Tokyo, Japan - Chrysler Group designers took a look into the future and created a concept vehicle that explores the limits of the Jeep® brand, combining innovative design and environmentally friendly advanced technology in an activity vehicle aimed at young consumers. 

• Jeep® style and four-wheel drive capability in a concept that anticipates future technology 
• Entry-level vehicle fits active lifestyle from city to trailhead 
• Visionary design package with basic three-seat configuration 
• Concept vehicle debuts at 37th Tokyo Motor Show

Treo’s designers were challenged to look a decade or more into the future and extend the Jeep brand’s customer base. The result is an urban mobility vehicle that provides Jeep style and freedom in a clean, compact package – one that can adapt to youthful lifestyle demands, both in an urban environment and at the trailhead.

"The Treo is a vivid new interpretation of where the Jeep brand could go in the future using the freedom of fuel cell technology. It truly exemplifies the idea of ‘fluid imagination’ thinking in a stunning, unexpected package," said Trevor Creed, Chrysler Group’s Senior Vice President of Design.

"Jeep Treo has a form and a presence that challenge the brand’s traditional dimensions, but in the end, can still be viewed as being authentically Jeep."

 A Bold New Jeep Signature

The Treo’s front end presents a bold new Jeep signature and provides fresh insights on the classic Jeep ‘face’. Treo then tapers front-to-back in a tear-drop shape, to end with two high-mounted spar wings that house rear lamps and serve as mounts for twin high-tech Jeep Rubicon mountain bikes – the perfect equipment for tomorrow’s active young consumers. The rear hatch with a large cutout notch provides easy access to rear storage.

Jeep ruggedness is signalled by the flared wheel arches that give the over-sized tyres plenty of play, tow hooks exposed on the front end, and the ‘precision tool’ look of the headlamps and mirrors. The military-style tyre tread, exposed front suspension and the hiking boot tread detail on the sill plate all enhance the vehicle’s adventurous image.

"The Treo’s look is rugged and purposeful – a truly imaginative evolution of the Jeep ‘face’ with packaging that belies its compact dimensions," said Creed. "It has a real presence in the flesh, one that grows more interesting every time you look at it – from every angle."

Flexible Interior and Propulsion Possibilities

Jeep Treo’s interior continues the simple, honest Jeep look. The steering wheel and column, pedals, speedometer and other instruments are housed in a single, sculptured module. The entire module slides through a slot in the dash for quick adaptation to right- or left-hand driving, extending Treo’s reach to world markets. The radio, global positioning satellite locator and climate controls with touch-screen operation are housed in a second, removable module.

Lightweight seats are made of translucent material over a strong carbon fibre frame. The rear seat folds flat for storage of additional gear. Another configuration allows for the front wheels from the Rubicon bikes to be removed and mounted in the rear of the interior, while still allowing a third passenger to ride along.

Despite the vehicle’s compactness, a feeling of openness is maintained in the interior by the large windshield, a ‘see-through’, seven-slotted Jeep front grille, and a glass roof that extends over the rear passenger space.

Jeep Treo is powered by two electric motors driving the front and rear wheels, giving the vehicle full-time four-wheel drive capability. For the future, Treo is designed to adapt to new technologies, such as drive-by-wire, fuel cells or other advanced powertrains.

"Treo’s visionary vehicle packaging with its basic three-seat configuration and built-in versatility lends itself to future Jeep activity seekers – at entry-level price positioning. It is rugged and functional in genuine Jeep fashion, but its adaptability is taken to the next level," Creed said.

Original Animation for a Unique Vehicle

Chrysler Group’s introduction of the Jeep Treo concept vehicle will feature an original animation sequence produced especially for the Tokyo Motor Show. The animation is influenced by the style known as ‘anime’, which is popular in Asia and other parts of the world. This adventurous, high tech animation is the perfect style for introducing the Jeep Treo concept.

