Nov. 3, 2003--Fuel cell related jobs in the United States increased by 19% from 2001 to 2002, according to the first Member Survey conducted by the US Fuel Cell Council, the trade association for the fuel cell industry.

The results of the 2003 Member Survey, with responses from more than 85% of USFCC member companies, show an increase in US-based fuel cell activity in the categories of sales, research and development (R&D) expenditures, and numbers of employees between 2001 and 2002.

Major findings:
-Sales - reported sales of fuel cell products, parts and services in the US for members participating in this survey were $151 million and $167 million for 2001 and 2002 respectively, representing an 11% increase between the two years; 

-R&D Expenditures - reported fuel cell related R&D expenditures for 2001 and 2002 were $248 million and $288 million respectively, representing a 16% increase between the two years; and 

-Employees - the reported number of employees conducting fuel cell related work for 2001 and 2002 were 2,745 and 3,273 respectively, representing an increase of 19% over 2001 levels.

 "This Member Survey is a landmark for the Council, and we believe it is a significant benchmark for the industry," said Robert Rose, USFCC executive director. "For the first time, the industry itself has agreed collectively to provide concrete measures of its progress. The Council looks forward to providing reliable measures of industry growth annually."

The 2003 Member Survey was conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, to ensure the confidentiality of respondents' information. More than 85% of USFCC members responded to the survey. Where respondents indicated that activity was based outside of the US, these figures were not included in the aggregated results.

The USFCC is the trade association for the fuel cell industry. Our membership includes producers of all types of fuel cells, as well as major suppliers, fuel providers, government agencies, universities, OEMs, other trade associations, and customers. For more information on USFCC, check out our web site at www.usfcc.com.

FC06-Displayed at the November 2003 Tokyo Motor Show 
This model mounts a direct methanol type fuel cell (DMFC) unit with an output of 500W on a 50cc size bike to create a fuel cell commuter driven by a Passol-based motor. With a compact chassis that combines environmental friendliness with sufficient running distance, this model proposes a new type of business-use bike for the near future. The fuel is an easy-to-handle methanol-water mixture. Other features include GPS navigation and camera-equipped rear-view monitor. It is also equipped with a 300W AC outlet so that it can serve as an electricity source for outdoor leisure or emergency use.

FC06 - 50cc fuel cell commuter         Fuel cell technology concept 

Yamaha indicated at the show that its research has found that a DMFC system can be more space-efficient than a PEFC that runs purely on hydrogen. Because the converter unit of the PEFC system can be eliminated, a DMFC machine can also be made lighter. And, when it is intended to achieve running performance equivalent to a gasoline engine 50cc scooter, which means an average consumption of several hundred Watts of electricity, a DMFC has the potential for being a more compact system than a PEFC. This “FC06” is a concept model that takes advantage of these DMFC characteristics to propose an electrical personal vehicle with a viable running distance per refueling. Although the methanol that serves as the fuel is a flammable liquid, it is widely used as a non-hazardous substance when diluted in water below a certain concentration, which means it is easier to use than gasoline or kerosene. While some efforts will be necessary to attain a sufficient distribution system for this form of methanol as a fuel throughout the market, the fact that there would be no need to wait for the completion of a new large-scale distribution infrastructure makes this a practical form of fuel.

Protium, the world's first fuel cell-powered rock band, fueled by Millennium Cell's Hydrogen on Demand(TM) hydrogen fuel system, will perform on Tuesday, November 4, 2003 as part of the 2003 Fuel Cell Seminar in Miami, Fl.

A high school rock band from Glocester, R.I., Protium will headline at the Manufacturer's Reception at the Eden Roc Hotel. Their sound system is powered by a 1kW fuel cell fueled by the Millennium Cell hydrogen delivery system.

"Millennium Cell is proud to provide its new 1.5kW rack mount Hydrogen on Demand(TM) system to the students from Ponaganset High School and their science teacher, Ross McCurdy," said Dr. Stephen S. Tang, Millennium Cell President and CEO. "Our fuel system provides Protium and their audience with a new way of experiencing "unplugged" performances. Ross is using an extraordinary hands-on approach to teaching science and Millennium Cell is happy to be blazing these trails along with him." For further information about using these systems, Millennium Cell will be at Booth 808 at the 2003 Fuel Cell Seminar.

The band is one way that Ross McCurdy teaches his students about the coming hydrogen economy. He plans to incorporate fuel cell technology as part of the entire science department curriculum. Protium will play three 40-minute sets from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday night. Their song list includes rock, blues, and jazz selections.

Millennium Cell's Hydrogen On Demand(TM) system provides a recyclable source of pure hydrogen that can be used with fuel cells of all sizes (from micro fuel cells that power cell phones to primary propulsion fuel cells for transportation applications) or fed to internal combustion engines. When used with a fuel cell, the only emission is water vapor. As a liquid fuel it is compatible with existing infrastructure for liquid petroleum fuels, produces about the same amount of energy per gallon as that of gasoline, and is safe to produce, store, and transport.

The Hydrogen on Demand(TM) system generates hydrogen from sodium borohydride, which is derived from sodium borate, commonly known as borax. Dissolved in water and passed through a proprietary catalyst chamber, the sodium borohydride releases a perfect stream of pure hydrogen - on demand - to power a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine. The fuel's byproduct is water and borax.

