FuelCellsWorks

The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid bus will have its world premiere from 7 to 11 June at the UITP Congress in Vienna (the World Congress of the International Association of Public Transport). This fuel cell hybrid bus has been developed within the context of the global “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative and is the first representative of the new generation of fuel cell models from Daimler Buses. The outstanding characteristic of the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is its comprehensive environmental friendliness: it emits no pollutants whatsoever while running and is also virtually silent. It is therefore exceptionally well suited to operation in heavily polluted city centres and in metropolitan areas. The Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is the next logical step on the path to zero-emission public transport, which Daimler had already announced it would take, and thus represents an important element in the development of the mobility solutions of the future.

Linear development from NEBUS to the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid

Daimler Buses has taken a linear approach to developing this technology: the process started in 1997 with the NEBUS research vehicle – the world’s first bus to be equipped with a fuel cell drive system – and has continued via the recently launched Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid with a diesel-electric hybrid drive. The latest development for 2009 is the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid. Starting in the autumn, Mercedes-Benz Buses will subject this bus to intensive testing in a large-scale fleet test in several European cities. This test will be conducted along the same lines as the successful CUTE test carried out by the European Union between 2003 and 2006. Since 2003, a total of 36 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses equipped with fuel cell drives have performed outstandingly well in service with 12 public transport operators on three continents as part of the CUTE test, its HyFLEET:CUTE follow-up project and other related testing programmes. In covering a combined total of more than two million kilometres in some 135,000 hours of operation, the buses have impressively demonstrated the suitability of the environment-friendly fuel cell drive for everyday practical use.

Components from the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid

The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid draws on the experience gained with the outstanding performance of the 36 fuel cell test buses. The enhanced fuel-cell system is complemented by an all-new drive system developed in synergy with the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid. Shared components here include axles fitted with electric hub motors, lithium-ion batteries to store energy, and all electrically powered ancillary components. The entire drive system is designed for the greatest possible efficiency. Thanks to regenerative braking – that is to say, the recovery of braking energy – the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is able to achieve hydrogen savings of between 10 and 25 percent, depending on the traffic conditions and topography.

The Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is based on the proven platform of the top-selling Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban bus and features fuel cells powered by hydrogen. Compared with previous fuel cell buses, the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid will consume much less hydrogen thanks to a hybrid drive with a sophisticated control unit. The model thus offers major benefits in terms of resource conservation and reduction of emissions associated with producing the required hydrogen.

VANCOUVER–Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) today announced that it has signed a supply agreement with FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) to deliver a one megawatt distributed power generation solution for use in a utility load management demonstration project. The project is designed to test the unit’s application for providing peaking capacity and load management over a three-year period. Initial plans call for the trailer-mounted unit to be delivered in December 2009 and located in Ohio.

This product offering positions Ballard to enter into a new market space focused on clean distributed power generation. Government support for these applications is strong, particularly in the US where the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has provided stimulus funds in the form of tax code changes, and direct funding for initiatives such as Smart Grid programs. This sale to FirstEnergy utilizes an outstanding product credit and is subject to the receipt of partial funding from tax grants provided by stimulus funds.

Ballard’s proven heavy-duty proton exchange membrane (PEM) based FCvelocity(TM) products, which power bus fleets around the world and offer world leading performance, reliability, and robustness, will be leveraged for this application.

“We see the sale to FirstEnergy as an entry step into distributed power generation, in niche applications where Ballard can provide fuel cell solutions which leverage the unique advantages of PEM, such as scalability and responsive load following. We are also exploring other clean energy distributed power generation opportunities using waste hydrogen,” said John Sheridan, Ballard’s President and CEO. “By using our existing heavy-duty FCvelocity(TM) products, we are able to test this market without incurring significant development cost.”

“This demonstration project will provide valuable information about utility scale fuel cell technologies and their potential to provide cost-effective solutions for peak demand and load management, as well as helping to meet our advanced and renewable energy goals in the states where we operate,” said Gary R. Leidich, FirstEnergy Executive Vice President and President of FirstEnergy Generation.

