FuelCellsWorks

For the past decade or so, numerous automakers have been researching the use of hydrogen fuel for next-generation automobiles. Until the recent announcements of the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, fuel-cell vehicles like the Honda FCX Clarity looked like the hydrogen promise would hit the market first.

Unfortunately, among the public at large, the first thing people think of when they hear the word “hydrogen” is the Hindenburg and explosions. While hydrogen in cars is no more flammable than gasoline, the perception could be even more of a reality after an explosion Thursday at a hydrogen refueling station in Rochester, N.Y.

During a swap of hydrogen tanks by a company that supplies GM with tanks for its fuel-cell fleet, one tank exploded, and the resulting fire led to a second tank exploding. One person was treated at a hospital with second-degree burns. The fueling station is at an airport that was shut down for 50 minutes after the explosion. Some flights were rerouted in midair.

The cause of the explosion hasn’t been determined, but this does not bode well for companies and energy companies looking to introduce fuel-cell vehicles to the masses.

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 successfully met the pre-conditions for the previously announced order for 30 BlueGen gas-to-electricity generators from the Victorian Government’s Office of Housing.

On 30 April 2010 Ceramic Fuel Cells announced that it had received a conditional order for 30 BlueGen units from the Victorian Government’s Office of Housing. The order was conditional on the Government finalising funding for the project, and on the Office of Housing and Ceramic Fuel Cells jointly agreeing a model for the delivery of future BlueGen maintenance services.

Ceramic Fuel Cells is pleased to confirm that both conditions have been met and the order is now unconditional.

The Office of Housing will install the BlueGen units in public housing properties in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. The project will demonstrate the operation of the units and the benefits to tenants, via the generation of low emission power and hot water for the home.

Ceramic Fuel Cells is working with the Office of Housing to select the sites where the BlueGen units will be installed. The BlueGen units are scheduled to be installed from late 2010 to early 2011, for an initial two-year project period.

BlueGen uses fuel cell technology to convert natural gas into electricity. Over a year, each BlueGen can produce twice the electricity needed to power an average Victorian home – the excess power can be exported to the power grid. BlueGen also produces enough heat to meet the average home’s daily needs for hot water.

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

“Green Caravaning” partnership between Knaus Tabbert and EFOY

Brunnthal/Munich and Jandelsbrunn, Germany– Knaus Tabbert  GmbH, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of caravans and motorhomes and SFC Energy AG, technology and market leader for mobile and off-grid power solutions based on fuel cells announce their sales partnership at Caravan Salon 2010. With the integration of EFOY fuel cells in all models, starting with Caravan Salon 2010, Knaus Tabbert takes a further trend-setting step forward with its „green caravaning“ concept. Customers who buy one of Knaus Tabbert’s new motorhomes can purchase the EFOY 1200 and the EFOY 900 fuel cell as optional equipment with especially attractive conditions. With this step Knaus Tabbert joins the list of many leading motorhome manufacturers that have selected EFOY fuel cells for independent, weather-independent and environmentally-friendly power supply.

“With this partnership and the complete EFOY fuel cell offer we want to provide our customers the best travelling comfort with attractive conditions“, says Giovanni Marcon, CEO of Knaus Tabbert GmbH. “The EFOY fuel cell corresponds with our philosophy as it allows unlimited freedom and provides reliable and sustainable power on board the motorhome. Knaus Tabbert presents the green EFOY fuel cell technology in its portfolio at Caravan Salon 2010 for the first time and focuses on the future with yet another leading product in the area of green caravaning”.

“We are delighted that Knaus Tabbert, as a leading and large motorhome manufacturer in our Bavarian neighbourhood, includes our EFOY fuel cells in its program“, says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy AG. “We provide silent, lightweight and emission-free power supply solutions, resulting in increased comfortonomy on board the motorhome. We are very proud of this cooperation and make an important contribution to the key issue “green caravanning” on this year’s Caravan Salon”.

The EFOY fuel cell is available in five different performance levels, with charging capacities up to 2.2 kWh per day. EFOY fuel cartridges with five or ten liters of fuel are on sale at more than 1,500 sales points throughout Europe.
SFC Energy AG displays the EFOY fuel cell range at booth 36, hall 13 as well as at the Knaus Tabbert fair booth in hall 16 at Caravan Salon, August 28 to September 5, 2010 in Duesseldorf, Germany.

More information at www.efoy.com, www.sfc.com and www.knaustabbert.de

About SFC Energy AG
SFC Energy 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 about 19,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for more than six 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. SFC Energy AG is listed in the Prime Standard on the German stock exchange (WKN 756857). 