The world's first electric fuel cell water taxi, powered by Millennium Cell's Hydrogen on Demand(TM) hydrogen fuel system, will be on display and available for rides in San Francisco Bay today during the World Maritime Technology Conference and Exposition. The boat demonstrates the utility of hydrogen fuel in generating power for ships and facilities in ports and is a cooperative effort between Millennium Cell, Seaworthy Systems, Duffy Electric Boat and Anuvu, Inc.

"The interest in the Millennium Cell Hydrogen on Demand(TM)-powered boat has been gratifying and we are pleased to be a part of this important project," said Dr. Stephen S. Tang, Millennium Cell President and CEO. "Environmental concerns have led the maritime industry to take a serious look at hydrogen to relieve the diesel-driven pollution problems in harbors worldwide. Hydrogen on Demand(TM) is the ideal solution to these problems, as it provides safe, clean power."

The Duffy-Herreshoff 30 electric boat has been fitted with the Millennium Cell Hydrogen on Demand(TM) hydrogen storage and delivery system running through a complete PEM fuel cell engine from Anuvu, a developer and manufacturer of fuel cells and fuel cell engines. The 3kW Hydrogen on Demand(TM) system weighs less than 150 pounds and is used to power a stack of four 1.5kW Anuvu Power-XTM PEM fuel cells. This system replaces a diesel generator used to extend the range of the boat, which is 30 feet long and has a capacity of 18 passengers. It also provides an option to recharge the batteries from the Anuvu fuel cell engine without having to dock near electricity. Seaworthy Systems directed the system integration and engineering for the project.

Millennium Cell's Hydrogen On Demand(TM) system is a recyclable, clean-burning energy source that can be used with fuel cells and gas and diesel turbine engines. When used with a fuel cell, the only emission is water vapor. A liquid fuel, it is compatible with existing infrastructure for liquid petroleum fuels, produces about the same amount of energy per gallon as that of gasoline, and is completely safe to produce, store, and transport.

Millennium Cell's Hydrogen on Demand(TM) system generates hydrogen from sodium borohydride, which is derived from sodium borate, commonly known as borax. Dissolved in water and passed through a proprietary catalyst chamber, the sodium borohydride releases a perfect stream of pure hydrogen - on demand - to power a fuel cell or an intternal combustion engine. The fuel's byproduct is water and borax.

The World Maritime Technology Conference and Exposition expects participation from 1000 professional naval architects and marine engineers from around the globe to discuss the future of the global maritime industry. There will be a technical program and exposition.

 U.S. Army Alternative Energy Off-Road Vehicle to be Refueled by an Ovonic(TM) Solid Hydrogen Storage and Refueling System; Eighteen-Month Project Funded by TACOM
 

Alternate Energy Corporation (OTCBB:ARGY)  announced today that an agreement has been signed with Velocity  Product Solutions Inc. to assist the firm in the coming months with the strategic marketing, communications, production planning and sales for its affordable, on-demand hydrogen technology. 

Velocity brings to AEC over 40 years' experience in the  development and management of strategic, innovative marketing and  manufacturing initiatives with a variety of notable organizations. 

Velocity has a strong background working with large international  and new technology companies, in both commercial and consumer  sectors. Partners, Lyle Goodis and Corbee Dutchburn (M.Ch.E. C.E.T.) have solid, hands-on knowledge and senior executive experience with leading manufacturing and marketing organizations throughout North America. They have driven numerous products in highly competitive markets from development, manufacturing and launch stages to sales success. 

"Velocity's role will focus on orchestrating and executing a cost-effective, multi-tiered marketing and communications program, that will integrate with the valuable business development efforts of Bill Varian (Colonel, Retired - U.S. Army) in the B2G (Government & Military) field, and the expanding production and operations areas of AEC," says Goodis. Together with Varian at a recent full demonstration of AEC's on-demand hydrogen production capability, Dutchburn and Goodis were 
convinced of the immense business potential, multiple applications and real marketability of this new technology. 

