FuelCellsWorks

Key Milestone Will Enable Transit Districts to Use Federal Funds to Buy Zero Emission Bus

THOUSAND PALMS, CA– SunLine Transit Agency today unveiled the “American Fuel Cell Bus,” one of the first production fuel cell buses to meet the federal government’s strict rules for U.S. content. The availability of this product will allow more transit properties to use federal funds to expand the zero emission bus market.

“This is a very important milestone in the evolution of commercially viable zero emission buses in the United States. This project shows that we can build buses in this country that are petroleum free, good for the environment, and create jobs,” said CALSTART President and CEO, John Boesel.

Nearly 60% of all 40-foot transit buses purchased in the United States rely on funding provided by the Federal Transit Administration. To qualify for federal funding, buses must meet the agency’s “Buy America” requirements.

This American Fuel Cell Bus was made possible because Federal funds were used to leverage private sector investment. Private and public funds for the development of the American Fuel Bus were provided by BAE Systems, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the California Air Resources Board, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), ElDorado National-California and SunLine Transit Agency. CALSTART is serving as the agreement administrator for the federal funds used in the project.

This bus is the 7th generation hydrogen-fueled bus to be demonstrated and tested by SunLine Transit Agency, reflecting the leading role the transit property has played in advancing environmentally friendly bus technology. The bus was built at the ElDorado National manufacturing plant in Riverside, about a one hour drive from SunLine Transit Agency.

“SunLine’s leadership continues today here with the American Fuel Cell Bus unveiling, marking a significant milestone for the agency, and for the entire nation,” said Mikel Oglesby, General Manager, SunLine Transit Agency. He continued, “Commercialization of these advanced technologies is part of the agency’s ongoing strategy to lead this industry and serve our communities in the Coachella Valley and beyond. We are proud to be the first transit property to integrate this Buy America zero emission bus into our fleet.”

“The team assembled to develop and deploy this bus really epitomizes the best and brightest in clean vehicle technology. From one of the world’s most innovative fleets at SunLine, to state-of-the-art work by bus builder, ElDorado National, and the fuel cell maker, Ballard Power Systems, to the integrator and hybrid-electric drive manufacturer, BAE Systems, this bus promises to help revolutionize the American market for zero emissions technologies,” said John Boesel, President and CEO, CALSTART.

About CALSTART CALSTART, North America’s leading clean transportation technologies and solutions consortium, serves as a catalyst for creating jobs, cleaning the air, reducing fuel consumption and mitigating the threat of climate change. Since its inception in 1992, CALSTART has helped develop and manage more than $200 million in clean transportation technology programs. The organization is headquartered in Pasadena, and has offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Denver. www.calstart.org

Early morning, the 21st of November 2011, H2moves Scandinavia will open a new hydrogen refuelling station in Gaustad, Oslo. The press is in invited to this special event.

In the program: Fabian Stang, Mayor of Oslo, Ola Elvestuen, Vice Mayor for the Department of Environment and Transport and other prominent guests. Moderator: Ole André Sivertsen.

“Norway is one of the European “hotspots” in the introduction of zero emission vehicles. That’s why we call it ’the Norwegian Case’” says Dr. Ulrich Bünger, project coordinator.

“Yet another station in Oslo shows that car manufacturers are interested in investing in hydrogen and that Norway is one of the important places for the early market” says Bjørn Simonsen, Chairman of HyNor.

“The project is working to gain customer acceptance of hydrogen by undertaking a European Hydrogen Road Tour in 2012 – there will also be test drives in several European cities. Three test drives will be arranged in Oslo between 21-26 November”, says Christine Apelgren project manager communication.

Program November 21 at SINTEF, Forskningsveien 1, Oslo

7.30 Breakfast; Drop-in, mingle with VIP’s, experts, project partners and the press.
8.00 Presentation of the H2moves Scandinavia project by Ulrich Bünger and presentation of ZERO by Einar Håndlykken, Managing Director, Zero Emission Resources Organisation.
8.30 Inauguration of the hydrogen refuelling station, informative speeches Fabian Stang, Mayor of Oslo, Ola Elvestuen, Vice Mayor for the Department of Environment and Transport, Bjørn Simonsen, Chairman of HyNor, prominent guests, panel discussion moderated by Ole André Sivertsen, and hydrogen car refuelling demonstration.
9.00 End of programme:some of us continue to the opening of the ZERO conference at the Clarion Hotel Oslo Airport Gardemoen

A busy week for the hydrogen promotors H2moves Scandinavia
November 21st to 26th will be a busy week for the hydrogen promotors in the EU funded project with Norwegian and European partners in H2moves Scandinavia.The press is invited to attend our activities:

21st November: After the opening of the Gaustad Hydrogen Refueling station the delegates at the Zero conference and press will have the chance to test drive Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and Th!nk at the Clarion Hotel, Oslo Airport Gardemoen.

22nd November: Jonny Danielsson, Director of Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz [Norway], will give a presentation during the HyNor session at the ZERO-conference, between 10.00 and 10.20. Please note you need press accreditation from ZERO.
Apply here http://www.zerokonferansen.no/zeroconference

26th November: Public driving at Akerhus Brygge. The H2moves Scandinavia project will offer Oslo residents the chance to test drive one of the new FCEVs that they will later see on their streets in Oslo.

For more information contact
Christine Apelgren, Hydrogen Sweden
Pm. Communication, H2moves Scandinavia,
+46 708 837 683, christine.apelgren@vatgas.se

Dr. Ulrich Bünger, Ludwig-Boelkow-Systemtechnik GmbH
Project Coordinator, H2moves Scandinavia,
+49 896 081 100, Ulrich.Buenger@lbst.de

About the H2moves Scandinavia project
H2moves Scandinavia aims to demonstrate the market readiness of fuel cell vehicles and the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. The project aims to join Scandinavia into the ongoing fuel cell demonstration projects in Germany and the rest of Europe, thereby closing an infrastructure gap between them.

This is the first large scale demonstration project supported by the newly established European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking Programme. The total budget is 20 million Euro and support is also given from both Danish and Norwegian national funds.

Hydrogen Costs Below EU 2015 Targets

ITM Power (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce the cost structure of hydrogen generated by the Company’s HFuel electrolysis platform. Combining the capital cost along with operating efficiency gained from completed HOST trials enables a representative hydrogen price to be derived.

