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California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the National Hydrogen Association Hydrogen Conference and Expo, held at the Long Beach Convention Center. The event featured nearly 100 sessions and 20 presentations on solutions for building fueling stations and a study of H2 station plans in Germany, Canada and Norway. (Stephen Carr / Press-Telegram)

LONG BEACH – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was honored here Wednesday for a decade-long championship of eco-friendly hydrogen and alternative fuel vehicles.

The governor dropped by an alternative-fuel conference in Long Beach to pick up the award and preview a fleet of hydrogen-fueled cars and trucks from automakers like Honda, Toyota and Mercedes.

“All this is very important, even if it starts small,” Schwarzenegger told a few hundred people gathered for the National Hydrogen Association’s annual conference at the city’s convention center.

“Just like all big movements we’ve seen across the world. They start small and mushroom.”

Schwarzenegger’s visit to Long Beach comes as work continues on dozens of hydrogen-fuel stations in California – the “hydrogen highway” infrastructure promoted by the governor during his inaugural 2003 run for office.

He urged attendees, representing large firms, start-ups and universities across the country, to continue research and development into alternative fuels as a way to cut pollution and wean the nation from petroleum.

“Ultimately, we don’t care what kind of fuel (is preferred by consumers) as long as we move away from fossil fuels,” Schwarzenegger said. “We have to work to stop importing fuel from foreign countries … and countries that hate us.”

Later,

the governor visited the convention center floor, where dozens of automakers, fuel companies and researchers showed off the latest in fuel cell technology.There are now several hundred hydrogen-fuel cars and trucks roaming California’s roadways, and that number is expected to reach 45,000 by 2017.

The state’s Air Resources Board also estimates there will be as many as 100 hydrogen fueling stations scattered across California by then as well.

Schwarzenegger said motorists choosing alternative-fuel vehicles in the future will help cut greenhouse gases while immunizing themselves from oil price spikes.

“Of course you’ll all be laughing when the oil companies raise the price to $4, $5 or $6 a gallon,” he said.
The National Hydrogen Association conference concluded Wednesday afternoon following three days of meetings, panel discussions, demonstrations and addresses by some of the industry’s engineers, scientists and air-quality experts.

Throughout the conference, attendees lined up to test-drive hydrogen vehicles by Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes, Toyota and Volkswagen.

May 6 (Bloomberg) — Toyota Motor Corp., the biggest seller of hybrid cars, said it has cut the cost of making fuel-cell vehicles by about 90 percent since the mid-2000s and may be able to price its first retail hydrogen model at about $50,000.

The first model will be a sedan with driving range equal to a gasoline-powered car, “with some extra cost,” Yoshihiko Masuda, Toyota’s managing director for advanced autos, said in an interview. The Japanese carmaker has cut production costs to about one-tenth of earlier estimates that ran as high as $1 million per car and would need to cut current costs by about half before starting retail sales, he said.

“Our target is, we don’t lose money with introduction of the vehicle,” Masuda said in Torrance, California, where Toyota’s U.S. sales unit is based. “Production cost should be covered within the price of the vehicle.”

Offering hydrogen cars that don’t sell at a loss may boost support for the technology, which has lagged behind electric cars in U.S. research funding amid criticism it’s too expensive. Toyota, General Motors Co., Honda Motor Co., Daimler AG and Hyundai Motor Co. have all said they will be ready to sell fuel- cell vehicles to retail customers by about 2015.

Toyota plans to sell an “affordable” model in the U.S. and elsewhere, the Toyota City, Japan-based company has said without providing details. Were the carmaker to set a U.S. price at about $50,000, the market for the vehicles would be “small, but with some support,” Masuda said, without elaborating.

Masuda declined to discuss Toyota’s sales volume goal for the car.

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LONG BEACH, Calif. –The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota has been recognized as the National Hydrogen Association’s (NHA’s) 2010 Robert M. Zweig Public Education Award recipient for outstanding education and outreach initiatives on hydrogen. The EERC received the award during an annual awards ceremony during the NHA Hydrogen Conference & Expo in Long Beach, California.

The EERC was selected for this award for its dedication to initiatives that have resulted in significant progress in hydrogen technologies. The EERC is recognized for hosting events such as the 2009 NHA Summer Strategy Planning Meeting, the Hydrogen Works Training Course: A Premier Professionals Training Course (February 2009), the International Conference on Air Quality VII (October 2009), and the upcoming Advancing the Hydrogen Economy Action Summit III, cohosted with Senator Byron Dorgan, the Red River Valley Research Corridor, and the Mountain States Hydrogen Business Council (MSHBC).

“UND-EERC is being recognized for its robust environmental research program and contribution to the advancement of hydrogen education,” said NHA President Jeffery A. Serfass. “You should all be proud of your university’s program and leadership provided to the next generation of hydrogen and fuel cell producers and consumers,” he said.