“Green Caravaning” partnership between Knaus Tabbert and EFOY

Brunnthal/Munich and Jandelsbrunn, Germany, August 27, 2010 – Knaus Tabbert  GmbH, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of caravans and motorhomes and SFC Energy AG, technology and market leader for mobile and off-grid power solutions based on fuel cells announce their sales partnership at Caravan Salon 2010. With the integration of EFOY fuel cells in all models, starting with Caravan Salon 2010, Knaus Tabbert takes a further trend-setting step forward with its „green caravaning“ concept. Customers who buy one of Knaus Tabbert’s new motorhomes can purchase the EFOY 1200 and the EFOY 900 fuel cell as optional equipment with especially attractive conditions. With this step Knaus Tabbert joins the list of many leading motorhome manufacturers that have selected EFOY fuel cells for independent, weather-independent and environmentally-friendly power supply.

“With this partnership and the complete EFOY fuel cell offer we want to provide our customers the best travelling comfort with attractive conditions“, says Giovanni Marcon, CEO of Knaus Tabbert GmbH. “The EFOY fuel cell corresponds with our philosophy as it allows unlimited freedom and provides reliable and sustainable power on board the motorhome. Knaus Tabbert presents the green EFOY fuel cell technology in its portfolio at Caravan Salon 2010 for the first time and focuses on the future with yet another leading product in the area of green caravaning”.

“We are delighted that Knaus Tabbert, as a leading and large motorhome manufacturer in our Bavarian neighbourhood, includes our EFOY fuel cells in its program“, says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy AG. “We provide silent, lightweight and emission-free power supply solutions, resulting in increased comfortonomy on board the motorhome. We are very proud of this cooperation and make an important contribution to the key issue “green caravanning” on this year’s Caravan Salon”.

The EFOY fuel cell is available in five different performance levels, with charging capacities up to 2.2 kWh per day. EFOY fuel cartridges with five or ten liters of fuel are on sale at more than 1,500 sales points throughout Europe.
SFC Energy AG displays the EFOY fuel cell range at booth 36, hall 13 as well as at the Knaus Tabbert fair booth in hall 16 at Caravan Salon, August 28 to September 5, 2010 in Duesseldorf, Germany.

More information at www.efoy.com, www.sfc.com and www.knaustabbert.de

About SFC Energy AG
SFC Energy 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 about 19,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for more than six 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. SFC Energy AG is listed in the Prime Standard on the German stock exchange (WKN 756857).

FOLSOM, Calif. – Altergy Systems (Altergy) announced that Altergy, Anglo Platinum’s Platinum Growth Metals Development Fund (PGM) and the government of the Republic of South Africa, through its Department of Science and Technology (DST), have formed Clean Energy Investments, a company headquartered in South Africa whose principal objective is to manufacture and market Altergy fuel cell systems in the Republic of South Africa and other Sub-Saharan countries.  PGM and DST each invested undisclosed amounts in Clean Energy Investments, which will be jointly owned by Altergy, PGM and the South African government.

In a related development, PGM also invested an undisclosed amount in Altergy.

This collaboration marks the launch of the South African government’s Hydrogen South Africa (HYSA) strategy to develop a manufacturing based “hydrogen economy” and transform and expand uses for the country’s national resources, including platinum.  South Africa holds 75 percent of the world’s platinum group metals reserves.  Anglo Platinum is the world’s largest producer of platinum group metals and accounts for 40 percent of the world’s newly mined platinum.  Platinum is used in fuel cells as a catalyst for the conversion of hydrogen into electricity.

Following a worldwide review of fuel cell technologies, Altergy was identified as the company with the business, technology, intellectual property, and strategic focus that will best help the nation of South Africa achieve its HYSA objectives.

“This initiative is in line with the DST’s goal of promoting South Africa as a source of world class, high technology transfer and infrastructure opportunities, said Naledi Pandor, the Minister for Science and Technology, in South Africa.  ”Altergy’s technology is a key component in the development of a sustainable energy supply.”

Anglo Platinum led the search for the best fuel cell technology which the government could leverage over the entire economy. “We are pleased that our partnership with government and industry is bearing tangible results. We believe this will go a long way in ensuring that we further develop the PGM market and is a boost for local beneficiation,” says Anthea Bath, Head: Market Development and Research, Anglo Platinum.

Altergy’s fuel cells are used by telecommunications companies to provide backup power at cell sites as an alternative to battery systems or diesel generators, and in some cases the grid.  Altergy’s fuel cells are reliable, easier to maintain, and can cost less than existing solutions.  Altergy’s unique, patented technology also can be adapted to a wide range of other uses wherever clean, distributed power is needed.

Clean Energy Investments initially will establish a distribution network for Altergy’s Freedom Power™ fuel cell products throughout the Sub-Saharan region. Following the successful launch of the market, Clean Energy will establish a fuel cell manufacturing and assembly plant in South Africa under license from Altergy.  That facility will supply the Sub-Saharan markets with high quality Altergy fuel cell products manufactured locally.