Hydrogen on Demand(TM) systems are scalable to applications from small (cellular phones and personal digital assistants) to medium (auxiliary power units for standby power to boats, scooters) to large (automobiles.) Because Millennium Cell's hydrogen generation technology is safe, flexible and environmentally friendly, it is an attractive alternative to existing technologies for many applications, solving the critical problems related to the use of hydrogen as a fuel: safe, low-cost and energy dense storage and generation of pure hydrogen gas. 

Global Thermoelectric Inc. ("Global" or the "Company") announced today that it has completed its previously announced combination with FuelCell Energy, Inc. ("FuelCell") of Danbury, Connecticut. Each company's shareholders approved the combination on Friday, October 31, 2003, and subsequently later that day the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench approved Global's plan of arrangement.

Under the terms of the transaction, Global's common shareholders elected to receive either (i) 0.279 of a share of FuelCell common stock, which is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "FCEL", or (ii) 0.279 of an exchangeable share of FCE Canada Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FuelCell, which exchangeable shares have been listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"). The exchangeable shares will commence trading on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 under the symbol "FCX". The exchangeable shares have the same voting rights, dividend entitlements and other attributes as FuelCell's shares of common stock. FuelCell is issuing 1,859,762 exchangeable shares to former Global common shareholders.

HYDROGENICS CORPORATION (Nasdaq: HYGS and TSX: HYG), a designer and manufacturer of hydrogen and fuel
cell systems, announced that it has standardized the commercial design of its 10 kilowatt HyPM fuel cell power module, which will enable the company to manufacture the unit in greater numbers at lower cost. The announcement was made today at the 2003 Fuel Cell Seminar in Miami.

"This first phase of power module commercialization is an exciting step for Hydrogenics," said Pierre Rivard, President and CEO of Hydrogenics. "Leveraging our strength in fuel cell test platforms, we have used the best verification tools available to prove HyPM 10's durability. We are now able to offer the HyPM 10 at an attractive price point for early adopter applications in the telecom, industrial, aerospace, military and light mobility markets. To that end, we are working with system integrators and OEMs to integrate this platform into their products and projects. We expect this model to appeal to numerous customers as the uses for hydrogen fuel cells expand."

The focus of standardizing the HyPM 10 design is to drive pilot production of Hydrogenics' HyPM product line. This phased commercialization enables customers to order multiple units today for immediate delivery.

Hydrogenics' HyPM power modules are integration-ready power generators that require only hydrogen fuel to produce DC electrical power. In addition to a fuel cell stack, the power module includes the associated components, subsystems and control software required to produce clean electricity.

    HyPM 10's unique feature set can be utilized for wide-ranging applications including:
    * Back-up or standby power
    * Auxiliary power units
    * Propulsion for light mobility electric motorized vehicles

"HyPM 10 has met or exceeded all of its validation milestones," said Joe Cargnelli, Chief Technology Officer. "This includes intense durability testing under dynamic operating conditions.  These testing results make us confident in quantifying the expected lifetime of the power module. We are excited about the performance characteristics of the power module and are confident that it will find its way into many real life applications."

The HyPM 10 power module offers system simplicity resulting in simplified and optimized controls for faster and smoother response.  The module also has the flexibility to be scaled for larger power requirements by connecting more than one module in series.  The unit's standard low-pressure design results in fewer parts, lower noise and lower weight.

The Company will manufacture the standardized HyPM 10 in larger batches, as well as provide enhanced service for its customers. To date, Hydrogenics has delivered 11 HyPM power modules for integration into various electric motorized vehicles.

Hydrogenics will be displaying the HyPM 10 power module at Booth 423 at the 2003 Fuel Cell Seminar in Miami from Nov 3-7, 2003 and at the International Electronic Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition (EVS) in Long Beach California Nov 15-19, 2003 at Booth 627.

Parker Hannifin (NYSE:PH), the global leader in motion and control systems, and Vectrix Corporation, a developer of zero-emission vehicle (“ZEV”) platform technologies, will unveil a prototype of the first fuel cell/electric hybrid scooter during the November 3-7 Fuel Cell Seminar in Miami Beach, Fla.

In anticipation of a growing demand for scooters as urban centers worldwide strive to reduce air and noise pollution, traffic congestion and fossil fuel consumption, Parker has led an international, cross-industry team of best-in-class manufacturers and suppliers to complete the hybrid scooter demonstrator project in less than six months. The consortium includes ten Parker locations as well as five outside partners – Vectrix, Giner Electromechanical Systems, LLC (GES), GP Batteries International Ltd., Methanex Corp. and ROBRADY design. 

“This promising technology is the wave of the future, and Parker and our technology partners are excited to ride it,” said Craig Maxwell, Parker’s vice president of technology and innovation. “This wonderful accomplishment puts us at the forefront of a dynamic trend that utilizes innovative technological solutions to deliver cost-effective, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly transportation systems for urban commuters worldwide. 

“As the ‘hydrogen economy’ takes off, Parker is well positioned to work closely with fuel cell OEMs to help them commercialize their products and applications,” added Maxwell. 

Targeted primarily at white-collar executive commuters, private fleets and municipalities, the hybrid scooter combines the best of fuel cell and electric features: clean and quiet performance, low emissions, extended range and reduced operating costs. It is expected to be commercially available in major metro areas in Europe, Asia and the United States in 2006. Currently, executive commuter scooters are a $3 billion business in Europe alone. 

