by the second half of next year. < electric-fuel.com >
FUELS/REFORMERS/STORAGE
TVA to Utilize Fuel Cell System. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has announced the start of a $25 million energy storage project that will utilize regenerative fuel cell technology. The system will be sited in Columbus, Mississippi, and should begin operation in 2003. The fuel cell system, provided by Regenesys Technologies Limited, will store up to 120 megawatt-hours of energy and provide power for 10 hours or more to about 7,500 homes. <http://www.tva.gov/environment/ongoing.htm#innovate>
Proton Energy Systems to Receive $1.5 Million from Connecticut Fund, Unveils High-Pressure Hydrogen Generator. Proton Energy Systems has signed an agreement with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), receiving $1.5 million to accelerate commercial deployment of its UNIGEN® fuel cell product family. The funding is for initial commercial product and market development of breakthrough power quality and energy storage products incorporating Proton's advanced hydrogen generation technology. Proton has completed the construction and commenced in-house testing of its first full-scale, high pressure, prototype compact hydrogen generator. This unit produces 20 standard cubic feet per hour of ultra-high purity hydrogen gas, pressurized internally within the system without a compressor to 2000 psi output pressure. <http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011119/cgm022_1.html> <http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011114/cgw055_1.html>
Dynetek Enters into MOU With Japanese Partner. Dynetek Industries has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kokan Drum Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of NKK Corporation. In conjunction with the MOU, Kokan Drum will purchase approximately CAN$2.2 million (US$1.4 million) of Dynetek stock and the companies will further discuss contracting a plant within Japan for the manufacture of fuel storage cylinders. <http://micro.newswire.ca/releases/November2001/15/c7681.html/47875-0>
Swiss Hydrogen Association Founded. Hydropole, a new association to promote the energy carrier hydrogen and the fuel cell in Switzerland was recently formed. Hydropole will inform the public, politics, and economy about potential and possibilities of new technology. Contacts will be established to national and international organizations, including the European Hydrogen Association (EHA). <http://www.myteam.ch/hydropole>
FUEL CELL COMPONENTS
H Power Orders SatCon Conversion Units. H Power Corporation has ordered 23 PowerGate(tm) power conversion units from SatCon Technology Corporation for residential cogeneration units. The two companies have been working together for the past year. <http://www.energyinfosource.com/dg/news.cfm?id=14076>
Enova Systems to Provide Components to Ford. Enova Systems has entered into a strategic relationship with Ford Motor Company to develop and manufacture a high power, high voltage conversion module (HEC) for Ford's upcoming fuel cell vehicle. The HEC module will convert high voltage power from the fuel cell into a lower voltage. <http://www.enovasystems.com/investor/pressContent/11132001.asp>
Modine Signs Agreement with Xcellsis. Modine Manufacturing Company has signed a new agreement with Xcellsis, expanding their relationship to include components for hydrogen-powered vehicles. For the past few years, Modine has been collaborating with Xcellsis to develop and provide heat transfer components. < modine.com >
Altair Files Patent. Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. has filed a patent covering its process for making nano-sized stabilized zirconia. Nano-sized stabilized zirconia is also a major component in the development of the company's solid oxide fuel cell core (SOFC) program. <http://www.altairtechnologies.com>
LANL Licenses Bipolar Plates Patent to Bulk Molding Compounds. Bulk Molding Compounds, Inc., has become an exclusive licensee of Los Alamos National Laboratory's patent on a bipolar plate compound technology for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. <http://www.bulkmolding.com/whatsnew/pressreleases/pr_09262001.html>
REPORTS/MARKET STUDIES
DOE OTT Report Cites Potential Impact of FCV R&D on Emissions, Jobs. A new report from the Department of Energy's Office of Transportation Technology projects that the OTT Program's fuel cell and related materials R&D will result in carbon reductions of 4.3 million metric tons in the year 2020, escalating to reductions of 16.9 million metric tons in 2030. The "2002 Quality Metrics Report" also expects employment impacts of OTT fuel cell R&D to result in 15,244 new jobs in 2020 and 59,244 new jobs in 2030. <http://www.ott.doe.gov/whats_new.shtml> <http://www.afdc.doe.gov/pdfs/quality_metrics_02.pdf>
ABI Releases Latest Fuel Cell Report. Allied Business Intelligence has released "Fuel Cell Industry Competitive Analysis: Defining the Strategies of Fuel Cell Industry Players." The study analyzes the overall industry dynamics within each main market segment, and provides global growth projections through 2011. <http://www.alliedworld.com>
Distributed Generation Case Study. Energy Info Source has published a new Distributed Generation Case Studies report. The report provides a look at commercial distributed generation applications from the customer's viewpoint. It was developed through interviews with 23 organizations that have implemented or are in the process of implementing photovoltaic, fuel cell, microturbine, or wind systems. <http://www.energyinfosource.com/products/product.cfm?report_ID=22>
Annual Energy Outlook 2002. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released its "Annual Energy Outlook 2002," which predicts that U.S. energy demand will grow by nearly one-third between 2000 and 2020. An overview of the results can be accessed on EIA's site at <http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/index.html>.