“Africa is one of the fastest growing markets in the world.  The telecommunications market is exploding across the continent.  The need for electrical power in all sectors of the economy is growing exponentially.  As the need for abundant, clean, low cost power grows, and society’s focus on environmental protection is increasing, many governments are turning to the use of hydrogen as a carrier of energy, and fuel cells as a source of electricity.  Altergy is proud to have been chosen by Anglo Platinum, PGM, the South African Government’s Department of Science and Technology and industry to bring its fuel cell solutions to the region.  We could not ask for better partners, both from a strategic and personal perspective.  This will accelerate our mission of Changing the Way the World Gets its Power,” said Eric Mettler, Altergy’s President and CEO.  

About Anglo Platinum

Anglo Platinum Limited is the world’s leading primary producer of platinum group metals (PGMs) and accounts for about 40% of the world’s newly mined platinum.

About the Department of Science and Technology

The South African Government’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) strives toward introducing measures that put science and technology to work to make an impact on growth and development in South Africa.  The DST developed a National Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Strategy to create a Hydrogen Economy, as well to enable South Africa to extract more value from beneficiation of its natural resources, in this case, the abundant PGM resources.  

About Altergy

Altergy Systems® is the global leader in the design, manufacture, sales, marketing and deployment of fuel cell power systems.  Altergy’s Freedom Power™ products are rugged, fully integrated, modular, scalable and highly-efficient fuel cell systems that generate power at the point-of-use making low cost, distributed power generation a reality and provide the solution to the serious global shortage of premium power and the growing demand for low cost, high quality power.  Altergy’s unique design allows fuel cells to be manufactured in high volume at low cost, making widespread use feasible.   These Freedom Power products provide freedom from the grid, freedom from foreign oil, freedom from traditional energy solutions, freedom from batteries and freedom from pollution and are “Changing the Way the World Gets Its Power.”

For more information about Altergy Systems, visit www.altergy.com.

Taiwan-based power supply solutions company AcBel Polytech announced on August 26, 2010 that its portable fuel cell power generator has received orders from US customers and shipments will begin in September.

AcBel turned in NT$10.391 billion in consolidated revenues for the first half of 2010, up 31.8% on year. After-tax profit totaled NT$501 million or NT$1 EPS on an 14.7% average gross margin. Second-quarter revenues increased 41% on year for a new sales record at NT$5.76 billion.

The company in recent years has made inroads into green industries including smart grid and LED lighting.

WALLINGFORD, Conn–SunHydro today announced an agreement with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) to place ten (10) Toyota Advanced Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles (FCHV-adv) in the Connecticut area this fall. The vehicles will support the new SunHydro solar-powered hydrogen fueling station, located at Proton Energy Systems’ headquarters in Wallingford, Conn. Proton Energy Systems is the world leader in on-site hydrogen generation, and its equipment will be used at the SunHydro station.

SunHydro is the vision of successful entrepreneur Tom Sullivan, founder of Lumber Liquidators, who is expanding his business focus from hardwood floors to hydrogen fuel.

“This is a big step for Connecticut, our country, and the overall evolution of alternative fuels in the U.S.,” said Tom Sullivan, SunHydro founder and Proton Energy Systems owner. “We are very excited to partner with Toyota on this initiative, which will help connect people with hydrogen fuel cell technology,” said Sullivan.

SunHydro is leading the development of an East Coast Hydrogen Highway, which will make it possible to drive a fuel cell vehicle from Maine to Florida. The Wallingford, Conn. station will be the first station on this Highway. When completed, the Highway series of SunHydro stations will be the world’s first privately funded network of hydrogen fueling stations.

“We are looking forward to helping to lead the charge for solar-powered hydrogen fuel by building infrastructure that makes this alternative fuel more accessible to the general consumer,” said Michael Grey, President of SunHydro.

The FCHV-adv vehicles in Connecticut are part of a Toyota nationwide fuel cell demonstration program that will place more than 100 vehicles over the next three years. The ten fuel cell vehicles will be kept in Connecticut and will be used by SunHydro/Proton Energy Systems staff, in addition to other community members.

“The FCHV-adv demonstration program is a key step in preparing the market for advanced technologies,” said Craig Scott, TMS advanced technology vehicle manager. “The placement of the fuel cell vehicles in the Connecticut market will increase awareness of fuel technology and spur development of much-needed infrastructure prior to our planned market introduction in 2015.”

About SunHydro
SunHydro is the world’s first chain of privately funded fueling stations that provides hydrogen to fuel cell cars. SunHydro’s hydrogen is produced right on-site using solar and water, which means zero emissions. The company is developing and building a network of hydrogen fuel stations all along the east coast with larger plans for national expansion (www.sunhydro.com).

About Proton Energy Systems
Proton Energy Systems designs and manufactures proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical systems to make hydrogen from water in a zero pollution process producing safe, pure, reliable onsite hydrogen to meet today’s global hydrogen requirements. Proton Energy Systems has been developing and manufacturing world-class electrolysis systems since 1996, with thousands of units deployed world-wide, on every continent. With a reputation for building robust, reliable, and safe systems, federal, state, and commercial partners repeatedly seek the creative solutions that Proton Energy Systems has proven it is capable of delivering. For more information, visit www.protonenergy.com.

About Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.77 million vehicles in 2009. Toyota directly employs nearly 34,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com

AFC Energy plc‘s (AIM: AFC) alkaline fuel cell technology has been chosen as the key component in a game-changing carbon capture and storage (CCS) proposal. The project, based in the North East of England will provide a template for clean energy generation, putting the UK at the forefront of CCS technology.

The unique 500 megawatt (MW) proposal is being put forward by clean energy pioneers B9 Coal for the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) CCS demonstration competition. Rio Tinto Alcan’s Lynemouth Plant in Northumberland has been announced as a potential site for the plant. The proposal has full support from the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) and environmental project facilitators, Renew.

“AFC Energy is delighted to be part of such an exciting project. It provides the UK with a genuine opportunity for enhanced energy security whilst meeting green energy demand from domestic coal reserves. Our fuel cell technology will allow the lowest possible unit cost electricity alongside hugely efficient power generation” Ian Balchin, CEO of AFC Energy commented.

The project will showcase a unique combination of keystone technologies; underground coal gasification (UCG) and AFC Energy’s low cost alkaline fuels cells. UCG produces syngas which is then passed through a clean-up process, resulting in separate streams of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Upwards of 90% of the carbon dioxide can then be captured as a by-product at no extra cost. The pure hydrogen is passed through the fuel cell, converting to electricity at 60% efficiency at a projected cost as low as 4 pence per kWh.

“At a time when the government is expressing a desire to show global leadership on CCS, we are offering a project that has the potential to become a world-leading template”, explained B9 Coal Director, Alisa Murphy. “AFC Energy’s fuel cell technology provides us with the first commercially viable and scalable option. The partnership enables us to supply a hugely efficient energy generation process with no environmental impact, which is incredibly exciting for the UK.”

This project would mark the first large scale demonstration of alkaline fuel cell technology in a CCS project; its inclusion enables a commercially attractive solution to the green energy dilemma. The proposal illustrates the growing understanding of the fundamental role that AFC Energy’s fuel cell will play in the transition to a low carbon future.

Fuel cells could play a huge role in improving the UK’s infrastructure, it was suggested yesterday (25th August).

Sir John Banham, Chairman of Johnson Matthey, explained that fuel cell systems are already being used in buildings and homes in the US at a cost of just 4.5p per kilowatt hour.

Speaking to INSEAD Knowledge, he explained that the UK should follow suit and could even run an entire fleet of buses on the technology for the London Olympics in 2012.

By using methane from sewage, Sir John also noted that fuel cells could help to reduce the country’s affordable housing shortage by playing a central role in new feed-in tariffs.

“The home fuel cell is 5kW, silent and you simply plug it into the gas supply. It’s about the size of a refrigerator and could operate on methane,” he told the news provider.

“We need to replace Stalinist thinking about how you plan housing and how you plan future energy with letting the markets operate.”

Sir John cited the Freedom Towers redevelopment of the World Trade Centre building in New York as one example of where fuel cells will be used to provide energy.

His comments were strongly backed up by David King, Director of the Smith School of Enterprise at Oxford University, who described fuel cells as a “very important technology”.

He explained that installing the units in homes across the country could offer a “massive advantage” in the UK’s attempts to reach its 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2020.

“If every system in the home, instead of having a gas heating system, had one of these units, you would be producing all of your electricity and all your heat requirements from a single system; it’s a combined heating power,” he said in an interview with INSEAD Knowledge.

Meanwhile, Ballard Power Systems revealed recently that it has completed tests on a new system which incorporates its proton membrane exchange fuel cells.

The company believes the generator, which has been tested to 1MW, could provide clean energy peaking capacity during periods of high demand.

Hyundaicould introduce a production fuel cell vehicle as early as 2012, according to reports.

Influential motoring blog Autoweek says that the Korean automaker plans to produce 10,000 units of the vehicle annually by 2015, starting slow in 2012 with between 500 and 1,000 units.

Hyundai hasn’t confirmed details of the vehicles, although it has previously shown hydrogen concepts such as the ix35 Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle unveiled at Geneva this year.

At the time, Hyundai said that it had made several important innovations over its previous fuel cell concepts, the Tucson fuel cell EV.

Although hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been somewhat buried in the flurry of electric vehicles expected in the next 12 months, several automakers are still working on potential models.

Toyota plans to produce its first hydrogen-powered car within the next five years; the company unveiled the model earlier this year, priced at around $50,000 (€39,650).