"With Velocity on-board, we now have more horsepower to effectively introduce our new hydrogen technology to the many 
organizations and prospective joint venture partners now examining new fuel alternatives", stated Blaine Froats, Chairman 
& CEO of AEC. "We're excited to have Velocity on our team, as their knowledge, drive and track-record will expedite the launch of our technology to AEC's many markets." 

GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:GTI) today announced that its Advanced Energy Technology (AET) subsidiary was awarded two cash grants totaling $1.4 million from the State of Ohio to support fuel cell development programs. These awards are part of Ohio Governor Bob Taft's Third Frontier Program to foster the growth of fuel cell technology.

The new funding will support two fuel cell programs. Approximately $800,000 will be used in a program to develop high volume manufacturing processes for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell flow field plates. This program will utilize proprietary GRAFCELL(R) advanced flexible graphite from AET and systems design expertise from PIA Group Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The second program, under which AET will receive approximately $600,000, will develop a rapid, cost effective fuel cell testing system. This program will be instrumental in accelerating improvements in the design and affordability of fuel cell components. AET is partnering with both the University of Akron and Lake Shore Cryotronics to develop and commercialize the fuel cell testing system.

At a press conference attended by Ohio Governor Bob Taft, AET President John Wetula accepted the grants. Mr. Wetula commented, "We enthusiastically share Governor Taft's technology vision for Ohio, and for the leading role that PEM fuel cells can play in reshaping the economy of the State and our Country. We are gratified that Ohio views AET and our fuel cell technology as one of its best investments for the future."
 

Mazda will debut a hydrogen version of the RENESIS rotary engine at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show.

Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE (Prototype)

This concept vehicle powered by the Mazda RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine is now undergoing running tests. 

The hydrogen version of RENESIS aims to satisfy the demand for both environment-friendliness and high-performance on the road by utilising unique rotary-engine 
Technologies. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE powerplant has direct hydrogen injection into 
the intake chambers via two electronically-controlled injectors per rotor as well as a dual-fuel system that allows one-touch switching between hydrogen and gasoline.

Mazda is also presenting a hybrid system with electric torque assist and start-stop technology, a turbocharger with electric motor assistance at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show which begins on October 25.
 

The 37th Tokyo Motor Show will be held at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba City and open to the public from Saturday, October 25th to Wednesday November 5th, 2003

 By 2030 the Australian demand for hydrogen as a fuel source could be as great as 18 million cubic metres, with up to half of all mobile phones and 20 percent of all vehicles using the new clean fuel, according to a national report.

Federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane has released the National Hydrogen Study which recommends Australia position itself as a leader in the international move to a hydrogen-based economy.

“Australia is just in the starting blocks when it comes to hydrogen development,” Macfarlane said. “The study provides some real direction to make sure we can run this new energy race and is the first full analysis of our hydrogen potential.”

“The purpose of the study was to assess the role of hydrogen in Australia’s energy system, to explore roadblocks to its introduction and to optimise the potential for the development of clean and reliable energy in Australia.”

The report’s main recommendations are the adoption of a national vision for hydrogen, a review of regulations that may present barriers to hydrogen development, greater involvement in international research and industrial collaboration programs and formation of an Australian Hydrogen Group to help researchers, industry and government move the hydrogen agenda forward.

“Hydrogen is considered the energy carrier of the future in the US and Europe,” Macfarlane said. “Just this year the US government announced its commitment to a $1 billion hydrogen pilot plant, that’s the sort of multi-national research platform Australia has to get aboard.

“Our conventional fuel reserves are finite and moving towards a hydrogen-powered future could take at least 20 years. This is a beginning.”

High production costs and a lack of infrastructure for pumping hydrogen make fuel-cell cars beyond the reach of ordinary car buyers, a senior Toyota executive said Monday.

Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. became the world's first auto makers last year to begin the lease of fuel-cell cars powered by electricity generated from oxygen and pressurized hydrogen gas.

The car has a range of up to 300 kilometers (185 miles) on one tank of hydrogen and Toyota leased 10 such cars to the Japanese government and domestic energy firms with two for the University of California.

