At a recent conference in Mannheim, Germany, scientists working at the chemical company BASF presented a huge range of products that could soon be out on supermarket shelves.

One such product is a revolutionary nanocube that can store hydrogen.These cubes, combining the features of plastic drink bottles and sun cream -terephthalic acid and zinc oxide - have a huge range of applications. Their high surface area and porous nature allows them to adsorb hydrogen and release the gas as energy when a rapid drop in pressure occurs.

As they are rechargeable, they could replace conventional batteries. Storing the gas in a container the size of a cigarette lighter would mean they could power small portable appliances for up to 10 hours. 

On December 9th 2002,  Ballard announced that Mr. Michael Murry, Vice President and General Manager, Power Generation Division will be leaving Ballard. Mr. Paul Lancaster, Vice President, Finance will also leave the company as Ballard consolidates financial responsibility under a single Chief  Financial Officer.

Plug Power Inc. (Nasdaq: PLUG) of Latham, a fuel-cell system maker, will celebrate the one-year anniversary of providing electricity to several buildings at the Watervliet Arsenal with a news conference.

The news conference is scheduled for Jan. 22 at the Watervliet Arsenal.

The company said the Watervliet Arsenal project is the largest implementation of proton-exhange membrane (PEM) fuel cells at a military facility. PEM fuel-cell systems produce electricity through the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen—from fuels such as propane or natural gas—and oxygen.

U.S. Rep. Michael McNulty, Col. Donald Olsen, commander of the arsenal, are among the speakers expected at the event.

        "The fuel cell demonstration project at the Arsenal represents the kind of public/private
        partnership that will help advance fuel cell technology and other alternative energy solutions. I
        will continue to support partnerships that successfully leverage government and industry
        collaboration," said Congressman Mike McNulty (D-Green Island). "This venture not only
        demonstrates the usefulness of Plug Power's alternative methods of power generation, but
        also helps our region and our nation meet its energy independence goals."

        In early 2002, Plug Power installed 10 grid-parallel 5kW fuel cell systems, which operated for
        more than 80,000 hours and generated approximately 210,000 kWh of electricity throughout
        the year. The fuel cell systems provided supplemental power to a telecommunications facility,
        a research and development laboratory and provided all power required for the four units at
        base housing. "The fuel cell systems showcased an electricity source that is quiet,
        environmentally positive and holds significant promise for our military infrastructure. These
        systems served the Arsenal by providing some or all of the power required for these three
        facilities in a way that was transparent to the Arsenal staff and its residents," said Colonel
        Donald C. Olson, Commander, Watervliet Arsenal.

http://www.dodfuelcell.com/res/watervliet.php3#performance

The Environment Ministry will begin testing a method for mass-producing hydrogen without creating carbon dioxide to meet the fuel needs of hydrogen fuel cells, government officials said. 

"We'd like to come up with a technology that's sure to reduce carbon dioxide," the ministry official said. The ministry plans to produce hydrogen using electrolysis technology at an offshore wind-power generation facility next fiscal year.

Ford's Model U is intended to be the "Model T of the 21st century". The Model U integrates renewable, recyclable materials in its construction and is very low in emissions. The Model U combines a hydrogen-powered, supercharged, intercooled 2.3-litre four cylinder internal combustion engine (ICE) and a hybrid electric transmission. Ford estimates that in addition to super clean emissions, the fuel economy will be approximately 45 miles per gallon.

On 24 and 25 Aril 2003, the Icelandic "New Energy" initiative will organise a conference about how to create a hydrogen infrastructure. Participating speakers will be from various organisations, including DaimlerChrysler, Shell, Norsk Hydro and the European Commission. 

At the same time, the first hydrogen filling station will be opened in Reykjavik. The station, part of the ECTOS project will supply hydrogen to three buses from DaimlerChrysler. The project is sponsored by the European Union, which is also responsible for the CUTE project. The European Commission provides a total of EUR 18,5 million (US$18.5 million) for the CUTE and the ECTOS project which means that 27 fuel cell buses will circulate in nine European cities. 

Video documents results of hydrogen and gasoline car fires.