Last month, fellow Japanese brand Honda said that it still believed that “in the long-term, fuel-cell electric vehicles will provide the ultimate mobility,” promising that it would continue work on the FCX Clarity, its fuel-cell vehicle which is now available to some customers, albeit on a test basis.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100824/CARNEWS/100829953

Scientists have reported development of a new battery-like device that opens the possibility that people one day could “recharge” cell phones, laptops, and other portable electronics in an unlikely way ? with a sugar fix from a shared sip of soda pop or even a dose of vegetable oil. They described the device, the first fuel cell that produces electricity with technology borrowed from the biological powerhouses that energize people and other living things on Earth, here at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

“This is the first demonstration of a new class of biofuel cells,” said Shelley Minteer, Ph.D., who presented the report. “When further developed, these devices have the potential for replacing disposable and rechargeable batteries in a wide variety of consumer electronics and other products. It is the first such device based on one of the microscopic parts of the billions upon billions of cells that make up the body.”

Just as the human body has internal organs like the liver and the heart, cells that make up the body have internal structures termed organelles (”little organs”). For the new biofuel cell, Minteer and colleagues chose one of the most amazing organelles: the mitochondria.

Sometimes called the cell’s own powerhouses, mitochondria transform the calories in food into chemical energy that the body needs to sustain life. Mitochondria use a chemical formed from the digestion of sugar and fats, called pyruvate, to make another substance called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which stores energy until needed. Each day the mitochondria in a typical person produce and recycle an amount of ATP equal to the person’s body weight. This energy-producing system powered by sugar or fats opens the possibility of refueling a laptop or cell phone with vegetable fats or common oils, said Minteer, a chemist with Saint Louis University in Missouri.

Minteer pointed out that biofuel cells are not new. Scientists have borrowed from Mother Nature to produce a variety of other biofuel cells that use enzymes, for instance, and bacteria to produce electricity. Fuel cells make electricity from the chemical energy in a fuel and oxygen in the air or liquid oxygen. Fuel cells work much like batteries. Unlike batteries, however, fuel cells do not run down or need a recharge. They produce electricity continuously, so long as fuel and oxygen are available. The fuel can be hydrogen, natural gas, alcohol, or other materials.

Minteer and colleagues described the development and successful lab testing of the first mitochondria fuel cell. The device consists of a thin layer of mitochondria sandwiched between two electrodes, including a gas-permeable electrode. Tests showed that it produced electricity using sugar or cooking oil byproducts as fuel.

Other potential applications of mitochondria fuel cells include their use as power sources in wireless sensors for temperature monitoring, motion detection, and monitoring the location of vehicles in a fleet. The new biofuel cells also could serve as a power-source for stamp-sized sensors designed to detect hidden explosives, the scientists said.

BOTHELL, WA– NEAH Power Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: NPWZ)  the company leading development in fuel cells for the military and portable electronic devices, announced today it has signed a letter of intent to explore acquisition or merger plans with EKO Vehicles of Bangalore, Private Limited, India (http://www.ekovehicle.com/), India’s leading technology producer of two-wheeled electric vehicles. This combined venture is expected to provide additional opportunities for the expansion of product lines and global growth. Both companies are undertaking due diligence efforts in order to determine the viability and the structure of the combination.

NEAH had previously announced a customer relationship with EKO to build fuel cells for EKO’s electric scooter product line. The third generation of EKO product is currently being sold in Asia and will shortly be available in the United States and Europe. “We intend to take the synergistic relationship between Neah and EKO to new levels. In addition to the fuel cells for electric two wheelers, we see high demand for Neah’s fuel cells for a variety of military and industrial applications in India and Asia, and this relationship could enable us to meet this demand. Our micro fuel cells may eventually replace batteries for most uses,” said Dr. Chris D’Couto, President and CEO of Neah Power.

“We welcome NEAH’s technology and we share the common goal of reducing the levels of air and noise pollution, provide cost effective power solutions for two wheeler and four wheeler applications, and enable global growth for our products,” said Mr. Anil Ananthakrishna, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EKOVEHICLES Pvt. Ltd.

About NEAH Power

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

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

About EKO Vehicles

The EKO Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. mission is to reduce atmospheric pollution through the distribution of its low-pollution, electric vehicles. Founder Anil Ananthakrishna has more than 30 years of experience in non-polluting powered vehicle design, testing and manufacturing, industrial consulting and business management. The company is developing “Rapid Battery Charging Stations” at several locations in the cities of Bangalore and Mysore in order to enable customers to charge Eko electric vehicles in under 15 minutes. EKO is planning to introduce electric three-seater, three-wheeler and four-seater, omni-type four-wheelers with the same capabilities.

NEW HOLLAND, PA–An increasing demand for reduced emissions and energy independence has fueled the need for new technology and the use of alternative fuels on the farm. One of the most promising developments, the New Holland NH^2™  hydrogen-powered tractor, will make its North American debut on August 31 at the 2010 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. More than just an idea, the NH^2™ tractor is a 106 hp working prototype able to perform all the tasks of a tractor while operating virtually silent and emitting zero pollutants. The tractor will be on display at the New Holland exhibit (# 1048) throughout the three-day show.

