Fuel Cell Technology Update – April 2004
TRANSPORTATION APPLICATIONS
Nissan Leases X-Trail FCV to Cosmo Oil.
Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd. has leased the first unit of the X-TRAIL FCV fuel cell vehicle manufactured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Nissan delivered the vehicle to Cosmo Oil in a ceremony held at the Japan Hydrogen Fuel Cell Demonstration Program’s Yokohama-Daikoku Hydrogen Station. Cosmo Oil intends to use the hydrogen-powered X-TRAIL FCV to obtain information about how the hydrogen supply infrastructure should be configured.
nissan-global.com
Honda’s Fuel Cell Stack Successfully Cold Starts.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. proved its FCX fuel cell stack’s cold-start and driving performance capabilities in Japan. As a part of the test, the FCX successfully started up after being parked outside overnight, with temperatures falling to as low as -11º C (+12 ºF). Driving was conducted immediately after on a test track and on public roads.
hondanews.com
SCAQMD to Convert Prius Hybrids to Operate on Hydrogen.
California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is spending more than $4 million to make 35 Toyota Prius gasoline/electric hybrid cars capable of operating on hydrogen. The converted cars will be bought by five different cities in Southern California (Burbank, Ontario, Riverside, Santa Anna and Santa Monica). The Department of Defense’s National Automotive Center (NAC) is also expected to purchase five of the cars for a total of $500,000. Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. will provide the engineering, design and development of advanced hydrogen fuel systems for the vehicles.
qtww.com
STATIONARY POWER
FuelCell Energy to Provide Fuel Cell to Sheraton Hotel.
FuelCell Energy, Inc. and distribution partner PPL Energy Plus, are providing a 250-kilowatt Direct Fuel Cell(DFC) power plant for installation at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. The DFC power plant is expected to provide about 20 percent of the hotel's power and domestic hot water needs. The New York State Energy Researchand Development Authority (NYSERDA) has committed $920,000 to the project, with delivery of the fuel cell scheduled for this summer.
fce.com
Plug Power, Honda Continue Home Energy Station Development.
Plug Power, Inc. and Honda Research and Development Company,Ltd. have formed an agreement for the second phase of an expected multi-phase product development effort. The companies completed the first phase of the agreement in October 2003 with the successful demonstration of a prototype Home Energy Station at Honda’s facility in California. The work under the second phase of the project will focus on developing a next-generation prototype of the Home Energy Station. As in the first phase, Honda R&D of Japan will fund Plug Power’s work under this new agreement.
plugpower.com
NYC Initiative Funds Eight Fuel Cell Installations at Wastewater Treatment Plants.
A $13 million initiative announced by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will install eight 200-kW fuel cells at wastewater treatmentb plants in the city, to convert waste gas into electricity. The fuel cells installed under this program are expected to annually eliminate about 170 tons of regulated emissions and more than 9,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
nyc.gov
Fuel Cell Installed at CWU.
ReliOn (formerly Avista Labs) delivered the first fuel cell to be installed in Central Washington, and trained a team of engineering students at Central Washington University (CWU). CWU’s Fuel Cell Learning Center is part of a DOE grant to educate students and the public about hydrogen and fuel cells. Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) received the grant and contracted with BPA to administer it in support of the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative.
PORTABLE/BACKUPPOWER
Plug Power Unit Installed at Scotland Telecommunications Tower.
Plug Power Inc. announced that its GenCore® fuel cell product has been installed and is currently providing backup power to a remote cellular telecommunications tower in Elgin, Scotland in collaboration with Orange, FDT Associates, and BOC Group.
plugpower.com
havePower to Provide Fuel Cells for Ohio Radio Towers.
The Ohio Department of Administrative Services plans to install fuel cells on Multi-Agency Radio Communications System (MARCS) towers to provide emergency backup power for the statewide radionetwork during emergencies. havePower, LLC will oversee the installations under an $87,252 contract.
havepower.com
Palcan Signs Letter of Intent With Singapore Company.
Palcan Fuel Cells Ltd. has signed aLetter of Intent (LOI) with CET Technologies Pte. Ltd. of Singapore, a division of Singapore Technologies. The LOI confirms that CET will test and evaluate Palcan's Palpac™ fuel cell system and backup power generator for use bythe Singapore Armed Forces.
palcan.com
GTI Leads Team to Develop SOFC-powered Portable Generator.
