FuelCellsWorks

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) was in Torrington today to tour FuelCell Energy and unveil his plan to promote the use of fuel cells in both homes and businesses. Dodd’s fuel cell plan not only has the potential to create new jobs in Connecticut and across America, but will promote the use of a 21st-century, clean energy resource.

“Connecticut is already a world leader in the production of fuel cells, which reduce consumption of fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and save on energy costs by generating power on-site, within the fuel cell unit,” said Dodd, who was joined on the tour by FuelCell Energy CEO Daniel Brdar. “We need to grow the market for these energy-efficient products. If we can create that demand, we can create new jobs today, and a new industry that can power not just homes and businesses, but a new era of Connecticut prosperity.”

Dodd is proposing a three-step plan to kickstart the state’s fuel cell industry and put Connecticut back to work. First, it aims to jump start Connecticut’s fuel cell industry by creating immediate demand for fuel cells – and immediate jobs – by encouraging the federal government to lead the transition to clean energy and fully invest in opportunities where fuel cells can be utilized.

Second, it increases the investment tax credit for fuel cells, encouraging businesses to heat and power their facilities with highly-efficient, Connecticut-built systems. Finally, Dodd’s plan sets an ambitious goal for the residential use of fuel cells – and provides manufacturers and consumers with incentives to meet it.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Wu joined Oregon clean energy leaders today to discuss the benefits that locally produced combined heat and power fuel cells are providing to our region’s economy.

Hillsboro’s Ronler Acres Fire Station is using a fuel cell manufactured less than a half mile away by ClearEdge Power to simultaneously reduce carbon emissions and operating costs, saving taxpayers money and helping protect our environment.

“Oregon is once again leading the way toward a more sustainable future,” said Congressman David Wu.  “The next-generation design of fuel cell technology recently installed at Hillsboro’s fire station replaces an older fuel cell unit, keeping our first responders on the front lines of clean energy users.”

The fire station expects to use all the heat and electricity from the fuel cell, reducing the station’s carbon emissions by 12 tons per year.  In addition, operating costs will be lower due to the high 90 percent energy efficiency of the unit.

“The newest high-efficiency fuel cells show how this technology has evolved,” said John Rinier, Hillsboro fire marshal.  “In addition to providing power to our fire station, the fuel cell will also provide heat.  This energy source is another example of Hillsboro’s commitment to finding more sustainable ways of doing business.”

Both generations of fuel cells were produced by ClearEdge Power, a local economic success story that has expanded significantly in the past three years, increasing the number of Oregon jobs from 15 in 2007 to more than 120 today.

“ClearEdge Power is proud to offer a viable, long-term component for the green energy value system,” said Russell Ford, President and CEO of ClearEdge Power.  “The launch of our ClearEdge5 high-efficiency fuel cell offers locally generated heat and power at the point of use, and our market entry is creating local jobs in Oregon, California, and across our supply chain.”

Congressman Wu has introduced legislation that would help additional people reap the benefits of fuel cell technology and create local jobs by more fairly applying clean energy tax credits now available for other energy sources like wind and solar.  The bipartisan Fuel Cell Tax Parity Act, H.R. 3660, fixes the U.S. tax code so that it treats both residential and commercial uses of fuel cells equally.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act raised the tax credit cap on commercially deployed fuel cell units to $1,500 per 0.5 kilowatt (kW) of capacity, but it left the residential cap at $500 per 0.5 kilowatt (kW) of capacity. This means that any families who want to install a fuel cell at their homes get a third the tax credit of businesses that use this technology.

At the same time, the recovery act totally removed the caps for solar, small wind, and geothermal units, exacerbating the existing tax disparity between fuel cells and other clean energy sources, which are treated the same regardless of whether they are for commercial or residential use.

By making residential fuel cells eligible for a tax credit worth $1,500 per 0.5 kilowatt (kW) of capacity, Congressman Wu’s legislation will level the playing field between residential and commercial uses, while helping close the gap between fuel cells and other clean energy technologies.

“Fuel cells can provide families with both heat and power from a clean, efficient energy source,” said Congressman Wu.  “My legislation will help expand the use of this cutting-edge technology, in turn creating more jobs in our community.”

“Through Congressman Wu’s proposed federal legislation, Americans would benefit from fair tax treatment for residential fuel cell use, similar to the tax credits currently available to solar customers,” said Russell Ford.  “This would positively impact our communities now and into the future.”

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) helped make it financially viable for the Hillsboro fire station to implement this new clean energy technology.

“As the Pacific Northwest’s largest electricity supplier, BPA supports developing new technologies to help meet the region’s growing demand for energy with clean, cost-effective power,” said BPA Acting Deputy Administrator Allen Burns.  “BPA is proud to support ClearEdge Power’s innovative work on fuel cells, and we believe this technology also could help address climate change issues and enhance energy independence.”

Developer Bruce Becker’s 360 State Street in downtown New Haven could be the first residential building to earn LEED Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. (Becker & Becker)

Bruce Becker has tried to do the right thing. That may have been his mistake.
Becker is the developer of nearly completed 360 State Street, a 32-story, 500-unit apartment building in New Haven. The building, which will contain retail space and enclosed parking for 500 cars, is one of the largest residential buildings ever built in the state.

I have been following this project, in part to see if Becker is able to attain his goal of making it one of the state’s greenest buildings as well. He’s trying to make his the state’s first residential building to achieve LEED Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The state isn’t making it easy.

In addition to numerous other energy-saving technologies, Becker hopes to power the building with a 400-kilowatt fuel cell made by UTC Power of South Windsor. He has been promised a $900,000 grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund to cover slightly more than half the cost of the power-generating device.