New Holland’s experimental hydrogen-powered  tractor is a key element in a project that hopes to free farmers from the cost of purchased fossil-fuel and allow them to achieve fuel autonomy while meeting increasingly stringent emissions standards. The concept is a natural fit with New Holland’s Clean Energy Leader position, which saw the company lead the agriculture industry with its support for 100% biodiesel that didn’t involve complicated servicing programs or reduced machine performance.

Farmers are in a unique position to benefit from hydrogen technology. Unlike many people, they have the space to install alternative electricity generation systems, such as solar, wind, biomass or waste, and then store that power as hydrogen. Apart from the environmental benefits, such a system would allow customers to become energy independent and improve their financial stability.

Based on the popular New Holland T6000 Series tractor, the experimental NH^2™ tractor replaces the traditional combustion engine with hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity. Compressed hydrogen drawn from a tank on the tractor reacts in the fuel cell with oxygen, drawn from the air, to produce water and electrons. The electrons are harnessed in the form of an electric current, which drives electric motors to power the tractor’s drivetrain and auxiliary systems.

The NH²’s fuel cell generates 106 hp and emits only heat, vapor and water. The tractor has zero emissions because it does not produce polluting nitrogen oxides, soot particles or carbon dioxide. And because the NH² is virtually silent, there’s also no noise pollution.

Fuel cells have a long working life and avoid the environmental issues of disposing of batteries, which lose their accumulation capacity during their life. Energy-dense compressed hydrogen can be stored conveniently in a tank, allowing the energy to be stored for an extremely long period and the vehicle to be refuelled quickly.

About New Holland Agriculture
New Holland Agriculture is a division of CNH Global N.V. (NYSE: CNH), a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A. New Holland sells and services an innovative line of agricultural equipment, including a full line of tractors, hay and forage equipment, harvesting, crop production and material handling equipment. Sales, parts and service are provided by more than 1,000 New Holland dealers throughout North America.

Following yesterday’s report that preliminary job figures for July show an overall job growth of over 13,000 jobs in Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick today toured expanding clean technology company Lilliputian Systems, which has been steadily adding jobs in its Wilmington factory.

“The clean tech industry continues to prosper in Massachusetts and Lilliputian Systems is a great example of the state’s strength in this sector,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “The company’s ongoing expansion in the state further demonstrates the real recovery taking place in Massachusetts.”

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s reported on Thursday that preliminary job figures in the Commonwealth show an overall job growth of 13,200 jobs, with an increase of 19,200 private jobs in all nine sectors.

July’s job growth is the largest monthly private sector job gain in the Commonwealth in the last 20 years. These figures continue the sixth straight month of overall job growth in Massachusetts.

Lilliputian Systems, a Wilmington-based company that manufactures mobile device power systems enabled by its proprietary Silicon Power Cell™ technology, has increased its workforce by 25 percent in the past eight months and expects to add at least 50 additional clean tech jobs in the future.

Lilliputian’s technology delivers power and energy improvements for consumer electronic devices, allowing consumers to unplug from the “grid” and recieve up to 10 times the battery life of traditional batteries.

The Patrick Administration, through efforts of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, has been working in collaboration with Lilliputian to assist the company with its expansion, including facilitating a $5 million loan from MassDevelopment’s Emerging Technology Fund and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center in April.

“Lilliputian Systems is one of several important Massachusetts companies creating innovative fuel cell products and driving growth in the Commonwealth’s clean energy industry,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, who serves as chairman of the Clean Energy Center board of directors.

“Governor Patrick’s mission to make the Commonwealth a global leader in clean tech is a goal we share. Our mutual commitment has allowed us to thrive and continue to grow in Massachusetts,” said Lilliputian CEO Ken Lazarus. “We work in a competitive industry that requires a well educated, specialized workforce. Operating in Massachusetts allows us access to highly trained talent, which is critical for a company like ours.”

Since day one, Governor Patrick’s top priority has been to create jobs and build a stronger economic foundation for the people of Massachusetts.

Through fiscally responsible, targeted investments in the life sciences and clean energy sectors, along with the largest investment in our public infrastructure in decades, the Patrick-Murray Administration is putting people back to work across the Commonwealth.

As a result, Massachusetts is emerging from the recession faster and stronger than any other state in the nation.

Altergy Systems has been expanding its work force and increasing revenue, and is building a presence in South Africa as it tries to become the standard in the telecommunications industry for backup power at cellular sites and explores other markets, from the smart-grid to fuel cell-powered homes.

In the past nine months, the Folsom company has completed the nation’s largest-known single deployment of fuel cells for the telecommunications market for MetroPCS in south Florida, and spent time on the red carpet at the Academy Awards in Hollywood, where its fuel cells powered metal detectors and portable lighting systems.