On a dark Florida night in 2001 an unusual and revealing experiment took place. Dr. Michael Swain with the University of Miami at Coral Gables attempted to simulate two car fires, one created by a 1/16th inch puncture in a gasoline fuel line, the other by a leaking hydrogen connector. He video taped the experiment to document what would happen if the leaks ignited

Sulzer Hexis Ltd, who develops and manufactures fuel cell systems for single-family homes, and Gaz de France have signed a co-operation agreement on January 6, 2003. Gaz de France, one of the leading European natural gas companies, will test a preseries system “HXS 1000 Premiere” from Sulzer Hexis. The system has already been delivered and installation will be completed in January; it will be in operation until the end of 2003. Sulzer Hexis will have for the first time a preseries system operating in France. 

The preseries system “HXS 1000 Premiere” of Sulzer Hexis covers the basic power needs and the entire heat requirements of a typical Central European single-family home. The fuel cell of type SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) generates 1 kW of electrical and 2.5 kW of thermal power. A back-up heater cuts in automatically if additional thermal power is needed. 

With possible war in the Middle East looming and global warming proving its impact around the world, America's dependence on oil to fuel its transportation sector is rapidly moving to the forefront of national debate. Continuing its efforts to assume a leadership role in this area, today the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) released two papers offering constructive means by which public policy can drive the nation toward a new hydrogen-based, energy future that would improve national security, boost our economy, and reduce global warming. The first paper takes a broad look at how the federal government can encourage partnerships to explore the potential for hydrogen-fuel use across the U.S. economy, while the second specifically examines the impact hydrogen and fuel-cell use could have on our transportation systems.

Proton Energy Systems has supplied a HOGEN 380 Series Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis hydrogen generator for a new environmental demonstration and economic development project spearheaded by the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania through its Hydrogen Initiative. Barth, a developing North-East German tourist area bordering on the Baltic Sea, is a focus of Germany's development efforts for the region. 

The HOGEN 380 generator's hydrogen will be compressed and stored at high pressure (280 bar/4000 psig) to provide fuel for a hydrogen fuel cell-powered bus. To be assembled by a regional factory, the bus is expected to be delivered to Barth next summer. Operated by Wolters-Ostseebus GmbH, Barth's local bus company, the bus will reduce traffic and eliminate pollution by shuttling tourists to ecologically sensitive coastal areas. Water vapor will be the sole emission from the hydrogen-powered bus. 

The oxygen byproduct from the HOGEN 380 unit will be compressed and stored at medium pressure (60 bar/900 psig) to increase Barth's wastewater treatment capacity by adding oxygen to its biological wastewater treatment system. This additional capacity will help the town meet wastewater processing demand during the busy summer tourist season. 

In spring 2003 the Institute of Ecolonomics (IOE) will embark on the Drive to Survive, an ambitious cross-country journey from Los Angeles to Washington DC to demonstrate the viability and availability of alternative-fuel vehicles. 

With actor and ecolonomist Dennis Weaver at the helm, the drive will emphasize energy independence and educate the public about developing a hydrogen economy. During the three-week media tour, the drive team will demonstrate new technologies and exchange ideas with students and educators, corporations and consumers, constituents and politicians. The drive will showcase cutting-edge vehicles, such as those powered by hydrogen, electricity, compressed natural gas, biodiesel, methanol and ethanol. 

UTC Power today announced the retirement of William Miller, president of its UTC Fuel Cells unit.  UTC Power is part of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
    
Jan van Dokkum, president of UTC Power, has assumed Miller's responsibilities.
    
"I want to thank Bill for his efforts and tremendous accomplishments at UTC Fuel Cells as well as his many contributions at Otis and UTC corporate headquarters prior to joining UTC Fuel Cells," said van Dokkum. "During his four years with UTCFC, Bill led the company through tremendous growth in size and scope and positioned it well for future success."  Miller served as president since 1999 after joining UTC in 1983.

For some time it has been known that when some molten metal halides are doped with alkali metal hydrides, the molten mixture becomes a hydride (H-) ion conductor. Significant research conducted in late 80’s at General Electric Co. and Stanford University quantitatively confirmed the previous observations. Detailed d.c. polarization and thermodynamic stability measurements with the molten electrolytes showed that a mixture of LiCl + KCl containing about 10 wt% LiH becomes a pure hydride (H-) ion conductor; i.e., the transference number for hydride ions (tH- = ~1.0), between temperatures of ~300 to 450 C.

Based on these observations a novel H2/O2 fuel cell concept was developed.

