The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee released its 2009 annual report: The State of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Commercialization and Technical Development (PDF 1 MB). 

HTAC reports significant strides in 2009, despite the economic climate, budget uncertainties, and a shifting policy framework upon which much of industry relies.

The document reports a 41% increase in worldwide shipments of fuel cells compared with 2008 shipment data. Highlights of commercial deployments are featured, along with brief reports on research progress.

Reno, NV — eHydrogen Solutions, Inc. (eHS),  announced today a major new research and development initiative utilizing  solar energy to as the main power source for real-time hydrogen creation direct from water.  The H-Solaris Generator design uses ordinary water to produce hydrogen gas resulting from solar photo-reactions (synthetic photosynthesis).  The resulting hydrogen gas integrates into the Company’s On Demand Hydrogen Production (ODHP) systems for production of electricity, heat, or both.   The company estimates 1 liter of water can meet the electrical kilowatt requirements of the average residential household.

Technological advances and recent government research funding have advanced Photoelectrolysis and artificial Photosynthesis technologies to a level were they can be integrated into eHs’ recently announced Distributed Energy and CHP projects.  These processes, together with advanced electrolysis technologies, when integrated into a fuel cell, hydrogen powered generator and/or advanced battery storage, will enable sufficient hydrogen production to power a home; only using the sun and water.  This has important potential implications, since hydrogen can be produced on-site and does not need to be transported.

The H-Solaris Initiative, together with the Company’s recently announced $2,000,000 Intellectual Property (IP) Transfer expands the scope of its core On Demand Hydrogen Production (ODHP) technologies to include heating, power production, fuel cell applications, advanced battery storage technologies, Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (HICE) and a number of other advanced Distributed Power solutions; all requiring advanced hydrogen production as their zero emissions power source.

The Company believes that Distributed Power Generation, particularly relating to residential use, is an emerging growth sector that promises to become a significant and vital energy option primed for strong sales growth of the company’s holdings and technologies.

The Company intends to develop and license a variety of technologies and power systems founded on its core holdings will make further announcements on the progress of each of these new initiatives and the as the various core technologies are integrated into its development and partnership programs.

About eHydrogen Solutions

eHydrogen Solutions (eHs) specializes in the development of On demand Hydrogen Production (ODHP) technologies designed to produce hydrogen in the most cost effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable manner possible for integration in to a number of clean energy Distributed Power solutions.  In addition to providing an “on demand” hydrogen source for aftermarket hydrogen enhancement applications that increases the efficiency of virtually any combustion process, eHs scope of On Demand Hydrogen Production (ODHP) technologies enables the integration with fuel cell applications, advanced battery technologies and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (HICE).

eHs’ proprietary ODHP technologies is available today to qualified partners in a wide variety of vertical and/or geographic markets worldwide, through joint development/ adaptation, distribution and production agreements.

Charles Freese, executive director of GM Fuel Cell Activities, hands off the keys for a long-term loan of a Chevy fuel cell vehicle to Los Angeles biologist Stephanie White on Tuesday in Burbank, Calif. White, a fuel cell advocate and participant in the Project Driveway demonstration fleet of Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, will drive the vehicle for the next six months.

Testing Under Way on Production-Intent System for 2015 Commercialization

Burbank, Calif. – General Motors Co. is testing a production-intent hydrogen fuel cell system that can be packaged in the space of a traditional four-cylinder engine and be ready for commercial production in 2015.

Before and After

The system is half the size, 220 pounds lighter and uses about a third of the platinum of the system in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicles used in Project Driveway, the world’s largest market test and demonstration fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles that began in late 2007 and has amassed nearly 1.3 million miles of everyday driving in cities around the world.

“Our learning from Project Driveway has been tremendous and these vehicles have been very important to our program,” Charles Freese, executive director of GM’s Global Fuel Cell Activities told reporters Tuesday at a news briefing on GM’s fuel cell progress.

“The 30 months we committed to the demonstration are winding down, but we will keep upgrades of these vehicles running and will continue learning from them while we focus efforts on the production-intent program for 2015.

”Some of the 119 fuel cell electric vehicles in Project Driveway will receive hardware and software upgrades and will become part of a technology demonstration program with the U.S. Department of Energy. Others will be driven by businesses and a few will be used to continue showing that, with proper fueling infrastructure, hydrogen fuel cells are a viable alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles.

“We will continue to use the Project Driveway fleet strategically to advance fuel cell technology, hydrogen infrastructure, and GM’s vehicle electrification goals,” Freese said.

The first long-term loan of the new-look Chevy fuel cell vehicle will be to Stephanie White, a fuel cell advocate who was among the first Project Driveway participants and regularly blogs on her vision for a hydrogen economy in which zero-pollution fuel cells are a mainstream source of transportation. Freese presented White with the keys to the car on Tuesday.“

Driving the Chevy fuel cell around LA has been an amazing experience,” White said. “People are always stopping me to ask questions about the vehicle and I tell them how powerful and eco-friendly it is.”

About General Motors: General Motors Company, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited [AIM/ASX: CFU], a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission electricity generation units for homes and other buildings, has expanded its European operations, with the sale of a BlueGen power and heating unit to Swiss utility Cosvegas.

Cosvegas supplies natural gas to more than one hundred municipalities in Switzerland.

From mid 2010 Cosvegas will operate a BlueGen unit in Lausanne, Switzerland to evaluate the technology for further deployment in Switzerland.

The order from Cosvegas follows recent orders for BlueGen units from other major utilities in Germany and The Netherlands, including E.ON Ruhrgas, EWE, RheinEnergie, Alliander and Gasterra. Ceramic Fuel Cells has also made BlueGen sales to customers in Australia and Japan.  Ceramic Fuel Cells is also operating fully integrated power and heating products with leading energy companies E.ON UK in the United Kingdom and GdF Suez in France.

About the size of a dishwasher, each BlueGen unit can produce twice the electricity needed to power an average home, with the surplus electricity sold back to the grid.  BlueGen also produces heat, which makes enough hot water for an average home.  BlueGen units can generate electricity more efficiently than the current European power grid, significantly reducing a home’s carbon emissions and cutting energy bills.

Ceramic Fuel Cells has achieved electrical efficiency of 60 percent, far higher than any other technology in the rapidly expanding market for small scale power and heating generators.  When heat is recovered from the electricity production process, total efficiency is up to 85 percent – twice as efficient as the average among current European power stations.