The monthly lease costs the Japanese government 1.2 million yendollars) and Toyota senior managing director Masatami Takimoto said the company will have to clear difficult hurdles before being able to sell fuel-cell cars to regular consumers.

"Customers are not stupid. They won't buy just because a car is fuel-cell powered," Takimoto said, adding the current production cost of a fuel-cell car is more than 100 million yen.

"The price is everything. We need to reduce our production cost," he said.

Apart from high production cost, a lack of infrastructure for supplying hydrogen and a lack of keen social awareness about alternative energy sources means the days when fuel-cell cars rule the roads are still far off.

"We must satisfy these three conditions in order to make fuel-cell cars widely available," Takimoto said.

"We have many issues to be solved. Car makers alone cannot solve them. It will take decades or longer" until the wider commercial use of fuel-cell cars, he said.

Taiyou Kawai, general manager of Toyota's fuel cell research and development department, told AFP last December there were only four hydrogen filling stations in Japan, with plans to build another six.

Earlier this month, Larry Burns, vice president of research and development, and planning at General Motors Corp. said GM aimed to make money on selling environmentally-friendly fuel-cell vehicles from 2010.

Fuel-cell vehicles generate no harmful emissions and differ from other hybrid vehicles which combine conventional internal combustion engines with electric motors.

China is expected to host an international forum on developing hydrogen energy from May 25 to 28 next year, an official in charge of organizing the forum said here Tuesday.

"Hyforum 2004: Clean Energies for the 21st Century" will be accompanied by an exhibition showing the latest technologies applying hydrogen energy, such as fuel cell automobiles.

The forum, supported by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the China Association for Science and Technology and the International Association for Hydrogen Energy, the official noted, will be attended by governmental department officials, scientists, investors and business people.

The United States, Japan and European Union (EU) countries have already attached great importance to developing technologies using hydrogen energy. Chinese scientists also showed great interest in researching concerned technologies, particularly fuel cell technology.

Youth Forum 2003, a sideline event for the international forum on developing hydrogen energy scheduled for next year, was held Tuesday at prestigious Qinghua (Tsinghua) University in Beijing, drawing more than 100 scientists under the age of 35.
 

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler on Tuesday signed an agreement in Vienna regarding establishment of Hydrogen Energy Research Center in Istanbul.

Guler signed the agreement together with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Director General Carlos Magarinos.

The International Hydrogen Technologies Center, which is planned to take effect at the beginning of 2004 with the cooperation of UNIDO, will have a donation fund.

Financial cost of the agreement was determined as 40 million U.S. dollars.

Under the agreement, Turkish government will allocate land and building to the center, and will donate 1.5 million U.S. dollars in the first year after signing of the agreement.

Speaking after signing ceremony, Guler said that many experts in the world would come to Turkey to have studies.

Guler said, ''U.S., Japan, and European Union (EU) member countries are interested in hydrogen energy. We started this competition together with those countries. I believe that we will have positive results.''

Prof. Nejat Veziroglu, currently acting as the Chairman of Miami University Clean Energy Institute, will act as the director of the center that will take effect next year.

Guler also met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chairman Mohammed El Baradei for half an hour, and exchanged views about studies in Turkey on nuclear energy and cooperation between IAEA and Turkey.

Hydrogenics Corporation (TSX: HYG and Nasdaq: HYGS), a designer and manufacturer of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, today announced that Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) has approved, subject to successful contract negotiations, a proposal submitted by the Company for fuel cell demonstration.  SDTC is an independent agency that administers Canadian Government funding for climate change solutions.

In a separate press release, SDTC confirmed that Hydrogenics has been approved to lead a consortium of technology and end-user partners to develop, demonstrate, and pre-commercialize fuel cell-powered forklifts.  This will involve outfitting two Class-1 forklifts with fuel cell propulsion systems and metal hydride hydrogen storage systems, as well as developing refuelling capabilities, gathering market research, and demonstrating the newly outfitted forklifts to industrial end users.  The project aims to demonstrate a number of value propositions for this potentially early-adopting market.  The consortium members include Deere & Company, FedEx Canada, General Motors of Canada, HERA Hydrogen Storage Systems, NACCO Materials Handling Group and City of Toronto.