The hydrogen costs are best expressed in £/kg and reflect both capital cost amortisation and electricity cost. HFuel can be switched on/off in a second and can be demand side managed as a smart load which could potentially result in electricity costs of less than 4p/kWh and potentially as low as 0p/kWh or negative electricity prices in some parts of Europe utilising a high percentage of intermittent renewable power.

Based on a 100kg/day HFuel system, hydrogen cost ranges from £3.88/kg (based on 4p/kWh and a 20yr Capex amortisation) to £10.71/kg (based on 8p/kWh and a 5yr amortisation). This compares to €9.90/kg (£8.49/kg) which is the European target (McKinsey) for 2015 coinciding with the major roll out of fuel cell vehicles across Europe.

Key HFuel information:

• The HFuel product is modular in size from 5kg/day to 100kg/day unit size, which can be stacked together.
• The HOST experience has shown an electricity cost of 6.5p/kWh provides the same cost per mile as diesel in an internal combustion engine vehicle, based on input electricity costs. Moving to a fuel cell platform would improve the economics very significantly.
• The European cost target for hydrogen generation starts at €16.60/kg in 2010, reducing to €9.90/kg in 2015 and €5.50/kg in 2025.
• A 100kg/day HFuel generation system with a 5 year amortisation and 4p/kWh electricity price produces hydrogen at a cost of £8.31/kg, which is lower than the European target for 2015.
• After the 5 year amortization period, the hydrogen cost from the same system is £2.40/kg, which is lower than the European target for 2025.

The above analysis assumes 100% up time. The energy storage component (hydrogen storage unit) is quoted separately and is typically tailored to the user’s specific requirements. The maintenance scheme is developed to match the installation site and usage profile. The costs associated with shipping the unit to site are not included as they are location specific. Targets are quoted from the McKinsey analysis ‘A portfolio of power-trains for Europe: a fact-based analysis.’

ITM Power CEO, Graham Cooley, commented: “Hydrogen from HFuel costs less than EU targets and is competitive with fuel on the high street today. What could be more compelling than an economic fuel made from renewable power that has zero emissions?”
-Ends-

About HFuel:
HFuel is a modular, transportable, low cost, on-site hydrogen production, storage and dispensing unit. HFuel can be operated as a demand side manageable load by power companies to store intermittent, renewable power.

About HOST:
Hydrogen On Site Trials are available to rent at a rate of £10,000 for the first week and £8,000 for subsequent weeks. The HOST scheme allows potential customers to see firsthand the operation and readiness level of the system on their own site in their own application.

About About HFuel Here:
The initiative to allows automotive OEMs to demonstrate the next generation of fuel cell vehicles alongside a sustainable hydrogen fuel supply at high profile events and will be launched at All-Energy in Aberdeen in 2012.

About EcoIsland:
EcoIsland is a smart grid, hydrogen energy storage and clean fuel system based on the Isle of Wight. The partnership consists of (EcoIsland CIC, IBM, Toshiba, Scottish and Southern Energy, Southern Water and ITM Power) and constitutes a significant development in understanding the link between the storage of renewable power and its deployment as a clean transport fuel.

Bronx, NY – October 26, 2011– Baldor Specialty Foods and Oorja Protonics Inc. announced today that Oorja will install fifty OorjaPac Fuel Cell Systems at Baldor’s Bronx, New York facility. The OorjaPac will function as a clean and highly efficient energy source for Baldor’s fleet of battery operated material handling equipment, significantly reducing the company’s dependence on the public electric grid and minimizing its carbon footprint.

The OorjaPac family of fuel cell products operates on widely available and low‐cost liquid alcohol fuel. The fuel cell installed on the equipment provides the additional benefit of minimal infrastructure requirement thus making it attractive for both existing and new facilities with a very attractive payback. Committed to sustainability, all components of the OorjaPac are produced in the United States.

“Baldor Foods is excited to be working with Oorja to help us achieve our corporate sustainability goals. We are very impressed by the technology, as it is environmentally friendly and will also help us save cost and improve productivity. We are confident that Baldor’s leadership as an adopter of innovative technology will attract like‐industry peers in the Hunts Point industrial park such as the produce, fish and meat markets and other material handling industries that are looking to help the environment while reducing their energy costs.” said Michael T. Muzyk, President of Baldor Specialty Foods.

“We feel that this marks the beginning of an alliance between Oorja and Baldor based on common goals of achieving leadership in individual industries by enhancing productivity standards. We look forward to a long lasting relationship,” said Dr. Sanjiv Malhotra, CEO and President of Oorja Protonics, Inc.

The OorjaPac installations will begin early next year and will be fully operational by mid 2012.

Written by-The Desert Sun

Thousand Palms — Here’s what you’ll hear when the doors open on SunLine Transit Agency’s newest, all-American made fuel cell bus.

Absolutely nothing.

The first all-American made fuel cell bus in the nation, it runs on hydrogen, produces zero greenhouse gas emissions and is electric, so the doors open without so much as a swoosh.

“It’s like a 40-foot-long golf cart,” said Tommy Edwards, director of maintenance, standing on the bus during a very quiet test drive on Tuesday.

What you’ll see when the bus hits the streets after today’s official unveiling in Thousand Palms is another matter all together.

A patriotic statement in motion, the sleek, silent vehicle has the Stars and Stripes unfurling down its sides, along with a flying eagle and a bold “Made in America” stamp.

The bus will run on different SunLine routes so riders all over the valley have a chance to hop aboard, said C. Mikel Oglesby, SunLine’s general manager.

“We hope people will ride and really think about the technology,” he said. “As a matter of fact, it will take some getting used to — everything from the seats to the fuel cell to the interior lights.”

The agency will monitor the vehicle to see if it performs up to expectations, especially during the desert’s hot summer months, he said.

Made in America

Federal definitions of American-made require products to contain at least 60 percent U.S.-sourced materials. SunLine pushed hard to get more than 90 percent of the new bus from American manufacturers, with components coming from 16 different states.

From design to roll-out, the bus took 19 months to build, Oglesby said. Final assembly was done at El Dorado National, a commercial bus manufacturer in Riverside.

Making a fuel-cell bus in the U.S. has been a consuming passion for Oglesby and SunLine for the past decade, turning the Coachella Valley into a leader in the development and testing of clean, green public transportation.

The agency rolled out its first buses running on compressed natural gas (CNG) 17 years ago. It now has a full fleet of 68 CNG vehicles and began working on fuel cell technology in 2000 in partnership with the Federal Transportation Administration.