The consortium partners plan to commercialize the hybrid scooter’s onboard 800-watt Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) battery charging system, which is expected to extend the product’s operating range and free it from the constraints of a fixed power supply. Using methanol-based fuel also eliminates the safety and availability concerns of pressurized, high-purity gaseous hydrogen. 

Regenerative technology will allow battery recharging whenever the scooter is decelerating. The patent pending throttle-induced regenerative braking system captures and redirects energy usually dissipated as heat during braking to provide additional battery charging. The throttle system combines with a continuous charge from the fuel cell to minimize deep discharge cycles and extend battery pack life. The Parker-designed and manufactured high-torque electric motor and controller accelerate from 0 to 50km/hr in 3.6 seconds, a rate comparable or better than an equivalent weight gasoline-powered scooter. Other key scooter performance characteristics include: a top speed of greater than 100 km/hr, a range of more than 250 km on a single charge, and a low center of gravity that enhances handling and cornering. The product’s cost of ownership over a period of four years is an estimated 26 percent less than that of a 400cc gasoline-powered scooter, offering urban commuters a clean, quiet and competitively priced alternative. 

Through its recently established Fuel Cell Systems Business Unit (www.parker.com/fuelcells), Parker provides key fuel cell components that are vital to overall system performance – controlling the pressure, temperature and flow of fluids into and out of the fuel cell stack. These include filters, valves, compressors, motors and controllers, pressure regulators, seals, manifolds, tubing and fittings. 

“In line with Parker’s Win Strategy, our goal has been to become a one-stop supplier to our technology partners and those who see the future in fuel cells. The hybrid scooter is a demonstration platform for Parker’s ability to integrate a wide range of components into functional subsystems which can enhance performance while achieving significant cost reductions, thus enabling fuel cell OEMs to bring commercially viable products to market,” said Maxwell. 

With annual sales exceeding $6 billion, Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin is the world’s leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 46,000 people in 44 countries around the world. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.parker.com or its investor information site at www.phstock.com. 

Newport, R.I.-based Vectrix Corporation develops and commercializes environmentally sensitive technologies for transportation applications, including zero-emission two-wheel vehicle platform technologies. For more information, visit www.vectrixusa.com. 

Established in Newton, Mass., as a strategic alliance between General Motors and Giner, Inc., Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC (GES) is an electrochemical R&D firm specializing in the development of proton-exchange membrane (PEM) based products and systems. For more information, visit www.ginerinc.com. 

GP Batteries International Limited is principally engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of batteries and battery related products. The Group currently employs about 7,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.gpbatteries.com.hk

Methanex is the world’s largest producer and marketer of methanol with shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“MX”) and the Nasdaq National Market (“MEOH”). For more information, visit www.methanex.com. 

ROBRADY design, based in Sarasota, Fla., combines progressive, innovative design with market intelligence to create manufacturable and marketable products. For more information, visit www.robrady.com. 
 

The Fall 2003 General Meeting of the California Hydrogen Business Council was held on October 31, 2003 at the Toyota Technical Center in Torrance, California.

There were over 130 persons in attendance representing nearly 100 companies and organizations. Though largely a California crowd, attendees came from across the U.S. and Canada, and from as far away as Europe, Japan and Australia/New Zealand.

Scheduled speakers represented a range of large and small organizations. Among these were General Electric Global Research, Toyota, Stuart Energy Systems, Alliances for Discovery, The California Governor's Office for Planning and Research, TIAX, LLC (Formerly Accurex Corp), EmeraChem Corp., Texaco Ovonic Systems, and the National Fuel Cell Research Center.

Attendees were conducted on a tour of various hydrogen vehicles on display as well as Toyota's solar-powered hydrogen vehicle refueling station. Some were given the opportunity to drive Toyota's FCHV, and Toyota engineers demonstrated the hydrogen refueling process. Also on display were a hydrogen-powered Toyota Tacoma pickup, and a Hummer H2 retrofitted to operate on hydrogen as well natural gas, biodiesel, conventional diesel and waste cooking oil.

In addition to the scheduled speakers, there were several special guest presentations. These included an impassioned and invigorating talk by long-time hydrogen advocate Dennis Weaver, actor and founder of the Institute of Ecolonomics. Mr. Weaver's comments avoided political rhetoric and emphasized the need for leadership from the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the country's need for energy security and a cleaner environment. Echoing many of the industrial speakers, he said that we cannot wait for fuel cells, and that we can and should start now, recognizing that hydrogen is a viable fuel that is compatible with existing automotive technology. The latter a clear reference to two of the hydrogen-fueled vehicles on display at the meeting, one a Toyota Tacoma pickup, the other a recently retrofitted Hummer H2. Both vehicles were retrofitted by Intergalactic Hydrogen, a company owned and operated by former U.S. Ski Team member, Tai Robinson .

Dr. Alan Lloyd, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board also spoke at the meeting. Dr. Lloyd encouraged attendees to carefully study the energy and environmental plan put forth by California Governor-Elect Schwarzenegger, indicating that it contains a lot of opportunity for businesses pursuing alternative energy technology. Said Dr. Lloyd "With the wonderful ideas for hydrogen that Governor-Elect Schwarzenegger has put forward, we are really in a great position to move things forward... We must also remember that the competition is not standing still - Toyota, Honda, all the major auto manufacturers are producing [petroleum-fueled] cars that are cleaner and cleaner."