Pierre Rivard, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydrogenics commented, "We are very pleased to be selected by SDTC to lead this fuel cell demonstration project and we are honored to be working with such distinguished
partners on this project."

Further details on this project and its partners will be released once contractual terms are finalized.

FuelCell Energy Inc.,(Nasdaq: FCEL) today announced the dedication of the world's first fuel cell power plant, its Direct FuelCell(R) (DFC(R)) power plant, to operate on coalmine methane gas at a ceremony at the AEP Ohio Coal LLC Rose Valley Site in Hopedale, Ohio.  The purpose of the project, which is co-funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, is to demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of methane from coalmines to
generate electricity cleanly and efficiently.

Hans Maru, chief technology officer of FuelCell Energy remarked on the potential that this demonstration represents. "This project is very exciting for a number of reasons. First, by using coalmine methane to power our DFC power plants, we're generating electricity cleanly and efficiently from a readily available domestic fuel source. Second, we're helping to eliminate
escaping methane, which is a harmful greenhouse gas. Third, we are demonstrating the economics of using coalmine methane as an opportunity fuel to generate electricity in a clean power source such as our DFC power plants."

"This demonstration," said DOE's Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Carl Michael Smith, "supports President Bush's long-range goals for energy, environmental and economic security on terms that deliver new jobs and rising prosperity.  It is innovation of a high order.  It recovers the methane gas that is a hazard in coal mining and a strong agent of possible climate change and turns it into a useful energy resource.  In this way it expands our Nation's inventory of useable energy reserves, supports miner safety and contributes to the President's Clear Skies, Climate and National Energy Policy initiatives.  Once proved and deployed on a wide scale this new technology could make marked contributions in each area."

Project Details

This project is demonstrating a 200-kW DFC power plant at the AEP Ohio Coal LLC Rose Valley Site in Hopedale, Ohio. This site is about 60 miles west of Pittsburgh and is operated by Northwest Fuel Development, Inc. The power plant uses approximately 55,000 - 80,000 cubic feet per day of a coalmine methane gas containing 42-47 percent methane. American Electric Power (AEP) is purchasing the electricity generated at the site under a power purchase agreement between Northwest Fuel Development, Inc. and AEP.

Methane from Coalmines an Environmental Concern

Methane from coal seams is vented in the course of mining operations to reduce hazards to mining. Some abandoned mines also emit methane to the atmosphere, which is the case at the Rose Valley Site. In the United States alone, coalmine methane emissions to the atmosphere are estimated in excess of 500 million cubic feet per day. Various methods of recovering and managing coalmine methane have been employed at mines for many years. However, as concern over the impact of greenhouse gas emissions has increased, so have efforts to find ways to recover and use coalmine methane. Because methane
traps heat 20 times more effectively than carbon dioxide, U.S. mine methane emissions are equivalent to exhaust from a dozen 500-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plants or taking approximately 17 million cars off the road.
Abundant Fuel Source, Large Potential Market

FuelCell Energy estimates that as of 1999, 75 percent of the world's coalmine methane emissions from active and abandoned coalmines come from the top six countries with coal mining operations. A total of approximately 1,000 megawatts of fuel cell power could be generated using coalmine methane from active and abandoned mines. The United States alone has approximately 300 megawatts of unutilized coalmine methane capacity. At an estimated $1,000/kW, the 1,000 MW worldwide potential for FuelCell Energy's DFC power plants is equivalent to a $1 billion market.

    About Direct FuelCells

Direct FuelCells efficiently generate clean electricity at distributed locations near the customer, including hospitals, schools, universities, hotels and other commercial and industrial facilities, as well as in grid support applications for utility customers. In essence, Direct FuelCells are like large, continuously operating batteries that generate electricity as long as fuel, such as natural gas, is supplied. Since the fuel is not burned, there is no pollution commonly associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. Because hydrogen is generated directly within the fuel cell module from readily available fuels such as natural gas and wastewater treatment gas, DFC power plants are ready today and do not require the creation of a hydrogen infrastructure.  This high-efficiency technology generates more electric power from less fuel and with less carbon dioxide emissions than traditional methods using combustion. Operating on biomass fuels, such as wastewater treatment digester gas, Direct FuelCells are a renewable technology.

Residents on the C and L bus lines can be among the first people in the nation to ride a hydrogen-enriched transit bus when Unitrans rolls out the latest member of its fleet.

Unitrans first unveiled the bus Monday as part of an open house for UC Davis’ Institute of Transportation Studies. ITS is a research program that specializes in alternative forms of transportation. The program also boasts a Toyota sport-utility vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, one of only eight in the United States. A second hydrogen-enriched bus will be added to the Unitrans fleet in 2004.

Unitrans General Manager Anthony Palmere said he was not sure what to expect as far as student reaction to the new bus. He said that people are often cautious around technology that involves hydrogen use.

”You hear the word ‘hydrogen’ [and] some people worry about issues related to safety,” he said. “We want to see if people are really concerned about the safety. Researchers say [hydrogen fuel] is as safe as fuels we use now. It’s not without risk, but it’s similar risk.”

The bus is a modified version of the natural gas-powered Bluebird model. It was built by Collier Technologies, a Reno, Nev.-based company that specializes in producing the equipment for hydrogen-burning engines.

Natural gas buses comprise the majority of the service’s fleet, and are relatively clean compared to older diesel-fueled buses. Designers say the hydrogen-enriched bus could produce as much as 90 percent less pollution than a natural gas bus.

Many of those projections have not been tested in the real world, however, and Palmere said it would be valuable to see how efficiently the bus performed after six months of regular use.

Marshall Miller said in a university press release that ITS was hoping to see if the bus would be able to meet strict emissions standards without sacrificing power or fuel economy.

”If it can, bus fleets across the U.S. will have an outstanding low-cost option to achieve dramatic clear air benefits,” he said in the release.

Miller could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Palmere said it was not certain when the bus would go into use, estimating that the time could range from “a matter of days to a matter of weeks.” Unitrans already has the bus, but is waiting to finish construction of a special fueling station.

”We can drive it around the yard or on short trips on campus, but we don’t have any way to fuel it,” he said. “Right now, the only place where you can put this [hydrogen] mix in it is back in Reno, and we wouldn’t want to have to tow it all the way back there to refuel.”

Ken Kurani, an ITS researcher, said in a university press release that he expected some uncertainty about alternative fuel vehicles because they are new to most people.

”Change can be difficult, and after a century of the internal combustion engine, there’s bound to be uncertainty as well as excitement,” he said. 

The president of Ballard Power Systems Inc. said Thursday the world's largest fuel-cell maker will strengthen tie-ups with Honda Motor Co. and other major Japanese automakers to develop fuel-cell vehicles. 

"We expect our collaboration with Honda to grow," Dennis Campbell told Kyodo News when asked about future relations with Honda, which has developed its own fuel-cell technologies. 

Canada-based Ballard has an 85% market share of fuel cells in the world, supplying its products to 10 out of the world's 15 top automakers, including Honda, Nissan Motor Co., Mitsubishi Motors Corp., and Volkswagen AG. 

Campbell indicated that Toyota Motor Corp., which is moving ahead of other Japanese companies in fuel-cell development, will also be a potential Ballard client. 

Campbell made the comments on the sidelines of a media preview for the 37th Tokyo Motor Show in Chiba, east of Tokyo, where Japanese and overseas automakers are featuring gasoline-electric hybrid cars and fuel-cell vehicles. 