“The staff involved in the education and outreach area at the EERC do outstanding work on these events, technical conferences, and online courses, so it is extremely gratifying for the EERC to receive an award relating to our combined efforts in hydrogen education,” said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold.

Dr. Robert M. Zweig became a leading hydrogen advocate in the late 1960s. Dr. Zweig’s passion was to improve the air quality in Southern California and became one of the greatest advocates of hydrogen energy in the world. Dr. Zweig was a founding member of several influential hydrogen organizations including Clean Air Now (CAN), the Clean Air Institute, and the International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Under his leadership, these organizations promoted hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels and as the pathway to a pollution-free environment. Dr. Zweig died of complications from leukemia in February 2002.

“The EERC has clearly demonstrated the kind of public outreach that is consistent with the intent of this award, and I believe Dr. Zweig would be proud,” Serfass said.

The Hydrogen Action Summit III, organized and hosted by the EERC, is scheduled for Monday, September 13, 2010, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The event is being held along with the annual MSHBC Hydrogen Implementation Conference. The two events will showcase topics including hydrogen readiness, coproduction of hydrogen production from renewable and fossil fuels, transportation, and hydrogen infrastructure and utilization. More information will be available soon at www.undeerc.org.

WASHINGTON, DC –The winners of the 2010 Hydrogen Student Design Contest were announced today in a keynote session of the National Hydrogen Association’s annual conference, held this year in Long Beach, CA.

The team from Missouri University of Science and Technology was declared the Grand Prize winner. Teams from the University of Waterloo and the National University of Kyiv received Honorable Mention awards.

For the 2010 Contest, students were challenged to plan and design the basic elements of a hydrogen community in Santa Monica, California. They were asked to design one scalable hydrogen fueling station; identify renewable hydrogen sources in the community; and identify customers for early market hydrogen applications.

“While the design submitted by the Missouri University of Science and Technology team specifically applies to Santa Monica, it contains key elements that are applicable to metropolitan areas around the world” said Jeffrey Serfass, President of the Hydrogen Education Foundation. “The team incorporated some very interesting and useful innovations in their entry.”

The Grand Prize-winning team presented their design today to a keynote audience at the National Hydrogen Association Annual Hydrogen Conference and Expo in Long Beach, CA. As a part of the prize package, the team will also be presenting at the World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Essen, Germany on May 17.

The 2010 Contest was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Chevron, and Ballard Power Systems. For information about sponsoring the 2011 Contest, contact Kyle Gibeault at the information below.

A carbon nanotube can produce a very rapid wave of power when it is coated by a layer of fuel and ignited. (Graphic: Christine Daniloff)

MIT researchers are exploring a new technology funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the National Science Foundation, which they call a thermopower wave, that may convert chemical energy to fuel cells for micro-machines, sensors and emergency communication beacons.

The technology is already generating attention because it is 100% non-toxic, saves energy and can also create a significant amount of power in tiny batteries.

“We envision these thermopower wave devices enabling a new generation of energy sources by providing more power — as much as ten times — than smaller commercial batteries,” said Dr. Michael Strano, MIT associate professor of chemical engineering.

The key components of these devices are tiny, molecular wires called carbon nanotubes, or CNTs, which when coated with fuel can conduct heat and create an energy wave in the process.

Researchers Wonjoon Choi, Joel T. Abrahamson, Drs. Strano, Nitish Nair, Jae-Hee Han, Changsik Song and Seunghyun Hong, Prof. Seunghyun Baik believe the waves may form the basis of new types of fuel cells that convert condensed liquid fuel into electrical energy in a continuous manner.

A major challenge that the researchers faced was activating the devices without using too much energy. As a result, they explored different methods, including lasers, electrical sparks and direct heating from a resistor before they discovered the thermopower wave.

As they refine their mathematical decription of the waves, the scientists are looking forward to exploring ways to develop thermopower wave devices that can use transportation fuels such as ethanol or formic acid.

“Another important step for the researchers is to develop refueling systems that can cover the CNTs with more fuel so that the devices can be used more than once,” Strano said. “This will greatly expand their potential applications.”

Taipei, May 5 (CNA) A Taiwanese research team has won a gold medal at an international exhibition in Switzerland for its invention of a tiny device that can quickly detect very low levels of hydrogen leaks in factories and elsewhere.The Semiconductor Transistor-Type Hydrogen Sensor was displayed in April at the 38th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva by its team of inventors that was led by Professor Liu Wen-chau of the Department of Electrical Engineering of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, southern Taiwan.

The portable device, which has already been patented, is one centimeter in diameter, weighs 0.6 grams, can operate on as little as 50 milliwatts of power and can function at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 300 degrees Celsius.