To pay for the rest, and to maintain the fuel cell, Becker in 2007 proposed an arrangement called “sub-metering,” meaning the building would have one “master meter” for United Illuminating, the local utility, and all the tenants would have individual “sub meters.” UI would support the project by buying excess power and providing additional power at times of peak demand. Or so the theory went.

This is done in New York and other some other states, but has only been allowed in Connecticut in limited areas, such as marinas and campgrounds. Without recounting a complex legal argument, the state Department of Public Utility Control turned him down in late 2008, saying current law didn’t allow it.

Early last year, Becker met with members of the Clean Energy Fund, who suggested another approach: State law does allow electric co-ops. The statute says in part that “cooperative, nonprofit, membership corporations may be organized … for the purpose of generating electric energy by means of … renewable energy resources.”

Read Entire Story Here

Written by Kimberly Donnelly

The town received good news a few weeks ago when the state Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) issued a draft of a declaratory ruling allowing the town to aggregate electric consumption at the high school and middle school and to apply that net amount against electricity generated by a fuel cell the town wants to install at the middle school.

This week, however, the news was not so good.

First Selectman Gayle Weinstein said Monday that United Illuminating (UI) and Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) had filed exceptions to the declaratory ruling.

Their main concern, the first selectman explained, is that the ruling is too broad, and that it might set a precedent that could allow chain stores and others to aggregate their consumption when calculating energy usage.

The town asked the DPUC for a declaratory ruling allowing the town to combine its energy usage at the middle and high schools by simple accounting (adding the two accounts together) rather than physically connecting the two meters, which is estimated to cost at least $900,000.

The DPUC’s ruling stated not only could the town combine usage numbers at the two schools, but it could also include electricity delivered to other town buildings in calculating how much electricity is used.

Weston has asked United Technologies to build and install a 400-kW fuel cell at or near the middle school. It is estimated the fuel cell would provide 95% of the electricity needed for both Weston High School and Weston Middle School, all of the heat for the pool at the middle school, a significant amount of the heat and hot water for the middle school, and all of the air conditioning for the middle school.

There’s a “huge push” from the state and federal governments to move toward clean energy and energy conservation, Ms. Weinstein said, and “what we’re trying to do is 100% in line with that… The question for us is: Is it going to cost an extra $1 million?”

Editor’s Note: This is a corrected version of the print story that appears in the Feb. 25 issue of The Weston Forum, which stated First Selectman Weinstein made oral arguments to the DPC on Tuesday; that appearance was in fact rescheduled.

Original Story Here

BOTHELL, Wash. — Neah Power Systems (OTCBB:NPWZ ) , the company leading development in fuel cells for the military and portable electronic devices, in a “white paper” titled “Remote Area Power Systems (RAPS) for off-the-grid power,” specifically detailed its solution and the market for renewable energy, off-the-grid systems, as well as Neah’s plans to integrate its fuel cell into these systems.

“We have developed Hybrid Electric Renewable Micro Energy Stations, bringing renewable, green energy to millions in Asia. This innovative technology uses a combination of clean solar and wind power, fuel cells and batteries to replace the very polluting diesel generators that currently provide electricity in emerging countries. Economic development in vast areas of the world are being held back by a critical lack of reliable, low-cost electricity. Neah’s fuel cells, which operate using methanol, a renewable and plentiful element used every day in developed countries, together with our subsidiary, SolCool’s storage capacity, can bring a better life for many millions of people. Remote Area Power Supplies enable off-the-grid power. We have letters of intent from EKO VEHICLES, of India, for these systems, and significant interest from other customers, principally in Asia, who operate off the grid, have poor grid infrastructure, or both. The proportion of the world’s population with access to electricity will rise over the next 20 years, but more than a billion people will still be without power in 2030 under the current International Energy Agency energy plan,” remarked Chris D’Couto, Neah CEO.

Neah has signed with EKO VEHICLES, India’s number one producer of two-wheeled electric vehicles, to supply methanol fuel cell battery chargers for renewable distributed energy stations. Neah has the unique ability to utilize multiple fuel solutions to power its fuel cells, as its porous silicon design allows for the use of a variety of oxidants and fuels, including oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric acid; while the anode loop has been run with several concentrations of methanol and formic acid for its fuel.

Neah’s subsidiary, SolCool, specializes in solar powered air conditioning systems, and has an established manufacturing partner in China, along with very extensive distribution and support networks throughout the world. SolCool has shipped multiple systems to date, with many more in production.

SolCool’s Direct Current Solar Air Conditioner will serve as the platform for other renewable energy solutions incorporating fuel cells, which could serve the needs of telecommunications infrastructure, homes and businesses that are remote from grid or wish to reduce grid dependence, and will help developing countries leapfrog traditional fossil-based energy and move directly to sustainable, decentralized power systems. SolCool’s existing distribution infrastructure will enable the distribution of the Neah suite of products.

About Neah Power

Neah Power Systems, Inc. (NPWZ) is developing long-lasting, efficient and safe power solutions for the military and for portable electronic devices. Neah uses a unique, patented, silicon-based design for its micro fuel cells that enable higher power densities, lower cost and compact form-factors. The company’s micro fuel cell system can run in aerobic and anaerobic modes.

Further company information can be found at www.neahpower.com.

ATLANTA–The Coca-Cola Company announced today that it has agreed to test fuel cells powered by environmentally friendly biogas to power its Odwalla juice packaging plant in Dinuba, Calif.

The Company has signed on as a Foundation Partner with Bloom Energy, a California-based firm that manufactures fuel cells that can generate electricity from a variety of energy sources, including natural gas.