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) is recognized as a world leader in the design, development, manufacture and sale of clean energy fuel cell products. Ballard’s mission is to accelerate fuel cell product adoption. To learn more about what Ballard is doing with Power to Change the World(R), visit www.ballard.com.

Ballard, the Ballard logo and Power to Change the World are registered trademarks of Ballard Power Systems Inc.

Mayor David Miller, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone and actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. announced the winners of the 2009 Green Toronto Awards at the Direct Energy Centre on the Green Living Show Main Stage last month.

The Green Toronto Awards, the result of a partnership between the City of Toronto and Green Living, recognize the individuals, organizations and companies that are helping lead the way to a greener Toronto.

The 10 winners, selected from among the largest number of nominations ever received by the City, were awarded a prestigious Green Toronto Award and $5,000 to donate to a registered charity of their choice.

One of the winners was Enbridge Gas Distribution for building an innovative hybrid fuel cell plant that produces near zero-emission electricity: Energy Conservation Award, sponsored by Ontario Power Authority.

The hybrid fuel cell is located at Enbridge Gas Distribution’s head office in Toronto. The plant was built on approximately 22 parking spots in the company’s parking lot. It converts unused pipeline energy into clean electricity that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, since the fuel cell does not burn fuel, the plant supports cleaner and healthier air in cities where air quality is a growing concern.

The innovative power plant, which integrates two existing low-carbon technologies to generate 2.2 megawatts of ultra-clean electricity or enough to serve up to 1,700 Ontario homes.

SOMERSET – Praising the company for its work in developing innovative technologies, Governor Jon S. Corzine today participated in the official ribbon cutting ceremonies for BASF’s new state-of-the art fuel cell production facility. Forty new green jobs will be created at the site.

“ New Jersey has long been renowned for innovation and discovery,” Governor Corzine said. “I am pleased this tradition of excellence is being advanced in BASF’s new world-class fuel cell facility here in Somerset . Projects like this are exactly the type of private investment commitment that will create a more sustainable environment, keep our economy moving and put people to work. We are fortunate to have this facility in New Jersey along with the promise it holds for the future.”

BASF develops and manufactures the central components of fuel cells, an environmentally clean power-generating technology. Fuel cells make energy use more efficient, cost-effective and less harmful to the environment. The technology has great potential in a wide range of applications. The Somerset site is the only fuel cell production facility in the world that can produce ready-for-production high-temperature Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEAs).

The company’s proprietary fuel cell technologies, powered solely by hydrogen, are currently being used by a number of alternative energy suppliers and as a replacement to more traditional batteries in several electronic products. This new facility will meet growing demand from clients as the technology continues to gain momentum.

“BASF has made a decisive breakthrough in fuel cells with the development of the high-temperature MEA,” said Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, Research Executive Director and Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF. “The aim of the world-class Somerset , New Jersey facility is to meet the current and greatly increasing demand from customers. Future enhancements and refinements of BASF’s proprietary MEA product in conjunction with system developments by our alternative energy partners will make fuel cell energy realistic, affordable and widely available.”

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the US Department of Energy has approved a grant to BASF Fuel Cell for $2 million over the next three years for fuel cell technology manufacturing.

BASF has more than 1,900 employees in New Jersey.

Fuel cell technology enables the efficient and alternative energy supply for numerous consumer products and applications

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.– Furthering its leadership position in the development of energy management solutions, BASF today announced it has officially opened its BASF Fuel Cell production facility in Somerset, New Jersey. The modern facility uses advanced production and automation technologies to fabricate ready-for-use high-temperature Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) units — the heart of the fuel cell. In a MEA, hydrogen and air react to water generating electrical power and heat. The proprietary and innovative BASF products are marketed under the brand name Celtec(R) and will enable the fuel cell industry to meet the current and growing challenges of future energy supply.

BASF’s tradition of materials innovation and commitment to sustainable development continues with this advancement from BASF Fuel Cell. The novel MEA developed by BASF is opening new horizons for system builders as it contains the world’s first commercially available high temperature membrane for fuel cells that allows operating temperatures in the range of 320 to 360 F (120-180 degrees C). This innovation, with the unique ability to run without any humidification, has therefore a considerable advantage over other Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell technologies, including a far simpler system and tolerance to impurities in hydrogen and air.