It can detect concentrations of hydrogen leaks of less than 5ppm within 10 seconds, which makes it suitable for use in chemical and semi-conductor factories.

According to NCKU, in the future the device may be incorporated into the design of automobile batteries, fuel cells for aircraft and spacecraft, and hydrogen refueling stations.

Other applications may include use in integrated circuits, micro electrical engineering and communication, the university said.

(By Chang Jung-hsiang and Kay Liu)

Location: Grand Ballroom, Second Level, Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, 300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California

9:15am

Keynote addresses from:

+ Markus Bachmeier, Head of Hydrogen Solutions, The Linde Group

+ Yoshihiko Masuda, Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation

10:00am

Gov. Schwarzenegger will deliver remarks at the National Hydrogen Association Conference and Expo, the largest hydrogen conference in the U.S. and the longest-running annual hydrogen conference in the world. Following his remarks, Gov. Schwarzenegger will tour the expo.

10:30am

Keynote addresses from:

+ Gijs van Breda Vriesman, Commercial Manager Europe Alternative Energy, Shell Hydrogen

+ Charles Freese, Executive Director of Fuel Cell Activities, General Motors

Registration: One-day registration is available on site. Registration for members of the press is complimentary.

www.HydrogenConference.org

Governor Schwarzenegger

About the NHA Hydrogen Conference and Expo

The NHA Hydrogen Conference and Expo is the largest hydrogen conference in the US. Now in its 21st year, it is also the longest-running annual hydrogen conference in the world, attracting more than 1,200 business professionals and expo visitors every year, who gather to learn about the latest advances, network with colleagues and exchange ideas. The accompanying Expo offers more than 100 exhibits, three industry tours and a Ride& Drive, which features vehicles using the latest in hydrogen and fuel cell technology. More information may be obtained at: www.HydrogenConference.org

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.– Air Products (NYSE: APD) today announced that its hydrogen fueling technology has been selected for a demonstration project at the Defense Distribution Depot San Joaquin (DDJC) in Tracy, California.  Upon successful negotiation of an agreement, Air Products’ hydrogen and fueling technology will be used to power 20 Class I forklifts that will move warehouse materials in support of America’s Armed Forces located around the world.  The work at DDJC marks the fourth warehouse materials handling project Air Products has participated in with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and Naval Surface Warfare Center.

Air Products will supply a hydrogen compression, storage and dispensing system at Tracy.  The hydrogen to fuel the forklifts will be produced through an electrolysis process provided by Proton Energy.  Air Products will also supply back-up gaseous hydrogen.  Fueling of the forklifts, fitted with Plug Power’s (Nasdaq: PLUG) GenDrive™ hydrogen fuel cell power units, is to begin in 2011.  Air Products is a subcontractor on this project to the Center for Transportation & the Environment (CTE) in Atlanta, Ga. DDJC is in the military readiness business and is the Department of Defense’s Western Strategic Distribution Platform, serving as one of the hubs of logistics activities for America’s military.

“We are pleased to be working with the military on another hydrogen project.  We also commend the DLA at the Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna Pennsylvania for being the initial showcase and an early adopter for this technology,” said Brian O’Neil, program manager for Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products.  Details on Air Products’ hydrogen fueling station technologies are provided at www.airproducts.com/h2energy.

Air Products is involved in three other DLA Projects in the United States including:

• Joint Base Lewis-McCord (Tacoma, Washington)

Air Products will provide hydrogen compression, storage and two dispensing units to power 19 fuel cell powered material handling units fitted with Plug Power’s technology, as well as a hybrid electric fuel cell bus.  The hydrogen will be produced from anaerobic digester gas from a wastewater treatment plant located on base.  The generated hydrogen will be compressed and stored in Air Products’ tube trailers for transportation across the Base to a dispensing location to support the forklift and bus fuelings.  Air Products is a subcontractor to CTE on this project.  Fueling is scheduled to begin in late 2010.

• Defense Distribution Depot Warner Robins (Robins Air Force Base, Georgia)

Air Products is providing two of its mobile fuelers, an on-site steam methane reformer, hydrogen compression, storage and a dispensing unit to fuel 20 Class I forklifts.  Air Products is a subcontractor at this site to Concurrent Technologies Corporation of Johnstown, Pa. The project was placed on stream earlier this year.

• Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna Pennsylvania (New Cumberland, Pa.)

Air Products is going to be adding another hydrogen dispensing unit at this location to fuel both a shuttle bus and other potential applications.  Air Products compression, storage and dispensing technology has been fueling a fleet of 40 forklifts since 2009.  Plug Power’s technology is in 20 of the forklifts at the site.

