FuelCellsWorks

Industry News & Information Leader

SFC EFOY ReliOn Hydrogenics Honda Plug Power Toyota BMW

Latest News

Union College to Host Plug Power Residential Fuel Cell Field Trial

Results to be Studied as Part of Educational Outreach Program

LATHAM, N.Y.– Plug Power Inc. (Nasdaq:PLUG), a leader in providing clean, reliable energy solutions, and National Grid, an international natural gas and electric utility, today announced Union College as the site host for the trial of Plug Power’s residential fuel cell, GenSys. Plug Power’s 5 kilowatt combined heat and power (CHP) unit will convert natural gas into electricity and high-quality heat for the Beuth House residence hall on the Schenectady, New York campus.

As part of the educational outreach program included in this project, participants will also include Ballston Spa High School and Schenectady Museum. Both groups will engage students of all ages in fuel cell education and field trial data analysis.

This project is a result of a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced in November of 2008. Plug Power and National Grid will test the system in the real-life operating conditions at Union College. Collaboratively, the companies will use the critical data collected to determine system refinements for incorporation into the next-generation system design.

“Union College is an ideal field trial site due to its support of advanced energy initiatives, efficiency programs and associated curriculum,” said Mark Sperry, Vice President of Plug Power’s Continuous Power Division. “Moving our testing out of the lab and into the field is a pivotal point for Plug Power, as we push forward our agenda to commercialize our residential GenSys product.”

“National Grid is proud to be a part of this project and to work with Plug Power, Union College, The Schenectady Museum, Ballston Spa School District and everyone making this test project a reality,” said Stanley Blazewicz, Vice President of Global Technology for National Grid. “We believe fuel cells and other technologies can be vital parts of our energy solutions for the future and a way we can help our customers save money and reduce their carbon footprint.”

“We are excited to be part of this project,” said Richard Wilk, Mechanical Engineering Professor at Union College. “It will give our students the opportunity to see this technology demonstrated first hand and actually collect data from the unit and analyze its performance. Sustainable energy conversion technologies such as this are increasingly becoming an important part of our curriculum as well as our campus operations.”

Educational outreach programs will begin immediately. On July 9, 2009, sixth and seventh grade students participating in Ballston Spa’s Gateway Academy will spend an entire day learning about fuel cells. The program will include a tour of Plug Power to experience the engineering, testing, development and manufacturing process of a fuel cell. Students will also visit the Union College campus to see the installation of the GenSys unit in progress.

For the duration of the project, students will receive live data directly from the fuel cell site for analysis. “Our commercial success impacts the greater good of our community,” added Sperry. “Students will be able to follow and dissect our results as the field trial progresses. This will engage all education levels in the development of fuel cell technology and energy independence.”

“Giving the students a hands-on learning opportunity will allow for advanced understanding of the technology and why it’s critical for our future,” said Joseph Dragone, Superintendent for Ballston Spa Central School District. “We’re excited to be deeply involved in this project and it is an important part of our Partnership for Innovation in Education initiative.”

About Plug Power Inc.

Plug Power Inc. (Nasdaq:PLUG), an established leader in the development and deployment of clean, reliable energy solutions, integrates fuel cell technology into motive, continuous and backup power products. The Company is actively engaged with private and public customers in targeted markets throughout the world. For more information about how to join Plug Power’s energy revolution as an investor, customer, supplier or strategic partner, please visit www.plugpower.com.

June 30, 2009 - 7:58 AM No Comments

Ceres Power confirms receipt of £2m Alpha CHP payment from British Gas

Ceres Power announces that it has received the payment of £2 million from British Gas for the successful design, build and testing of a number of 1kW grid-connected Combined Heat and Power (”CHP”) products meeting all of the deliverables under the Alpha phase of the CHP programme.

The Company expects to end its financial year on 30th June 2009 with net cash and short-term investments of at least £22 million.  The Company will announce its full year preliminary results in September 2009.‬

June 30, 2009 - 7:56 AM No Comments

SymPowerco Signs LOI to Acquire Majority Stake in Highline Hydrogen Hybrids

GARDNERVILLE, NV–(Marketwire – June 30, 2009) – SymPowerco Corporation (PINKSHEETS: SYMW) CEO John Davenport announced today that the company has signed a Letter of Intent (”LOI”) with Texas businessman Steven Humphries for the acquisition of a majority interest in Highline Hydrogen Hybrids, Inc. (”HHHI”), the manufacturer of a unique and proven hydrogen conversion system for gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.

