FuelCellsWorks

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — Air Products (NYSE: APD) has been awarded the prestigious Rushlight Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry Award for its innovative Series 100 Hydrogen Fueling Station technology.  The technology, which is helping break down barriers to the development of the hydrogen economy, clearly fit the Award’s aims of promoting and celebrating leading environmental technologies in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland.

“Receiving the Rushlight Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Award is a great honor.  It demonstrates the importance in developing hydrogen infrastructure in line with hydrogen vehicle development and the ultimate potential benefits of drastically reducing carbon emissions.  As the market leading hydrogen producer and the global leader in the deployment of hydrogen infrastructure, the supply flexibility of our Series 100 fueling station is complemented by the different routes of economical green hydrogen that we’re developing.  Our goal to introduce infrastructure alongside hydrogen vehicles with well-to-wheel emissions that are virtually zero, making a green hydrogen world not far away,” said Ian Williamson, director, Hydrogen Energy Systems–Air Products Europe.

The Air Products Series 100 Hydrogen Fueling Station has been an important enabler in changing industry and consumer perception in the UK as to the validity and safety of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.  The Rushlight Award acknowledges the success of this fully integrated fueling station in meeting the needs of hydrogen fueling test and demonstration programs.  The Series 100’s features include simple operation for hydrogen compression, storage and dispensing, a small footprint, quick installation and ease of relocation.  Details on Air Products’ hydrogen fueling station technologies are provided at www.airproducts.com/h2energy.

As the automotive industry increases its investment in developing fuel cell vehicles and power systems, the challenge of infrastructure is being addressed at the same time.  The Rushlight judges recognized Air Products’ Series 100 Hydrogen Fueling Station as a first step to do this in the UK, demonstrating the potential for further market penetration in the future.

The current Series 100 systems in place form a ‘backbone’ of hydrogen fueling facilities and the basis of a UK Hydrogen network.  The further development of this network will strengthen the UK’s hydrogen position globally, ultimately helping generate carbon savings.  It also makes the UK an attractive place for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to bring hydrogen vehicles and further develop the marketplace.

Air Products, the leading hydrogen supplier to refineries to assist in making cleaner burning transportation fuels, has placed over 110 hydrogen fueling stations in the United States and 18 countries worldwide.  Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives, planes, other material handling equipment, and even submarines have been fueled with this trend-setting technology that involves Air Products’ know-how, equipment and hydrogen.  Use of the company’s technology is increasing and is currently at 135,000 hydrogen fills per year.

Air Products has more than 50 years of hydrogen experience and is on the forefront of hydrogen energy technology development.  Air Products has an extensive patent portfolio with over 50 patents in hydrogen dispensing technology.  Air Products provides liquid and gaseous hydrogen, and HCNG (hydrogen/compressed natural gas) fueling, and has developed a variety of enabling devices and protocols for fuel dispensing at varied pressures.  Hydrogen for these stations is delivered to a site via truck, or produced by on-site natural gas reformation, biomass conversion, or by electrolysis, including electrolysis that is solar and wind driven.

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services.  Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives.  The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment.  In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe.  For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

Protonex Technology Corporation, a leading provider of advanced fuel cell power systems today announces that it has been selected by Lockheed Martin to develop power supply concepts that will enable its HULCTM robotic exoskeleton to support 72+-hour extended missions. Protonex will evaluate fuel cell-based power solutions that can be carried by the HULC, while at the same time powering the exoskeleton and the user’s mission equipment during extended dismounted operations. Lockheed Martin’s un-tethered HULC exoskeleton is an anthropomorphic, electro-hydraulic design that currently operates on lithium polymer batteries. An on-board micro-computer senses the user’s actions and ensures the exoskeleton moves in concert with the operator. The HULC design maintains combat flexibility, allowing deep squats, crawls, and upper-body lifting with minimal human exertion. “Protonex is very pleased to be selected by Lockheed Martin to develop designs for advanced, long duration fuel cell power systems for its innovative and important HULC platform,” stated Greg Cipriano, Vice President of Marketing & Military Development at Protonex. “We see a very strong fit between the capabilities of our advanced fuel cell systems and the specific power requirements of the HULC exoskeleton.” Protonex brings significant expertise in developing and manufacturing compact, lightweight and high-performance fuel cell systems for portable power applications in the 100 to 1000-watt range. The Company’s fuel cell systems are designed to meet the needs of military, commercial and consumer customers for off-grid applications by providing customizable, stand-alone and portable power solutions.

Arnhem– Solvay signs a contract with NedStack fuel cell technology for the delivery of a 1 MW hydrogen PEM fuel cell power plant.

The order has a total value of 4.5 million Euro. NedStack’s largest order since its establishment in 1998. This project is defined in cooperation with WaterstofNet and is supported by Europe, the Flemish government, the Dutch government and the industry, within the Interreg subsidy program.