There are many advantages to using hydrogen powered forklifts and other material handling equipment.  Hydrogen fuel cell-powered equipment needs refueling once or twice daily, depending on use.  In contrast, traditional battery-powered equipment must be placed temporarily out of operation for battery replacement and required battery recharging approximately every four to six hours.  Hydrogen fuel cell-powered equipment provides consistent power strength during use and does not experience decreased performance or wear down as traditional lead-acid battery units do as they near a required battery change out or recharge time.  Additionally, hydrogen fuel cell forklifts are not adversely impacted by temperature or by operating in coolers and freezers, in comparison to traditional battery performance.  Further, hydrogen-powered fuel cell equipment is more environmentally friendly because it does not involve lead-acid battery storage and disposal issues.

Air Products’ hydrogen fueling technology is currently being used to fuel over 300 material handling vehicles including: fuel cell powered pallet trucks at Wegmans Retail Service Center in Pottsville, Pa.; fuel cell powered lift trucks at Central Grocers’ new distribution center in Joliet, Ill.; hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts at Nestle Waters North America in Dallas, Tex.; hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts at the Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna Pennsylvania in New Cumberland, Pa.; as well as hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts at several other customers in the United States.  In addition, mobile fueling equipment unique and patented by Air Products has been and continues to be deployed to a variety of customers for the purpose of demonstrating the technology in real world conditions.

Air Products, the leading hydrogen supplier to refineries to assist in making cleaner burning transportation fuels, has unique experience in the hydrogen fueling industry. In fact, in certain market applications, fueling rates of over 10,000 refills per year are occurring. These applications provide an opportunity to assess consumer experiences, evaluate product performance and to advance product improvements.  The company 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 175,000 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, produced by natural gas reformation, biomass conversion, or by electrolysis, including electrolysis that is solar and wind driven.

About Air Products

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.

About Plug Power

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

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio will celebrate 10 years of success and global leadership in the fuel cell industry at the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium scheduled for May 6-7, 2010 at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio. According to the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition (www.FuelCellCorridor.com), the statewide fuel cell industry organization hosting the event, the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium will recognize Ohio’s unique combination of knowledge, resources and infrastructure that has supported the development of the state’s fuel cell industry. The result is a hotbed of fuel cell businesses that have successfully developed and commercialized products for a global audience.

“Ohio is one of the few places in the world where all phases of fuel cell development take place,” said Pat Valente, Executive Director of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition. “In Ohio, business owners gain world-class access to research and development, a robust supply chain, and final product manufacturing.  What’s more, they also have the added advantage of cross-sector support from business, government and educational institutions to further innovation and commercialization opportunities.”

Ohio is proving its capabilities in the fuel cell industry at a global level, most recently being ranked among the top five fuel cell states in the nation, according to a new report published by Fuel Cells 2000 titled, “State of the States: Fuel Cells in America.”

The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition is a major driver of Ohio’s fuel cell economy. The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition, the largest state fuel cell association in the nation with more than 80 members including industry, academic, and non-profit organizations that include: Battelle, Edison Welding Institute, NexTech Materials, Honda, Rolls Royce, Crown Equipment, GrafTech, Case Western Reserve University, and The Ohio State University, many of which will participate in the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium event.

The event will celebrate the 10th anniversary by recognizing the pioneers if Ohio’s fuel cell industry who have been instrumental in developing the state’s state of the art advanced energy technologies.

“In just 10 years, Ohio has taken its fuel cell industry from its infancy to become a world-leader in development and manufacturing in this energy efficient technology,” said Bill Dawson, CEO of NexTech Materials, Ltd., and one of the panelists recognizing Ohio’s 10 years of achievement in the fuel cell industry.

According to the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment, Ohio’s fuel cell industry is further proof that the state is transforming its economy and adding new programs to educate and train a new generation of green collar workers to meet the advanced energy needs of the 21st century.

“Ohio is home to some of the best and brightest talent in the fuel cell industry, and continues to provide the necessary tools to allow both businesses and individuals the opportunity to pursue both their professional and personal aspirations,” said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition. “Ohio truly is the state of Perfect Balance.”

About the Ohio Business Development Coalition

The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio’s economic development efforts. For more information, visit www.ohiomeansbusiness.com.

For more information about the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium, or to register for the event, visit, www.FuelCellCorridor.com.

LONG BEACH, Calif.– Today at the National Hydrogen Association Conference and Expo in Long Beach, California, the University of South Carolina – City of Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative, a partnership between the University of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, EngenuitySC and the South Carolina Research Authority, announced the launch of the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge 2010. The challenge is an innovation-based competition focused on identifying and commercializing novel hydrogen, fuel cell and clean technologies in South Carolina.

Teams from around the world are invited to compete by submitting business plans for developing the next generation of products focused on hydrogen and fuel cell technology and fuel cell components.  Teams can consist of start-up companies, collaborations, scientists, researchers, students, and any other group that is working on breakthrough technologies that have near term commercial viability.