By generating power close to where it is used, Ceramic Fuel Cells’ products can meet the future demand for electricity without the need for huge investments in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Spokane, Wash.– Fuel cell provider ReliOn’s E-200™ hydrogen fuel cell system has been named a finalist in the Green category in the CTIA Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Awards. CTIA’s fifth annual E-Tech Awards program recognizes products in 15 categories in the areas of mobile consumer electronics, luxury mobile, applications, enterprise, green solutions and network technology. International CTIA WIRELESS 2010® will take place March 23-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

More than 80 prominent media and industry analysts judged the 300-plus entries submitted for the E-Tech Awards program this year. Products and services were judged on innovation, functionality, technological importance, implementation and the overall “wow” factor. ”

E-Tech Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director for CTIA and Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, on Wednesday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m. on the Exhibits Innovation Stage located in the Emerging Technology Zone on the International CTIA WIRELESS exhibit floor, North Hall.

CTIA is offering companies two additional opportunities to win an award. Web visitors may vote for the Best Online Pick at www.ctiashow.com/awards. International CTIA WIRELESS show attendees will also have the chance to vote via text message onsite for products in the E-Tech Awards display to win Best in Show.

The E-200™ fuel cell system is designed around ReliOn’s patented technology and provides highly reliable power for smaller scale power applications. The product is a compact complete fuel cell system housed in a 2U (3.5” tall) rack-mountable package. Like all of ReliOn’s fuel cell products, emissions are limited to warm air and a small amount of water and the E-200 is exempt from the most stringent air quality standards, such as those set by the California Air Resources Board. Designed to be an economical small scale backup power solution, the E-200 can affordably provide hundreds of hours of runtime between refuelings and many years of service for critical equipment. The product is commercially available.

About ReliOn:
ReliOn is a leader in the development and marketing of modular Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell products. The company markets commercially available fuel cell products using its patented Modular Cartridge Technology®. ReliOn products are available domestically and internationally for commercial and industrial backup applications in the 50-Watt to 12-kilowatt range. ReliOn fuel cells are certified to multiple safety and performance standards. www.relion-inc.com .

A graphene-oxide framework (GOF), formed of layers of graphene connected by boron-carboxylic “pillars.” GOFs such as this one are just beginning to be explored as a potential storage medium for hydrogen and other gases.

Graphene—carbon formed into sheets a single atom thick—now appears to be a promising base material for capturing hydrogen, according to recent research* at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Pennsylvania. The findings suggest stacks of graphene layers could potentially store hydrogen safely for use in fuel cells and other applications.

Graphene has become something of a celebrity material in recent years due to its conductive, thermal and optical properties, which could make it useful in a range of sensors and semiconductor devices. The material does not store hydrogen well in its original form, according to a team of scientists studying it at the NIST Center for Neutron Research. But if oxidized graphene sheets are stacked atop one another like the decks of a multilevel parking lot, connected by molecules that both link the layers to one another and maintain space between them, the resulting graphene-oxide framework (GOF) can accumulate hydrogen in greater quantities.

Inspired to create GOFs by the metal-organic frameworks that are also under scrutiny for hydrogen storage, the team is just beginning to uncover the new structures’ properties. “No one else has ever made GOFs, to the best of our knowledge,” says NIST theorist Taner Yildirim. “What we have found so far, though, indicates GOFs can hold at least a hundred times more hydrogen molecules than ordinary graphene oxide does. The easy synthesis, low cost and non-toxicity of graphene make this material a promising candidate for gas storage applications.”

The GOFs can retain 1 percent of their weight in hydrogen at a temperature of 77 degrees Kelvin and ordinary atmospheric pressure—roughly comparable to the 1.2 percent that some well-studied metal-organic frameworks can hold, Yildirim says.

Another of the team’s potentially useful discoveries is the unusual relationship that GOFs exhibit between temperature and hydrogen absorption. In most storage materials, the lower the temperature, the more hydrogen uptake normally occurs. However, the team discovered that GOFs behave quite differently. Although a GOF can absorb hydrogen, it does not take in significant amounts at below 50 Kelvin (-223 degrees Celsius). Moreover, it does not release any hydrogen below this “blocking temperature”—suggesting that, with further research, GOFs might be used both to store hydrogen and to release it when it is needed, a fundamental requirement in fuel cell applications.

Some of the GOFs’ capabilities are due to the linking molecules themselves. The molecules the team used are all benzene-boronic acids that interact strongly with hydrogen in their own right. But by keeping several angstroms of space between the graphene layers—akin to the way pillars hold up a ceiling—they also increase the available surface area of each layer, giving it more spots for the hydrogen to latch on.

According to the team, GOFs will likely perform even better once the team explores their parameters in more detail. “We are going to try to optimize the performance of the GOFs and explore other linking molecules as well,” says Jacob Burress, also of NIST. “We want to explore the unusual temperature dependence of absorption kinetics, as well as whether they might be useful for capturing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and toxins like ammonia.”

The research is funded in part by the Department of Energy.

* J. Burress, J. Simmons, J. Ford and T.Yildirim. “Gas adsorption properties of graphene-oxide-frameworks and nanoporous benzene-boronic acid polymers.” To be presented at the March meeting of the American Physical Society (APS) in Portland, Ore., March 18, 2010. An abstract is available at http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/MAR10/Event/122133

March 17 (Bloomberg) — General Motors Co. aims to commercialize autos fueled by hydrogen even as the largest U.S. carmaker prepares to begin selling the battery-powered Chevrolet Volt plug-in vehicle late this year.

While U.S. policy has shifted to favor developing cars that use lithium-ion packs, rather than hydrogen fuel-cell models, both are needed to cut oil reliance and greenhouse gases, Charles Freese, GM’s executive director of global powertrain engineering, said at a briefing in Burbank, California. He discussed GM’s new fuel-cell power system that’s smaller, lighter and cheaper than the one used in its hydrogen-powered Equinox wagon.

“We are not abandoning the fuel-cell technology,” Freese said yesterday. “Through the worst years in this company’s history we maintained the program and maintained the forward progress.”

GM’s ability to fund costly hydrogen research came into question when the former General Motors Corp. filed for bankruptcy last year. As part of its reorganization, the Detroit-based company has reduced expenses to help pay back billions of dollars in federal bailout funds.

Read Entire Article

Hungerford, Berkshire, United Kingdom– UPS Systems plc today added a new methanol fuel cell to its product portfolio: the EFOY Pro 2200. EFOY Pro 2200 helps users save up to 90% in operating and maintenance costs.

The EFOY Pro 2200 offers 38% more power than the EFOY Pro 1600; it generates 90W of electricity and is suitable for a range of prime and standby power applications.

