Ballard concludes tests on PEM fuel cell generator

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Ballard Power Systems has successfully completed tests on a new generation system which makes use of its proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

The company has been factory-testing the generator to a level of 1MW in an attempt to provide clean energy peaking capacity, which would be useful during periods of high energy demand.

Installation and commissioning of the system is planned for the third quarter of 2010 in preparation for a multi-year demonstration at FirstEnergy Generation's Eastlake facility in Ohio.

Michael Goldstein, Chief Commercial Officer at Ballard, revealed that the system will be the largest PEM fuel cell generator in the world when it becomes fully operational.

"We are pleased to have passed this key customer milestone," he said.

"Once commissioned, this will be an important 'first' for us, meeting a key 2010 Ballard growth milestone and further demonstrating the benefits of fuel cell systems for clean distributed generation applications in the energy sector."

Ballard Power Systems, which was founded in 1979, has already produced a bus which makes use of PEM fuel cells alone.

Source:

Ballard Completes Factory Testing of Utility-Scale PEM Fuel Cell-Powered Generator (27/07/10)

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Fuel cell aircraft sets new world records

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

New speed and endurance records for an electrically-powered class C aeroplane have been set by a hydrogen fuel cell aircraft flying out of Reggio Emilia airport in Italy.

The aircraft is being developed as part of the ENvironmentally-Friendly Inter City Aircraft powered by Fuel Cells (ENFICA-FC) project, which aims to prove the viability of manned flight in an electric aeroplane which uses fuel cells as its main source of power.

After three years of design, development and installation, the aircraft completed its maiden flight on 20th May with Marco Locatelli performing the role of test pilot.

Further tests were carried out on 26th and 27th May to ensure enough data was collected to qualify for new world records under the FAI Sporting Code.

Although speeds of 145-150 km/h were recorded, the official new world speed record for electrically-powered class C aeroplanes is 135 km/h, while the aircraft also broke the endurance record of 45 minutes.

According to ENFICA-FC project partners, the success of the flights removes a major obstacle to the use of clean fuel in the aeronautics sector.

Source

World records for EU-funded fuel cell-powered aircraft (09/07/10)

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Fuel Cell Roundup July 2010

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industries Join Call to Increase Clean Energy Investment (11/06/10)

The Electric Drive Transportation Association and the National Hydrogen Association have issued a joint statement calling for increased investment in clean energy technologies in the US. The two organisations said that fuel cell and hydrogen technologies are an "essential part of America's energy solution" as they "deliver clean, efficient energy at home and at work, create hundreds of thousands of American jobs and, together with other technologies, eliminate the need for gasoline for passenger vehicles".

Senator Dorgan Honored For Leadership To Advance Hydrogen (24/06/10)

Senator Byron Dorgan has been recognised for his efforts to promote the fuel cell and hydrogen technology sectors in the US. Instrumental in helping to establish the first national Center for Hydrogen Technology at the University of North Dakota, Senator Dorgan was presented with the Spark Matsunaga Memorial Hydrogen Award by the National Hydrogen Association. Other recipients are senator Daniel Akaka and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Fuel Cells UK publishes Manifesto for the New Coalition Government (09/06/10)

Fuel Cells UK has asked the government to consider new ways of propagating the country's fuel cell and hydrogen sector, including the removal of red tape and introducing tax breaks for the low-carbon industry. According to Fuel Cells UK, fuel cell technology can help boost the economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy security.

UK Gains "Common Voice" for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry (10/07/10)

A new industry body has been formed following the merger of Fuel Cells UK and the UK Hydrogen Association. The UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Association will seek to act as a common voice for the sector and lobby for the continued development of fuel cells and hydrogen energy in the UK.

FCH JU Call for Proposals 2010 Part 1 (18/06/10)

The European Commission Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH) Joint Undertaking (JU) has published its 2010 Call for Proposals. Since 2008, the FCH JU has made an annual call for proposals and will continue to do so until 2013. The process is used to decide how to allocate funds for research, technological development and demonstration projects.