Celtec(R) high-temperature MEAs are used in numerous product applications, e.g. private home electricity and heat supply units providing electricity and hot water at unprecedented efficiencies or backup-systems to ensure electrical power.

“BASF has made a decisive breakthrough in fuel cells with the development of the high-temperature MEA,” said Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, Research Executive Director and Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, at the inaugural event. “The aim of the world-class Somerset, New Jersey facility is to meet the current and greatly increasing demand from customers. Future enhancements and refinements of BASF’s proprietary MEA product in conjunction with system developments by our alternative energy partners will make fuel cell energy realistic, affordable and widely available.”

The most immediate challenge facing developers is to develop a highly reliable and cost effective fuel cell system for practical applications. The key factor in achieving this is for the system to have as few components as possible. Conventional low temperature fuel cell systems, which operate at a maximum of 175 F (80 degrees C) need a large number of ancillary units, a complex control and hydration system as well as a reformer with a hydrogen gas purification unit to function. Fuel cells equipped with BASF’s high-temperature Celtec(R) MEA are tolerant to impurities in the hydrogen gas; they can be cooled by the air and do not have to be hydrated with water. This eliminates the need for air humidifiers, water pumps, tanks, valves and cleaning systems.

“Thanks to the proprietary Celtec(R) MEA from BASF, fuel cell systems now need substantially fewer components and this translates into cost savings for our customers,” said Dr. Horst-Tore Land, CEO, BASF Fuel Cell Inc. “The development of the high-temperature MEA enables our customers to manufacture commercially viable fuel cell products.”

About BASF Fuel Cell GmbH

BASF Fuel Cell GmbH is a supplier of materials for fuel cells and reformers. The company is a leading supplier for high temperature membrane electrode assemblies, developed and commercialized in the Celtec(R) product line. Additionally, a broad variety of catalysts for fuel cells and reformers is covered by the product line Selectra(R). BASF Fuel Cell continues the fuel cell activities of BASF, Engelhard and PEMEAS. For further information go to www.basf-fuelcell.com

BASF – The Chemical Company. We don’t make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.(R)

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $17.5 billion in 2008. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals, as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than euro 62 billion in 2008. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced the release of $3,255,820 from the U.S. Department of Energy to support clean energy research and development projects in Akron and Canton. Brown helped secure part of the federal funding through the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 (H.R. 1105).

“Ohio can become the Silicon Valley of clean energy manufacturing—with institutions in Akron and Canton leading the way on fuel cell development,” Brown said. “These new federal funds will support the research and development of clean energy sources that will reduce carbon emissions while bringing new jobs and economic activity to Northeast Ohio.”

The funds were included in The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 (H.R. 1105), which become law on March 11, 2009.

The University of Akron will receive $1,713,721 for research and development of fuel cells that can convert coal into electricity with minimal environmental impact. The funds will be used to develop fuel cells capable of serving more than 50 households. Researchers at the University of Akron have already developed a fuel cell that can provide energy to one household.

North Canton’s Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems will receive $1,542,099 to develop fuel cells for commercial use. Specifically, the funds will support the development of durable, solid-oxide fuel cell processing capabilities to reduce the carbon footprint of our nation’s electric grid.  According to Rolls-Royce, this research could lay the foundation for the creation of facilities employing more than 300 Ohioans in clean energy service jobs.

Brown has been working to position Ohio as the Silicon Valley of clean energy manufacturing. He has visited advanced energy companies throughout Ohio and held clean energy roundtables to assess how the federal government can make investments that support the creation of clean energy jobs. Brown secured more than $5.9 million in funds this year to support Ohio’s burgeoning clean energy industry.

On April 15, Brown convened more than 300 clean energy leaders and companies with federal energy officials for a Clean Energy Summit co-hosted by Battelle Memorial Institute. Brown is working to connect Ohio companies and institutions engaged in clean energy research and development with federal resources. Ohio has received more than $360 million in economic recovery funds to develop, manufacture, and install clean energy sources.

Melbourne-based clean energy company Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (ASX/AIM: CFU), a global leader in fuel cell development, today announced it had appointed Dr Peter Binks to its board.