As with all fuel cells in the EFOY range, the EFOY Pro 2200 is a ‘plug and play’ solution – customers do not need special expertise to install it. In addition, the new unit offers several benefits for traffic regulation, surveillance and remote monitoring applications.

Traffic regulation
The EFOY Pro 2200 is robust and doesn’t require maintenance, so it can be left alone for long periods. An EFOY Pro 2200 using a 28-litre methanol cartridge can power a 50W traffic signal serial blinker for 26 days, while a traditional battery can only power it for one day.

Surveillance
The EFOY Pro 2200 is suited to powering security cameras and other surveillance applications. Using a 10-litre methanol cartridge, it provides 11.1kW of electricity – enough to power a 25W camera for three weeks without intervention. The compact fuel cell fits into small spaces, and is quiet and emission-free, so systems can run undetected.

Remote monitoring
Like other fuel cells in the EFOY range, the EFOY Pro 2200 can be used in hybrid installations that take advantage of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind. Such configurations recharge the batteries that power electrical equipment – this makes the EFOY Pro 2200 suitable for standby power applications and for operation in remote areas where there isn’t easy access to the grid. The EFOY Pro 2200 can be located outside, and can operate in all weather conditions.

“EFOY has proved that, in some situations, its fuel cells can save users up to 90% in operating and maintenance costs, so the argument for investing in fuel cell technology continues to grow,” said UPS Systems Managing Director, Tom Sperrey. “The EFOY Pro 2200 is a welcome addition to our product range because it enables us to offer an effective power solution for more applications such as traffic signalling and surveillance.”

“By launching our EFOY Pro 2200, we are responding to strong demand in remote power applications.The EFOY Pro 2200 fuel cell generator offers 38 % more power in exactly the same package as before. By offering this high-performance power solution, users get even higher autonomy for demanding off-grid devices- at more attractive energy cost”, says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG.

UPS Systems plc (upssystems.co.uk) is the UK’s largest independent supplier of standby power solutions. Through its independent position, allied to close working relationships with the world’s leading manufacturers, the company is uniquely able to offer impartial technical advice on the widest range of standby power solutions. An authority on fuel cell technology, UPS Systems implemented the UK’s first two hydrogen fuel cells providing AC standby power, and is currently working on projects where the technology will be used for the supply of backup or prime power to utilities, telecommunications, remote telemetry, portable signage and renewable energy applications.

SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG is market leader in fuel cell technologies for mobile and off-grid power applications serving the leisure, industrial and defense markets. As one of Germany’s technology pioneers, SFC has won numerous innovation awards. SFC has alliances with leading companies in a wide range of industries. Unlike most other fuel cell manufacturers, who are in the research and development phase or run subsidized demonstration projects, SFC has shipped more than 16,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for more than five years, and has created a convenient fuel cartridge supply infrastructure. SFC is DIN ISO 9001:2008 certified. SFC is based in Brunnthal, Germany, and has a sales and technical service office in the U.S.

The EFOY Pro Series is available immediately throughout Europe in four different models: EFOY Pro 600, EFOY Pro 1200, EFOY Pro 1600 and EFOY Pro 2200, with a charging capacity from 600 to 2200 watt hours per day, that are used depending on the energy requirements of the application. EFOY Pro Series Fuel Cells obtain their fuel from EFOY fuel cartridges, which deliver week-long autonomous energy, depending on their size (5, 10, 28 litres). The fuel cartridges are available at more than 1,400 sales points in Europe.

IVYLAND, Pa.– Power and Energy. Inc and Wah Lee Industrial Corp have announced a new partnership to supply Power and Energy’s range of advanced micro-channelhydrogen purifiers to the Taiwan and China markets.

With the widest flow range available in the industry, Power and Energy’s cost effective purifiers deliver 99.9999999% pure hydrogen to a range of end-users including, LED manufacturers, thin film Silicon photovoltaic manufacturers, semiconductor and LCD manufacturers, hydrogen fuel cell applications, as well as universities and research institutes.

Wah Lee will exclusively sell and service Power and Energy’s purifiers inChina and Taiwan.

Commenting on the agreement, Power and Energy’s President and COO, Noel Leeson said, “The China and Taiwan markets are growing rapidly, and Power and Energy is looking forward to expanding its business in these very dynamic markets. Wah Lee is an established and highly respected supplier to our target markets and will provide first class sales and service support to our customers throughout Taiwan and China.”

Wah Lee’s Vice President, Gary Chang, commented, “Power and Energy’spurifiers are a valuable addition to the products and services that Wah Lee supplies to its customers in Taiwan and China. With our extensive network of representatives, office and service personnel, we are looking forward to working with Power and Energy to present these innovative and cost-effective purifiers to high purity hydrogen users in Taiwan and China.”

About Power and Energy

Power and Energy is headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA. Established in 1993, the company’s mission is to enable the hydrogen economy and promote energy efficiency through the application of micro-channel technologies. The company provides an full range of micro-channel hydrogen purifiers to ultra-high purity users across the U.S., Asia and Europe.

For further information, please contact Al Stubbmann, Power and Energy Inc., 106 Railroad Avenue, Ivyland, Pa., 18974-1449, e-mail al.s@powerandenergy.com or call +1-610-217-0193.

About Wah Lee

Wah Lee is headquartered in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Established in 1968, the company is a leading integrator of high-tech solutions for the technology industries in Taiwan, China and South East Asia.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites attendees of the DOE Fuel Cell Pre-Solicitation Workshop to a Fuel Cell Manufacturing R&D Webinar from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

Participants will discuss manufacturing technique and process improvements needed to accelerate fuel cell adoption for stationary, distributed electric power generation. This discussion of fuel cell manufacturing topics is in preparation for issuing a formal Request for Information.

Check out Webinar access details.

Arno A. Evers has always been ahead of its time. 15 years ago he founded the first Group Exhibit Hydrogen and Fuel Cells at the annual Hannover Fair, and is since then one of the founding father of German H2 and FC industry. For years, he coined this innovative industry more than almost any other in Germany. He is a man of clear words, loves the dialogue, while he is also provoking at some times. At this year’s Hannover Fair, he launches his first book in Hydrogeit Verlag, a publishing house from nearby Berlin. The book is written in English, with the title “The Hydrogen Society … more than just a Vision?” and raises the question of the future of hydrogen and fuel cells technology, leading eventually to a hydrogen society.