The core technology, called solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), was originally developed for NASA. It is one of the most efficient devices available for converting hydrocarbon fuels, such as natural gas, into electricity.

Five Bloom Energy Server fuel cells will be installed late this year at the Dinuba plant. The fuel cells, which will run on re-directed biogas, are expected to provide 30% of the plant’s power needs while reducing its carbon footprint by an estimated 35%.

“This new fuel cell technology has great promise and represents an important step for Coca-Cola in continuing to grow our business without growing the carbon footprint,” said Brian Kelley, President and General Manager, Coca-Cola North America Still Beverages and Supply Chain. “The Coca-Cola Company has committed to hold its overall worldwide manufacturing carbon emissions flat through 2015 from its 2004 level. We intend to do this while actually reducing emissions in the U.S. and other developed markets, improving energy efficiency and using cleaner forms of energy, like these fuel cells.”

Other steps the Coca-Cola System has taken or plans to take to reduce its carbon footprint include:

• Reducing energy use in facilities through the installation of energy efficient lighting, motion-sensors on lighting in warehouses, direct – fired water heating, optimization of boilers and compressors and the installation of energy management systems.
• In the U.S., improving the energy efficiency of new vending and cooling equipment by 40 to 50 percent from 2000 levels by the end of 2007. Making all new cooler and vending equipment 100% HFC-free by 2015.
• Installing an intelligent energy management system (EMS-55) in new and existing coolers and vending machines to reduce energy use by up to 35 percent without compromising drink temperature.
• Improving the efficiency of our vehicle fleet. Coca-Cola Enterprises, the largest Coca-Cola bottler, operates one of the largest hybrid electric vehicle fleets in the world — 336 delivery vehicles throughout the United States and Canada. CCE’s trucks use about 30 percent less fuel and produce about 30 percent fewer emissions than standard trucks. And the Coca-Cola North America sales fleet has converted more than 600 vehicles to hybrid sedans, resulting in a CO2 emissions reduction of over 4 million pounds.

The development of innovations to accelerate the deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies is to receive a major boost after the Technology Strategy Board announced today that it is to invest £7 million on behalf of the government in 15 demonstrator projects.

The innovative technologies, once fully developed, will contribute to meeting UK and EU climate change targets, whilst providing significant global market opportunities for British companies.

The investment programme in fuel cell and hydrogen demonstrators will fill a gap in the support of these technologies and will assist the efforts of UK companies towards commercialisation.  The capital funding provided by the programme, devised by DECC and the Technology Strategy Board, will be used to accelerate the demonstration of products for both the stationary power and transport markets.

Announcing the investment during a visit to Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells in Swindon, Lord Hunt of King’s Heath, Minister of State for Energy said:

“Cleaning up our energy supply and the fuel we use for transport will give the UK the opportunity to develop the low carbon industries of the future.  Fuel cells and hydrogen can play a key role in cutting CO2 emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

“Through this boost for hydrogen, innovative businesses like Johnson Matthey are well placed to benefit from the move to low carbon. I congratulate them on their funding award and thank them for this contribution to tackling climate change.”

Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, added:

“By providing capital funding towards the cost of demonstration, this important programme will enable British companies to collaborate to commercialise fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.  Covering both the transport and stationary market applications, the funding will support and take forward already successful research, development and prototyping projects.

“We expect the technologies that will be developed and demonstrated to make real progress   towards market adoption, providing significant global opportunities for the British companies involved.”

These technologies could be used in the transport sector, such as for commercial and light vehicles, or in the stationary power markets, for example to provide power to homes and dwellings, alongside other low carbon energy solutions such as electric vehicles.  Fuel cells can be more efficient that an internal combustion engine, and are a quiet source of power.  They can be tailored to accept a wide range of fuels, or adapted for multi-fuel capability.  When fuelled by hydrogen, fuel cells emit no pollutant by-products.  Even when operating on other fuels such as natural gas, pollutant levels can be significantly lower.

Fleet of 20 Hybrid-Electric Fuel Cell Buses Provide Olympic Spectators with Silent, Emissions-Free Transportation in Vancouver, Whistler

AUSTIN, Texas–Valence Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: VLNC), a leading international energy system manufacturer today congratulated BC Transit for putting the world’s largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses into service at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia. The energy storage and management technology for the fuel cell buses is made possible by Valence Technology’s dynamic energy systems.

“Companies like BC Transit are leading the charge to show the world that innovative green and clean technologies are not concepts of the future, but present-day practical realities”

“Companies like BC Transit are leading the charge to show the world that innovative green and clean technologies are not concepts of the future, but present-day practical realities,” said Valence Technology President & CEO, Robert L. Kanode. “Valence Technology brings to the table the world’s highest performing, safest and most reliable dynamic energy storage systems and the Command and Control logic to maximize the fuel cell’s efficiency. We’re proud to help power the fuel cell buses currently in use at the 2010 Olympics, and we congratulate BC Transit for successfully bringing a zero-emissions product to market on a world stage.”

ISE Corporation, the California-based hybrid-electric vehicle manufacturer and customer of Valence Technology, supplied the fleet of 20 hydrogen fuel cell buses to BC Transit, the provincial crown agency responsible for public transportation within British Columbia, Canada. Each fuel cell bus utilizes a 43 Kilowatt-hour, 614 Volt lithium phosphate battery system comprised of Valence Technology’s proven U-Charge ® family of advanced batteries.

Compared to traditional internal combustion buses, the BC Transit fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses can operate for up to 15 years at twice the efficiency, with lower maintenance costs and a 62% reduction in greenhouse gasses.

About Valence Technology, Inc.