Berlin — P-21 Energy Solutions, L.P., a Cayman Island investment vehicle advised by Alcazar Capital, a Dubai based advisory firm, is investing in P21 GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Heliocentris Energy Solutions AG, a specialist in energy-efficiency and autonomous energy supply solutions. The Cayman limited partnership has acquired a 25% stake in the company on the basis of a cash capital increase. The limited partners and members of the general partner of the Cayman partnership have extensive experience in emerging markets and the telecom industry, which the partnership plans to leverage for the benefit of P21.

For Heliocentris, having this new strategic shareholder is another important step towards expanding its network in emerging markets. By virtue of the experience and relationships the partnership has in the telecommunications market and its excellent global connections, it will help to further accelerate Heliocentris’ growth in the field of industry grade solutions for energy management and genset efficiency. Furthermore, by acquiring the stake, the partnership becomes a key element for financing this future growth.

Heliocentris itself only acquired the assets of the insolvent P21 GmbH in June 2011. In the last few years, P21 GmbH has been developing energy efficiency solutions, particularly for telecommunication applications, and on this basis was able this year to bring two scalable solutions for mobile base stations to market maturity, both of which are based on the high-performance energy manager platform. These solutions can reduce the diesel consumption of autonomous base stations by up to 50%, thus generating a very attractive ROI for our customers.

• B.C. Premier Christy Clark and India Minister of New & Renewable Energy preside over signing ceremony

VANCOUVER–Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD) (NASDAQ: BLDP) today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Delta Power Solutions (India) Pvt. Ltd. [Delta], a subsidiary of Delta Electronics (Thailand) PLC, expanding the range of clean energy applications they will focus on under an existing fuel cell system collaboration agreement.

Christy Clark, British Columbia’s Premier and Dr. Farooq Abdullah, India’s Minister of New & Renewable Energy, hosted a signing ceremony in New Delhi with senior representatives of Ballard and Delta. Premier Clark is currently conducting a Province-led jobs and trade mission in India.

Dalip Sharma, Managing Director of Delta Power Solutions (India) said, “The MOU represents an exciting expansion of our collaboration agreement with Ballard, enabling environmentally-sound fuel cell solutions for the India economy. This will be an important step toward delivery of a growing proportion of energy requirements in India by means of renewable power solutions.”

John Sheridan, Ballard’s President and CEO added, “This is a strategic agreement underpinning Ballard’s participation in India’s expanding economy, where GDP growth is projected at more than seven-percent annually for the next several years. There are numerous applications in which clean fuel cells can replace dirty lead-acid batteries and noisy, polluting diesel generators.”

Ballard and Delta recently announced their collaboration agreement in relation to sales of fuel cell-powered backup power systems in the India telecommunications market, under which an initial purchase order was issued by Delta earlier this month. Under the new MOU, the collaboration agreement has been expanded to encompass utilization of fuel cell-powered backup power systems in additional India market applications, including commercial uninterruptable power supply (UPS) systems for data centres, industrial power solutions and distributed power generation.

About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD) (NASDAQ: BLDP) provides clean energy fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of applications. Products contain proprietary esencia™ technology, ensuring incomparable performance, durability and versatility. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.

Urine-powered fuel cells could generate electricity and reclaim essential nutrients directly from human and animal waste, say UK scientists. The development could make wastewater treatment easier and cheaper, and provide an abundant source of locally generated power.

The team, led by Ioannis Ieropolous and John Greenman at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, developed microbial fuel cells (MFCs) – which use bacteria to break down organic molecules and generate electricity – that could run on the organic molecules found in urine, such as uric acid, creatinine and small peptides.

Finding the right bacteria to munch these molecules was relatively easy – wastewater treatment plants routinely employ bacteria to do the job. But the crucial point, says Ieropoulos, is that the current processes are energy intensive, whereas the fuel cell approach could turn it into an energy-generating process. Getting the urine on the other hand, required a volunteer. ‘It’s one of us,’ quips Greenman, ‘but we’re not going to say which one.’

The bacteria form a robust biofilm on the anode surface of the fuel cell, and pass electrons to the electrode as they respire and metabolise the fuel molecules in the urine. The team have found that smaller cells have higher energy densities, ’so we’ve followed a path of miniaturisation and multiplication, building stacks of cells,’ says Ieropoulos. An individual cell can produce a current of 0.25mA for 3 days from 25ml of urine, so stacks of hundreds or thousands of cells could run on the amounts of urine available from homes, farms, or public toilets, for example. ‘Initially we’d probably be targeting local microgeneration,’ says Greenman.

The lack of solids – which could clog up the fuel cells – in urine compared to more general wastewater gives this system a significant advantage, comments Lars Angenent, director of the agricultural waste management lab at Cornell University in Ithaca, US. But, he points out, there are some issues: ‘Firstly, there is a societal question – do people want to separate their urine?’ Although there are modern toilets that can perform the separation, it would require a social change. ‘Then there is the cost issue – they’ve shown it can be done, but will it be economical?’

Angenent observes that some research has moved from fuel cells towards electrolysis of the urea in wastewater to form hydrogen or hydrogen peroxide. These valuable products help balance the device costs. However, as Ieropolous explains, the bacteria in their fuel cell can’t metabolise urea as fuel, so it could be possible to pass the urine first through an electrolytic cell to generate hydrogen, then through the MFC to generate electricity from the other organics.

As well as generating power, the team’s MFCs could help reclaim essential nutrients from waste, adds Greenman. Urine is particularly troublesome in wastewater treatment, since it not only contains organic compounds, but also high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Treatment plants currently expend significant effort and energy removing these elements from wastewater, as releasing them constitutes environmental pollution in the same way as excess fertiliser leaching from agricultural land – it promotes algal blooms that can choke out rivers and waterways.

The fuel cell bacteria could sequester those salts to grow and divide, but in normal urine the balance of nutrients is wrong – there isn’t enough carbon fuel for them to grow fast enough to take up sufficient amounts of the other elements. ‘But if you balance it by adding a cheap carbon source like acetate,’ says Greenman, ‘all the nitrogen, phosphate and potassium is captured into daughter bacteria, which perfuse out of the MFC and can be filtered out and dug back into the ground as fertiliser.’