The California Hydrogen Business Council is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to educating the public and public service sectors on the current developments and future uses of hydrogen and opening business partnership opportunities toward developing a nonpolluting global energy economy. Members of the CHBC share a common vision of clean energy and transportation fueled by hydrogen. Since 1997, members of the CHBC have met three to four times annually in California. These meetings include technical presentations, updates on hydrogen advancements and member activities.

The world's leading fuel cell organizations announced today they have entered into a cooperative agreement designed to advance commercialization of fuel cells worldwide. The agreement covers activities in such areas as technical cooperation, information exchange, advocacy, harmonized product specifications and safety standards. The U.S. Fuel Cell Council, Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan, Fuel Cells Canada and World Fuel Cell Council/Fuel Cell Europe collectively represent more than 300 businesses, research institutions and others interested in fuel cells and hydrogen.

The Memorandum of Understanding calls for cooperation and collaboration on significant aspects of commercialization. The organizations will meet annually to assess progress and refine their activities.

"The MOU represents a major step forward for our organizations and for the fuel cell industry," the signers said in a statement. "This is only a beginning. But we believe this step is timely and significant. Our collaboration can help shape a single worldwide industry view on the key challenges to commercialization, and their solution.

"The industry is internationalizing. Governments are negotiating multilateral programs to promote fuel cells and hydrogen. People everywhere stand to benefit. This MOU will provide a point of connection between government and industry to hasten commercialization of fuel cells for all applications," they said.

The Parties agreed to:

Promote policies that will lead to universal access to markets for all fuel cell products and help minimize trade barriers to global fuel cell commercialization;

Work with governments and Standards Development Organizations to achieve harmonized codes, standards and regulations at all appropriate levels;

Advance the understanding of fuel cells and related technologies and fuels among policy makers, technical audiences and the general public

Encourage worldwide adoption of common test protocols, measurement guidelines and practices designed to promote compatibilities; and

Share educational materials and other information and collaborate on communications messages in a spirit of openness and collaboration.

MIAMI BEACH, Florida, November 4 /PRNewswire/ -- 

IdaTech today unveiled its 5-kW natural gas and LPG fuel cell system to the US market at the 2003 Fuel Cell Seminar. The dual-fuel, combined heat and power system is part of a portfolio of multi-fuel solutions that IdaTech will showcase during the event. The Fuel Cell Seminar is an annual event displaying the latest in fuel cell technology. It takes place November 3-6th at the Fontainebleau Hilton Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. IdaTech will showcase the following fuel cell solutions: 

- 5-kW fully integrated natural gas/LPG PEM fuel cell system 

- FCS 1200(TM) operating on methanol/water fuel 

- Fully integrated 1.2-kW liquid hydrocarbon fuel cell system operating on diesel 

- IdaTech's licensed fuel cell stack technology 

IdaTech's fuel cell solutions are based on a flexible modular design, supporting interchangeable components, which enables IdaTech to accelerate product development incorporating proven components and subsystems into customized configurations. Additionally, IdaTech's fuel cell solutions incorporate its patented fuel processing technology and operate on a variety of fuels. 

The U.S. Army Communications - Electronics Command (CECOM) will display a military HUMVEE using an IdaTech fuel cell system as a mounted auxiliary power source, demonstrating the fulfillment of a contract signed with CECOM in October 2002. Other IdaTech milestones include: 

- ISO 9001:2000 certification 

- $9.6 million DOE award for a 50-kW combined heat and power fuel cell system 

- Successful field-test of a 3.6-kW propane fuel cell system in an off-grid telecom application as part of a Propane Education and Research Council grant 

IdaTech's portfolio of fuel cell solutions is based on its proprietary multi-fuel fuel processing technology and fuel cell system integration capabilities. With the support of strategic partners, the company's solutions are being deployed on a global scale for stationary and portable applications. IdaTech is a subsidiary of the Boise, Idaho-based energy and technology holding company IDACORP, Inc (NYSE: IDA). 

Web site: http://www.idatech.com 

DTE Energy today took another step toward building a hydrogen energy pilot project that will model a complete, multi-use hydrogen energy system.

DTE Energy is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy, the state of Michigan and the city of Southfield to develop, build and operate the project that will create hydrogen gas from tap water and use that gas in fuel cell generators and to refuel fuel cell vehicles.

The project also will comprise on-site hydrogen production using renewable biomass and solar power, hydrogen storage and distribution, on-site electrical power generation using fuel cell technology and vehicle fueling.  Having completed initial project development and system design, DTE Energy is moving ahead with the permitting process.

"With the Hydrogen Technology Park, DTE Energy continues its commitment to leadership in clean and renewable energy technologies," said Anthony F. Earley Jr., DTE Energy chairman and CEO.  "The Hydrogen Technology Park will be the
first of its kind to model a complete, multi-use hydrogen energy system.  It's intended to provide key insights into the technical and economic challenges of commercializing hydrogen as an environmentally friendly, safe alternative to conventional fuels."

The $3 million, five-year pilot project will result in a system capable of delivering about 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year -- enough to power a small office park or about 20 homes -- and enough compressed hydrogen gas to fuel three vehicles per day.  The project will be at Detroit Edison's Southfield Station on the northeast corner of 11 Mile and Inkster roads.

Hydrogen is viewed by many -- including President George W. Bush -- as away for the United States to achieve energy independence and an improved environment through development of replacement energy sources to fossil fuels.The Bush Administration plans to spend $1.7 billion to research the development of hydrogen as America's next energy source.