“The Fuel Cell Challenge is about the power of ideas and innovation,” said Neil McLean, Executive Director of EngenuitySC, an active public/private partnership that is promoting the growth of Columbia’s knowledge-based economy. “The competition originates in Columbia, SC, but we want to connect to ideas in any lab, company, or region in the world.”

Awards will be granted for first, second, and third place submissions in the amounts of $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000, respectively, in the form of non-returnable commercialization investments through the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) Industry Partners Fund and SC Launch, a program of the SCRA. Winners will also receive business support resources.

“The City of Columbia is dedicated to breaking down the barriers to technology transition and commercialization and to being a city that embraces innovative solutions and high-tech entrepreneurs,” said Bob Coble, Mayor of the City of Columbia.

Submissions will be based on a two phase process, and the deadline for round one is July 16, 2010.  To qualify for the contest, teams must have secure intellectual property, a corresponding business plan demonstrating commercial viability and not have received previous Fuel Cell Challenge or SC Launch funding.  Additionally, applicants must have business operations or the willingness to relocate to the Columbia, SC, region.

To download an application and read more information about submission requirements, qualifications and deadlines visit www.fuelcellcollaborative.com.

About the USC Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative

The University of South Carolina – City of Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative was formed by the University of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, EngenuitySC and the South Carolina Research Authority to position Columbia, SC as a leader in hydrogen fuel cell innovation and technology.  Our mission is to attract top fuel cell scientists, entrepreneurs, and private sector partners to help grow an innovation pipeline from discovery to development to deployment of fuel cell technology. For more information, visit www.fuelcellcollaborative.com.

Richland The city of Richland and Bonneville Power Administration have awarded Areva a one-time incentive payment of nearly $135,000 for a new hydrogen generation system.

The award follows the successful installation and startup of Areva’s new Hydrogen Supply System.

This new safe and eco-friendly system efficiently produces gaseous hydrogen for use in Areva’s manufacturing processes. The system also provides for on-site generated backup hydrogen and gas-mixing equipment for improved process efficiency.

They system is expected to save just over 1.1 million kilowatt hours per year, said company officials.

The new process provides the equipment to blend hydrogen and nitrogen gas in any proportion for process flexibility and significant cost savings through reduction in hydrogen consumption in the conversion process and in six sintering furnaces.

The new hydrogen supply system is fully automated requiring minimal operator support. A significant reduction in greenhouse gases has also been realized as a result of this project.

Read more: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/05/03/1000513/areva-receives-135000-for-hydrogen.html#ixzz0myFlZM7U

Robins Air Force Base says it’s working on several cost-saving initiatives, and some, it says, have already started to show results.

A base employee takes his forklift for a quick fuel-up, but he’s not going to an ordinary fuel pump.

That’s because the juice that keeps the machinery running isn’t gas or electricity–it’s hydrogen.

The portable hydrogen station he’s using is just one of the base’s energy-saving initiatives. It can fuel up to 20 forklifts, which will run for 8 hours and put out water and oxygen as waste.

Off-setting the cost to make the hydrogen fuel is a 17- by 60-foot solar panel.

Art Howard with the Environmental Management Office says it’s a test project through the Advanced Power Technology Office.

“The panel is two-axis,” Howard says, “It tracks the sun as turns, but also as it tilts.”

Howard says if the base finds its forklifts and other vehicles run well on the hydrogen, it will look at converting other vehicles.

He says it’s a small part of a larger goal to cut water, fossil fuel, and energy use on the base, which he says uses as much energy as a city with a population of 75,000.

Through a base-wide energy awareness campaign alone, he says they’ve cut energy use by 6 to 8 percent, saving about $1.2 million.

In the long run though, he says, it’s not just about saving energy.

“If we can continue to turn out the quality of work we do and lower our costs, it will make us more competitive,” says Howard. ”We think, in the long run, it’ll help preserve jobs here.”

The base would not say how much the solar panel cost to build.

Another inititiave, says solid waste program manager Susan Green, is a base-wide scrap metal recycling program that started last fall.

She says since October that program has generated more than $90,000 for the base.

LONG BEACH, Calif.–UK-based hydrogen producer ITM Power will enter the US market, the company announced today. ITM will market a suite of integrated electrolyzer products for a range of markets, including research facilities, manufacturing processes and clean fuel generation for hydrogen powered vehicles. Electrolyzers generate hydrogen utilizing electricity and water, opening the door to 100% renewable hydrogen generation.