Valence Technology is an international leader in the development of safe, long-life lithium iron magnesium phosphate energy storage solutions and provides the enabling technology behind some of the world’s most innovative and environmentally friendly applications. Founded in 1989, Valence today offers a proven technology and manufacturing infrastructure that delivers ISO-certified products and processes that are protected by an extensive global patent portfolio. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Valence Technology is strategically aligned by five business segments: Motive, Marine, Stationary, Industrial and Military. In addition to the corporate headquarters in Texas, Valence Technology has its Research & Development Center in Nevada, its Europe/Asia Pacific Sales office in Northern Ireland and global fulfillment centers in North America and Europe. Valence Technology is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol VLNC. For more information, visit www.valence.com.

March 5, 2010, 10 am – 11:30 am, Senate Dirksen Office Building, Room 628

As Zero Emission Vehicles approach commercialization, energy supply infrastructure needs to be built in tandem if large stranded asset costs are to be avoided.  Deploying hydrogen fuel cell, electric drive hybrid vehicles will require considerable investment in fueling equipment to realize their full potential to eliminate oil consumption and emissions, while creating many new jobs.  Devising solutions is a significant economic challenge.  The importance of these factors was anticipated in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.  Various federal and state budgets since the mid-1990s have funded considerable research, development and demonstration.  Industry and governments have invested more than $8B in RD&D, and markets are within reach.

California and 14 other states are implementing plans to require ZEVs soon.  GM, Toyota, Honda, Daimler, Ford, Hyundai/KIA, and Nissan-Renault have all announced commercial rollouts.  This briefing will explore the relative costs and technical challenges facing energy supplies for light duty ZEVs, and look towards their extensive deployment as cost-effective solutions evolve.  There will be preliminary remarks from several Members of Congress.  We expect a lively discussion.

• Benefits, Costs and Infrastructure-Solving the Challenges: Dr. C.E. Thomas, Board of Directors, National Hydrogen Association

• Synchronizing Rollout of Vehicles and Infrastructure-the German Agreements: Sascha Simon, Advanced Product Planning Group, Mercedes-BenzUSA

• Transforming the U.S. Transportation Sector: Charles Freese, Executive Director of Fuel Cell Activities, General Motors

• Progress in Hydrogen Fueling: Michael McGowan, Head of Strategic Alliances, Alternative Energy Solutions, The Linde Group

Moderators will be Jerome Hinkle, NHA Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs-
Please contact us for further information at (202) 223-5547 or visit www.hydrogenassociation.org.  RSVPs not needed.

Presentations from this event will be available on the NHA website at:  http://www.hydrogenassociation.org/policy/briefing_5mar10.asp

Washington, DC 20036-2701 U.S.A
Phone: 202-223-5547
Fax: 202-223-5537
Email:hinklej@HydrogenAssociation.org

Lewis Center, OH -NTM Sensors, a newly created division of NexTech Materials, Ltd., is pleased to announce a new hydrogen sensor, SenseH₂^tm.  With the tag line “We sense a GREEN future” NTM Sensors intends to introduce several new products aimed at reduction of greenhouse gas and polluting emissions.

NTM Sensors will make its debut at the Fuel Cell Expo in Japan on March 3^rd where it will be accepting orders for the SenseH₂^tm products. Dr. Lora Thrun, Director of Commercialization, recently commented that “… this innovative product represents a significant leap forward in hydrogen sensing technology, and we are looking forward to its imminent release and commercial success.”

Our first commercialized volume product, the SenseH₂^tm _, has been extensively beta tested for PEM fuel cell related applications, including forklift trucks, back-up power systems and electrolyzers.  The sensor is a turn-key solution for many applications.  It includes a patent pending chemi-resistive sensor element, electronic controls, and an electronic signal output that is calibrated to measure hydrogen content in air, by providing a voltage output corresponding to 0 to 100% of the lower flammability limit (LFL).   It offers a unique combination of features:  high selectivity to hydrogen over other combustible gases and VOCs, rapid response and recovery, insensitivity to humidity, and linear and repeatable output corresponding to a broad range of hydrogen concentrations.

NTM Sensor products are available directly through NTMSensors.com and through NexTech’s sales distribution network.  NexTech currently has distributors in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Europe and is continuing to expand its distribution network throughout the world.

About NTM Sensors

NTM Sensors’ vision is to be a global supplier of technologically advanced gas sensors. We will achieve this by productizing sensor innovations for energy and environmental markets.  By leveraging NexTech’s innovation, product development and manufacturing talents, we provide robust, cost effective solutions to customers in diverse markets.  For more information please visit our website www.ntmsensors.com.

About NexTech Materials, Ltd.

NexTech was founded as a privately held company in 1994 and has grown into one of Ohio’s leading technology companies. NexTech recently expanded its manufacturing and R&D facilities located in Lewis Center Ohio. NexTech has many products in its pipeline including fuel cell stacks for military and residential power applications, sensors for gas detection and control systems, catalysts for energy conversion systems, and membranes for gas separation devices. For more information, please visit our web site www.nextechmaterials.com.

# # #

Contact:

Mr. Rick Lesueur

rhl@NTMSensors.com

(614) 842-6606, extension 128

NTM Sensors, A division of NexTech Materials

404 Enterprise Drive, Lewis Center, OH 43035

MISSISSAUGA — Hydrogenics Corporation (Nasdaq:HYGS) (TSX:HYG), a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products, today announced that the company has been awarded a contract to supply the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with six HyPM™ HD8 fuel cell power modules for a boat project coordinated by the International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies (ICHET) in Istanbul, Turkey. Hydrogenics will also supply carbon composite hydrogen storage tanks and components, other auxiliaries and spare parts for two years of operation to ICHET, which is overseeing the integration.