The U.S. Army's Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) has awarded a $3.7-million contract to a team, led by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), for the development of a 10-kilowatt solid oxide fuelcell (SOFC) portable generator fueled with either diesel or military logistics fuel. The development team includes the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Defense Fuel Cell Test and Evaluation Center (FCTec).
gastechnology.org\gtiandsubcontractorsawarded3point7milliontodevelopdieseljp8.xml
CWRU and Ashlawn to Develop Fuel Cells for DOD.
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) has signed a one-year, $500,000 research agreement with The Ashlawn Group, LLC to develop fuel cells to supply power for Department of Defense (DOD)"smart" munitions. CWRU researchers will be subcontracting with an Ashlawn team to develop "meso" fuel cell stacks of two different sizes– one roughly the size of a D battery and another the size and weight of an AA battery – that will be capable of fitting in artillery and mortarshells.
case.edu
Protonex Receives Venture Capital Financing.
Protonex Technology Corporation has received early stage financing to further develop the company's portable fuelcell technology for commercial applications. The financing was led by Conduit Ventures, Ltd. with co-investors SAS Investors, Solstice Capital and Commons Capital.
protonex.com
FUELS/REFORMERS/STORAGE
DOE Releases Hydrogen Posture Plan.
The Department of Energy (DOE) released its "Hydrogen Posture Plan," a document that outlines the activities, milestones and deliverables that DOE plans to pursue to support America's shift to a hydrogen-based transportation energy system. The Posture Plan integrates research, development, and demonstration activities from the DOE renewable,nuclear, fossil, and science offices, and identifies milestones for technology development over the next decade, leading up to a commercialization decision by industry in 2015.
eere.energy.gov
Airgas to Provide Hydrogen for Plug Power’s GenCore®.
PlugPower Inc. and Airgas, Inc. announced a five-year hydrogen fuel service agreement for Airgas to be the preferred supplier of hydrogen fuel for Plug Power’s GenCore® customers. Airgas whose national network includes nearly 800 locations, will offer fuel services including cylinder dropoff and connection to Plug Power’s GenCore® customers. Airgas will also provide a complete line of specialty gas equipment to help manage the fuel supply and a Chemical Energy Storage Module (CESM) to provide hydrogen fuel storage for the GenCore® fuel cell systems.
plugpower.com
Dynetek to Deliver Storage Systems to Hyundai.
Dynetek Industries Ltd. has been contracted to develop and deliver advanced on-board hydrogen fuel storage systems to Hyundai Motor Company for use in their fuel cell-powered version of its Tucson compact sport utility vehicle(SUV). Dynetek will provide the fuel storage solution using its certified 350bar (5000psi) hydrogen fuel storage system with its in-tank pressure regulator.
dynetek.com
FUEL CELL COMPONENTS
Enova Systems to Jointly Develop Propulsion system for Hyundai, to Deliver Power Components to Ford.
Enova Systems has entered into a contract with Hyundai Motor Company of Korea to jointly develop Hyundai’s next generation fuel cell power propulsion system for its new Tucson SUV. As part of the six-month program, Enova will enhance and optimize the current motor controller and electric for the Tucson Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FCHEV). Enova also has received a purchase order for and will commence delivery of production high-voltage power conversion systems for Ford Motor Company's hydrogen-powered Focus fuel cell vehicle.
enovasystems.com
Century Inc. Unveils Bipolar Plate Manufacturing Process.
Century, Inc. has developed a new single-station production process for manufacturing fuel cell bipolar plates utilizing a 12-screw mixer known as the Ring Extruder. Century has received a contract from the U.S. Army National Automotive Center (NAC) for the ongoing research and development of the new process.
centinc.com
REPORTS/MARKETSTUDIES
Micro-Fuel Cells.
Progressive Investor has just released the report,"Micro-Fuel Cells: The First Wave of Fuel Cell Commercialization." This report is a succinct overview of the industry, the main players, what sets them apart from each other and the challenges they face, and what to expect going forward. The report covers the small public companies, the role of the multinational electronics companies, and the venture capital view of the sector.
sustainablebusiness.com
Stationary Fuel Cells.
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has released a new report, "Stationary Fuel Cells: Future Promise, Current Hype," which presents the benefits and disadvantages of fuel cell technology, the current and future market situation for fuel cells, and sample diffusion curves. The report can be downloaded free at aceee.org.
Clean-Energy Trends 2004.