“ITM electrolyzers deliver hydrogen at a pressure and quality appropriate to the application, at purities of up to 99.9999%,” said ITM Power’s chief executive Dr. Graham Cooley. “We can meet the requirements of a hydrogen fuel cell, a hydrogen engine, a hydrogen compressor, a hydrogen store (steel cylinder, composite tank or metal hydride system) or gas chromatography equipment.” Each product has been designed to be simple to use and to require a minimum of maintenance, Cooley said.

“This is a significant milestone for ITM,” said Ruth Cox, executive director of the US Fuel Cell Council, an industry association dedicated to fostering the commercialization of fuel cells. “We want to congratulate them on this notable success. ITM is joining the growing list of USFCC members that have commercially available products today. These industry successes, like ITM’s announcement, are further proof that the US market for hydrogen and fuel cells is robust and poised for growth.”

ITM Power will have a booth at the National Hydrogen Association’s Conference and Expo in Long Beach, CA, May 3-6, 2010, but their product samples are marooned in Europe, victim of the travel disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano eruption. “We are delighted to be exhibiting at NHA,” said Cooley, “and we do not intend to let volcanic activity delay our launch! We urge all to come and discuss our products and the exciting applications that they bring to the market place today.”

ITM will be at Booth #415 at the NHA conference, and will be presenting on “Application of Optimization Techniques for Efficient Hydrogen Refueling Station Design” at 1:30pm on Wednesday May 5^th in Parallel Session 3, Room 202B. To arrange a meeting please call Steve Hallet at ITM Power at +44 7834 693226.

ITM Power is ISO certified. All products are developed in accordance with best practice and are presently subject to CE approval. For further information please visit www.itm-power.com.

Brunnthal/Munich und Cologne– For on-board power supply of its official vehicles far from the grid, the German Federal Office for Goods Transport relies on EFOY Pro fuel cells by SFC. The special vehicles, equipped with fuel cells, have been used successfully over several months now as mobile offices for road and toll control services by the German Federal Office for Goods Transport. The EFOY Pro fuel cell by SFC guarantees reliable and environmentally friendly on-board power 24/7.

To provide reliable power in special purpose vehicles with no access to the public grid – especially when the vehicle is not moving – was challenging so far, because battery capacity is very limited. The vehicles had to drive back to the electrical grid and plug in, or recharge the battery standing with the engine idling, resulting in high noise impact and environmental pollution. Now, the fuel cell, installed in the trunk or in a cabinet system, automatically and without any user intervention recharges the battery whenever needed, quietly and without emissions. There is no need for recharging at an electrical outlet. This enables enormous logistic benefits as well as reduced operating cost, and enables significantly more flexibility is using the vehicles. Empty trips for recharging can be avoided, and equipment runtimes are remarkably increased.

„The fuel cells offer a significant added value for us. They do not only provide reliable power whenever needed but also entail tremendous logistical advantages in field use. We have tested the systems and are absolutely convinced by the technology and the products. By using fuel cells we were able to lower fleet operating cost while, at the same time, increasing operational flexibility”, says Ralf Muelhausen, Fleet Manager at the German Federal Office for Goods Transport.

„We are very proud of our cooperation with the Federal Office for Goods Transport and very delighted that our mobile fuel cells have successfully proven themselves as on-board APU“, says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG. „We know that for professional users reliable and sustainable off-grid  power supply is extremely important. We deliver groundbreaking solutions for mobile applications – and offer a true enabling technology with our products”.

Almost 400 vehicles of the German Federal Office for Goods Transport with fuel cells are currently on Germany’s roads. At this year’s Hanover Fair, the German Federal Office for Goods Transport and SFC together presented the advantages, which already convinced numerous customers. To date, SFC has sold over 18,000 fuel cells to international industry and end users worldwide. Fuel cells are ideal solutions wherever reliable and eco-friendly power supply far from the grid is required. The independent small and quiet energy packs play a decisive role in many commercial applications in the governmental sector and security field. They can easily be installed in unmanned, isolated, and numerous remote security systems. They are deployed in border control, traffic, surveillance, monitoring, observation, events security. The fuel cells can also be seamlessly combined with other energy sources, such as solar panels. They obtain fuel from EFOY fuel cartridges, which deliver week-long autonomous energy, depending on their size (5, 10, 28 liters) and are available at more than 1,500 sales points in Europe. SFC has created a voucher infrastructure for fuel cartridge logistics for the Federal Office for Goods Transport which is extremely comfortable and efficient for operators as well as drivers.

Trade visitors can experience a vehicle by the German Federal Office for Goods Transport as well as the EFOY Pro fuel cells at the booth F04 of Goettinger Sonderfahrzeugbau GmbH&Co KG, Mai 4-6, 2010 at GPEC in Leipzig, Germany.

Additional information at www.sfc.com,

About SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG

SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG (www.sfc.com) 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 18,000 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 U.S. sales and technical service office in the U.S. SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG is listed at the Deutsche Boerse Prime Standard (WKN 756857).