Arno A. Evers is a known personality, not only in the German hydrogen and fuel cells scene. Worldwide, he has made numerous oral and poster presentations at conferences. During the past years he travelled from continent to continent and collected material, which is now first published in his new book. It is about the following questions: How does the energy balance of the world or in Germany looks really like? How and why has the situation so aggravated? How can hydrogen be produced really renewable and future orientated?

Evers says: “Since 2003, together with my team, we attended – most recently on behalf of Deutsche Messe AG – exactly 105 conferences and exhibitions around the world. Based on this, I have developed about 300 info graphics with a new visual image. Here we are concerned with objective analysis of the actual state of the energy industry as well as background information on energy audits, energy efficiency, producing hydrogen. This information is normally not found so easily.”

The extract all of these sources can now fully be read in this book, which is consistently illustrated with photos and graphics. The author addressed in particular to readers who dismiss the conventional energy system, as it is existing now, who are critical and are looking forward for alternatives. Evers referred to his target audience as The Concerned Citizens. This group is getting bigger, but is still lacking noncomitted information. This book was written with the goal to remedy this. Evers said: “We want to reach and motivate young people in particular, as their future commitment to the realization of hydrogen society is indispensable.” It is also addressed to all hydrogen and fuel cell insiders, who want to find neutral unbiased information.

T. Nejat Veziroglu, president of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE), writes in his preface: “I strongly recommend this excellent book to energy engineers, industrialists, environmentalists and decision makers, as well as to those interested in the future of humankind and the welfare of the planet Earth.”

The Hydrogen Society – More Than Just a Vision?
by Arno A. Evers, foreword by T. Nejat Veziroglu, IAHE President
Hardcover with 180 colored pages
consistently illustrated Language: English
Hydrogeit Verlag, Oberkrämer, April 2010
ISBN 978-3-937863-31-3, Price: 34.50 Euro

Arno A. Evers, an entrepreneur from Germany, was born in 1946 in Hamburg. After several years in the oil survey industry, he worked for Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm (MBB) in Hamburg before he became a press spokesman for MBB at their Munich headquarter in 1985. Arno founded the Group Exhibit Hydrogen and Fuel Cells at the Hannover Fair in 1995, which developed over the years to become Europe’s largest industry and research gathering, taking place annually at the Hannover Fair in Germany. Until 2006, he led the entire organization. Thereafter he attended numerous H2/FC conferences, trade shows and events worldwide to promote the Group Exhibit.
www.hydrogenambassadors.com

The www.hydrogeit-verlag.deHydrogeit Verlag, a publishing house with its office in Oberkraemer near Berlin, was founded in 2004 by Dipl.-Ing. Sven Geitmann. It is the first and only publisher specialized on hydrogen, fuel cells, renewable energy and alternative propulsion systems. Geitmann is engaged in pioneering technologies and provides comprehensive information about various energy saving possibilities. The publisher’s range of subjects / titles includes books about hydrogen and fuel cells and renewable energy and alternative fuels, CD-ROMs and the HZwei trade magazine, the German magazine for hydrogen, fuel cells and electric mobility.
www.hzwei.info

ISBN 978-3-937863-31-3, Price: 34.50 Euro

Invitation to Bid – Bristol Hydrogen Ferry Demonstration Project

Published on 11/3/2010

Bristol is a leading UK centre of excellence for sustainability and environmental innovation. In 2009 it was the only UK city shortlisted for European Green Capital. The environmental industries sector in the city-region is fast expanding and there are emerging commercial opportunities. A Hydrogen Strategy Board has been set up under BETS, the business-led Bristol Environmental Technologies and Services partnership, in order to develop the city’s carbon economy.

Bristol City Council wishes to invite companies or consortia with appropriate experience, expertise and capacity in both commercial passenger ferry services and hydrogen fuel cell technology R&D to bid for a project to manage and deliver the testing and demonstration of a hydrogen powered ferry service for commuter and leisure passengers on Bristol’s historic Floating Harbour.  Bidders are invited to submit a fully costed plan in response to our detailed specification.

This is a unique opportunity for organisations involved or interested to demonstrate hydrogen technology for inland waterway applications to test it in a genuine commercial environment. The Project is being commissioned in the context of the strategic objectives of the Council and partners in BETS to promote and enable the commercialisation of low emission public transport solutions and to develop a hydrogen economy in the city in the longer term.

The full documentation and submission instructions for this Invitation to Bid are available from:

https://procurement.bristol.gov.uk/supplierselfservice

San Jose — Genesys, LLC announces an historic breakthrough in energy technology with the granting of a patent (U.S. 7,384,619), assigned to Bar-Gadda, LLC and licensed to Genesys, LLC that will have the potential of eliminating global warming, providing energy security as well as permitting the economic production of hydrogen from any source of water. Water has the highest concentration of hydrogen of any known stable non-carbon substance. This unique technology, called RET (radiant energy transfer), needs only moderate heat and water to generate fuel grade hydrogen. Sources of heat include geothermal, solar and biomass. RET can also be powered from electrical sources such as hydroelectric or wind.

Tuesday, 03 November 2009

Genesys, LLC is pleased to report it has reached an historic milestone in energy technology. On October 21, 2009 at about 6:37 p.m. PST, the company filled and floated its first hydrogen balloon using the patented RET (radiant energy transfer) technology, which can convert any form of water into pure hydrogen and oxygen. This unique technology uses various selected frequencies of electromagnetic radiation in order to optimize the breaking of the oxygen/hydrogen bond in an energy efficient manner. The products of the decomposition are then separated using a proprietary separation technology into two streams of hydrogen and oxygen. In this demonstration the hydrogen generated from tap water filled a one and a half foot diameter balloon to show the practicality of the process and the purity of the hydrogen produced. This revolutionary, low cost method can run on a continuous basis and uses waste heat and any form of water to produce pure hydrogen and oxygen. The technology is modular and easily scaled, and can use any form of water, such as wastewater, seawater or tap water. The company recently produced hydrogen from wastewater obtained from a municipal waste treatment plant. In order to drive the process, any form of waste heat that is readily available can be used. Given the abundance of solar and geothermal heat, it is possible to have an infinite source of hydrogen. This enables the solution of two major issues facing mankind: peak oil and global warming. Since hydrogen can be produced anywhere using the RET, costs of production, transportation and storage of hydrogen are minimized, resulting in economics that are very competitive with fossil fuels. The process does not use carbon and the hydrogen generated can be used as an energy source; water being the only product, so that it is completely compatible with natural environmental cycles. Ronny Bar-Gadda, the CEO and inventor said, “I can understand the elation the Wright brothers felt on their first flight at Kitty Hawk or when Thomas Edison first switched on the electric light bulb. Only future historians, with a greater perspective will be able to judge this event and technology in its rightful place. But for me, now, this represents the end of a chapter in my book of inventing and developing this technology. I have proven the technology can now be used for practical purposes. It is now upwards and onwards to develop and scale this technology for all mankind.” The company intends to complete development and scale this technology for commercial hydrogen production. This technology is economically very competitive with existing commercial hydrogen processes such as steam methane reforming or electrolysis of water. The RET technology can also provide its own electricity to run the process which is presently impossible with water electrolysis. RET does not compete with food production like bio-fuels such as ethanol or bio-diesel, and drinking water for food production and human consumption, unlike conventional solar thermal technologies that use cooling water for electricity generation.