This contract follows on the award in 2009 of four HyPM™ HD12 fuel cell power modules for a passenger boat application ordered by the engineering organization BELBIM A.S. for Istanbul’s Municipal Transit Authority, in which UNIDO-ICHET participated as a hydrogen and fuel cell consultant.

“Hydrogenics has slowly worked to pave a presence in fuel cell powered water mobility applications, starting with our Venice water taxi project several years ago,” said Daryl Wilson, President and CEO. ”As in other important end markets, our efforts are now bearing fruit, and we look forward to working with ICHET on this integrated hydrogen system.”

Additional information on ICHET can be found at http://www.unido-ichet.org/ichet.org/index.html.

ABOUT HYDROGENICS

Hydrogenics Corporation (www.hydrogenics.com) is a globally recognized developer and provider of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products and services, serving the growing industrial and clean energy markets of today and tomorrow. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Hydrogenics has operations in North America and Europe.

Powered by ISE Corp's hybrid-electric drive system, this bus is one of 20 that makes up the world's largest zero-emission fleet operated by BC Transit.

The ISE Limited Hybrid Drive System Powers BC Transit’s Entire Fleet of 20 Fuel Cell Hybrid Buses and This Fleet Constitutes the World’s Largest Zero-Emission Bus Fleet in Operation Today

SAN DIEGO, CA–(Marketwire – February 24, 2010) – Bus travelers in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, are riding greener because of 20 zero-emission, fuel cell hybrid buses produced by California-based ISE Limited (TSX: ISE). ISE’s hybrid drive system technology is helping BC Transit progress into a low carbon future.

Rick Sander, CEO and President of ISE, said, “This is an exciting opportunity for visitors from all over the world to see the commercial strength and viability of these hybrid buses. This represents another milestone for ISE as a global leader in zero-emission hybrid technologies for a cleaner world.” The BC Transit fleet is comprised of 20 hybrid buses that use ISE’s core technologies in the complete hybrid propulsion system: energy storage, controls software and power electronics. The hybrid buses also use Ballard fuel cells and New Flyer chassis.

ISE Limited Conducted Rigorous Performance Tests

Since ISE was first selected to provide the drive systems inside these state-of-the-art vehicles, ISE has conducted hundreds of complex and rigorous performance tests over more than 12 months to ensure their safety, reliability, and performance in extreme conditions.

To assess operational performance ratings in freezing weather and on tough terrains, cold chamber testing was conducted on each hybrid fuel cell vehicle. The low temperature assessments test safety as well as optimal functionality in temperatures as low as -20C. These tests provide real-world data regarding operation and reliability of the hybrid fuel cell vehicles in environments that simulate the coldest winter temperatures in Vancouver.

Road testing was conducted over tens of thousands of accrued miles/kilometres, generating critical durability, reliability, and operational performance data. A significant amount of this performance data was collected via ISE’s proprietary Remote Diagnostic Unit (RDU).

Alex Bernasconi, Sr. Vice President, Sales and Marketing, said, “It is especially important to ISE that we ensure a smooth operation of the hybrid buses because we know the hybrid buses are one of the green highlights of the 2010 Winter Games. The exhaustive testing that we conducted prior to the delivery of the fleet was essential to ensuring safety and reliability. Our service team is currently in British Columbia during the games, as part of our commitment to BC Transit.”

Tavin Tyler, Director of Fuel Cell Bus Programs, said, “Because our drive system does not burn fossil fuel, there is a nearly non-existent environmental impact. This translates into increased safety and lower maintenance costs.” The ISE fuel cell hybrid system powering these buses converts the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy. The combination of hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell powers the electric drive system without any carbon exhaust.

After the conclusion of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the fuel cell hybrid buses will remain in service throughout specified routes determined by BC Transit. Local riders will benefit from smoother and quieter commutes as a result of ISE’s fuel cell hybrid technology powering each bus. Because hydrogen fuel only emits water vapour, there is no exhaust odour of Nitrogen Oxides, black tailpipe soot (particulate matter), or polluting carbon dioxides.

About ISE Limited
ISE Limited (www.isecorp.com) is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of heavy duty hybrid-electric drive systems based on our core proprietary technology, which is focused on three critical subsystems: energy storage, controls software and power electronics. ISE specializes in series hybrid-electric and all-electric/zero emission technologies, and offers industry-leading energy storage systems and hybrid system components. Over the past 10 years, ISE has sold over 300 hybrid-electric drive systems that have demonstrated reliability and performance in over 12 million miles of fleet operation.

Established in 1995, ISE is headquartered in San Diego, California. ISE’s history of innovation and technological leadership has resulted in the design and development of systems and components that deliver superior operating performance. For more information visit www.isecorp.com.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Researchers have completed work on a crucial component for an experimental hydrogen storage system for cars, part of efforts to reduce pollution and the use of fossil fuels in transportation.

The system uses a fine metal powder to absorb hydrogen gas under high pressure. When the powder absorbs hydrogen, it becomes a “metal hydride,” and the process is called “hydriding.” By then decreasing the pressure in the vessel or warming the metal hydride, the hydrogen can be released to drive a fuel cell or engine.

A complication in perfecting the technology, however, is that the hydriding process generates heat, which hinders the absorption process and prevents the hydrogen storage vessel from being filled rapidly, said Issam Mudawar, a Purdue University professor of mechanical engineering who is leading the work with research assistant professor Timothée Pourpoint and doctoral student Milan Visaria.

“If you’re driving your hydrogen car, you can’t wait an hour at the filling station,” Mudawar said. “For this system to be practical, you have to be able to cool the hydride efficiently so that the storage vessel can be filled within five minutes with enough fuel to drive 300 miles.”