About German Federal Office for Goods Transport
The German Federal Office for Goods Transport is an independent higher federal authority in the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development. It is headquartered in Cologne. For task accomplishment and close cooperation with the federal traffic authorities, corporations and other authorities, the German Federal Office for Goods Transport has eight outposted sections. The range of tasks reaches from driving personnel and traffic law to truck toll and market observation, civil emergency precaution and goods traffic statistics to toll bequest proceedings. By performing its operational tasks, the federal office makes a significant contribution to road safety, duty equity and competitive egality on Germany’s roads. At the same time, reports and statistics of the federal office serve as basis and decision guidance for law proposals in the field of traffic goods and movements of people.

National report cites Ohio’s aggressive recruitment of fuel cell companies coupled with innovative policy and funding to attract business to the state

COLUMBUS, Ohio– Ohio is one of the top five fuel cell states in 2009, according to a new report published by Fuel Cells 2000, a nonprofit outreach organization. The report, titled “State of the States: Fuel Cells in America” outlines Ohio’s aggressive and innovative focus on business attraction and business development as well as the state’s strategies for building its fuel cell supply chain and world-class manufacturing base as reasons for the top ranking.

According to the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment, the report is further proof that Ohio’s fuel cell industry is helping to transform the state’s economy by adding new programs to educate and train a new generation of green collar workers to meet the advanced energy needs of the 21st century.

“Ohio is one of the few places in the world where all phases of fuel cell development take place,” said Governor Ted Strickland. “Ohio is quickly becoming an attractive location for fuel cell companies seeking a state partner that understands what it takes to build and grow a successful business here.”

The “State of the States: Fuel Cells in America” report attributes much of Ohio’s success in the fuel cell industry to the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative, developed under the Ohio Third Frontier program, an unprecedented and bipartisan commitment to create new technology-based products, companies, industries and jobs.

Ohio Third Frontier has invested over $80 million in fuel cells through a variety of different programs, which has resulted in the creation or retention of 430 jobs with an average salary of $68,431. Overall, the Ohio Third Frontier has created, capitalized or attracted more than 600 companies, has created nearly 55,000 direct and indirect jobs and helped create $6.6 billion in economic impact in Ohio, a 9:1 return on investment.

Additionally, the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition, the largest state fuel cell association in the nation with more than 80 members including industry, academic, and non-profit organizations, is working to strengthen Ohio’s fuel cell industry and to accelerate the transformation of the region to global leadership in fuel cell technology.

“In Ohio, business owners gain world-class access to research and development, a diverse supply chain, significant state support, and a great business environment,” said Pat Valente, executive director of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition. “What’s more, they also have the added advantage of cross-sector support from business, government and educational institutions to further innovation and commercialization opportunities.”

To view the complete report, visit www.fuelcells.org/statereport.html.

About the Ohio Business Development Coalition

The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio’s economic development efforts. For more information, visit www.ohiomeansbusiness.com.

Announcements build anticipation for industry’s largest event

Washington, DC–In just the last few days, auto manufacturers, hydrogen producers and fuel cell and component manufacturers have revealed breaking news or new products, creating a wave of energy to open the largest hydrogen and fuel cell event of the year.  The NHA Hydrogen Conference and Expo starts Monday, May 3 in Long Beach, CA at the Long Beach Convention Center.

“Companies often pick this venue to show off their latest technologies and services,” said Jeffrey Serfass, President of the National Hydrogen Association. “We’re proud to show that our industry has been hard at work, investing in and improving the technologies that will reduce fuel imports, reduce greenhouse gases and create new jobs and business.  Next week, we’ll share more announcements and reveal the identity of a special guest speaker.”

At the NHA event, for the first time, attendees and the public will be able to test-drive the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL fuel cell electric vehicle and the Mazda RX-8 hydrogen rotary on U.S. streets. It will also be the first time the public will have the opportunity to ride in the Class 8, heavy-duty, fuel cell Tyrano truck from Vision Industries used in the Port of Long Beach to reduce emissions related to the shipping industry. These vehicles will be a part of a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and hydrogen engine vehicles available for rides and test-drives during the event.

In the hydrogen production sector, Proton Energy Systems will unveil their new electrolyzer platform for hydrogen fueling. The FuelGen 65 produces the hydrogen equivalent of up to 65 gallons of gasoline per day from water, using electricity.  Industrial gas supplier Linde’s newly formed Alternative Energy Team will be on hand to discuss the first on-road application of Linde’s novel Ionic Compressor technology. And, for the first time, WEH Technologies will have a hands-on demonstration of how to use their TK17 patented fueling nozzle.  It feels and works like a gasoline dispenser, but this nozzle makes an airtight seal to dispense odorless and environmentally-friendly hydrogen gas.