Phillip Broadwith-Royal Society of Chemistry

Spokane, WA – ReliOn’s fuel cell systems in the Northeast United States have had a busy two months. Hit by two very different types of storms, the Northeast has endured widespread power outages caused first by Hurricane Irene in August and then by a freak winter storm in October which dropped as much as two feet of snow on states with trees still sporting fall leaves. ReliOn customers in the Northeast include Tier One telecommunications operators tasked with providing communications capabilities to their cell phone customers.

Hurricane Irene, the second largest storm in history in terms of power outages, affected customers across 14 states, causing widespread flooding and property damage. Thousands of cell sites were without power for extended periods. One ReliOn customer had fifty-six cell towers with power being backed up by fuel cells in the area hit by the storm. Forty-five of those sites experienced grid power outages in excess of six hours during the storm and forty-five ReliOn fuel cell systems successfully provided power to the communications equipment for a cumulative outage time of 725 hours. Average duration per site was 16 hours, with the maximum single outage duration being 50 hours. ReliOn’s bulk hydrogen refueling provider, Air Products, was key to keeping these sites operational.

In late October, much of the same region experienced an early season snowstorm that dumped wet, heavy snow on New England , causing power outages to about 3 million people and businesses. Some of those people are now in their second week without power. Cumulative data is not yet available, but ReliOn fuel cells have again been called into service and have provided power to cellular customers.

Joe Blanchard, ReliOn’s COO commented, “Without power, none of the convenient and life-saving mobile devices can function. Balancing the need for power with the desire to work toward a sustainable environment is something all of us continue to strive for. Fuel cells are serving an important function in the telecom industry and ReliOn is fully committed to supporting the mission of our customers.”

Hydrogen fuel cells provide backup power to customer sites when grid power fails due to extreme weather or other conditions. ReliOn products have been active in a variety of communications applications since 2004. During this time, ReliOn fuel cell systems have been operational during a number of hurricane, ice storm, wind and extreme temperature events.

About ReliOn:

ReliOn’s continuous innovation in core technology has made it a leader in the development and marketing of modular, fault-tolerant fuel cell products for customers seeking solutions to critical backup power applications. With more than 1,300 systems serving sites in 38 U.S. states and 28 countries, ReliOn customers enjoy the benefits of high reliability, low operating costs and easy maintenance. ReliOn fuel cells…simply powerful. www.relion-inc.com.

ITM Power becomes the All-Energy Hydrogen Fuel Partner

ITM Power (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce the launch of ‘HFuel Here’ at the All-Energy 2012 exhibition and conference (Aberdeen, 23- 24 May 2012) which is the UK’s largest renewables event.

HFuel Here is a scheme which offers event organisers an on-site hydrogen generation and refueling facility which is essential in promoting fuel cell vehicles at international events, where availability has previously been scarce.

The presence of HFuel Here at events encourages vehicle OEMs to showcase their fuel cell vehicles by enabling ‘Ride and Drive’ sessions, which will also demonstrate the readiness of a sustainable hydrogen refueling infrastructure which offers zero carbon emissions in both fuel generation and use.  This activity will extend ITM’s experience of refueling multiple vehicle types and provide opportunities to show how HFuel generates fuel onsite from electricity and water.

On-site generation of green hydrogen is becoming an important driver for many automotive manufacturers, as it reduces the carbon footprint of the fuel and removes the logistics otherwise required to transport fuel to the point of use.

Joint demonstrations of HFuel and fuel cell vehicles provide an ideal platform to raise public awareness of green hydrogen fuel and the next generation of vehicles ahead of the planned roll-out from 2014 onwards.

In exchange for providing HFuel at the event, ITM Power will receive significant commercial benefits including a high profile presence at the show and prominent exhibition positions for the refueling facility and the Company’s other CE marked products.

All-Energy Event Manager, Jamie Thompson commented: “We are all very excited about the HFuel Here partnership with ITM Power as it has allowed us to further engage with vehicle manufacturers who wish to attend the show.  It is an additional benefit which we can offer participants interested in the future of transport not only to see hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles, but to drive them too.  All-Energy is already shaping up to be the largest ever event in the series, and this certainly forms the basis of what will be an extremely interesting and relevant feature area of the exhibition, which will also provide an interesting basis for conference presentations.”

ITM Power CEO, Graham Cooley, commented: “The HOST trials have been very successful in promoting and demystifying hydrogen refueling in the commercial sector and the formation of significant consortia. HFuel Here will do the same thing on a grander scale for exhibition attendees. The engagement that HFuel Here will create with the vehicle manufacturers is also of high commercial significance to ITM Power.”

RMIT University researchers have developed Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell truck, demonstrating how vehicle design and new sustainable technologies can make freight transport clean, green and silent.

The small-scale model – an exact replica of the Scania Highline series – is operated by remote control and simulates the performance of a long-haul diesel truck, typically used between Melbourne and Sydney.

Professor Aleksandar Subic, Head of the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, said given the carbon tax, emissions trading and rising diesel costs, new sustainable technologies offered industry a way of stabilising costs.

“For residents worried about fumes and noise, the prospect of a silent, zero-emission truck is exciting.

“This latest innovation stems from our comprehensive research into sustainable mobility involving hydrogen technologies. We are also researching production of hydrogen using photovoltaic arrays and electrolysers, and solid state hydrogen storage,” Professor Subic said.

The hydrogen-powered electrical system could also supply power for truck air-conditioning and radio, along with a trailer refrigeration unit. Hydrogen refilling stations are powered through solar PV panels.

RMIT Associate Professor John Andrews said students were testing the small-scale truck against pre-defined dynamic loads, with the result being scaled up using mathematical models to predict the performance of a full-scale truck.

“A wireless data system is being used to monitor truck performance and collect the critical data such as hydrogen consumption rate and electrical power supply,” Associate Professor Andrews said.

Road freight transport is a $35 billion industry in Australia, and the nation has some of the highest freight levels per capita in the world. Trucks account for about 20 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse emissions by road vehicles.

Provided by RMIT University

Researchers from Spain and Germany have designed the first microfluidic device with an integrated micro fuel cell that is capable of both powering the device and pumping the analyte around the device.

The first microfluidic device with an integrated micro fuel cell

Microfluidic devices have been hailed as the technology that will revolutionise areas such as diagnostics in medicine, food safety, drug development and genetic sequencing since their conception in the late 1980s. However, a limiting factor in translating neat microfluidic ideas to practical, portable devices has been integrating all the necessary device components. The microfluidic chip may be small and perfectly formed, but the power source, pumps and control electronics for sample analysis are often external, bulky components – existing in the macroscale rather than the microscale.