More recently, Altergy, Anglo Platinum’s Platinum Growth Metals Development Fund and the Republic of South Africa government have formed a jointly owned company that will market and distribute Altergy’s products for the sub-Saharan African market. Each of the partners has invested an undisclosed amount in the joint venture, Clean Energy Investments.

The collaboration will help the South African government meet certain goals, including developing a manufacturing-based national “hydrogen economy” and transforming and expanding uses for the country’s natural resources, such as platinum.

Under the partnership, Anglo Platinum also invests an undisclosed amount in Altergy, which continues to quietly raise equity financing from “high-net-worth individuals,” said Terry Carlone, Altergy’s chairman and chief administrative officer.

The company had raised $24 million by 2006, and has raised “significantly more” since, said Carlone, who would not provide details.

Clean Energy Investments will ultimately establish a fuel cell manufacturing and assembly plant in South Africa under a license from Altergy.

Read the full story in the Sacramento Business Journal.

research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society

BOSTON, Aug. 23, 2010 — The era of personalized energy systems — in which individual homes and small businesses produce their own energy for heating, cooling and powering cars — took another step toward reality today as scientists reported discovery of a powerful new catalyst that is a key element in such a system. They described the advance, which could help free homes and business from dependence on the electric company and the corner gasoline station, at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, being held here this week.

“Our goal is to make each home its own power station,” said study leader Daniel Nocera, Ph.D. “We’re working toward development of ‘personalized’ energy units that can be manufactured, distributed and installed inexpensively. There certainly are major obstacles to be overcome — existing fuel cells and solar cells must be improved, for instance. Nevertheless, one can envision villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing an affordable basic system.”

A new catalyst could help speed development of
inexpensive home-brewed solar energy systems
for powering homes and plug-in cars during the
day (left) and for producing electricity from a fuel
cell at night (right). Credit: Patrick Gillooly/MIT

Such a system would consist of rooftop solar energy panels to produce electricity for heating, cooking, lighting, and to charge the batteries on the homeowners’ electric cars. Surplus electricity would go to an “electrolyzer,”
a device that breaks down ordinary water into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen. Both would be stored in tanks. In the dark of night, when the solar panels cease production, the system would shift gears, feeding the stored hydrogen and oxygen into a fuel cell that produces electricity (and clean drinking water as a byproduct). Such a system would produce clean electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week — even when the sun isn’t shining.

Nocera’s report focused on the electrolyzer, which needs catalysts — materials that jump start chemical reactions like the ones that break water up into hydrogen and oxygen. He is with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. Good catalysts already are available for the part of the electrolyzer that produces hydrogen. Lacking, however, have been inexpensive, long-lasting catalysts for the production of oxygen. The new catalyst fills that gap and boosts oxygen production by 200-fold. It eliminates the need for expensive platinum catalysts and potentially toxic chemicals used in making them.

The new catalyst has been licensed to Sun Catalytix, which envisions developing safe, super-efficient versions of the electrolyzer, suitable for homes and small businesses, within two years.

The National Science Foundation and the Chesonis Family Foundation provided funding for this study. Nocera did the research with post-doctoral researcher Mircea Dinca and doctoral candidate Yogesh Surendranath. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency has recently awarded the team with a grant, which it plans to use to search for related compounds that can further increase the efficiency of its electrolyzer technology. The team hopes that nickel-borate belongs to a family of compounds that can be optimized for super-efficient, long-term energy storage technologies.

Two new fuel cell projects total 900 kilowatts

Sandy Spring, GA — LOGANEnergy Corporation, a private fuel cell services company specializing in planning, developing, and implementing fuel cell projects has announced the sale of 900 kilowatts of fuel cells to two Connecticut based entities. 

Two 300 kilowatt fuel cells have been sold to the United States Navy for installation at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton and an additional 300 kilowatt fuel cell will be installed at Carla’s Pasta, Inc. in South Windsor. The fuel cells will be manufactured by FuelCell Energy of Danbury, CT.

“We are very excited about these two sales.” said Keith Spitznagel., LOGANEnergy’s SVP of Marketing “These sales strengthen our commitment to providing Connecticut customers with clean and reliable onsite power generation. LOGANEnergy has experience working with the US Navy on other successful fuel cell projects in California and Hawaii. All of these projects demonstrate the benefits of combining ultra-clean base load electricity generation with efficient heat recovery.”

Located on the Thames River in Groton, CT, the base supports Commander Submarine Group 2, Naval Submarine School, Naval Submarine Support Facility, three submarine squadron staffs, and the housing and support facilities for more than 21,000 civilian workers, active-duty service members and their families.

The two 300 kilowatt fuel cell power plants will reduce energy costs at the Base by providing clean electric power and byproduct heat to the existing energy plant. In this combined heat and power configuration the system will achieve 80% efficiency while reducing the base carbon footprint.

Carla’s Pasta has been producing quality frozen pasta and pesto products for their customers for 29 years. When completed in mid 2011 the fuel cell will provide not only electricity and thermal energy to Carla’s manufacturing plant but also back-up power for critical production loads. This configuration will increase their energy security while reducing operating expenses.