World’s biggest PEM fuel cell power plant of 1 MW is based on NedStack’s

proprietary PEM fuel cell technology. The 1 MW generator will be connected to the Chlorine-alkali plant of SolVin, at  Antwerp-Lillo Belgium. With the by-product hydrogen from its production process of Chlorine, electricity is being recovered on the spot. The PEM power plant is highly efficient, highly safe, emission free and silent.

A part of this plant will be used for dynamic testing up to 250 kW. These dynamic tests are important to improve fuel cells in automotive applications like city buses and city distribution trucks.

Next to demonstrating the economic feasibility and the dynamics of this 1 MW PEM power plant concept, the project partners also like to improve the PEM fuel cell performance, both in respect of lifetime as well as to cost reduction.

Given this extra scope of business Solvicore, joint venture of Solvay and Umicore, will supply the MEA’s (Membrane Electrode Assemblies) needed for the PEM fuel cell stacks integrated in this power plant.

MTSA Technopower BV in Arnhem is selected by NedStack to build the mechanical part of the plant.

NedStack, the privately owned and independent company, was established in 1998 in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The company is currently Europe’s largest producer of PEM fuel cells stacks, and is one of the largest producers in the world. NedStack is using its own unique and patented technology.

The increasing demand from applications like power plants, buses, trucks, small stationary and back-up devices is requiring the company to expand its capacity significantly in the coming years.

NedStack employs over 50 people.

For additional information about NedStack see homepage: www.nedstack.com.

SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs more than 29,000 people in 50 countries. In 2008, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.5 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels (NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE – Bloomberg: SOLB.BB – Reuters: SOLBt.BR). Details are available at www.solvay.com.

SolVin is a joint venture of Solvay (75 % ) and BASF (25 %). Leader of the vinyl market in Europe and of the PVDC world-wide.

Cutting-edge facility will be an estimated 60% more energy-efficient than company’s traditional refrigerated centres and will test fuel cell technology

VANCOUVER– Walmart Canada announced today that it will open its first sustainable refrigerated distribution centre in Balzac, Alberta, later this year. Expected to be one of the most energy-efficient distribution facilities of its kind in North America, the cutting-edge centre will be an estimated 60 per cent more energy-efficient than Walmart’s traditional refrigerated distribution centres. The centre will include a pilot of fuel cell technology and many other sustainable features.

The announcement was made at the Walmart Canada Green Business Summit in Vancouver today, a high-profile event that brought together more than 300 of Canada’s largest corporations, NGOs, academics and government leaders to share the business case for sustainability.

The company expects to open the sustainable distribution centre in the fall of 2010 and is investing $115 million in its construction. The centre will create 1,400 jobs, including trade and construction jobs.

“We’ve set the ambitious goal of building the most sustainable distribution centre possible, while at the same time delivering a compelling return on investment,” said Andy Ellis, Senior Vice-President of Supply Chain for Walmart Canada. “The centre will be a living lab that demonstrates sustainable operations, products and technologies, while showing that environmental sustainability can go hand-in-hand with business sustainability.”

Some of the distribution centre’s sustainability features include:

    Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

    In keeping with its long-term environmental goal, to be supplied 100 per
    cent by renewable energy, Walmart Canada will test the use of hydrogen
    fuel cells for the first time. Hydrogen fuel cells produce only heat and
    water as by-products and will replace traditional lead acid batteries in
    the centre's entire material-handling fleet. Fuel cells will increase
    productivity and reduce operational costs because they last longer, do
    not need to be changed and can be refuelled in three minutes. Hydrogen
    will come from Quebec, where the element is produced using 98 per cent
    renewable energy sources, particularly hydroelectricity. Powering the
    material-handling fleet with fuel cells will reduce greenhouse gas
    emissions (GHG) by an estimated 530 tonnes.

    Solid-State Lighting

    In a first for a refrigerated distribution centre, the entire facility
    will be lit exclusively by low-energy solid-state (LED) lighting. LED
    lights operate at low temperatures, have long life spans and strike
    instantly, providing important operational and environmental benefits in
    a refrigerated building. Using LED lights is expected to half the energy
    bill for lighting and save an estimated 1,400,000 kilowatt hours annually
    or the equivalent of powering 121 average size Canadian households with
    power for a year.

    Solar and Wind Energy

    Walmart Canada plans to test solar and wind energy at the Balzac
    facility. Sixteen solar thermal panels, mounted on the side of the
    centre, will supply clean, renewable energy to heat hot water for the
    facility. A 225-kilowatt wind turbine on-site will produce enough energy
    to supply 55 average size Canadian homes with energy.