Dr Binks, based in Melbourne, will be a non-executive director of the Company and will join the Board’s Technical Committee, drawing on his strong technical skills and experience commercialising innovative technologies.

Dr Binks, aged 49, has had a successful career with McKinsey & Company, BHP, Telstra and Nanotechnology Victoria Ltd. He is currently CEO of NanoVentures Australia Ltd, a company set up to attract funding and commercialise outcomes from Nanotechnology Victoria.

After completing a science degree at the University of Tasmania (Hons) majoring in Physics, Dr Binks attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He completed his doctoral thesis in Theoretical Physics.

Dr Bink’s current directorships or partnersips are: Director and CEO of Nanotechnology Victoria Ltd; Director and CEO NanoVentures Australia; Director of NanoVic Commercial; Director Quintain NanoSystems; Director NanoVic IP Holdings. From January 2006 to June 2008 Dr Binks was also a Director of The Australian Nano Business Forum. There are no further disclosures required under schedule 2(g) of the AIM rules.

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have won a $1.6 million federal grant to develop new methods for manufacturing a key fuel cell component.

The multi-year grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to create new technology and processes for faster, more cost-effective manufacturing of fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). Comprised of a stacked proton exchange membrane (PEM), catalyst, and electrodes, MEAs are the heart and soul of a fuel cell.

“The new system we plan to develop is essentially a high-speed, high-quality assembly process for fuel cell MEAs,” said Ray Puffer, principle investigator of the project and program director for industrial automation at Rensselaer’s Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS). “If successful, we anticipate this project will yield a major reduction in the time it takes to make MEAs, as well as improved uniformity, less defects, and lower manufacturing costs. The end result will be cheaper, more reliable fuel cells for everyone.”

Fuel cells are a promising green technology that convert a fuel, such as hydrogen or, less commonly, natural gas, into electricity via an electro-chemical reaction. In the case of hydrogen fuel cells, the only byproducts are water and heat, making it a true zero-emissions energy source. The prohibitive cost of producing and manufacturing fuel cells, however, have thus far prevented more widespread adoption and use of the technology. Typical fuel cell applications under development include portable electronics, such as laptop computers or tactical radios for the military, as well as with vehicles, and residential or industrial combined heat and power systems.

Like every mass-produced product, from automobiles to candy bars, it is imperative that every unit to roll off the manufacturing line look, perform, taste, and behave exactly the same. Fuel cell MEAs are no exception. Working with Rensselaer collaborators Daniel Walczyk, professor of mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering, as well as CATS Director John Wen, professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering, Puffer will develop materials, designs, and adaptive process controls for MEA manufacturing. The team will work to automate new sensing technology into the MEA pressing process, to help ensure less defects and greater uniformity of performance.

The second main objective is to reduce the time it takes to press and assemble MEAs. To accomplish this, Puffer and his team will develop a novel, robust ultrasonic bonding process for assembling and fusing together the different components of high-temperature PEM MEAs. Ultrasonic welding uses high-frequency vibrations and pressure, rather than heat, to conjoin two pieces of metal or plastic. Early ultrasonic pressing designs and experiments have been promising, Puffer said, and have the potential to reduce the pressing process of a single MEA to less than one second.

“To be cost effective, the time it takes to manufacture a single MEA must be measured in milliseconds, or at most, a few seconds,” Puffer said. “Similarly, the time it takes to assemble a stack must be measured in seconds or minutes, instead of hours.”

The new DoE grant awards $1.61 million over 42 months. An additional $870,000 in cost share by project participants brings the total project budget to nearly $2.5 million. Partnering with Rensselaer are: Arizona State University, of Tempe, Ariz.; BASF Fuel Cell GmbH, of Germany and Somerset, N.J.; Progressive Machine and Design, LLC, of Victor, N.Y.; and UltraCell Corp., of Livermore, Calif.

For more information, visit the CATS Web site. The CATS is supported by the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) as a designated Center for Advanced Technology.

Adaptive Materials chief business officer Michelle Crumm was recently featured on WomenEntrepreneur.

The interview, focused on successful federal contract work, offers Crumm’s perspective on how working with the government has supported the company’s success.

For revealing insight, read the Q&A!