Now, a team led by Neus Sabaté at the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona has integrated a micro direct methanol fuel cell into a microfluidic platform, which is capable of producing up to 4mW, sufficient to power the device. The carbon dioxide produced as a by-product of the fuel cell reaction is used to push liquids through the microchannels, removing the need for an external pump. The team has shown that by controlling the fuel cell operating conditions, they can control the flow rate of the liquid, which bears an almost linear relationship to the current generated in the device.

Jonathan Cooper, an expert in lab-on-a-chip technologies from the University of Glasgow, UK, comments: ‘A real strength of this work is the excellent job the researchers have done in integrating and packaging the device to show a working prototype. The flow rates are high enough for devices to function for several minutes and the device offers the prospect of enabling autonomous functionality on chip.’

The next step for Sabaté is to show that the device can truly function independently. ‘We are trying to prove that we can indeed perform measurements on analytes by integrating a low power electronic chip module and amperometric sensors,’ she says.  Her team is also working on higher degrees of device integration by fabricating them from just one type of polymer and experimenting with different fuels such as glucose.

Francesca Burgoyne

Strategic Relationship With World’s Largest Hydrogen Provider to Help Drive Global Adoption of GenDrive Products

LATHAM, N.Y. – Plug Power Inc. (Nasdaq:PLUG), a leader in providing clean, reliable energy products, today announces its intent to join forces with Axane, an Air Liquide subsidiary, to create a joint venture in order to meet growing demand for GenDrive^® fuel cell products across the European material handling market.

By combining the technical innovation of the Plug Power GenDrive fuel cell products with the significant European market presence of Air Liquide, the anticipated joint venture would provide customers with a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to battery-powered electric lift trucks. The joint venture would also enable Plug Power to leverage its success with its current base of North America customers with global brands and to further extend these relationships in the European market. Plug Power and Air Liquide are currently working in conjunction on GenDrive system and hydrogen infrastructure deployments at Walmart (Alberta, Canada) and Coca-Cola (San Leandro, CA).

“As a leading global provider of hydrogen, Air Liquide is the ideal partner to help spearhead our expansion into the burgeoning European market,” said Andy Marsh, CEO at Plug Power Inc. “We look forward to working hand-in-hand with Air Liquide to bring the economic and environmental benefits of GenDrive fuel cell products to the European material handling industry. GenDrive continues to be the leading choice for clean energy-powered lift trucks, delivering increased productivity and lower operational costs with zero greenhouse gas emissions.”

Under the proposed joint venture, Plug Power will contribute a license to certain intellectual property rights for the initial European project territory and Axane will provide installments of cash over a period of five years. Ownership in the joint venture will be shared so that Plug Power’s initial shareholding in the joint venture will be 45 percent, and Axane’s initial shareholding in the joint venture will be 55 percent. Plug Power will have the opportunity to leverage its ownership stake to acquire a majority stake in 2016.

The Plug Power GenDrive products would address the European material handling market consisting of 325,000 annual forklift truck sales and an existing installed base of 2,000,000 forklift trucks. Initially, the GenDrive units would be manufactured at Plug Power’s Latham, NY headquarters and distributed through the sales and service channel provided by Axane, with the potential for European-based manufacturing at a later date.

Plug Power is the leading hydrogen fuel cell supplier for material handling operations in North America, holding 85 percent market share. GenDrive fuel cell products have accumulated more than 5M operating hours at customer sites.  With its existing relationships with leading global brands Air Liquide would bring a number of governmental funding relationships to the joint venture. For instance, the French agency for innovation support, called OSEO, supports the Horizon Hydrogen Energy (H2E) innovation program, coordinated by the Air Liquide Group. H2E aims at building sustainable and competitive hydrogen energy solutions.

François Darchis, Senior Vice-President, Air Liquide Group, and a member of the Executive Committee commented, “This partnership will allow us to contribute throughout Europe to the deployment of non-polluting hydrogen fleets. The forklift market prefigures the future development of the hydrogen-powered automobile market. Energy and the environment are growth drivers for the Air Liquide Group.”

IRVINE, Calif. — Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: QTWW) announced today that a member of its Board of Directors, Professor Scott Samuelsen, was honored recently at the White House for his groundbreaking research and development work in the field of hydrogen power and clean energy.  Professor Samuelsen was recognized as a “Champion of Change” during the White House event, meant to bring leaders of various industries together with the goal of creating high-quality jobs in the US.  In addition to his role as a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Samuelsen serves as the Director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center and as the Director of the Advanced Power and Energy Program. Much of Professor Samuelsen’s research focuses on alternative energy generation, distribution, and propulsion technologies.  Professor Samuelsen’s team is at the forefront of creating a hydrogen infrastructure.  In addition to his responsibilities at the University of California, Irvine, Professor Samuelsen has served as one of Quantum Technologies’ Directors since July 2002.

“The award represents quite an achievement and appropriately honors a distinguished career,” said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, Quantum’s President and CEO. “Quantum is very fortunate to have Professor Samuelsen serving as one of its Directors.”

About Quantum

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., a fully integrated alternative energy company, is a leader in the development and production of advanced propulsion systems, energy storage technologies, and alternative fuel vehicles. Quantum’s wholly owned subsidiary, Schneider Power Inc., and affiliate Asola Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH complement Quantum’s emerging renewable energy presence through the development and ownership of wind and solar farms, and manufacture of high efficiency solar modules. Quantum’s portfolio of technologies includes electronic controls, hybrid electric drive systems, natural gas and hydrogen storage and metering systems and alternative fuel technologies that enable fuel efficient, low emission hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell, and natural gas vehicles. Quantum’s powertrain engineering, system integration, vehicle manufacturing, and assembly capabilities provide fast-to-market solutions to support the production of hybrid and plug-in hybrid, hydrogen-powered hybrid, fuel cell, natural gas fuel, and specialty vehicles, as well as modular, transportable hydrogen refueling stations. Quantum’s customer base includes automotive OEMs, dealer networks, fleets, aerospace industry, military and other government entities, and other strategic alliance partners.

More information can be found about the products and services of Quantum, Schneider Power and Asola at http://www.qtww.com/.