    Energy-Efficiency

    Operating a large refrigerated building requires a large amount of
    energy. Walmart Canada has carefully evaluated its purchasing decisions,
    improved building design and made technology choices to make the facility
    more energy-efficient. The company undertook a state-of-the-art infrared
    scan of an existing refrigerated distribution centre in Ontario,
    identifying areas that could be made more energy-efficient in the new
    centre. Key features of the Balzac facility include a leading-edge
    refrigeration system requiring significantly less power, high-efficiency
    doorways between temperature zones, upgraded seals throughout the
    building and a white roof membrane that deflects an estimated 85 per cent
    of sunlight to reduce heat gain and demand on the electrical grid.

    Sustainable Construction

    Environmental sustainability is an important part of the construction
    phase, now underway. Through innovative waste diversion strategies,
    Walmart Canada expects to divert as much as 50 per cent of its
    construction waste from landfill. The entire construction phase will also
    be powered by renewable energy through Bullfrog Power, a Canadian
    provider of low-impact renewable electricity.

“The Balzac distribution centre is not only about reducing our own environmental footprint and making strides to achieve our long-term sustainability goals, it’s about leading change across an industry and the business world at-large,” added Ellis. “Our hope is that in the future, facilities like this will no longer be demonstration facilities but the norm for the industry.”

About Walmart Canada

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Walmart Canada operates 317 retail outlets nationwide and serves more than one million customers daily. The company’s vision is to demonstrate environmental leadership by reducing the ecological impact of its operations through company-wide programs focused on waste, energy and products, as well as outreach programs that preserve and enhance local environments. Walmart’s global goal is to generate zero waste, to be powered 100 percent by renewable energy and to sell products that sustain people and the environment.

                                 FACT SHEET
                                 ----------
                         Balzac Distribution Centre
    Facts

    -   Location: Balzac, Alberta, Canada
    -   Expected Opening Date: Fall 2010
    -   Size: 450,000 square feet
    -   Walmart Investment: $115 million
    -   Developer: Stuart Olson
    -   Operator: Centric Retail Logistics will operate the centre once
        complete
    -   Construction is expected to create approximately 1,400 jobs including
        800 trade and construction roles
    -   Centre will employ 600 people once complete

    Sustainable Features

    -   Hydrogen fuel cells in entire material-handling fleet
    -   Use of solar and wind energies
    -   Use of low-energy solid-state (LED) lighting exclusively
    -   High-efficiency doorways between temperature zones to minimize heat
        transfer
    -   Insulated and windowless docking doors
    -   Insulated docking plates with upgraded seals
    -   A white roof membrane to deflect sunlight by an estimated 85 per cent
        and reduce heat gain and demand on the electrical grid during the
        summer
    -   Increased insulation in the roof to reduce energy loss
    -   Solartubes(TM) on the roof of the building over office spaces take
        advantage of natural light and reflect it into interior spaces,
        reducing the need for artificial light
    -   Leading-edge refrigeration system reduces energy needs and uses
        ammonia instead of more harmful refrigerants
    -   Waste heat from refrigeration system heats building during winter
        months
    -   Chemical-free water treatment process in refrigeration system
    -   Concrete floors using fly ash reduce the use of cement and replace
        chemical-intensive tiling throughout the centre. A by-product of coal
        burning at electric utility plants, the use of one tonne of fly ash
        saves the equivalent of one barrel of oil.
    -   Use of low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint and materials
    -   Low-flow sinks, toilets and urinals in washrooms
    -   Native plant landscaping to replace traditional manicured lawns
    -   A sedimentation pond, adjacent to the centre, collects storm water
        and allows sediment, which can affect water quality, to settle before
        water is returned to local water systems

The inverter was supplied by staxera’s customer and partner Vaillant, and was developed by a well-known electronic component supplier. The inverter was specially developed for use in SOFC systems.

An inverter is used to feed DC electricity from the SOFC stack into the AC grid. staxera will conduct long term ISM durability tests using the inverter; which replaces the electronic load. This demonstrates staxera’s committment to performing performance tests under system-relevant conditions.

After displaying the electric Indica and hybrid Nano, now India’s leading auto maker, Tata Motors has developed a range of hydrogen fuel cell-powered commercial vehicles like buses and light trucks. The fuel-cell powered commercial vehicles are now under trials in the company’s European Technical Centre.

“We are looking to run a fleet of fuel cell vehicles to gain experience of how they actually work in operation. That will be a stage prior to considering production,” said John Richmond, Group Chief Engineer, Tata Motors Europe Centre.

With the trend of eco-friendly vehicles on the way and scope for more subsidies from the governments, the international auto major are testing their expertise in coming out with vehicles having less pollution. And in this trend of green technology, many other global car companies like Nissan, Honda, BMW, Daimler Benz have also joined.

The hydrogen-based fuel cell is considered a very ecologically-friendly technology because it emits only water vapours.

According to a company statement, this type of fuel cell commercial vehicles from Tatas are in line with its strategy to work on alternate fuel technologies like bio-diesel, ethanol, hybrid, electricity and fuel cells to run the automobiles.

Earlier,Tata Group had inked a MoU with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 2006 to design and run buses using hydrogen. It is also working on cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells.