Hydrogen bus launch on London tourist route

The first permanent hydrogen bus has been launched on a major London tourist route, with seven more expected to be added by the middle of 2011.

It will travel the RV1 route and has been designed as part of measures to improve air quality in the capital, as well as paving the way for hydrogen technology to be rolled out nationwide.

"We will be closely assessing the performance of these buses and the new technology they use," said Transport for London spokesman David Edwards.

Fuel cell doubles UAV flight time

The Aeropak fuel power cell system from Horizon Energy has been tested in an Israeli-made aerial vehicle, proving a successful replacement for UAV battery packs.

The Skylark I-LE using the Aeropak system offers longer flight times to be used in surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its test flight was carried out by Elbit Systems.

Air Products' hydrogen technology fuelling Boeing's unmanned Phantom Eye

Air Products is providing the hydrogen and fuelling infrastructure for Boeing's Phantom Eye, an unmanned airborne system demonstrator capable of staying at 65,000 feet for as long as four days.

The surveillance plane's hydrogen propulsion system has been described as a key element of its success, delivering impressive and eco-friendly fuel economy.

"It is always exciting and interesting to be associated with a cutting edge project and the Phantom Eye certainly fits that category," said Bob Kelly, business development manager of hydrogen energy systems at Air Products.

Recreational marine should be fuel cell "hotspot"

Fuel Cell Systems has predicted that the recreational marine market could be a significant one for fuel cells, urging marinas to respond by providing users with hydrogen stations.

Tom Chicken, chief technical officer of the company, said the engines are virtually silent so they will not spoil this peace and quiet of the harbour.

"And as they produce no emissions other than heat and water, they can be used in the cabin and stored close to food or equipment," he commented.

Mercedes-Benz USA delivers first customer zero-emission F-cell vehicle

Mercedes-Benz has made the first F-Cell hydrogen-powered B-class vehicles available to people in California, following their debut at last summer's US Open Tennis Championships.

The 134hp motors provide a comparable driving experience to that of an ordinary car, while using half as much fuel, according to the company.

Additionally, they will be used to provide driving data to the Department of Energy in support of the Hydrogen to the Highways programme.

Ballard manufactures one-millionth hydrogen fuel cell MEA using reduced-cost processes

Ballard Power Systems has produced its millionth membrane electrode assembly, the proprietary core component of the company's fuel cells.

"While we have been ramping up production volumes, we have also been reducing cost through important innovations in automation of various manufacturing steps," said Ballard's vice-president of operations Paul Cass.

Hyundai targets commercial production of fuel cell cars in 2015

Hyundai Motor Co is planning to begin commercial production of hydrogen fuel cell cars in 2015.

The company has extended the range of its Tucson IX sport utility vehicle by 55 per cent per charge, as well as enhancing fuel efficiency by 15 per cent.

Ports to test non-polluting fuel cell trucks

Two non-polluting trucks are set to hit the roads of Long Beach in Los Angeles as a result of an agreement with Vision Motor Corp.

Both vehicles are electric, with batteries recharged by hydrogen fuel cells, and will be tested under typical conditions for short-haul vehicles.

"It's these type of vehicles that will help us significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Geraldine Knatz, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

Fuel cell to generate power, heat at Diversey at headquarters

Diversey Co has been enjoying the benefits of a fuel cell installed at its facility in Sturtevant by UTC Power.

It will produce electricity and heat, saving millions of gallons of water compared with coal-fired power plants and is part of a number of sustainability measures carried out by Diversey.

Diversey's headquarters are rated at gold level under the US Green Building Council's LEED standard.

CALSTART wins $10 million to develop, deploy and test next-generation fuel cell transit buses

Clean transport technology company CALSTART has been selected for a grant of more than $10 million from the Federal Transit Administration.

It will use the cash to fund two projects to develop low-cost fuel cell buses, helping fuel cell manufacturers UTC Power and Ballard to improve the performance and cost of their products.

"The FTA's investment will significantly help move fuel cell buses closer to commercial viability," said said CALSTART's president and chief executive officer John Boesel.