Proton Energy Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRTN - News), a leader in hydrogen generation and fuel cell technology and products, announced today the award of a $375,000 contract to develop a 1 kW regenerative solar/Proton Exchange Membrane, or PEM, fuel cell demonstration system. The contract, with Jacobs Sverdrup Technology, Inc., a subcontractor to the U.S. Navy, is to support testing at the Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake, California.

This demonstration system will integrate Proton's UNIGEN® Regenerative Fuel Cell System, which includes a HOGEN® hydrogen generator, hydrogen storage tanks, a PEM fuel cell, and a Navy supplied solar photovoltaic array. The HOGEN hydrogen generator, a key module in this project, will incorporate Proton's patent-pending renewable interface, which is capable of producing hydrogen from water using electricity directly generated by the solar array.

The Special Division for Green Life Technology of the National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology (AIST) has collaborated with the New Glass Forum and the Himeji Institute of Technology to develop a nonorganic-organic hybrid proton conductive film. 

The research group has modified the surface of porous glass by introducing functional groups with proton conductivity to the glass surface as well as to the glass's nano-scale fine pores to form the film. 

Since the new conductive film uses nano-scale fine pores, it is not subjected to swelling caused by vapor or organic solvents. Nano-scale pores function as a conductive path, which gives a possibility of providing high proton conductivity. 

The joint research group expects that the latest technology will help speed up development of new methanol-based fuel cells and sensors.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney announced Wednesday he will tap a public renewable energy fund to give $9 million in loans and grants to five businesses, including one firm he refused to name publicly, citing federal trade regulations.

Romney said the grants will help the Massachusetts businesses develop renewable sources of energy, such as solar energy and fuel cell technology.

The Renewable Energy Trust Fund was created as part of the 1998 Energy Deregulation Law and was intended to encourage the use of renewable sources of energy.

Nuvera, a Cambridge-based fuel cell company will receive a $1.5 million grant and loan

Acumentrics, a Westwood-based fuel cell company will receive a $1.5 million loan

There's a lesson to be learned in every deal that goes wrong.

In the case of a poorly received bought deal from Ballard Power, the lesson is that investors believe what a company says, not what it does.

In early December, cash-strapped Ballard sold equity to its auto maker backers, DaimlerChrysler and Ford. After that infusion, the fuel cell maker's executives told the world that they didn't see any further need to raise capital. All's well to this point.

The next day, one or two of Ballard's institutional investors apparently approached the company and said they'd be willing to buy more shares and increase their holdings. Ballard decided that one can never have too much cash. It approached the Street to test interest in a financing.

The dealers tested the waters and committed to a deal. RBC Dominion Securities and CIBC World Markets led a six-dealer syndicate that agreed to sell 7.7 million shares for $20.25 a pop, putting about $150-million in the company's coffers. Here's where things got ugly.

Most investors didn't want to put more money into a company that said it didn't need any. About three million Ballard shares didn't sell, and the stock began to sink.

This week, each dealer in the syndicate selling Ballard was given their portion of the remaining shares, to dispose of as they please. The stock closed yesterday at $14.85 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, up 50 cents on the day.

Even with the commissions they made on the shares that did sell, the Ballard selling syndicate is down more than $10-million on this bought deal. That's a steep price to pay to raise money for a company that said it didn't even need it.

Dynetek Industries Ltd. (TSX: DNK - News) of Calgary, Alberta, is pleased to announce the appointment of Robb Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer, to the board of directors of the Company.

Mr. Thompson joined Dynetek in March 2000 as Chief Financial Officer and played a key role in taking Dynetek public. He was subsequently appointed Chief Operating Officer in December 2001 and in September 2002 was appointed to his current role of President and CEO.
 

At the onset of a new Millennium it is a pleasure and privilege to be associated with clean fuel research presented at this symposium.
 

Iceland has through its history been forced to import carbon fuels but is now ready to take the first step towards its own fuel production based on its rich sustainable energy resources.

The foundations were laid about four years ago with the declaration of the Government of Iceland and the formation of Icelandic New Energy, an international spin-off company associated with the Icelandic energy industry and the University of Iceland. INE with its aim to assist the development of a hydrogen based fuel economy was an important milestone in this development.

This spring the first commercial hydrogen fuelling station will be opened in Iceland with the active support of some key players in the international energy market as well as the European Commission.

A new chapter in energy history is being written and the world is watching.