The researchers have made progress in solving the problem by designing, building and testing the system’s heat exchanger and circulating coolant through tubes to remove heat and speed hydrogen storage, Mudawar said.

The engineers filed a final patent in February for the heat exchanger, a coil of stainless steel tubing that fits inside a hydrogen storage “pressure vessel” 4 inches in diameter. Standard automotive coolant is circulated through the tubing.

Such a storage technology could help make hydrogen cars a reality if other researchers are successful in developing improved alloys for hydriding and better fuel cells, which generate electricity to power an electric motor. The hydrogen also could be burned instead of gasoline in internal combustion engines.

Due to space constraints, it is essential that the heat exchanger occupy the least volume possible inside the storage vessel. Using a theoretical model they developed, the researchers determined how to precisely position the tubing so that no fins are needed to dissipate heat.

Eliminating the fins reduces the cost, weight and size of the heat exchanger, Mudawar said.

The researchers designed a system that occupies the least space possible while also properly cooling the hydride. Whereas an earlier prototype occupied 30 percent of the vessel, leaving 70 percent for the metal hydride, the new design occupies 7 percent, leaving 93 percent for the hydride.

“The idea behind this latest design is to provide the coolant as close as possible to the hydride while eliminating the need for bulky heat spreading components like fins,” Mudawar said. “The main advantages of this design are simplicity and flexibility. It can easily be adapted depending on cooling and size requirements.”

The work was conducted in Purdue’s Hydrogen Systems Laboratory at the university’s Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories.

Writer: Emil Venere, 765-494-4709, venere@purdue.edu

Sources: Issam Mudawar, 765-494-5705, mudawar@ecn.purdue.edu

Timothée Pourpoint, 765-494-1541, timothee@purdue.edu

Milan Visaria, mvisaria@gmail.com

The Bloom Box fuel cell device has been the subject of plenty of controversy since its unofficial unveiling in a 60 Minutes segment earlier this week. The device, which has already been installed on the campuses of major companies like eBay, Google, Staples, and FedEx, converts natural gas into electricity. But how efficient is it? Is the box worth the money?  Amy Szoczlas Cole, the Director of eBay’s Green Team, spoke with us briefly about eBay’s installation of five Bloom Boxes.

According to Cole, the boxes take up 3,000 square feet of space and produce 500 kilowatts of power–enough to take 15% of the San Jose, California, campus’s energy use off the grid. At the moment, eBay is running its Bloom Boxes off natural gas, but the company plans to switch to biogas sometime in the near future. “We’re in the stages of finalizing the contract to turn on biogas,” Cole explained. Once the system switches to biogas, CO2 will not longer be released as a byproduct of the Bloom Box energy production process.

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BOTHELL, Wash. — Neah Power Systems, Inc., (’Neah’) (OTCBB:NPWZ) , the company developing fuel cell based renewable energy solutions, reported that Professor Somyos, leading Neah’s scientific development team in Bangkok, is building a 300 HP hybrid automobile engine incorporating Neah’s unique, patented, methanol-powered fuel cell. According to Somyos, the prototype engine will be available for road testing within 90-120 days.

The development of the engine will see the first automotive use of the Eco-Start, a new technology that is an innovative new type of motor soft-start technology that can extend lithium ion battery life by up to 40% in electric vehicles. Professor Somyos noted, “We are well positioned to be a major supplier of technology and finished products to the automobile sector, where just in Thailand, production will rise by 40% this year to 1.4 million units.”

The Eco-Start has been tested extensively in residential and commercial premises, delivering massive savings in electrical usage. The Eco-Start device will be in retail production for stationary applications in June. A number of pre-orders have been placed for the device.

About Neah Power

Neah Power Systems, Inc. (NPWZ) is developing long-lasting, efficient and safe power solutions for the military, industrial and consumer applications, Neah uses a unique, patented, silicon-based design for its micro fuel cells that enable higher power densities, lower cost and compact form-factors. The company’s micro fuel cell system can run in aerobic and anaerobic modes. The company is developing energy generation and storage solutions based on its patented technology.

Further company information can be found at www.neahpower.com.

The world’s first solid oxide fuel cell unit, running on landfill gas, has successfully concluded the first phase of its validation programme. The power generating unit, which is developed and run by Wärtsilä, has been operating for more than 1500 hours producing electricity with extremely low emissions to households in Vaasa, Finland.

Operation of the Wärtsilä FC20 fuel cell power unit at Wärtsilä’s New Energy validation site in Vaasa, Finland, has been extremely successful. The WFC20, which is developed and operated by Wärtsilä, is the first of its kind in the world. The unit is run on methane rich gas, originating from a nearby landfill. Methane is a strong greenhouse gas that would otherwise be harmful to the environment. The WFC20 is based on planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, which is supplied by the Danish company Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S. Wärtsilä is one of the world’s leading companies in the development of fuel cell products based on SOFC technology.

The main project targets set by Wärtsilä for this groundbreaking power generation unit have all been achieved. The fuel cell unit has been in successful operation for more than 1500 hours. The demonstrated energy efficiency has reached very high levels, exhaust gas emissions are extremely low, and the unit has been able to operate consistently despite the bio gas having low and fluctuating methane content. The fuel cell unit produces an electric output of approximately 20 kW, which is enough to power approximately 10 households in the area. The thermal output of the unit ranges from 14 to 17 kW.

“We are very pleased with performance of our first fuel cell unit being operated in the field in a real and challenging environment. The entire experience has so far been very positive, and it provides an excellent platform for us to continue our work on fuel cell solutions for the future,” says Erkko Fontell, Director, Fuel cell, Wärtsilä Finland.