2.8 Megawatts of Fuel Cell Kits Shipped According to Schedule for First Month of Two Year Contract

DANBURY, Conn. — FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL) a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean, efficient and reliable power plants, today announced the shipment of 2.8 megawatts (MW) of fuel cell kits during the month of October to South Korean based partner POSCO Power. The 70 MW order previously announced in May 2011 requires monthly shipments of 2.8 MW beginning in October 2011 and continuing through October 2013 to fulfill demand in the South Korean marketplace for ultra-clean, efficient and reliable fuel cell power generation.

“Execution of the POSCO Power contract is proceeding smoothly with the initial batch of fuel cell kits shipped according to the contract for the month of October,” said Tony Rauseo, Chief Operating Officer, FuelCell Energy, Inc. ”The 70 megawatt contract was structured with payments due in the third and fourth quarters of 2011 and subsequent progress payments, and both parties are meeting the contractual obligations.”

“Higher production volume enabled by this 70 megawatt contract is helping us realize lower cost targets both in manufacturing and with our supply chain,” continued Mr. Rauseo.

Direct FuelCell ® (DFC®) power plants provide ultra-clean, efficient and reliable power. DFC plants generate electricity and usable high quality heat via an electrochemical process. Due to the absence of combustion, DFC plants emit virtually no pollution. The power generation process is highly efficient, generating more power from a given unit of fuel than combustion based power generation alternatives of a similar size class. DFC plants provide reliable power on-site, lessening reliance on transmission and distribution while enhancing energy security and power reliability. DFC power plants are fuel flexible, capable of operating on natural gas or renewable biogas.

About FuelCell Energy

Direct FuelCell® power plants are generating ultra-clean, efficient and reliable power at more than 50 locations worldwide.  With over 180 megawatts of power generation capacity installed or in backlog, FuelCell Energy is a global leader in providing ultra-clean baseload distributed generation to utilities, industrial operations, universities, municipal water treatment facilities, government installations and other customers around the world.  The Company’s power plants have generated over 900 million kWh of power using a variety of fuels including renewable biogas from wastewater treatment and food processing, as well as clean natural gas.  For more information please visit our website at www.fuelcellenergy.com

Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol, UK, (a research partnership between UWE Bristol and the University of Bristol) announced today that it will receive funding through Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative created by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that enables researchers worldwide to test unorthodox ideas that address persistent health and development challenges. Dr Ioannis Ieropoulos, Senior Research Fellow, (UWE Bristol) will pursue an innovative global health research project, titled “Urine-tricity: Electricity from urine”.

Grand Challenges Explorations funds scientists and researchers worldwide to explore ideas that can break the mould in how we solve persistent global health and development challenges. Dr Ioannis Ieropoulos’ project is one of 110 Grand Challenges Explorations grants recently announced.

“We believe in the power of innovation—that a single bold idea can pioneer solutions to our greatest health and development challenges,” said Chris Wilson, Director of Global Health Discovery for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Grand Challenges Explorations seeks to identify and fund these new ideas wherever they come from, allowing scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs to pursue the kinds of creative ideas and novel approaches that could help to accelerate the end of polio, cure HIV infection or improve sanitation.”

Projects that are receiving funding show promise in tackling priority global health issues where solutions do not yet exist. This includes finding effective methods to eliminate or control infectious diseases such as polio and HIV as well as discovering new sanitation technologies.

To learn more about Grand Challenges Explorations, visit www.grandchallenges.org.

‘Urine-tricity: Electricity from urine’, is a ground breaking project that aims to use a waste product – urine – with the evolving technology of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) to produce electricity. Dr Ioannis Ieropoulos, has worked with MFC technology for 10 years, using it to generate power for autonomous robots. This project aims to produce electricity from urine through stacks of small-scale Microbial Fuel Cells whilst at the same time cleaning the urine stream and getting rid of pathogens that may be found in urine.

Professor John Greenman, a microbiologist from UWE Bristol, will be part of the cross-disciplinary team working on the project along with Professor Chris Melhuish.

The process doesn’t require energy to run, it is totally sustainable after the initial fabrication costs involved in producing the system. This project, if successful, has the potential to achieve energy recovery from urine and other waste-streams, and produce a cleaner effluent, which is dischargeable into the environment without expensive waste water treatments in developing world countries.

About Grand Challenges Explorations

Grand Challenges Explorations is a US$100 million initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Launched in 2008, Grand Challenge Explorations grants have already been awarded to nearly 500 researchers from over 40 countries. The grant program is open to anyone from any discipline and from any organization. The initiative uses an agile, accelerated grant-making process with short, two-page online applications and no preliminary data required. Initial grants of $100,000 are awarded two times a year. Successful projects have an opportunity to receive a follow-on grant of up to US$1 million.

VANCOUVER– Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD) (NASDAQ: BLDP) commends the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on the recent publication of a groundbreaking study assessing the capability of fuel cells to support DoD’s power requirements in the near-term.

“Beyond Demonstration: The Role of Fuel Cells in DoD’s Energy Strategy” validates the technological and commercial progress made to date by developers of fuel cell technology, and recommends that the Department of Defense proactively evaluate and acquire fuel cell systems for a range of applications. The complete report, which was sponsored by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), is available at www.dlafuelcells.org/library.

Ballard has also prepared a White Paper entitled “Fuel Cell Solutions to Meet the U.S. DoD’s Energy Strategy”, which offers a perspective on the DLA-sponsored report and addresses Ballard’s commercial solutions and demonstration capability that can effectively address many Department of Defense technology requirements. The Ballard White Paper can be downloaded at www.ballard.com/white_paper.aspx.

About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD) (NASDAQ: BLDP) provides clean energy fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of applications. Products are based on proprietary esencia™ technology, ensuring incomparable performance, durability and versatility. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) today welcomed Canada’s first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle incentive program and progress towards Canada’s first retail hydrogen refuelling station, both initiatives recently announced by the Government of British Columbia as a part of its clean energy strategy.

The Government of BC’s announcement of point-of-sale rebates of up to $5,000 for purchasers of qualifying fuel cell electric vehicles, the first of its kind in Canada, is an important incentive in anticipation of the retail introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles in the 2015-2016 timeframe. Additional funding for British Columbia’s hydrogen infrastructure will contribute towards the establishment of retail-oriented, publically accessible hydrogen fueling stations.

“These two initiatives are further evidence of the strong commitment the Government of BC has made to supporting British Columbia’s world-leading hydrogen infrastructure, and the organizations involved in the province’s hydrogen and fuel cell sector,” said Eric Denhoff, President and CEO, CHFCA.