Earley noted that DTE Energy's Hydrogen Technology Park would help the state of Michigan become a world leader in advanced energy technologies that will eventually play an important role in the nation's energy system.

"The state and city of Southfield also have the opportunity to be at the center of new energy technology development and the associated job creation," Earley said.  "The Hydrogen Technology Park will be a showcase that draws visitors from around the world."

The Technology Park will be in one of Michigan's SmartZones, established by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to foster collaboration between technology-based businesses and research institutions.  SmartZones create recognized clusters of new and emerging businesses focused on commercializing ideas, patents and other research opportunities.  DTE Energy is working with Lawrence Technological University to provide student learning and research opportunities using the Technology Park as a working laboratory.

A number of DTE Energy subsidiaries will support the Hydrogen Technology Park, including DTE Energy Technologies of Farmington Hills, Mich., which will manage the overall design and installation of the system.  Plug Power, a leading fuel cell developer that DTE Energy established and has a 23-percent stake in, will supply the fuel cell generation equipment.

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide.  Its largest operating units are Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, and MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan.
Information about DTE Energy is available at http://www.dteenergy.com .

 Fuji Electric Holdings Co. (TSE:6504) has developed a prototype home-use fuel cell that will be ready for testing in 2004. 

The PEFC (polymer electrolyte fuel cell) prototype has already been verified to be capable of 3,000 hours of continuous operation. By modifying key components, Fuji Electric aims to boost durability and have ready by the start of next year an improved prototype that will have a power output of 1kw and will be able to operate continuously for more than 10,000 hours. 

By 2007 or 2008, Fuji Electric aims to have a commercial version that can run for 20,000 to 30,000 hours and will be marketed with gas companies. The fuel cell would sell for less than a tenth of the 1 million yen price tag for comparable products available now. 

The company is also working on a reformer that will extract hydrogen from natural gas. In addition, Fuji Electric is considering developing a 5kw version of the fuel cell for such sites as restaurants and convenience stores. 

The US Fuel Cell Council has established working groups on Government Affairs and Sustainability in 2003, reflecting members' interest to provide an industry voice in policy making and sustainable systems development. The Council now has eight member-led working groups.

The mission of the Government Affairs working group is to educate our members and key decision makers regarding critical U.S. federal and state policy initiatives. The working group promotes the legislative and regulatory initiatives that advance fuel cell technology, systems and supporting fuel infrastructure for the public good. The working group's goal is to serve as the voice of the industry in Washington and in state capitols across the country.

Sustainability incorporates a broad range of environmental, social, and economic issues associated with the full life cycle of a product, process or corporate or individual well-being. Within this framework, the Sustainability Working Group will provide actionable, timely guidance to the USFCC through the pooled resources and experiences of its member organizations, focused on material selection, product design, manufacturing or life cycle issues; business practices; and industry growth and formation.

"These new working groups are a natural outgrowth of the Council's desire to speak for our industry on key issues of public and policy maker concern," said Robert Rose, USFCC executive director. "These working groups will help the industry reach consensus on policy, and communicate an industry view effectively. With policy maker interest in hydrogen and fuel cells at an all-time high, this activity is essential to the broad market introduction of fuel cell technologies."

The USFCC is the trade association for the fuel cell industry, dedicated to fostering the commercialization of fuel cells in the United States. Our membership includes producers of all types of fuel cells, as well as major suppliers, fuel providers, government agencies, universities, OEMs, other trade associations, and customers.

A listing of all Council working groups, their missions and participating member company representatives, can be found at http://www.usfcc.com/wgroups.htm.

Enbridge Inc. (NYSE: ENB; TSX: ENB), a leader in energy transportation and distribution in North America and internationally, and FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL), a leading manufacturer of stationary fuel cell power plants
for distributed generation, announced today that they have finalized an agreement whereby Enbridge will be a distributor of FuelCell Energy's Direct FuelCell(R) (DFC(R)) products in Canada.

The agreement with FuelCell Energy introduces reliable, highly efficient, ultra-low emission base load DFC power plants (DFC300A, DFC1500 and DFC3000 with introductory ratings of 250 kilowatts, 1 megawatt and 2 megawatts, respectively) to Enbridge's portfolio of energy services in Canada.    As part of the agreement, Enbridge has received warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of FuelCell Energy common stock.  The agreement calls for the warrants to be
exercisable on a graduated scale based on order flow generated by Enbridge. The full quantity of warrants will vest with order commitments for 20 megawatts of DFC power plants. The exercise prices of the warrants range from $14.65 to $19.04 per share and the warrants will expire in November 2006.

"We are very pleased to enter into this alliance with FuelCell Energy," said Stephen J. J. Letwin, Enbridge Inc. Group Vice President, Gas Strategy & Corporate Development.  "The alliance enables Enbridge to participate in a second fuel cell technology -- molten carbonate -- which has excellent near-term commercial potential.  In addition, we look forward to continued development of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology that has longer-term potential.  Both technologies are consistent with our strategy to invest in emerging and renewable energy technologies."

"This agreement with Enbridge continues our strategy of partnering with leading companies and suppliers to deliver our products worldwide," said Jerry D. Leitman, president and CEO of FuelCell Energy. "Enbridge immediately becomes a leader in the Canadian commercial market for stationary fuel cell power plants, while FuelCell Energy gains the experience and marketing capabilities of one of the world's top energy distribution companies."