Clean Edge's "Clean Energy Trends 2004" reports that solar, wind, and fuel cells are poised to grow from a $12.9 billion industry today to $92 billion by 2013. The report also examines the factors that are influencing clean-energy markets and tracks five key trends, including how some innovative utilities are using clean energy as a price hedge for customers.
cleanedge.com
Alternate Energy.
Alternate Energy: Assessment & Implementation by James J. Winebrake, Ph.D. examines both the technical and non-technical aspects of emerging technologies. Detailed technology assessments for specific alternative energy resources are presented. An overview of the problems associated with conventional energy consumption is included, as well as an insightful discussion of technology implementation issues from the author's own well-informed and cautiously optimistic perspective.
mcssl.com
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS
DOD Climate Change Fuel Cell Grant Program.
The Department of Defense has issued a pre-solicitation notice on its Climate Change Fuel Cell Grant Program. The program provides funding of $1000/kW of installed fuel cell capacity, or one-third of the total project costs. The solicitation will be released on April 7, 2004. Deadline for proposals will be June 1, 2004.
eps.gov
Closed Cycle Hydrogen-Oxygen Regenerative PEM Fuel Cell System.
NASA’s Glenn Research Center is seeking information about potential sources to help formulate a plan to develop a closed cycle hydrogen-oxygen regenerative PEM fuel cell system. The system would be used as an energy storage device for a future high altitude, long endurance remotely operated solar-electric aircraft. To satisfy NASA's tentative plans to proceed to a flight test, the technology must be developed to a technology readiness level of 6 (prototype tested in a relevant environment) by the end of 2009, including six months of NASA tests in a relevant environment. If a full solicitation is released as a result of the responses received, eligibility will be limited to U.S. companies. Responses are requested by April 23, 2004.
eps.gov
Hydrogen Safety, Codes and Standards Research Solicitation Issued.
DOE is seeking financial assistance applications for three categories of research projects in support of the Hydrogen Safety, Codes and Standards Program. The categories are Hydrogen System Sensors, Pipeline Materials and Sensors, and Process Plant Sensors. Approximately $2 million per Fiscal Year will be available in FY2005, FY2006, and FY2007. Deadline for proposals is May 20, 2004.
e-center.doe.gov
MISCELLANEOUS
Queen's University to Establish Fuel Cell Research Center.
Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario recently announced plans to establish a new fuel cell research and development center that will involve academic, industry and government stakeholders.
STAC Approves Funding for Hydrogen Learning Projects.
The State Technologies Advancement Collaborative (STAC), a five-year pilot program funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the results of its solicitation for the creation of hydrogen technology learning centers. The projects selected seek to educate students, potential end-users, and the public about the vision of a hydrogen economy and hydrogen technologies. Breakthrough Technologies Institute, the parent organization of Fuel Cells 2000, is a participant in the “Virginia-Maryland Hydrogen Technology Education Center (H2TEC)” project.
naseo.org
CONFERENCES
Hannover Fair 2004.
The Hannover Fair takes place April 19-24, 2004, in Hannover Germany. Join more than 100E xhibitors and Forum participants from all over the world presenting their latest H2/FC developments and products. Visit fair-pr.com or contact arno@fair-pr.com for more information. Click on www.virtual-fair.com to visit the virtual exhibits.
Fuel Cell Short Course.
The University of Michigan Chemical Engineering Department is offering "An Introduction to the Science and Engineering of Fuel Cells and Fuel Processors", a Continuing Education Industrial Short Course, May5-7, 2004, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. To register, visit engin.umich.edu
Fuel Cell Modeling Course.
A Fuel Cell Modeling Course using FEMLAB will be held in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 9-10, 2004. For additional information please contact Donna Voiland at donna@comsol.com or go to comsol.com
EDTA 2004.
The Electric Drive Transportation Association’s 2004 conference and exposition, “Mobilizing the Market,” will be held September 21-23, 2004, in Orlando, Florida. For more information, please visit edtaconference.com
SME Emerging Technology Series.
“Advanced Energy and Fuel Cell Technologies: Manufacturing Opportunities and Challenges” will be held at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn in Dearborn, Michigan on October 11-13,2004. For more information, please go to sme.org.
FC EXPO 2005.
The 1st International Fuel Cell Expo will be held January 19-21, 2005, at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. For conference details, go to fcexpo.jp
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Fuel Cells 2000 (www.fuelcells.org)is a non-profit, educational activity that seeks to promote the development,demonstration and commercialization of fuel cell technology. |