Close to zero emissions, very high efficiency

The varying composition of the methane rich gas from the landfill has been one of the main engineering challenges for the test site, and it has led to the development of an efficient control system. The functionality of the system has been fully validated. Landfill gas contains also a number of impurities, such as sulphur compounds, which need to be removed from the fuel before being fed to the fuel cell system. This has also been successfully achieved.

The exhaust gas emissions from WFC20 are measured as being extremely low. The fuel cell unit does not produce any measurable levels of harmful particles, sulphur oxide (SOx), or nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, even at part load conditions. When using bio gas as fuel, the emissions of CO2 are very close to carbon neutral.

Wärtsilä delivered a fuel cell unit producing electric and heating power to the Vaasa Housing Fair site. The unit is located in Suvilahti, approximately three kilometres east of the Vaasa city centre. The development of fuel cell technology is a part of Wärtsilä’s long-term product development, aimed at supplementing Wärtsilä’s product portfolio. The development of environmentally friendly, cleaner and sustainable energy production technologies is an essential part of Wärtsilä’s strategy.

The landfill gas used by the fuel cell power plant is a renewable fuel, which means that the fuel cell technology enables the energy and climate package targets of the EU Commission to be attained.

According to the EU’s climate and energy package, Finland is expected to increase its share of renewable sources from the present 28 per cent to 38 per cent of energy production by 2020.

Wärtsilä’s centre of competence for fuel cell technology is located at Otaniemi in Espoo, and the operation of the New Energy site is supported by personnel from the company’s Vaasa engine laboratory.

For further information, please contact:

Mr Erkko Fontell
Director, Fuel Cells (Product Centre Ecotech)
Wärtsilä Finland
Tel: +358-107095228
Mobile: +358-407544389
erkko.fontell@wartsila.com

Ms Tuula Franck
Senior Manager, External Communications
Wärtsilä Corporation
Mobile: +358-400267555
tuula.franck@wartsila.com

Our client Hewlett Packard Corporation (HP Corp) has asked us to find a buyer for three fundamental patent lots; Fuel Cell System, Fuel Cell Cartridge and Fuel Cell Stack. This is an excellent opportunity to obtain fundamental patents in Fuel Cell Technologies. A breakdown of the Patent lots is as follows:

Lot PSL47: Fuel Cell System Patent Lot (27 US Patents):
This lot contains inventions relating to fuel cell systems. Innovations include, applications for electronic devices, enhancing performance of fuel cell by adding fuel addictives, fuel flow regulators, hydrogen generating systems and fuel cell system designs/methods for increasing fuel cell efficiency and power output. Some Exemplary patents include: US6790416, US7014929, and US7491457.

Lot PSL25: Fuel Cell Cartridge Patent Lot (17 US Patents):
This lot contains inventions relating to improving usability and safety of replaceable fuel cell cartridges. Technologies include fuel cell cartridges with information storage device for storing data regarding the fuel cell system, fuel indicator systems for determining amount of fuel, hydrogen generation methods, and cartridge designs for preventing fuel leaks. Some exemplary patents include: US6828049, US6924054, and US7306863.

Lot PSL46: Fuel Cell Stack Patent Lot (42 US Patents):
This lot contains inventions relating to Fuel Cell Stacks sub-divided into 4 categories – Electrode/Electrolyte, Arrangement, Manufacture and MEMS based FC. Stack – Electrode/Electrolyte consists of inventions relating to electrode/electrolyte design, material & manufacturing methods as well as application of catalyst for enhanced reactivity. Stack Arrangement consists of inventions relating to means to create miniaturized fuel cell with maximized surface area between electrolyte and fuel cell, designs for high temperature operation, embedded current collector and fuel cell stack with catalytic combustor. Stack Manufacture presents different innovative means of manufacturing a fuel cell stack. MEMS based Fuel Cell consists of inventions relating to MEMS based fuel cell structures. Some exemplary patents include: US6620542, US6677070, and US6740444.

Some sample companies that have cited these patents in their patent applications include: Nissan Motor, Motorola, Honda Motor, GM, Honeywell, Toyota, etc…

The Opportunity:
The successful buyer of these patents will garner the following benefits:

• Provide a greater barrier to entry into your business sector
• Generate incremental revenue and profits through licensing 3rd parties participating in this market
• Enhancing their current patent portfolio for cross-licensing purposes
• Kick-start product development in this market with knowledge that you have patent protection.

Each Patent Lot has a minimum purchase price of $500,000 USD. Non-binding proposals from interested parties to acquire these patents are expected before the end of February 2010.

Robert (Bob) Graham, President
P: (705) 932-2300
M: (416) 726-2070
rgraham@wavepointinc.com

Paul Cannata, Director, Business Development
P: (416) 792-1586
F: (416) 849-0419
pcannata@wavepointinc.com

1,500 hours of operation

The world’s first SOFC unit running on land fill gas has now been in operation for more than 1,500 hours in Vaasa, Finland. Topsoe Fuel Cell has delivered the core SOFC technology in form of SOFC fuel cell stacks for the SOFC unit.

The use of land fill gas reduces the emission of green house gas fossil fuels are substituted, and emissions from the land fill gas are curbed.

Power for 10 households

The 24 SOFC fuel cell stacks are incorporated into the unit, WFC20, producing approximately 20 kW electricity sufficient to the power consumption of 10 households. The integration in the WFC20 unit is completed by our collaboration partner, Wärtsilä. The landfill produces the methane rich gas.