The new approach to the electrochemical device, that in its traditional form converts hydrogen and oxygen into water and produces electricity and heat in the process, aims to make a significant improvement in the technology by discovering and exploiting new materials based on recent discoveries in Cornell laboratories. Indeed, some of the possible fuel cell technologies that could result from the research might not even involve hydrogen as a fuel. 

Professor Héctor Abruña, with glasses, center, director of the newly established Cornell Fuel Cell Institute, works with graduate student Emerilis Casado Rivera in Abruña's S.T. Olin Hall research laboratory. In the background, from left, are postdoctoral associate Craig Downie and graduate students David Volpe and Laif Alden. Frank DiMeo/University Photography

Said Cornell chemist Francis (Frank) DiSalvo, one of the program's two principal investigators, "It is not often you can see such a close link between the basic research and a potential payoff." DiSalvo is director of the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Cornell Center for Materials Research, which manages a group of shared experimental facilities that will provide many of the analytical tools for the fuel cell research.

Some of the research also will take place in two other NSF-funded centers, the Cornell Nanoscale Facility and the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source.

The CFCI initially will involve just six Cornell researchers and one from the California Institute of Technology. The DOE funds primarily will support graduate and postdoctoral research.

DiSalvo's co-principal investigator and CFCI director, Héctor (Tito) Abruña, states his conviction that despite the fuel cell's long-heralded promise, the last decade of intensive engineering is nearing limits that can only be overcome with the development of new materials.

"In the past 20 years there has been little materials research aimed at improving fuel cells," said Abruña, who is professor of chemistry and chemical biology. "Most of the limits that current fuel cells face are in the materials themselves." Added DiSalvo, "We want to make the materials effective and dirt cheap."

Despite the fact that fuel cell technology has been available for decades, automakers are still a long way from making an affordable, durable and efficient fuel cell that would begin to wean drivers from petroleum. General Motors, Toyota and Honda all have ambitious fuel cell programs, but they are at least a decade away from putting the technology into production, the Cornell researchers say.

The most promising technology at present is the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, which uses hydrogen gas as a fuel. One challenge in implementing the technology is the need for more efficient hydrogen generation, since the gas is not available as a resource in its pure state but must be obtained largely from water or hydrocarbons. Hydrogen gas also is difficult to store and distribute. 

One potential solution is to attach the fuel cell to a costly device called a reformer, which turns hydrocarbon fuels into hydrogen. But, Abruña points out, it would be more efficient to bypass hydrogen and make direct use of the hydrocarbon or other liquid fuels, such as methanol and ethanol. However, one long-range CFCI goal is to make it possible to use a variety of fuels that also would provide a stepping stone to an eventual hydrogen economy.

"We now have anodes that work pretty well with methanol, which is converted at the anode into carbon dioxide and protons. Instead of throwing away the carbon dioxide, as would happen if a reformer is used, such a fuel cell could produce extra energy from the carbon and so produce a more efficient cell with less carbon dioxide output," said Abruña. (Fuel cells have two electrodes: the anode, the negative post and the cathode, the positive post.) 

CFCI has its origins in the research of Cornell doctoral candidate Sean Smith who, working with Abruña, found that single-crystal platinum, modified by depositing just a few atoms of bismuth on its surface, is much better at oxidizing the simplest fuel -- formic acid (the same chemical used by ants) -- than is platinum on its own. However, when other fuels are used, platinum loses much of its ability to promote the fuel cell reactions.

Single crystals of platinum can be cut in different ways to expose various arrangements of atoms at the surface, each arrangement enabling a different activity. But fuels other than pure hydrogen produce carbon monoxide, which "poisons" the fuel cell by strongly binding to the surface of the platinum and resulting in dramatic losses in efficiency. Adding ruthenium to the platinum mitigates the poisoning, and the addition of a few atoms of bismuth "mitigates it by an enormous amount," Abruña said. 

Indeed, DiSalvo and his colleagues found that a compound of platinum and bismuth is an ideal fuel cell material. It is not an alloy like stainless steel or the platinum-ruthenium that many fuel cells use, but a so-called ordered intermetallic compound in which atoms are very specifically arranged. 

"These ordered intermetallic compounds have not been explored for use in fuel cells, so even though platinum-bismuth is quite good, we are searching for other such compounds that should do even better," DiSalvo said. "The team has found several other compounds that also are promising and we expect that in the near future our rate of searching will increase perhaps a thousand-fold."

Bruce Van Dover, a Cornell professor of materials science and engineering who is an expert in combinatorial methods (techniques for making and testing many complex metal materials in parallel), will search through thousands of intermetallic compounds to find compositions and structures that are even more attractive as fuel cell electrodes.

Other CFCI researchers will look at new synthetic materials for the fuel cell's two electrodes and the electrolyte, or membrane, that is placed between them to conduct positively charged ions. In the materials science and engineering department, Associate Professor Ulrich Wiesner will look at "one pot" synthetics, such as flexible ceramics, and Professor Emmanuel Giannelis will investigate composites made from clays and polymers. 

The materials produced by the group will be examined both at Cornell and at collaborating companies, including MTI Micro Fuel Cells in Albany, N.Y., which is planning to market a fuel cell that uses methanol as a fuel. CFCI also is discussing partnerships with General Motors Fuel Cell Division, Corning, and Exxon Research. 