First European Lighthouse Project for Hydrogen Fuel Cars to Launch in Norway; 17 Fuel Cell Vehicles and Refueling Station in 2011 (07/07/10)

The FCH JU is to support a large-scale hydrogen fuel cell car demonstration project being rolled out in Oslo, Norway. Starting next year, 17 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and a hydrogen refuelling station from H2 Logic are to be tested as part of the H2moves Scandinavia programme, favstocks.com reports. The aim of the initiative is to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a viable transport solution.

Industry expects fuel cells on U.S. highways in 2015 (14/06/10)

Fuel cell-powered vehicles will come to the US market in 2015, Automotive News reports. According to Bill Reinert, national manager of advanced vehicles at Toyota Motor Sales USA, the likes of Toyota, General Motors and Daimler-Benz are all working to the same schedule. By 2015, manufacturers will be able to withdraw subsidies and make money on fuel cell cars while selling them at around $50,000, Mr Reinert added.

Toyota's 'ultimate eco-car' to be priced at 5 mil. yen (17/06/10)

The production cost of a Toyota fuel cell vehicle is likely to be in the region of Y5 million when it reaches the market in 2015, the Daily Yomiuri has reported. It is thought that the sales price will also be Y5 million.

UTC Power Transit Bus Fuel Cell System Sets Durability Record (29/06/10)

A transit bus fuel cell system durability record has been achieved by UTC Power in Greater Oakland, California. A PureMotion Model 120 fuel cell powerplant deployed in an Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District bus has exceeded 7,000 hours in service with the original cell stacks, with no cell replacements required. According to Ken Stewart, UTC Power vice president for transportation, durability is one of the key obstacles to fuel cell vehicle commercialisation.

Microcab to use Serenergy high temperature PEM fuel cells in UK vehicle demo (16/06/10)

Microcab Industries Limited is to use fuel cell technology developed by Serenergy of Hobo, Denmark in its next generation of fuel cell hybrid vehicles. Ten Serenus 3kW fuel cell systems have been ordered by Microcab, with the two firms set to collaborate over the development of future automotive applications.

Xebec and Nuvera Sign Multi-Year Supply Agreement (15/06/10)

Nuvera Fuel Cells has moved to secure a more cost-effective source of hydrogen for customers of its fuel cell-powered vehicles through the signing of a multi-year supply agreement with Xebec Adsorption. The agreement concerns Xebec's proprietary H-3300 pressure swing adsorption systems, which will be used in Nuvera's PowerTap Hydrogen Generator and Hydrogen Stations.

Air Products' Hydrogen Fueling Technology Powering New Sysco Warehouse Operations (17/06/10)

A 585,000 sq ft food service distribution facility in Texas is now making use of a fleet of almost 100 hydrogen fuel cell pallet trucks and forklifts. Hydrogen fuelling technology has been installed at Sysco Corporation's Houston plant by Air Products following a grant provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was made possible through the US Department of Energy's Fuel Cell Technology Program.

Turkey may lead global hydrail industry (04/07/10)

Turkey has been tipped as a future hydrogen fuel cell innovation hub. In an interview with Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review, Herbert Wancura, chief executive of Spanish fuel cell consultancy company NTDA Energia, said Turkey has a number of advantages over other countries which could enable it to develop a major railway network which runs entirely on fuel cell technology.

Standard on fuel cell source being drafted (08/07/10)

China is in the process of drafting a technical standard on fuel cell back-up power, it has been revealed. According to Shanghai Daily, the document is due to be released by the end of the year and has been drawn up in conjunction with domestic firms including China Mobile, China Telecom and Shanghai Pearl Hydrogen Power Source Technology Company (SPHPSTC). Shi Tao, an official from SPHPSTC, told the news provider that a national standard is needed "to direct industrial development in China and also regulate international cooperation".