Alfa Catalyst Brochure. A new brochure from Alfa Aesar outlines the HiSPEC(tm) line of precious metal catalysts for fuel cell research. HiSPEC(tm) catalysts provide superior performance in proton exchange membrane (PEM) and direct methanol fuel cells. The product line consists of single and bimetallic supported and unsupported catalysts, which have been used with success in both anodes and cathodes. <http://www.alfa.com/CGI-BIN/LANSAWEB?PROCFUN+WEBOEP+DSPNEWS+ALF+FUNCPARMS+FORMTYPE(A0010):N+HTMLLINK(A0200):NEWQ02>
MISCELLANEOUS
Whistler Acquires Anuvu. Whistler, Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire the fuel cell division of Anuvu Incorporated, including the rights to the Carbon-X fuel cell, designed for mass production. Whistler will focus on increasing fuel cell production capacity. <http://www.e-newsservices.com/en/plain.html?document_id=58615> Astris Energi, Czech Academy of Sciences Join to Advance Fuel Cell Technology. Astris Energi's European subsidiary, Astris s.r.c. has entered into a cooperative effort with the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic to enhance alkaline fuel cell technology. The cooperative work will address the areas of electrode materials and catalyst deposition and stabilization. <http://www.astrisfuelcell.com/company.htm>
BOC Joins Chrysalix as Fourth Partner. The BOC Group has joined the Chrysalix Energy Limited Partnership, a private capital joint venture consisting of Ballard Power Systems, Shell Hydrogen and Westcoast Energy Inc. Chrysalix provides early-stage funding to new companies as well as management assistance, expert services, technology knowledge, organized networking with industry players and experience in the management of intellectual property. <http://www.chrysalix.com>
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS
DOE Fossil Fuel Technology Solicitation. DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory is seeking proposals for cost-shared R&D activities that promote the efficient and sound production and use of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and oil). "Fuel Cells" is one of the primary technical topic areas listed. <http://doe-iips.pr.doe.gov/iips/busopor.nsf/e6458ce53c05cf038525645200788ab8/c7077de9cb0389d185256b0500625168?OpenDocument&Highlight=0,DE-PS26-02NT41422>
Space Vehicles Technology BAA Issued by Air Force. The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate is interested in receiving proposals to advance the state-of-the-art and scientific knowledge in space technology. Technical areas include Space-Based Remote Sensing Technologies and Advanced Space System Concepts and Technologies. Deadline for proposals is October 30, 2002. <http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLPLSVD/Reference-Number-BAA-VS02-01/listing.html>
PIER Program. The Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program, administered by the California Energy Commission, funds certain public interest research, development and demonstration (RD&D) efforts that will advance energy science or technology not adequately provided by competitive and regulated markets. <http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/RFP_500-01-502/2001-11-30_notice_avail.html>
CONFERENCES/CALL FOR PAPERS
ITS-Davis Workshop. The Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis (ITS-Davis) is holding a two-day tutorial workshop on fuel cell vehicles. It will be held on January 17-18, 2002, at the Hilton Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C. Check out <http://www.TRB.org/trb/meeting> for more information.
Maritime Emissions. On January 29-30, 2002, the Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency will conduct a workshop on Maritime Energy and Clean Emissions at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information, please email Regina Farr at <mailto:regina.farr@marad.dot.gov>.
ICEPAG 2002. The 4th Annual International Colloquium on Environmentally Preferred Advanced Generation will be held February 5-6, 2002, at the Newport Marriott Hotel in Newport Beach, California. For more information, go to <http://www.parcon.uci.edu/colloquium>
Fuel Cell Dynamics. "Fuel Cell Dynamics 2002: Reality, Not Hype" will be February 6-7, 2002, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York. <http://www.fcd2002.com>
Mid-Atlantic DER Workshop. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will host a collaborative workshop on February 21-22, 2002, at the Sheraton Rittenhouse Square Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. <http://www.eren.doe.gov/pro/>
2002 Hydrogen Investment Forum. "The 2002 Hydrogen Investment Forum - Investing, Financing, and Developing New Business Opportunities in the Coming Hydrogen Economy" will be April 3-4, 2002, at the Marriott Crystal City Hotel in Washington, D.C. For details, go to <http://www.intertechusa.com/Division_Energy/04-02_Hydrogen/1_advisory.html>
Fuel Cell Transportation Technology Summit II. The Fuel Cell Transportation Technology Summit II is scheduled for April 8, 2002, at the Ritz Carlton in Dearborn, Michigan. <http://www.aei-online.org/automag/fcsummit.htm>
HTech 2002. The International Hydrogen Energy Engineering & Applied Technology Exhibition (HTech 2002) will be May 10-12, 2002, in Beijing, China. For more information, go to <http://hydrogen.newenergy.org.cn>.
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