CENTENNIAL, Colo.–Early production stage hydrogen generation company AlumiFuel Power, Inc. (“API”), the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based wholly owned operating subsidiary of AlumiFuel Power Corporation (OTCBB: AFPW), (the “Company”), announced today that it has begun design work on a hydrogen generator to power a fuel cell for Navy Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) and submersibles applications. This design work is being done in parallel to the prototype superheated steam generator for naval underwater applications which API is already working on in conjunction with selected defense contractors (see API news release of March 2, 2010).

The hydrogen generator is based on the same powerful chemical reaction currently used in the PBIS-1000 hydrogen generator (see API news release of February 9, 2010). In this application, however, the hydrogen is used to power a fuel cell instead of filling a weather balloon. The prototype steam generator will be sized very similar to the superheated steam generator, and will be used to power a 100W fuel cell for several days. It will also demonstrate the start and stop capabilities of the system, similar to the steam generator. The calculated system energy density of a hydrogen powered fuel cell system has the potential to be equivalent to or even greater than that of superheated steam-driven turbines. This improved energy density is a result of much higher efficiency fuel cells, some achieving efficiencies in excess of 50%.

API’s plan is to ultimately integrate these two generators as a hybrid power source on board an underwater platform to further advance AlumiFuel’s already high energy density – five times that of lithium batteries, which equates to significant increases in range and operating time for critical Navy missions. Each type of generator would be activated at different times, depending on the mission requirements and profile.

API’s Director of Engineering, Mr. Sean McIntosh, said, “The development of a hydrogen generator to run a fuel cell for UUV applications fits very nicely with our work on the superheated steam generators for underwater propulsion. In one case the power source comes from superheated steam and generates hydrogen as a byproduct, and in the other case, it is the exact opposite. The outcome is two very similar looking reactors, which actually doubles the return on our engineering development effort. And it should not be forgotten that both the hydrogen and the superheated steam represent a clean, safe fuel source.”

About AlumiFuel Power, Inc.

API (www.alumifuelpowerinc.com) is an early production stage alternative energy company that generates hydrogen gas and superheated steam through the chemical reaction of aluminum, water, and proprietary additives. This technology is ideally suited for multiple niche applications requiring on-site, on-demand fuel sources, serving National Security and commercial customers. API’s hydrogen feeds fuel cells for portable and back-up power, fills inflatable devices such as weather balloons, and can replace costly, hard-to-handle and high pressure K-Cylinders. Its hydrogen/heat output is also being designed and developed to drive turbine-based underwater propulsion systems and auxiliary power systems, and as the fuel for Flameless Ration Heaters. API has significant differentiators in performance, adaptability, safety and cost-effectiveness in its target market applications, with no external power required and no toxic chemicals or by-products. For more news and information on API, please visit www.irgnews.com/coi/AFPW.

About AlumiFuel Power Corporation

AlumiFuel Power Corporation, formerly known as Inhibiton Therapeutics, Inc., recently acquired its wholly-owned operating subsidiary AlumiFuel Power, Inc., a Philadelphia-based early production stage alternative energy company that generates hydrogen gas and steam for multiple niche applications requiring on-site, on-demand fuel sources. The Company also has been conducting biotechnology research, development and potential commercialization of technologies and products for new cancer therapeutic agents and cancer fighting drugs called targeted therapies.

By Mary Milliken

TORRANCE, California (Reuters) – Coming not so soon and probably not to a house near you is the home solar hydrogen refuelling station — Honda Motor Co’s latest idea in its drive to make hydrogen the fuel of choice for zero emission cars.

The Japanese auto giant believes hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles offer the best long-term alternative to fossil fuels and the company showed on Friday a refuelling breakthrough that it says points to a home version down the road.

Most major automakers have spent billions of dollars in researching hydrogen-powered fuel cells, tempted by the idea of a car that uses no gasoline and emits only water vapour. But Honda is widely seen as the hydrogen leader, while others like General Motors put more effort into battery-powered electric vehicles like the upcoming Volt.

One of the big barriers to hydrogen car deployment is the lack of refuelling infrastructure, leading Honda to bet that the future lies in combining a public station network with a more modest home option.

Honda’s home option will comprise a solar-powered hydrogen refuelling station using solar panels.

“Customers can choose how they interact with both of them based on their annual miles and their habits,” said Stephen Ellis, fuel cell manager at the Honda’s North American headquarters in Torrance, California.

‘BIGGEST PROGRESS’

“The key thing to remember is that with five-minute refuelling you are good for another 240 miles,” Ellis added.

That range comes from the “fast-fill” public station, of which there are just a handful in Southern California, where Honda leases 15 FCX Clarity hydrogen-powered vehicles and is set to distribute more in coming months.

Eight hours of home solar refuelling would guarantee a smaller range of 30 miles (50 km) or about 10,000 miles (16,000 km per year — enough for an average commuting car.

At the Los Angeles R&D centre, engineers refuelled the sleek FCX Clarity sedan with a new single-unit station connected to a solar array that replaces a two-unit system, cutting costs and improving efficiency by 25 percent.

“This is wonderful progress, the biggest progress,” said Ikuya Yamashita, the chief engineer of the station.

The station uses a 6-kilowatt solar array, composed of 48 panels and thin film solar cells developed by a Honda subsidiary. It breaks down the water into hydrogen in what Honda calls a “virtually carbon-free energy cycle.”

The FCX Clarity’s hydrogen “stack” — or the electricity generator — is around the size of an attache case, tucked between the two front seats, and is a fifth of the stack size developed a decade ago.

The car is likely to be sold commercially around 2018 in the luxury large sedan category, while the solar hydrogen refuelling system could move beyond the research stage and into the market-ready phase around 2015.