The Cornell researchers also plan to work with methanol as a fuel, but are exploring other possibilities, such as ethanol -- obtained from biomass -- or other hydrocarbon sources. "Intermetalllic compounds in our view have the potential to use ethanol," said Abruña. Barry Carpenter, Cornell professor of chemistry and chemical biology, is working with the group to identify other potential fuels that might be used efficiently in fuel cells and with different electrode materials.

Said DiSalvo, "We are not choosing a winner, we are just exploring new materials and what we find might then help decide which technology is going to be the right one." 

Plug Power Inc. will supply fuel cells for a $3 million demonstration project in Southfield, Mich., about 15 miles northwest of Detroit.

The five-year pilot project is being constructed by DTE Energy, a Detroit company that helped found Latham-based Plug, and continues to own a 23 percent stake in the company.

When completed, the project will use renewable biomass and solar power to convert tap water into hydrogen, according to DTE. The hydrogen is expected to be capable of generating 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough for a small office park, or about 20 homes. It will also produce enough compressed hydrogen gas to fuel three vehicles a day.

"The Hydrogen Technology Park will be the first of its kind to model a complete, multi-use hydrogen energy system," Anthony Earley Jr., the chairman and CEO of DTE Energy, said in a release.

The project is currently in the permitting stage, and will be located in one of the state's SmartZones. The designated zones were established by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and are intended to recognize clusters of research projects, and businesses involved with commercializing new technology.

The hydrogen technology park will be managed by DTE Energy Technologies, a subsidiary of DTE Energy.

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is the parent to a number of electric and natural gas utilities operating in Michigan.

Phillip Piffer, president of Genesis Fueltech, reports on testing of the company’s newest methanol to hydrogen fuel processor. 

Methanol is a hydrogen rich liquid fuel with physical characteristics similar to gasoline. Every molecule of methanol contains four atoms of hydrogen. The reformer, or fuel processor, extracts hydrogen from methanol. The fuel processor tested by Genesis has been producing 99.9999% pure hydrogen, which has been delivered to a PEM fuel cell powering an AC lighting load. 

This processor has operated continuously for fifty days (1200 hours) with no human intervention and with 100% availability. A high temperature methanol catalyst developed by Genesis is used in the processor and has shown no deterioration in either conversion or shift activity. The long-term tests are continuing. 

In earlier testing this 500-watt fuel processor achieved net peak efficiency of 79% and thermal efficiency of 83%. Testing has also demonstrated the processor’s ability to respond almost instantaneously to varying fuel demands, for example, from a zero load to 80% load in less than three seconds. Balance of plant (or “parasitic” power) load is less than 30 watts.
The fuel processor can be easily integrated with any PEM fuel cell. 

How does the Humidicore work? As warm, humid exhaust air enters the Humidicore from the Fuel Cell, the rotating Cordierite drum adsorbs the exhaust water vapor and transfers it to the incoming cool, dry inlet stream. The characteristics of the desiccant coated drum allow only the water vapor to be transferred, while the spent gases continue out of the system. The water vapor never condenses; therefore, no external energy is required to move it back into vapor form. The Humidicore drum uses face seals to separate the incoming stream from the exhaust.

Benefits include:

• Replacing aftercoolers, condensers and humidifiers 
• Runs on waste heat 
• Commercially available components 
• Inexpensive 
• Lightweight

The Humidicore uses a ceramic honeycomb material with a dominate chemical composition of Cordierite (2Mg0•2Al2O3•5SiO2). Properties include low pressure drop, high structural strength, dimensional stability, long life and chemical inertness.

The unique properties of the cordierite allow the construction of a simple, inexpensive and almost indestructible enthalpy wheel. The rotor is a unitary cylinder of Cordierite in a honeycomb matrix. The contact type end seals act directly against the honeycomb to form very efficient labyrinth seals. The very low thermal expansion rate of Cordierite greatly simplifies the sealing system by minimizing axial growth during operation. It's currently being mass produced and is most commonly used in automotive catalytic converters costing as little as 30 cents per cubic inch. 

Emprise currently offers production models of the Humidicore in three different models designed to work with a 3kW, 10kW and 20kW fuel cell. Physical sizes and performance maps are available at http://www.humidicore.com.

Emprise also has extensive experience in fuel cell testing, including alkaline, phosphoric acid, PEM, and solid oxide stands ranging from 10 kW to 300 kW. Our client list includes IFC / ONSI, Delphi Automotive, and Honeywell. Since 1981, Emprise has been an award winning engineering consulting firm, specializing in the design and fabrication of custom test stands and facilities. 

Emprise has cross industry experience in: 

• Design engineering 
• Fabrication, assembly, installation 
• Software development 
• Computer Aided Design 
• Systems integration 
• PC/PLC programming 
• Manual / automatic controls 
• Training, field support 

Email us for more information at info@emprise-usa.com or visit us at http://www.emprise-usa.com or call toll free (800)278-2119

Toyo Radiator Device Enhances Home Fuel Cells

Toyo Radiator Co. (TSE:7236) has developed a performance enhancer for home fuel cell batteries that increases their efficiency by 10 per cent or more.

The device extracts hydrogen by passing natural gas and air through a catalyst, as in standard models, but uses an additional catalyst to absorb the surplus heat generated.

The product also combines the catalysts in a single unit, an efficient setup that allows it to operate at 700C instead of the conventional 1,000C. This helps prolong the life of the device.