Ongoing provincial government support has helped establish the province as a leading jurisdiction in the development and deployment of clean energy, hydrogen fuel cell transportation solutions:

• BC Transit’s fleet of 20 hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses in Whistler is the largest deployment of its kind in the world;
• British Columbia is a recognized leader in the research, development and design of automotive fuel cell stacks thanks to Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation in Burnaby, a company that employs more than 200 people in clean jobs;
• The province was successful in attracting Mercedes-Benz to build a fuel cell manufacturing facility in Burnaby;
• The Government of BC recently announced support for the HTEC North Vancouver Hydrogen Liquefaction project that will supply made-in-B.C. clean hydrogen throughout the Pacific Northwest;
• The province is an important hub for research and engineering in hydrogen and fuel cell transportation applications, led by organizations such as Powertech Labs, the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, SFU, UBC, BCIT and UVic;
• British Columbia has the largest number of hydrogen fuelling stations in Canada.

“These announcements by the Government of BC create tremendous momentum for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry,” said Mr. Denhoff. “We have world-class research and development at the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation and UBC’s Clean Energy centre; world-leading manufacturing at Ballard and the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation; and a host of innovative small and medium enterprises supporting the research and development efforts in the province.”

British Columbia’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry exports hydrogen and fuel cell technology for use in materials handling, backup power at telecommunications sites, stationary power plants, transportation solutions and other applications.

About the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA)

The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) is the national industry association for Canada’s world-recognized hydrogen and fuel cell sector. As the sector’s collective voice, the CHFCA works to raise awareness of the economic, environmental and social benefits of hydrogen and fuel cells.

We provide services and support to Canadian corporations, governments and educational institutions promoting, developing, demonstrating and deploying hydrogen and fuel cell products and services in Canada. Our members cover most types of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, components, systems supply and integration, fuelling systems, fuel storage, and engineering and financial services.

Allan McNichol, Managing Director, Consumer Electronics at Intelligent Energy (Photo: Business Wire)

LOUGHBOROUGH, England–Intelligent Energy, the global clean power systems company, has today announced the appointment of Allan McNichol as Managing Director, Consumer Electronics. McNichol has a wealth of international experience at both small and medium fast growth businesses. He also has an excellent track record in large global businesses, most recently at Thomson Reuters where he was responsible for the re-engineering and launch of Eikon, the global web-based information platform for financial professionals.

Following an early career selling financial products, McNichol joined Equis, a financial technology provider based in Salt Lake City, where he quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed CEO in 1999, not long after the company was acquired by Reuters. In 2005, McNichol was appointed Global Head of Desktop Platform at Reuters Plc responsible for driving a global change management and integration programme underpinning a multi-billion dollar financial information business.

“The explosive growth in “power hungry” personal electronic devices creates a hugely promising growth market for portable fuel cells,” explained McNichol. “I believe Intelligent Energy’s portable power technology – which is very compact, durable, mass manufacturing-ready, recyclable, cost efficient and easy-to-integrate – is ideally placed to capitalise on this opportunity. I’m looking forward to using my background creating great customer product experiences to rapidly grow this division of Intelligent Energy’s business.”

McNichol’s role as Managing Director, Consumer Electronics at Intelligent Energy will see him take the lead in growing the company’s consumer electronics and portable power business globally, shaping strategy and forging key partnerships in the sector to accelerate market introduction.

“Allan’s track record in scaling up multi-billion dollar global programmes for Thomson Reuters both as an International Programme Director and subsidiary CEO, is perfectly suited to our consumer electronics division,” said Dr Henri Winand, CEO, Intelligent Energy. “Allan’s arrival at Intelligent Energy couldn’t have come at a better time. We are ready to capitalise on demand driven growth for our unique proprietary clean and efficient power systems. Allan’s talent, commercial acumen, speed of execution, unquestionable energy to drive change and see things through, and, ultimately, his experience in rapidly scaling-up commercial opportunities on a global stage are all absolutely essential to meet demands in this fast moving segment.”

About Intelligent Energy

Intelligent Energy is a global clean power systems company, with a range of leading hydrogen fuel cell technologies. The company partners with leading global companies in the transportation, aerospace, distributed generation, backup and portable power markets. Current partners and customers include Scottish & Southern Energy plc and The Suzuki Motor Corporation, with whom Intelligent Energy built the Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, the first fuel cell vehicle to achieve European Whole Vehicle Type Approval. The Company’s successes include the world’s first purpose built fuel cell motorbike and supplying the fuel cell to Boeing which powered the world’s first manned fuel cell aircraft.

Clean energy products group Acta has shipped its first 500 litre/hour hydrogen generator electrolyser stack to a customer.

The company said the shipment followed the successful completion of product development and testing of the larger stack unit based upon the its award-winning EL100 technology.

The unit has been sold to Giacomini, a multinational Italian engineering group that produces domestic and industrial heating systems and related products for the European, Asian and Latin American markets.

ITM Power (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce a partnership agreement with a consortium called EcoIsland, the largest single sustainability project in the UK. The partners in EcoIsland are IBM, Toshiba, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), Southern Water, Cable&Wireless Worldwide and ITM Power. The Company will provide hydrogen energy storage and clean fuel technologies for integration into the renewable energy smart grid system being developed on the Isle of Wight.

The EcoIsland project brings together within a single island energy system a critical mass of smart energy technologies to demonstrate how a future energy system can be configured. With renewable generation including wind, solar, tidal and geothermal the island will need to match supply and demand using battery energy storage, hydrogen energy storage and demand side management. These technologies will be coordinated centrally by smart grid technologies supplied by IBM, Cable&Wireless Worldwide, SSE and Toshiba.

ITM Power is the hydrogen fuel partner and will supply hydrogen refueling equipment controlled by smart grid technology to optimize both renewable energy storage and the provision of fuel to both fuel cell vehicles and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine commercial vehicles. The intention is that the island will also be a showcase for advanced low emission hydrogen vehicles being launched from 2013.

Up to four refueling systems are planned for the first phase of deployment on the island demonstrating the scale-ability of the technology and rapid response demand side reserve.

The project will also present an opportunity for the Company to showcase its unique domestic scale products – HBox Solar and HFill which respectively offer hydrogen generation directly from solar PV (even in situations where there is no electricity grid) and home hydrogen refueling.

EcoIsland founder, David Green commented: “The collection of technologies that we are bringing together on EcoIsland will provide the total energy solution for tomorrow’s world. Hydrogen and ITM Power’s technology will be integral to proving that renewable energy can be utilized effectively despite being intermittent. Using wind energy to decarbonise the transport system on the island is a fantastic prospect.

ITM Power CEO, Graham Cooley, commented: “Joined up thinking in the energy sector is rare and EcoIsland is a world class project on our doorstep with exactly that. At ITM Power we are convinced that hydrogen is the solution to renewable power intermittency and decarbonising road transport so where better to prove hydrogen energy storage than on the EcoIsland.”

A UC Irvine engineering professor whose groundbreaking work includes the conversion of sewage gas into fuel for hydrogen cars will be honored Thursday at the White House.

A UC Irvine engineering professor whose groundbreaking work includes the conversion of sewage gas into fuel for hydrogen cars will be honored Thursday at the White House.

Scott Samuelsen, director of UCI’s National Fuel Cell Research Center, will discuss his work with White House officials as part of the “Champions of Change” initiative.

He’ll take part in a “Make it in America” roundtable with other leaders on creating high-quality jobs in the United States.

He said he wasn’t sure quite what to expect at the event, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Eastern time, although it will involve press interviews, and an appearance by the President is not out of the question.

“There’s a more substantial indication of the vice president being part of this, and we do have a secretary or two,” Samuelsen said.

Hydrogen fuel cells, which emit almost no pollution, are no longer a promising but far-off technology, he said.

Automakers are already leasing hydrogen fuel-cell cars, among the 100 or so on the road in Orange County, and they plan to sell them outright in the near future.

And he says more focus is being placed on hydrogen refueling stations, including a new one soon to open at Jamboree Road and San Joaquin Hills Road in Newport Beach.

At the Orange County Sanitation District in Fountain Valley, a device that Samuelsen’s research group helped develop turns waste gas into hydrogen and electricity. It began a three-year test run in June.

“We’re right at the tipping point of emerging into a full deployment of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles,” Samuelsen said.

And he plans to deploy a fuel cell in a campus building that includes an “absorption chiller” able to convert exhaust heat into cold water.

“It’s thereby able to provide air conditioning to the building for free,” he said.

Gas turbines integrated with fuel cells for locomotives are next.

“Very soon, we’ll be putting on the first public repowering of locomotives with this technology,” Samuelsen said. “It’s not only interesting with respect to powering locomotives in the future, but because of the impacts on the Los Angeles basin, the ports.”

Toyota, the leader in the hybrid game, is now looking to takeover the hydrogen fuel-cell market. The Japanese automaker said that it is planning global sales of a few thousand fuel-cell vehicles by 2015 and that number will be limited due to the fueling architecture and the high price of the vehicles.

“We could expect a fuel cell vehicle to retail at about 100,000 euros ($138,000) in Europe,” said Toyota Europe Vice President for Product Planning & Marketing Alain Uyttenhoven.

The move is being made as automakers explore a range of new green technologies to help them meet tougher fuel-economy rules.

“We see pure battery-powered vehicles to be just a solution for small trips in the city, while a plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid is the best solution both for weekday urban commuting and weekend trips,” Uyttenhoven said.

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle will go on sale early next year.

Refresher: The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is powered by the same Hybrid Synergy Drive system used in the regular Prius – a 98-hp 1.8 liter 4-cylinder that runs on the Atkinson cycle and contributes to a maximum 134 total system horsepower. The system uses two electric motors, one 80-hp unit that works to power the  transaxle, and another smaller motor that works as the electric power source for battery regeneration and as a starter for the gas engine. A newly 4.4 kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack replaces the standard Prius’ nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery and fits under the rear cargo floor. Reaching full-charge takes 2.5 to 3.0 hours using a 120v household outlet or 1.5 hours using a 240v outlet. Prices start at $32,000.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

BOULDER, Colo.–While hydrogen is widely used for its chemical properties in a range of industrial applications, its use as a fuel is still a niche market. To date the largest demand for hydrogen as a fuel has come from the United States space program. Now, however, fuel cells that use direct hydrogen are opening up new markets for hydrogen suppliers – ones with potentially high demand if some key applications take off. Those key applications include light duty vehicles, forklifts, buses, stationary power, and scooters. According to a new report from Pike Research, projected demand for hydrogen as a fuel will be around 107 million kilograms (kg) through 2015, with annual demand reaching 418 million kg in 2020. While forklifts and backup power applications will drive demand in the first half of the decade, light-duty fuel cell vehicles will create significant new demand starting 2015, the cleantech market intelligence firm finds.

“Fuel cells are actually being put into service in large numbers today, and it’s not only about the cars,” says senior analyst Lisa Jerram. “These different fuel cell markets present different infrastructure buildout pathways, with varying opportunities and challenges. Stationary fuel cells, for example, offer a very different infrastructure story than vehicles.”

Pike Research’s analysis indicates that forklifts will be the largest driver of hydrogen fuel demand by 2020, representing 36% of the total market by that time. The other large application categories include light duty vehicles, which will consume 33% of total hydrogen, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) for stationary power, which will represent 27% of the total. Fuel cell buses and scooters will each be a relatively small percentage of total hydrogen demand.

Significant players in the emerging market for hydrogen fueling include industrial gas companies (IGCs), large energy and gas companies, and other hydrogen infrastructure providers such as electrolyzer companies that are already supplying the merchant hydrogen market. IGCs, in particular, see fuel cell forklifts as a promising new market, and these industrial suppliers are already familiar with indoor hydrogen use. Pike Research further forecasts that, by the end of the decade, annual investment in hydrogen stations will reach $1.6 billion, with a cumulative 10-year investment totaling $8.4 billion.

As a result of this infrastructure investment, more than 5,200 hydrogen fueling stations for cars, buses, and forklifts will be operational worldwide by 2020, up from just 200 stations in 2010.

Pike Research’s report, “Hydrogen Infrastructure”, analyzes the dynamics of global demand for hydrogen fuel and the infrastructure investments that will support fueling stations for fuel cell light duty vehicles, buses, forklifts, scooters, and stationary power applications. The study includes an examination of market issues, technology issues, and the competitive landscape within the hydrogen infrastructure industry. Market forecasts for hydrogen demand and fueling infrastructure, segmented by application and geography, are provided through 2020. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.