“A lot of this work is not necessarily for today’s economic situation,” said Ellis. “This is for tomorrow, when most people feel energy prices will be higher.”

(Additional reporting by Poornima Gupta; Editing by Gary Hill)

By: Sunny Freeman , THE CANADIAN PRESS

Ballard Power Systems is in a strong position for growth this year as the international community becomes increasingly interested in the role fuel cells play in a clean-energy future, company officials said Thursday.

President and CEO John Sheridan said the company is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the recent interest in clean energy because Ballard (TSX:BLD; Nasdaq:BLDP)offers a wide range of market applications from backup to motive power.

Fuel cells, Ballard’s core technology, produce no emissions because they combine hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity without combustion.

The Vancouver-based company earned US$16.5 million in its fourth quarter, down 13 per cent from the year-ago period. But the company said that was up 83 per cent from the third quarter and represented 35 per cent of its revenue for the year.

For the full year, Ballard earned US$46.7 million, a drop of two per cent or $12.9 million from 2008. It finished the year with cash reserves of $82.2 million.

Ballard said about half of the decline can be attributed to the Vancouver-based company’s exit from costly automotive and residential cogeneration development programs.

Ballard said it reduced costs by about 30 per cent in restructuring moves in March and August.

After a difficult year for energy technology companies, Sheridan said Ballard is strongly positioned for growth, exiting 2009 with a strengthened balance sheet, a solidified market position and a $22-million order book.

Streamlining Ballard’s costs and solidifying the company’s market position with high order volumes will position Ballard’s annual revenue growth in excess of 35 per cent in 2010, Sheridan said.

Brian Piccioni, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets, said that the next year will be critical for the company in its new commercial focus after divesting itself of its automotive division.

“Ballard’s products appear to be ready for prime time, so they seem to be quite expensive but what you get on a balanced basis is a pretty attractive alternative to a diesel generator,” Piccioni said.

But he said the company has had some problems with a network of intermediary companies that integrate the cells into a system of infrastructure to make the cells market ready in a timely way.

“The opportunity is there,” he said. “I think the time has come but it remains to be seen whether that last step can be completed.”

The company showcased its technology by deploying a fleet of 20 hydrogen fuel-cell buses during the Vancouver Olympics.

“Activities around the Vancouver Olympic Games gave us a pretty unique opportunity to showcase our capabilities to large international audiences…including the Whistler Transit fleet of 20 fuel-cell buses operating throughout the Olympics under the international media spotlight,” Sheridan said.

The company said its order book increase by $5 million at the end of February.

The company also said it is making progress toward its goal of achieving life cycle cost parity with diesel hybrid electric buses.

Sheridan said Ballard is committed to driving down the price of its products, but chief financial officer Bruce Cousins told a conference call with analysts that the company is prepared to withstand lower profit margins as demand improves and technology develops.

Meanwhile, Sheridan said the company has been disappointed in the level of support for its technology from the Canadian government, adding that Ottawa lags the international community where demand is being led by countries like the United States and South Korea.

Earlier this month, the company signed a deal to supply fuel cells to power two transit buses in California.

Ballard also has other bus contracts slated for delivery this year in London, Germany and Amsterdam.

Shares in the company were down two cents at $2.41 in trading Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Eco Factor: Highly efficient fuel cell devices for portable electronic devices.

Kyoto-based Aquafairy has unveiled a new range of fuel cells for portable electronic devices. The affordable fuel cells have been developed in four variants to suit individual requirements. The devices can charger cellphones, portable gaming devices and even notebooks.

The four new devices include – the micro FC Stick with an output of 0.8W, the FC Stick with an output of 2W, the FC Cube with an output of 3W and the FC Cube Dual with a rated output of 6W. While the first three chargers supply energy using only hydrogen, the FC Cube Dual is connected to a lithium-ion battery and can power a standard notebook for 3 hours.

The company is planning to launch the devices, which includes a power unit and a hydrogen cartridge in Japan later this year. The FC-Stick will be made available for as little as $22 with one cartridge retailing for $1.10.

Via: CrunchGear

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Complementing its culture of social responsibility and its commitment to utilizing clean energy, United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) today announced plans to adopt hydrogen fuel cell technology to power the lift truck fleet at its Sarasota, Florida distribution center. Intended to improve efficiency, productivity and reliability, 65 GenDrive™ fuel cell powered lift trucks will be mobilized at the Sarasota distribution facility, with a targeted completion date in June 2010.  The Company will add 29 new hydrogen fuel cell-powered lift trucks, to its fleet, and 36 existing lift trucks will be retrofitted to hydrogen fuel cell technology.

“We consider environmental stewardship an essential component in every facet of our business.  This hydrogen fuel cell project is further proof of UNFI’s leadership as an environmentally-conscious organization by advancing the use and development of alternative-fuel technologies,” commented Steve Spinner, UNFI’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

As part of the Sarasota initiative to replace lead acid batteries and their associated charging equipment with hydrogen fuel cells, UNFI has partnered with a number of companies to implement the roll-out, including Plug Power Inc., (Nasdaq: PLUG), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD) and Abel Womack, Inc.

As background, a hydrogen fuel cell produces energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen in an electrochemical reaction that yields electricity, heat and water.  Hydrogen is non-toxic, non-poisonous, the lightest of all gases and the most abundant element in the universe.  By converting UNFI’s Sarasota lift truck fleet to hydrogen fuel cells, the Company expects carbon emissions will be reduced by approximately 132 metric tons annually, an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of 35 automobiles.

Tom Dziki, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Development, commented, “This project is a natural extension of our strategy to create an environmentally and socially responsible environment in all the communities we serve.  Hydrogen fuel cells not only provide greater productivity and lower operating costs but will be an important component of a clean energy future and we are happy to be pioneering the use of this technology in Florida. Once implemented, this fuel cell project is expected to create annual energy savings of approximately 640,000 kilowatt hours.”

The 352,000 square-foot Sarasota facility, which employs approximately 160 associates, serves as a regional distribution hub for customers in the Southeastern United States.

About United Natural Foods

United Natural Foods, Inc. (http://www.unfi.com/) carries and distributes more than 60,000 products to more than 17,000 customer locations nationwide. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel. United Natural Foods, Inc. was ranked by Forbes in 2005 as one of the “Best Managed Companies in America,” ranked by Fortune in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 as one of its “Most Admired Companies,” winner of the Supermarket News 2008 Sustainability Excellence Award, and recognized by the Nutrition Business Journal for its 2009 Environment and Sustainability Award.