“Connecticut companies have a unique opportunity to save on the operation of their businesses.” said Christopher Podwoski, LOGANEnergy’s National Sales Manager, “Considerable federal and state incentives are available for the installation of on-site renewable energy generation systems”.  The purchase of Carla’s Pasta’s fuel cell power plant was partially funded by a $750,000 grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF).

FuelCell Energy, Inc. offers a range of high efficiency fuel cells from 300 kilowatt to 2.8 megawatt output. Their power plants have generated over 500 million kWh of power at over 50 locations worldwide. 

About Logan Energy
LOGANEnergy is a recognized world leader providing fuel cell solutions that target customer desires for clean energy services.  Their professional staff has over 90 years experience with fuel cell product development and deployment specializing in planning, applications engineering and design, site construction, installation, commissioning, start-up and after market services.  LOGAN’s team has installed more than 125 commercial and small-scale fuel cell projects totaling over 10 megawatts of power.  LOGAN’s role in this project is to design, install, commission and provide technical support services for the ten fuel cell units to be deployed at Ft. Jackson, SC.

• · New Long Endurance (LE) Version Offers 6 Hour Flights Without Increasing Take-off Weight
• · Leap in Flight Endurance Capability sets New Benchmark for Mini-UAS

Singapore, August 23 2010, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Horizon Energy Systems (HES) announce the successful integration of Horizon’s AEROPAK fuel cell as a next-generation power system for IAI’s Bird Eye 650 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). Without increasing take-off weight, Horizon’s newly launched fuel cell now enables IAI’s mini-UAS to achieve 6 hour flights, a more than two-fold improvement compared to flights powered by lithium batteries.

“The Bird Eye 650 UAS already offers a high level of operational flexibility with the latest generation autonomous flight and mission capabilities. We put tremendous effort in researching ways to find a power source that can match this impeccable aircraft. We have now equipped it with a state-of-the-art fuel cell system which will clearly make the Bird Eye 650 the best in its class,” said Alex Grinberg, R&D Director of UAS program at IAI MALAT Division.

With an unsurpassed track record of nearly half a century of engineering and manufacturing, and over 600,000 hours of operational flight experience, IAI offers the widest range of combat proven systems and is globally recognized as a world leader in military and commercial aerospace technology development. The Bird Eye 650 is IAI’s advanced mini-UAS system able to provide real-time day/night imagery data for urban operation and ‘over-the-hill’ intelligence.

The AEROPAK is a hydrogen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system developed by Singaporean company Horizon Energy Systems (HES). The system provides quiet and reliable electric propulsion, extending the flight durations of mini UAS by several orders of magnitude. Its energy source comes in the form of portable and hot-swappable chemical fuel cartridges. 

Prior to the launch of the AEROPAK, extended flight endurance capabilities were restricted to larger, more costly UAS platforms, mainly due to limitations of their battery power source. Now with a smaller, more flexible and cost-effective fuel cell power solution, mini-UAS can undertake sophisticated missions such as persistent surveillance, reconnaissance (ISTAR), patrol and convoys escort, and other special tasks.

Gareth Tang, Managing Director of HES, further added, “The AEROPAK is a game-changing propulsion power system. The advantages it brings are beyond power, weight and energy, since it impacts on mission operation modes. The AEROPAK reduces the number of take-offs while simultaneously expanding mission radius and operation coverage, reducing casualty, and easing logistical burden and cost. We are proud to collaborate with IAI and contribute to improving the performance of the Bird Eye 650”.

The AEROPAK is a culmination of several years of R&D development by HES in Singapore. The company will showcase the fuel cell enabled Bird Eye 650 LE (Long Endurance), conduct live demonstrations, and take production orders at the upcoming AUVSI trade-fair in Denver, Colorado (August 24-27, 2010 / Booth 2828).

About Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI):

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a globally recognized leader in development and production of military and commercial aerospace and defense systems. It is the largest aerospace & defense company and the largest industrial exporter in Israel. IAI’s MALAT Division spearheads the design and manufacture of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS’s), offering a family of systems that varies in size, mission and sensors, mainly for defense-oriented customers. MALAT systems are in operational service with 43 customers, are deployed on four continents and have accumulated over 600,000 flight hours.

About Horizon Energy Systems (HES):

Horizon Energy Systems (HES), is a world leader in the development and manufacturing of advanced fuel cell power systems dedicated to the Aerospace & Defense Industries. Based in Singapore, HES demonstrated its first hydrogen flight in 2006 and has since continued to accumulate hundreds of hours of fuel cell powered flight time. These valuable experiences, coupled with cutting-edge technologies, make Horizon Energy Systems a world-class supplier of long endurance, high performance fuel cell power systems to leading UAV manufacturers around the world. To find out more, visit www.hes.sg or contact sales@hes.sg.