Major manufacturers such as Tokyo Gas Co. (TSE:9531), Osaka Gas Co. (TSE:9532), Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. (TSE:6752), Toshiba Corp. (TSE:6502) and Ebara Corp. (TSE:6361) are developing fuel cells for home use that are expected to hit the market in 2004 or 2005.

In a recent demonstration of a fuel cell power device, University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher Dennis Witmer held up a small patch of material for Chancellor Marshall Lind and other onlookers, searching for an easy way to explain the material's application.

 "You ever teach physics?" Witmer asked Lind before launching into a complicated explanation of the latest fuel cell acquired by UAF's Arctic Energy Technology Development Laboratory.

 Fuel cells, which create electricity and heat through conversion of energy sources like methanol or natural gas, are potentially advantageous power sources because of their ability to produce efficient electricity with minimal maintenance and next to no emissions.

Researchers and manufacturers have experimented with several models of fuel cells in recent years in an effort to improve the largely unproven technology.

 The fuel cell Witmer demonstrated is distinguished by its use of a proton exchange membrane, the small patch of material that he showed to Lind and others. The fuel cell runs on methanol, which is converted into hydrogen by a device called a reformer. The reformer then sends the converted hydrogen into the fuel cell.

 Electricity is created when the proton exchange membrane separates the electrons from the hydrogen, producing electrically charged ions.

 The fuel cell can continuously produce as much as one kilowatt of electricity, which is about enough to power an average Fairbanks home, Witmer said.

 Fuel cells could prove especially valuable in Alaska as power sources, Witmer said, because of their potential to provide efficient energy in areas not linked to a power grid.

 Researchers have used experimental fuel cells that ran on diesel in rural Alaska communities in the past, Witmer said. However, the methanol-powered fuel cell is more promising because it will likely present less complications than diesel power during the conversion process into hydrogen.

 "The diesel fuel is very difficult to crack apart and reform," Witmer said.

 While fuel cells hold promise, he said, they face plenty of barriers, such as their high cost -- UAF's new cell cost $160,000 -- and their tendency to quit working after sometimes only months of operation.

 UAF's new fuel cell, manufactured by Schatz Energy Research Center at Humboldt State University in California, is no bigger than an average computer monitor and is linked to a maze of tubes and wires. An Internet connection allows researchers to view data on the fuel cell's performance from a nearby computer screen.

 Tom Johnson, a research engineer for the UAF Energy Center, where the fuel cell is set up, said the machinery came pre-assembled for the most part.

 "This is very much a flip-on-the-switch-and-turn-on-the-key system," he said. "You press a few buttons and it comes on."

 The new fuel cell is the second one UAF is testing. In August, university researchers started up a fuel cell in the Fairbanks Natural Gas building. That cell runs on natural gas and does not include a proton exchange membrane.

 Witmer said the cell, a solid oxide model, has been running continuously since its August start, which is promising, considering the long-term functionality of fuel cells is one of the biggest questions about the technology.

Wales at forefront of hydrogen research

WALES' reputation as a leader in research into hydrogen as an energy source has been strengthened.

Professor Dennis Hawkes of the University of Glamorgan described the cutting-edge work taking place to a team of experts at the top-security Sandia National Laboratory in Alberquerque, New Mexico.

Intense debate is now occurring on both sides of the Atlantic as to how hydrogen should be produced and stored, and whether it should be used in conjunction with power from oil, nuclear or renewable sources.

Wales is at the forefront of showing how environmentally- friendly sources of alternative energy, such as wind, hydro and solar power, can be effectively harnessed.

The team at the University of Glamorgan will be collaborating with a wide variety of partners to find better ways of storing energy in fuel cells and producing hydrogen biologically.

The latter technique involves collecting hydrogen released by bacteria as they break down the sugars in crops.

A group from its Hydrogen Research Unit (website: www.glam.ac.uk/serc) is shortly to visit Hong Kong, Kaohsiung in Taiwan and Japan as part of an ongoing project on hydrogen from biomass.

Jadoo Power Systems Inc. (Jadoo), a leading provider of portable fuel cell power systems, was selected by Fortune
Small Business (FSB) Magazine as one of the top three finalists in their first annual nationwide business plan competition.  FSB launched the business plan competition in order to identify "the most promising young entrepreneurs in [today's] uncertain business climate."  The magazine invited the winners of business plan contests at top MBA programs across the United States to face off in a contest "devoted to finding the best of the best."  Fifty-six entries from forty-nine schools were received.
    
The panel of judges selected eight finalists based on the strength of the management team, viability of the business plan and thoroughness of the business plan.  To recognize the top competitors, FSB presented the top three finishers prize money totaling $65,000 as well as the distinction of being the cover story of FSB's November edition.  Electronic versions of the article are available at http://www.fsb.com.
    
"The strength of our business plan is clear-cut," stated Larry Bawden, President and CEO of Jadoo.  "Clearly defined markets and a solid strategy combined with an experienced team will allow us to accomplish the goals laid out in our plan."  Bawden, along with founding members Lee Arikara, John Berger and Ken Pearson were on hand to receive the award.
    
Of the competition, John Berger (Harvard MBA class of 2003), who leads Jadoo's investor relations and business development said, "We have worked hard over the past two years to create a strong, executable plan and have received
overwhelmingly positive response from the market.  We are proud to be recognized by FSB."

About Jadoo Power Systems:  
Jadoo Power Systems, Inc. is a market-focused company that develops and sells portable fuel cell power products.  Jadoo is funded by Sinclair Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. as well as other individuals.
                             ~