In April of 2009, Humphries entered an agreement to purchase 70% of HHHI. Under the terms anticipated by today’s Letter of Intent, Mr. Humphries will assign his HHHI interest to SymPowerco.

HHHI’s unique supplemental hydrogen fuel system, in addition to reducing dangerous emissions, has been shown to enhance the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines by as much as 25% and to increase horsepower by an average of 10%. HHHI also plans to release a commercial version of its supplemental fuel system for use on Over-The-Road commercial vehicles.

HHHI’s unique hydrogen converter has undergone rigorous testing and has a patent pending. The company is currently relocating from Northwest Arkansas to a 380,000 square foot building on 30 acres in Dumas, Arkansas. HHHI officials project gross sales of their products to reach nearly $3,400,000.00 over the next 18 months.

Stated SymPowerco CEO John N. Davenport, “We at SymPowerco are very excited about the potential HHHI revenue streams and the synergies that HHHI’s efficiency enhancing products could bring to our company. We believe that HHHI’s products would complement our Flowing Electrolyte Direct Methanol Fuel Cell technologies by allowing SymPowerco to not only replace the internal combustion engine with the fuel cell in many applications but to also offer products to help reduce the environmental and energy-related impacts of the remaining fleet of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.”

SymPowerco Corporation develops advanced fuel cell and power delivery systems for the rapidly growing personal transportation and portable power system markets being created by today’s energy and environmental challenges.

June 30, 2009 - 7:00 AM No Comments

BNSF Railway Unveils Hydrogen-Powered Fuel Cell Locomotive

ANTHONY S. BUSH/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
BNSF Railway groundsman Shawn Semple watches the tracks as he rides the Hydrogen Hybrid Engine, the he nation’s first hydrogen-powered fuel cell locomotive, Monday at the BNSF shops in Topeka.

Sen. Sam Brownback climbed aboard the nation’s first hydrogen-powered fuel cell locomotive Monday morning at BNSF Railway Company’s Topeka System Maintenance Terminal, 1001 N.E. Atchison.

BNSF, Vehicle Projects, Brownback, R-Kan., and the Department of the Army announced plans to develop the locomotive on Jan. 9, 2008.

Funding for the project came from BNSF and the Department of Defense, said Steven Forsberg, BNSF spokesman. In 2008, Brownback announced the department was providing a second year of funding for the experiment $2.4 million for fiscal year 2008 following $2 million in the previous fiscal year.

“The prototype switch locomotive has the potential to reduce air pollution, is not dependent on oil for fuel, and could serve as a mobile backup power source for military and civilian disaster relief efforts,” a news release from BNSF stated.

Brownback was joined by Republican Rep. Lynn Jenkins in addressing a small crowd gathered Monday under a purple and white tent in front of the BNSF offices.

“It is truly an honor to be here with Sen. Sam Brownback for this unveiling,” Jenkins said. “This is a real-world, common sense way to move forward.”

Brownback called Monday a “great day in Topeka.”

“This has been a long-storied railroad town,” he said. “This is a new story.”

After addressing the crowd, Brownback boarded the locomotive and rode up and down tracks in front of the building.

“It is extremely quiet,” he said. “I think this is an exciting process.”

The locomotive will be sent to Colorado for additional testing this summer, said Chris Roberts, BNSF vice president of engineering. Then, it will be sent to California to test the viability of the technology.

“We look forward to this testing,” Roberts said. “At BNSF, we’re proud to be a part of this.”

June 29, 2009 - 6:30 PM Comments (2)

UltraCell to Build Fuel Cell Systems for Unmanned Air Vehicles

LIVERMORE, CAUltraCell Corporation, a leading producer of fuel cells for mobile power applications, today announced plans to build fuel cell systems for the Center for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) Exploitation (CUE) in its Dayton, Ohio, manufacturing plant. UltraCell will initially build 10 units based on the company’s XX25™ reformed methanol fuel cell (RMFC) technology, with potential to expand production in the future.