Air Products' hydrogen technology fuelling AC Transit's next-generation bus fleet

Air Products is using its hydrogen fuelling technologies to power five new fuel cell-powered buses in the San Francisco GBay area.

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District is preparing to increase the size of its hydrogen cell bus fleet to 12, the largest deployment in the US.

"Air Products has clearly demonstrated to us and our industry that the technology and know-how exists to effectively fuel heavy-duty transit buses on a large scale," said Jaimie Levin, director of alternative fuels policy at AC Transit.

Ballard selected by US FTA to power four buses under the National Fuel Cell bus program

Ballard Power Systems will be taking part in four Federal Transit Administration projects for the development and deployment of zero-emission fuel cell buses.

Four FCVelocity fuel cell power modules will be delivered by the firm this year from its facility in Lowell, Massachusetts.

"Ballard is leading the way in developing the clean energy technology that creates jobs, protects our environment, and lowers our dependence on foreign sources of fuel," said congresswoman Niki Tsongas.

DOE announces up to $74 million for fuel cell research and development

The US Department of Energy is accepting applications for up to $74 million for the research and development of clean, reliable fuel cells for stationary and transportation applications.

Up to $9 million is also available to fund independent cost analyses to assess the progress of the technology.

Research into fuel cell system balance-of-plant components, fuel processors and fuel cell stack components will be supported by the grants.

Plug Power celebrates successful year for company's manufacturing and sales activity

Clean energy solutions provider Plug Power is looking ahead to the new year after selling 500 of its GenDrive fuel cell units in 2010.

New customers of the firm include Coc-Cola, Winco Foods and CVS, and follow-on orders have come in from BMW, Central Grocers and Walmart Canada.

"This positive traction is a direct line to significant market transformation within the material handling space," said Andy Marsh, chief executive officer of Plug Power.

Yorkshire ambulances to be fitted with fuel cells

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust may be fitting its vehicles with methanol fuel cells in future, allowing medical equipment to be charged even when the engine is not running.

This could save as much as a gallon of fuel per hour for each engine replaced, according to Alexis Keech of the trust.

Work could be started after June to equip the entire fleet with the technology if the trial proves successful.

Ballard gaining traction in South American fuel cell bus market with integrator Tuttotrasporti

Ballard Power Systems has struck a deal to provide three fuel cell power modules to Brazilian hybrid transit bus integrator Tuttotrasporti.

It is part of the Brazilian government's national plan to cut emissions in the sectors of forestry, industry, energy and transportation.

The government initiatives will be implemented during the run-up to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

The first fuel cell powered Windows 7-based tablet debuts at CES 2011, but not in a booth
Fluid Computer Systems has revealed the first Window 7 tablet PC to be powered by a fuel cell at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

A micro-documentary will also be filmed at the show to tell the story of the company's transition from a self-funded startup to a fledgling business.

"Thanks to our partnership with NuMeridian out of San Diego and parts they supplied from Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies we were able to assemble a working prototype of the first fuel cell powered tablet," said chief executive officer Aaron Henry.

Mercedes-Benz B-class fuel cell review

Mercedes-Benz's prototype F-cell B-class vehicle has been praised by Andrew English of the Daily Telegraph, who called it a "tribute to the dogged determination of a generation of engineers".

He also described the zero-emission car as an "extraordinarily complete vehicle" as well as drawing attention to the electric fan that draws air into the cell quietly and energy-efficiently.

However, Mr English lamented the lack of charging stations in the UK, which is likely to put the brakes on any widespread roll-out.

Low emission cars 'future of motoring industry', say execs

The 2011 Global Automotive Executive Survey by KPMG has found that 93 per cent of auto execs believe the development of hybrid cars, electric vehicles and fuel cell technology will be a key priority for the industry in years to come.

Additionally, more than seven in ten automakers would be prepared to go into joint ventures to shoulder the cost of developing the technology.

"One factor is common worldwide: the need to continue to develop the technology that will produce efficient, affordable electric vehicles," commented Mike Steventon, KPMG's automotive partner.

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