UltraCell Introduces Industry's First Water Resistant and Buriable Fuel Cell System (28/06/10)

Meanwhile, a new long-term and unattended covert power solution which makes use of fuel cell technology has been delivered to the US Military by UltraCell Corporation. UltraCell CEO Keith Scott said the UltraCell Snorkel fuel cell system, which makes use of a robust two gallon fuel tank, "allows users to deploy fuel cells in the remotest of locations [and provides] long run power for stealth applications by being able to bury the power source".

Army testing fuel cell technology for Abrams tank (17/06/10)

A fuel cell solution is being assessed by the US Army as a potential source of more on-board electrical power for combat vehicles. The fuel cell is currently being tested in a lab to see if it can be used to help support on-board computing, battle command technologies, sensors and other electronic devices for vehicles including the Abrams tank.

UNF School of Engineering Receives Over $9M for Fuel Cell Research (30/06/10)

A new contract with the US Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) will provide the University of North Florida with a further $3.2 million for the development of a methanol fuel cell alternative to the laptop battery. The third instalment of the four-year project takes the total funding received by the University of North Florida for fuel cell-related research to more than $9 million.

SFC secures Bundeswehr order for portable all-in-one power solution (24/06/10)

The German Bundeswehr has placed an order with SFC Smart Fuel Cell for a portable, fuel cell-based energy solution. Used as power generators for soldiers in the field, the fuel cell developed by SFC has been deployed on international defence missions for over a year. The order is worth over €220,000 and will be delivered this year.

Horizon launches pocket-size fuel cell power plant for portable electronics (16/06/10)

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies has launched a disruptive pocket-size fuel cell power plant in the first of a number of new releases scheduled for the coming months. The MiniPak is aimed at the portable consumer electronics market and delivers 1.5 to 2W of continuous power via a USB port.

IdaTech and Cascadiant Showcase Backup Power Fuel Cells at CommunicAsia (15/06/10)

IdaTech, in conjunction with Cascadiant, showcased its ElectraGen ME Fuel Cell System at CommunicAsia. Powered by hydrogen gas or IdaTech's proprietary fuel reformer application, the ElectraGen ME Fuel Cell System helps provide backup power for telecom base stations.

Bredenoord's fuel cell genset makes Glastonbury appearance (01/07/10)

Finally, a fuel cell generator is to be showcased at further UK music festivals this summer following its appearance at Glastonbury in June, International Rental News reports. The Purity fuel cell generator was rented to UK company Firefly Solar from Bredenoord and used alongside solar generators to power tents in Glastonbury's Bella's Field. The technology is due to be used at future events including the Lovebox Festival on July 19th.

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Russian fuel cell industry offers 'immediate opportunities'

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

There are considerable opportunities available for stack and systems manufacturers in the Russian fuel cell industry, according to a new study.

Fuel Cell Today has launched its Survey of Russia 2010 report, which was designed to take a closer look at the possibility of advancing the technology in the country.

The findings suggest that Russia can boast an unrivalled energy and natural resources base, solid R&D expertise, an emerging component manufacturing sector and several distinct end-use application niches.

In addition, study author Dr Jonathan Butler noted that there are not many fuel cell companies in Russia and that the government has been reluctant to invest in the industry.

"There are immediate opportunities for fuel cells in a wide variety of applications in Russia, from control systems and cathode protection for natural gas pipelines, uninterruptible power for mining operations or combined heat and power for residential buildings," he told Fuel Cell Today.

"The gaps in the supply chain mean that there is potential for Russian and non-Russian companies to enter the supply chain as component, stack or system manufacturers."

Russia is widely regarded as one of the world's most rapidly emerging economies, alongside Brazil, India and China.

Source:

Fuel Cell Today report identifies opportunities in Russian fuel cell industry (07/07/10)

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Platinum today: News/Fuel Cell

Ballard concludes tests on PEM fuel cell generator

Fuel cell aircraft sets new world records

Fuel Cell Roundup July 2010

Russian fuel cell industry offers 'immediate opportunities'