Funded by the State of Ohio Third Frontier Project, the CUE is a collaborative effort between local Dayton-area businesses, academic institutions and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. The CUE was developed to improve integration between UAV controls, wireless communications, advanced sensor technology and portable power.

UltraCell’s XX25 delivers extended runtime and offers low weight, crucial benefits for designing portable power solutions for aerial vehicles. The XX25 has achieved the military’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 status demonstrating operation in relevant environments. In addition, the XX25 has successfully completed numerous MIL-STD-810F Environmental Tests, including altitude, making it an ideal power source for applications such as UAVs.

“We’re delighted to be able to participate in the Center for UAV Exploitation’s work in Dayton,” said UltraCell CEO Keith Scott. “We see tremendous opportunity for UAV applications both in the military and commercial markets and believe our fuel cell technology is a perfect power solution for these systems.”

With a market expected to grow tremendously over the next five years, UAV research and development done by the CUE will focus on control, communications, power and sensor solutions for vehicles weighing 150 pounds or less. Success with smaller vehicles that boast greater maneuverability, increased mobility and lower cost is expected to carry over into the larger UAV and manned aircraft markets. Systems designed by the CUE will be some of the first UAVs commercialized in non-defense applications.

Other CUE participants include BAE Systems, Co-operative Engineering Services, Inc (CESI), the Institute for the Development and Commercialization of Advanced Sensor Technology (IDCAST), L3 Communications Nova Engineering, STAN Solutions, TecEdgeWorks, Defense Research Associates (DRA) and the University of Dayton Research Institute.

About UltraCell

UltraCell is a leading producer of fuel cell systems for mobile devices. With an exclusive license with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories for micro fuel cell technology, the company has developed new technologies and intellectual property in the field of methanol-based fuel cells. Its patented, award-winning portable fuel cell, the XX25™, achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 status, a significant U.S. Army milestone and certification for military use and commercial production. For more information about UltraCell, please visit http://www.ultracellpower.com/.

June 29, 2009 - 1:01 PM No Comments

Protonex-Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 31 March 2009

SOUTHBOROUGH, MA; Protonex Technology Corporation (LSE: AIM: PTX and PTXU), a leading provider of advanced fuel cell power systems for portable, remote and mobile applications, today announced its interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2009.

H1 2009 HIGHLIGHTS
Protonex Technology Corporation (the “Company” or “Protonex”) achieved significant milestones in the development of several key product areas in the first half of fiscal year 2009, including its M250 professional and military product series, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) power systems and solid oxide fuel cell platforms. Progress towards bringing these portable fuel cell products to the market beginning in 2009 has continued to attract industry-leading development partners and positions the Company to be an early leader in this sector.

  • Continued progress in moving PEM and SOFC fuel cell platforms towards initial commercial and military products
  • Introduced and demonstrated M250-B product at several recreational vehicle (RV) trade shows in United States to generate and gauge interest. OEM and beta trials scheduled for H2 2009; general availability revised to 2010
  • Demonstrated fully functional SOFC prototype systems running on propane fuel. Awarded $1.5 million contract in January 2009 from US Army for liquid-fuelled SOFC system development
  • Strong progress on several UAV development contracts with the US Military. $3.3 million ($2.2m base award with $1.1m option) contract awarded in March 2009 by US Department of Defense to develop a high-performance UAV propulsion system for emerging AECV platform
  • BPM power managers being evaluated in field by US Military. First units of SPM power managers shipped to several US Military agencies in the first half of calendar year 2009
  • H1 2009 fiscal year revenues of $2.6 million, a 17% decrease compared to $3.2m in H1 2008, primarily as a result of contracting delays on new military programmes caused by change in US Administration and a general delay in the release of military contracts
  • Increasing opportunity for US Government and Military funds to support product development and product purchases in 2010 and beyond. Driven primarily by general military needs and stimulus programmes
  • Transitioned to Piper Jaffray for NOMAD/Broker services

Post period end highlights

  • Hired Dave Ierardi as Vice President of Operations in May of 2009. Dave brings a very strong background in all facets of manufacturing and operations
  • In May 2009, received a $0.5 million contract extension from US Naval Research Lab for testing and refinement of UAV system

Commenting on the results, Scott Pearson, CEO of Protonex, said:
“Throughout the first half of our 2009 fiscal year, Protonex has made significant progress in virtually all areas of its business. The Company has continued its transition from being primarily a technology development company to being a product company. Today, that transition is substantially complete and we expect the resulting products to deliver strong value to a broad set of military and commercial markets.”

A copy of the complete report can be obtained by clicking the following link: Protonex 2009 Interim Report

June 29, 2009 - 12:24 PM No Comments

New Fuel Cell Catalyst Developed by University of Yamanashi

A new catalyst for use with ENEFARM (residential fuel cell co-generating system) was developed by Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center, University of Yamanashi. The catalyst developed this time belongs to the Catalyst for Selectively Methanating CO. With use of the catalyst newly developed, the fuel processor will be cost-reduced by about 20%, and the fuel processor will be volume-reduced to 2/3 of the current processor.

The results of using the new catalyst in the ENEFARM’s fuel process for converting city gas into hydrogen are:
1) Removal of the residual carbon monoxide by at least 99.9%, and
2) Reduction of size, weight and the amount of used catalyst and simplified structure, and much reduction of cost.
It is sure that the new catalyst will accelerate spread of ENEFARMs the sales of which started on this May.

The results of the study will be presented in Symposium of “2009 NEDO Development Results Report on Fuel Cell/Hydrogen Technologies” (June 30, 2009), and “104th Catalyst Forum” (September 27, 2009).

June 29, 2009 - 11:31 AM No Comments

Michelle Crumm Awarded Product Innovation Winner, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist

Adaptive Materials’ chief business officer Michelle Crumm has been selected as one of the winners of Ernst & Young L.L.P.’s annual Entrepreneur of the Year awards for the Central Great Lakes region.  Crumm bested 30 other finalists to win top honors in the Product Innovation category; she will now go on to compete for the national Entrepreneur of the Year award.

“Recognition as an Entrepreneur of the Year in the product innovation space is an acknowledgement of the constant attention that Adaptive Materials pays to product enhancements and improvements,” Crumm said.  “We actively test our fuel cells in the field and continue to innovate to meet the needs of the soldiers and first responders who need reliable, portable power.”

Crumm is one of 11 finalists from the Central Region competing with a national pool of candidates for the top Entrepreneur of the Year award.  A national panel will choose between Crumm and finalists from 25 other U.S. regions to select the Master Entrepreneur of the Year award winner.

Ernst & Young’s 23rd annual Entrepreneur of the Year awards ceremony will take place November 14, 2009, in Palm Springs, Calif.

About Adaptive Materials, Inc.
Adaptive Materials, Inc. is the leader in the development of portable power made from solid oxide fuel cell technology.  Leveraging its patented single step process in the manufacturing of micro-tubular fuel cells, Adaptive Materials has developed the ideal portable power solution.  At the forefront of portable power innovation, Adaptive Materials is the first company to develop, demonstrate and deliver a portable, affordable, and fuel flexible solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system.  Adaptive Materials’ fuel cell system is provides portable power to the United States Armed Forces as well as industries including recreational vehicles, boating, and medical devices.  For more information, visit www.adaptivematerials.com.

June 29, 2009 - 9:00 AM No Comments

Chinese Researchers Show Enhanced Hydrogen Production from Corn Stover by Anaerobic Fermentation

Researchers at Zhengzhou University, China, have shown the enhanced production of hydrogen from pretreated corn stalk biomass by mixed culture using manure from the lesser panda as the source of the hydrogen-producing bacteria. The study is reported in Issue 54 (8)the Chinese Science Bulletin, a journal co-sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The annual yield of natural cellulosic biomass in China exceeds 0.7 billion tons, in which the amount of corn stalk is around 220 million tons.

The maximum cumulative H2 yield of 176 ml/g-TS (total solids) and H2 production rate (14.5 ml/g-TS h-1) were obtained at pH 5.5, 36 °C by treating a substrate of 15 g/L. The hydrogen content in the resultant biogas was 57.2% and there was no significant methane gas observed.


Disclaimer: This aggregation service is provided to all who visit this page and is non fee-based.
If you are a publisher and you do not want your publications linked here, please notify us and
your links will be removed.


© 1999 - 2009 FuelCellWorks.com All Rights Reserved
AtomEntries RSSComments RSS