For more information on United Natural Foods, Inc., visit the Company’s website at www.unfi.com.

Brunnthal/Munich, Germany – March 12, 2010 – SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG, leading supplier of fuel cell products for mobile and off-grid power applications based on fuel cells, today reports the appointment of David Morgan as Member to the SFC Supervisory Board.

David Morgan brings extensive experience in technology and manufacturing businesses including international, financial and general management. He has previously spent over 20 years with Johnson Matthey plc, 10 of which were as an executive director with specific responsibility for corporate development. He is currently Chairman of the International Advisory Board of Conduit Ventures Ltd and also a member of the Advisory Board of Imperial College, London, Dept of Chemistry, and was formerly a member of the UK Science Forum and a non executive director of RiverSoft plc. He is a qualified chartered accountant and holds a degree in Mineralogy and Petrology from the University of Cambridge.

“We are proud to welcome the experienced industry expert David Morgan to the Supervisory Board of SFC Smart Fuel Cell”, says Dr. Rolf Bartke, Chairman of the SFC Supervisory Board. “With his international finance and clean tech expertise we consider him to be extremely well qualified to make significant contributions to the Company in his new role. To Dr. Roland Schlager, who left SFC’s Supervisory Board in November 2009 and whom David Morgan is now replacing, we wish to extend our thanks for his valuable support in this function.”

Founded in 2000, SFC Smart Fuel Cell has successfully sold over 17,000 fully commercialized fuel cells to industrial customers and private end users, while most other fuel cell companies are still in the research and development phase or run subsidized demonstration projects.

More information at www.sfc.com and www.efoy.com.

by Jill Sakai

Materials scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have designed a way to harvest small amounts of waste energy and harness them to turn water into usable hydrogen fuel.

The process is simple, efficient and recycles otherwise-wasted energy into a useable form.

“This study provides a simple and cost-effective technology for direct water splitting that may generate hydrogen fuels by scavenging energy wastes such as noise or stray vibrations from the environment,” the authors write in a new paper, published March 2 in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. “This new discovery may have potential implications in solving the challenging energy and environmental issues that we are facing today and in the future.”

The researchers, led by UW-Madison geologist and crystal specialist Huifang Xu, grew nanocrystals of two common crystals, zinc oxide and barium titanate, and placed them in water. When pulsed with ultrasonic vibrations, the nanofibers flexed and catalyzed a chemical reaction to split the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

When the fibers bend, asymmetries in their crystal structures generate positive and negative charges and create an electrical potential. This phenomenon, called the piezoelectric effect, has been well known in certain crystals for more than a century and is the driving force behind quartz clocks and other applications.

Xu and his colleagues applied the same idea to the nanocrystal fibers. “The bulk materials are brittle, but at the nanoscale they are flexible,” he says, like the difference between fiberglass and a pane of glass.

Smaller fibers bend more easily than larger crystals and therefore also produce electric charges easily. So far, the researchers have achieved an impressive 18 percent efficiency with the nanocrystals, higher than most experimental energy sources.

In addition, Xu says, “because we can tune the fiber and plate sizes, we can use even small amounts of [mechanical] noise — like a vibration or water flowing — to bend the fibers and plates. With this kind of technology, we can scavenge energy waste and convert it into useful chemical energy.”

Rather than harvest this electrical energy directly, the scientists took a novel approach and used the energy to break the chemical bonds in water and produce oxygen and hydrogen gas.

“This is a new phenomenon, converting mechanical energy directly to chemical energy,” Xu says, calling it a piezoelectrochemical (PZEC) effect.

The chemical energy of hydrogen fuel is more stable than the electric charge, he explains. It is relatively easy to store and will not lose potency over time.

With the right technology, Xu envisions this method being useful for generating small amounts of power from a multitude of small sources — for example, walking could charge a cell phone or music player and breezes could power streetlights.

“We have limited areas to collect large energy differences, like a waterfall or a big dam,” he says. “But we have lots of places with small energies. If we can harvest that energy, it would be tremendous.”

The new paper is co-authored by graduate student Kuang-Sheng Hong, research scientist Hiromi Konishi and mechanical engineering professor Xiaochun Li, all at UW-Madison. Xu’s research is supported by grants from the UW-Madison Graduate School, National Science Foundation, NASA Astrobiology Institute and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The business partnership between De Bouwer & Partners and Ballast Nedam, as far as the Autarc project is concerned, has been discontinued as per March 8^th, 2010. Parties failed to come to terms in determining the extent of Ballast Nedam’s (future) participation in the Autarc.

On Friday, February 19^th Ballast Nedam stated that the only option, as far as she is concerned, for futher participation in the Autarc project, consists of the formation of a joint limited liability company geared towards the further development, realisation and marketing of the Autarc, based on a 50/50 participation.

Shared ownership was and is unacceptable for De Bouwer & Partners.

Eventually, the Autarc is intended to be the construction marketeer’s new headquarters, their “floating front office”. Until that time, the Autarc is available to the public as a marketing platform for sustainable innovation, provided that the surplus costs for reaching autarchy are covered by sponsoring.

Apart from De Bouwer & Partners, the Autarc Consortium consists, at present, of Paul de Ruiter Architects, Deerns raadgevende ingenieurs, DHV, Wolter & Dros, HVL, Verosol, FacilitylinQ and NEMO. The Energy Research Centre ECN from Petten (The Netherlands) is likely to join in on the hydrogen project. The Autarc is supported by “Bouwend Nederland” (Dutch Construction) and the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment.

The Autarc was originally scheduled to dock at the NEMO science museum in Amsterdam in the summer of 2010. That aim will now probably not be met. The consortium will initially attempt to secure the additional financing and a replacement builder and is now aiming for the Autarc to make its entry into Amsterdam in the spring of 2011.

The Autarc is an architecturally highly advanced houseboat / floating office that is a hundred percent self-sustaining in both its water and electrical requirements. This highly ambitious pilot project sets both an example and a new standard in the field of environmental care (our aim: an “outstanding” Breeam-score) without making a single compromise in aesthetics or user comfort.

The Autarc is to be put to different uses. After the initial exhibition phase at NEMO, the Autarc will be available for other exhibition purposes in the Netherlands or abroad. After that, the Autarc will serve as De Bouwer & Partners’ “floating front office”. Eventually, in its function as a floating villa, the Autarc may be used for permanent residency.

Its principal aim is to function as a showcase for state of the art systems and technology in the field of sustainability.