Low carbon footprint

The SOFC fuel cell technology is very clean and close to emission free. The sulphur compounds of the landfill gas are removed in the fuel preparation unit, and nitrogen oxide emissions are significantly below that of comparable generator technology. When using land fill as fuel the CO₂ emission is very close to carbon neutral.

Several demonstration projects

Topsoe Fuel Cell delivered the stacks to Wärtsilä for the WFC20 unit installed in the Vaasa Housing Fair site during the summer of 2008.

The successful operation of the stacks and system is one of several demonstration projects where Topsoe Fuel Cell focuses on development of SOFC fuel cell technology for Distributed generation together with Wärtsilä.

Contact

For further information please contact

Helge Holm-Larsen, Director of Business Development

Tel. +45 4527 2168, e-mail: hhl@topsoe.dk

Claus Voigt Andersen, Manager for Business Development

+45 4527 2324 , e-mail clva@topsoe.dk

Alpha unit ready for shipping, stage payment due, additional partners secured

AFC Energy (AIM: AFC), the developer of low cost alkaline fuel cells that generate clean electricity from hydrogen feedstocks, is delighted to announce that, further to its initial announcement on 8^th December  2009, it has reached the first milestone under its agreement with Linc Energy Limited (ASX: LNC, Market Cap: cA$717m) and with B9 Coal Limited.

Linc Energy Limited (‘Linc’ or ‘the Partner’) is Australia’s leader in clean coal technology, and intends to integrate the AFC fuel cell system for use in its global Underground Coal Gasification (“UCG”) projects.
The combination of cheap and easy-to-produce synthetic hydrogen from UCG will make an ideal feed source for AFC Energy’s fuel cell systems. Linc Energy will utilise a simple membrane gas separation process on the UCG gases to ensure a satisfactory rich hydrogen mix is available for feed-in to the fuel cell system.

In the two months since signing the agreement, AFC Energy has already configured and assembled an Alpha fuel cell system which is now ready for shipping to the first demonstration site, an operating UCG plant in Chinchilla, Australia. As such, the first payment is now due from Linc to AFC Energy.

Upon commissioning and successful trials of the Alpha unit, it is intended to install multiple modules at Chinchilla to form a larger c.50 kW AFC fuel cell system. All parties anticipate multiple installations of AFC Energy’s 50kW system for full scale commercialisation.

Key terms of the agreement with Linc Energy are as follows:

·         AFC Energy has granted to Linc Energy worldwide exclusive rights to utilise and operate AFC Fuel Cells in conjunction with any UCG application for a period of 24 months

·         Linc Energy will purchase the first Alpha fuel cell system for £200,000, payable in instalments, with delivery anticipated within the next five months

·         Linc Energy will have the option for 24 months to extend the exclusivity period in perpetuity. To exercise this option Linc must invest £2.3 million in AFC Energy at a price determined in reference to the market price at the time of exercise

·         For Linc Energy-owned sites, Linc Energy will pay to AFC Energy an upfront payment calculated on the cost of delivery of fuel cell systems, and a royalty based on profits generated from the use of AFC Energy fuel cells

·         For Linc Energy-owned sites Linc Energy will pay to B9 Coal Limited, as introducer and broker to the transaction, a royalty equal to two percent of the net profits generated from the use of AFC Energy fuel cells

The operational system will permit the optimal usage of coal with minimal environmental damage. The project capital expenditure for power stations using AFC Energy’s low cost fuel cell system is forecast to be less than that of conventional coal/IGCC power stations.

Ian Balchin, CEO of AFC said: “The Underground Coal Gasification opportunity securedthrough B9 Coal with Linc Energy is by far the largest potential market identified yet for AFC’s low cost fuel cell technology. It is operational practically anywhere in the world where there are deep coal deposits and can create a ‘Holy Grail’ for future coal utilisation, with low-cost, highly efficient conversion of coal into power. When combined with Carbon Capture and Storage, this combination of AFC and Linc’s innovative technologies can turn the dirtiest fossil fuel into the cleanest.

“We are very excited about working with Linc Energy and locking into the dynamism that has made them one of the fastest growing companies in Australia over the past few years. In parallel with our chlor-alkali opportunity, this programme enables AFC to demonstrate the increasingly wide application potential of its low-cost fuel cell technology”.
Mr Peter Bond, CEO of Linc Energy said: “It makes infinite sense to marry the cleanest power generation technology with the cleanest gasification technology. The picture of success is that you have a UCG field producing cheap and efficient UCG gas, subsequently this UCG gas is piped above ground a short distance upon the same gas field, adjacent to the fuel cell installation. There the gas is cleaned and put through a membrane to enhance the hydrogen percentage that is fed into a smart and compact Fuel Cell power-generation facility that produces virtually no CO2 emissions. In fact the by-product that this power generation plant does produce is in high demand, and that is clean distilled water. The green power produced will then be fed into the local transmission grid. The future of this concept is simply staggering. It could easily be the ultimate answer for clean coal power many of us are looking for, and it’s only one to two years away from commercial reality.”

For further information please visit www.afcenergy.com

The Bloom Energy Fuel Cell Boxes are the device of the future being made to help provide a clean energy source.  Bloom Energy Fuel Cell Boxes are going to be debuted in two days according to their website.

With the clean energy global initiative being one of the most focused on in the world, these boxes are said to be able to run clean and inexpensively.  Major companies are said to be involved in the experimental testing including Google and Ebay.

The Bloom Box is said to be a device that can power approximately 100 houses.

According to a press release, the box was developed by NASA scientists and can be used in different ranges of temperatures which makes the way it can be used more expansive.

Several competitors are also trying to develop similar devices in Silicon Valley but Bloom Energy is about to reveal the first in two days.