In other news, ITM Power has chosen the 2010 NHA Hydrogen Conference Expo to roll-out its first range of products for the US market. ITM has developed several electrolyzer products for a range of applications, from the laboratory, through soldering and joining, to fueling hydrogen-powered vehicles.  Also, RIX Industries will announce a new oil-less compressor which allows hydrogen users to fit a lot of hydrogen into a small space.

While not every company is making an announcement, more than one in every three exhibitors are new to the NHA’s Expo this year compared to 2009.

“This year, we have more than 40 companies who will bring their technology and services to the Expo Hall for the first time in at least two years-a lifetime in the development of hydrogen technologies,” said Bruce Cole, NHA”s Expo Manager. “They highlight every sector of the industry and even some related industries who have come to the Expo to explore new business opportunities.”

Activities begin Monday, May 3 and end on Thursday, May 6. For a complete listing of presentations, workshops and events, visit www.hydrogenconference.org. The Ride and Drive and Expo are open free to the public on Tuesday, May 4 from 10-4:30pm.

Lilliputian Systems, a developer of portable power products for consumer electronic devices, will significantly expand its Wilmington manufacturing plant with help from a low-cost $5 million participation term loan issued by MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. MassDevelopment, the lead lender, is providing $2.5 million from its Emerging Technology Fund. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is also providing $2.5 million.

“High-tech manufacturing is a critical component of our economic future,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Robert L. Culver. “We’re proud that Lilliputian Systems has chosen to expand in Wilmington and keep on making its innovative products in the Bay State.”

Lilliputian Systems plans to use the funds to purchase equipment used in manufacturing and assembling key components of the company’s portable power product, USB Mobile Power System, as part of an expansion of the Wilmington site.

Lilliputian Systems is developing a revolutionary portfolio of portable power solutions. The company’s breakthrough Silicon Power Cell(TM) technology enables the only form-factor battery replacement for portable electronic devices that provides an order-of-magnitude run-time improvement over traditional batteries. Lilliputian Systems’ innovative solutions will provide major improvements in the use of mobile devices today and deliver the energy needed to support the power-intensive application of tomorrow’s wireless world. The company is targeting applications for mobile devices such as: cell phones, smart phones, MP3 players, Bluetooth headsets and portable games; laptops, tablets, and netbooks; and digital recorders such as cameras and camcorders. Lilliputian Systems has completed the prototype development of its first product, the USB Mobile Power System, and is currently testing devices and signing commercialization agreements with select customers around the world.

“We are encouraged by the State’s support of our business and we are pleased to be expanding the local economy and reinforcing our Massachusetts roots,” said Lilliputian Systems CEO Ken Lazarus. “The loan from MassDevelopment will help fund the expansion of our Wilmington operations to manufacture key components of our Silicon Power Cells for delivery to customers worldwide.”

“Lilliputian is one of the most exciting innovative clean energy companies choosing to expand in Massachusetts,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney. “We are thrilled that they chose the Commonwealth to manufacture this game-changing technology.”

About MassDevelopment

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development authority, works with businesses, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2009, MassDevelopment financed or managed 229 projects statewide representing the investment of nearly $1.2 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are supporting the creation of 1,488 new housing units and 8,232 jobs: 3,362 permanent and 4,870 construction-related.

About Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Created by the Green Jobs Act of 2008, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) mission is to foster the growth of the Massachusetts clean energy industry through seed grants to companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations, job training programs, workforce development grants, and support for renewable energy projects. As of November 23, 2009 MassCEC is the new home of the Renewable Energy Trust. This exciting transition comes as a result of legislation, passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed by Governor Deval Patrick, to provide the residents, businesses, and communities of the Commonwealth with a single source of support for clean energy. More information is available at www.MassCEC.com.

About Lilliputian Systems

Lilliputian Systems, Inc. has developed the world’s first Personal Power(TM) solution for Consumer Electronics (CE) devices, a revolutionary family of products targeted at the $50 billion portable power market. The Company’s breakthrough solution delivers the only viable small form-factor battery replacement that provides the enormous run-time improvements demanded by today’s CE devices. Lilliputian’s patented Silicon Power Cell(TM) technology is based on highly-efficient and proven solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) wafer fabrication methods, and is fueled by recyclable high energy butane cartridges. The technology is reliable, FAA approved and environmentally friendly. Lilliputian’s solution enables longer run-time by providing a 5-10 improvement in volumetric energy density and 20-40X improvement in gravimetric energy density at a fraction of the cost. The Company’s elegantly designed solution both complements today’s devices and can seamlessly integrate into future devices – all while ensuring the consumer enjoys an essentially infinite supply of Personal Power(TM) for their CE devices. For more information, visit www.lilliputiansystems.com.