Danish industrial players have expressed a strong need for support in the process to push fuel cell and hydrogen technologies from the research and development stage into the commercial domain. Risø DTU has now with Danish Gas Technology Center (DGC) as partner received support from the Danish Programme for Energy Technology Development and Demonstration (EUPD) to initialize a center which will eventually support industry with test, development, analysis, approval, certification, consultation, and training in the areas of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.

The current EUDP-project runs over a period of two years with Anke Hagen, Risø, as project manager and has the aim to initialize the center. The project also includes start-up of first activities. These will focus on the development of accelerated lifetime tests of fuel cell systems, preparations for standardization of these methods, and advising in relation to certification and approval of fuel cell systems and will be carried out at Risø DTU and DGC in close cooperation with industry, specifically, Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S (TOFC).

Already at this stage, the further development of the center over a 5-6 years horizon has been addressed and outlined, including the needed means.

The ultimate goal for the center is to become an accepted one-stop-shopping for all needed services in relation to fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. The related activities will be shared between the partners in the center, which are currently Risø DTU and DGC, where Risø for example will carry out advanced testing and microscopy while examples for DGC’s activities are standardization and approval.

GREENE, N.Y. — The Raymond Corporation is now an independent distributor for the sale, rental and lease of Plug Power (Nasdaq:PLUG) GenDrive™ fuel cell units in North America. As an Authorized Service Provider, Raymond also will provide warranty and maintenance service on GenDrive products through its North American Sales and Service Center network. In addition, Raymond is a GenDrive Authorized Distributor of service parts.

“Plug Power is a fuel cell market leader, and this partnership enables Raymond to offer cutting-edge lift truck power solutions to the material handling industry,” says Chuck Pascarelli, executive vice president of sales and marketing for The Raymond Corporation. “Through this agreement, Raymond and its Sales and Service Center network can aid companies in the deployment of fuel cell-powered lift trucks and provide ongoing service and support throughout the life of the trucks.”

“Raymond’s leading AC technology, coupled with Plug Power’s proven GenDrive solutions will bring superior power and performance to the electric lift truck market,” says Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power. “By investigating and commercializing new technologies to power its durable, reliable lift trucks, Raymond is helping to offer companies a seamless solution for installing fuel cell-powered lift trucks.”

GenDrive fuel cell power units have been tested and approved for use in Raymond® Model 8400 pallet trucks, Model 4100 and 4200 stand-up counterbalanced trucks, and various Model 7400 Reach-Fork® trucks. Raymond is evaluating additional Raymond lift truck models to assess their compatibility with hydrogen fuel cells.

Based on recent demonstrations by lift truck and fuel cell manufacturers, there appears to be significant potential to improve warehouse productivity when fuel cells are used to power lift trucks in high-throughput warehouse applications. Hydrogen fuel cells can offer higher productivity in electric lift trucks because they can be rapidly refueled by operators, eliminating the need to change, store and maintain batteries. Plus, fuel cells produce constant voltage, which means there is no battery drop toward the end of a shift, and the vehicle experiences no performance degradation.

For more information about Raymond fuel cell-powered lift trucks or Plug Power’s GenDrive hydrogen fuel cell units, or to locate a Raymond Sales and Service Center, visit www.raymondcorp.com or call (800) 235-7200.

About The Raymond Corporation

The Raymond Corporation is a global provider of material handling solutions that improve space utilization and productivity, with lower cost of operation and greater operator acceptance. Raymond offers the iWarehouse® system, an enterprise fleet optimization solution for warehouse and distribution center managers to collect and analyze real-time lift truck data to maximize fleet productivity and reduce costs.

High-performance, reliable, ergonomically designed Raymond lift trucks range from a full line of manual and electric pallet trucks and walkie stackers to counterbalanced trucks, Reach-Fork® trucks, orderpickers and dual-purpose (pallet handling/case picking) Swing-Reach® trucks.

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 and continuous 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.

FOLSOM, California – Altergy Systems, announced today that its Freedom Power™ Systems turned the red carpet “green” at Sunday’s 82nd annual Oscars® by supplying the first clean hydrogen fuel cell power systems used to power numerous applications at the Academy Awards® ceremonies.

Altergy’s Freedom Power™ Systems provided clean “off the grid,” electricity to fulfill various power requirements at the Oscars® red carpet ceremony.  Additionally, another Altergy 5kW fuel cell was used as the power source of a unique new portable lighting system which was also employed throughout the week for specific lighting demands at Hollywood’s biggest awards ceremony.

Saunders Electric of Los Angeles has provided power for every Oscar® presentation since 1953. They specialize in supplying the challenging power needs of the motion picture and television industry with clients that include the Grammy Awards®, the Country Music Awards®, and the Emmy Awards®. Saunders Electric, who also received its own Technical Emmy® in 1995, chose Altergy’s Freedom Power™ fuel cells for specific uses at the Oscars® this year.

CEO Russell Saunders says: “We have been looking for a dependable clean power system to use at the Academy Awards® and in the entire motion picture industry for years. We needed a power system that was portable, efficient, and quiet that could literally be placed at the point of use without emitting the noxious fumes and noise of standard power generators  such as diesels. We chose Altergy’s clean “zero emission” fuel cell systems … and we’re glad we did. They performed beautifully!”

Academy (A.M.P.A.S.®) technician, Gary Lenz, who worked directly with the mobile lighting system throughout the production was asked to give it a Hollywood review. He emphatically replied: “Awesome! It’s the coolest thing ever! It’s unbelievably quiet and we were even able to use the clean warm air it generated to stay warm on the cold nights!”

Altergy joined with Sandia National Laboratories, The Boeing Company, Caltrans and manufacturers Multiquip, Luxim, Lumenworks, Stray Light and others in developing and introducing the new fuel cell powered mobile lighting system.  Additionally Alpha Technologies of Bellingham, WA provided the DC to AC inverters used in the systems.

The new high intensity plasma lighting system utilizes Altergy’s Freedom Power™ hydrogen fuel cells to power the lights.  Each self-contained unit has the ability to illuminate an area approximately the size of a football field, and has a projected continuous run time of 40 plus hours.

The new Freedom Power™ mobile lighting system is both environmentally friendly and “whisper” quiet. Unlike the diesel generators now in use, the new fuel cell lighting system is a California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.) certified “zero-emission” power generator.

“This application demonstrates the versatility of Altergy’s fuel cell systems. They have been dominating telecom applications over the last couple of years and now we are deploying them in distributed peak shaving, mobile and prime power applications.  We are very proud of our involvement with the Academy, and consider it an honor to be selected,” commented Eric Mettler, Altergy’s President and CEO.