Ballard plans to keep above a 50% market share when the world is expected to see the early mass production of commercial fuel cells in 10 years, he said, quoting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi as saying that his government wants to see 50,000 fuel-cell vehicles in Japan by 2010. 

Campbell said Ballard will focus on affordability when developing core parts for the next generation of fuel cells.

A new generation of hydrogen-powered bus engines destined for Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland is to be launched by Canada's Stuart Energy Systems Corp.'s (T.HHO) joint venture with Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (LH.CKI).

Stuart Energy president Jon Slangerup said the Stuart-CKI joint venture will deploy a prototype hydrogen-powered bus in Hong Kong in early 2004 to demonstrate the efficiency of it's low-emission hydrogen-powered engine.

Mississauga, Ontario-based Stuart Energy's cooperation agreement with Ford Motor Co. (F) allows the joint venture to use specialized Ford internal combustion hydrogen engines for the prototype bus and future Hong Kong sales.

"Ford and Stuart Energy have come up with a concept that (hydrogen-powered) internal combustion engines are a bridge to the future of (hydrogen) fuel cells," Slangerup told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview.

"The big opportunity here is that you can just replace fossil-fuel burning engines with a hydrogen-burning engine...so that (vehicle) becomes a zero emission device for a fraction of the price of a (hydrogen) fuel cell."

Cheung Kong plans to install the engines in 30 buses in its corporate fleet and the joint venture will likely begin actively marketing the engines in Hong Kong within a year, Slangerup said. The Hong Kong-based company holds about a 12.5% stake in Stuart Energy.

The Stuart CKI plan reflects how China is increasingly the focus of foreign companies seeking to sell cutting edge technologies that address the government's interest in alternative, low-polluting public transit systems.

China has aggressively targeted the development of such systems and has committed $37 million for acquiring between 10 and 100 fuel cell-power buses for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Securing alternative fuel sources is also crucial for China as it struggles to cope with dwindling domestic crude oil reserves and an explosion in private car ownership.

China's crude oil imports rose 29.8% on-year to 67.2 million metric tons in the first nine months of 2003, while China's automobile sales increased 69% on-year to 1.34 million units in the same period.

   Expansion Into Mainland China Planned

The power stations, also developed with Ford, have storage capacity that allow them to double as fueling sources for vehicles, Slangerup said.

"CKI's view...is that without the vehicles running the streets filling up with hydrogen, people won't get excited about a backup power generator," Slangerup said.

"So if we can show the whole value proposition and make (the power station) cost-effective and viable then people will get excited about it and governments will support it and endorse it."

Stuart Energy is also working to boost demand for hydrogen-powered public transportation systems on China's mainland with Canada's Westport Innovations Inc. (T.WPT).

Westport's joint venture with U.S. diesel engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. (CUM), Cummins Westport Inc., already provides a combination of Cummins Inc. and Cummins Westport compressed natural gas, or CNG, engines to fuel about 2,000 public buses in Beijing.

That number constitutes the largest low-emission CNG engine fleet in the world, and will is due to grow further as the city converts its entire fleet of public buses to cleaner engine technology.

Stuart Energy and Westport are seeking to market a high-efficiency, low-emission hydrogen and natural gas fuel blend for use in public buses in Beijing and Shanghai

The fuel blend substantially boosts fuel efficiency and reduces carbon dioxide emissions exponentially, Slangerup said.

Successfully marketing the fuel blend in the two cities will help lay the foundations for wider public acceptance and the infrastructure necessary for a future expansion of hydrogen energy applications such as fuel cell technology in China.

"We've got to get people comfortable with hydrogen as part of the fueling infrastructure," Slangerup said of the possible Beijing-Shanghai deals.

"What's in it for us is that (municipal governments) have to build the hydrogen infrastructure to produce the blended fuel, (so) in advance of pure hydrogen (engine) applications, you're building the infrastructure so it doesn't impeded the development of the hydrogen (technology)."

 Hydrogenics Corporation (TSE: HYG and Nasdaq: HYGS), a designer and manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell systems, announced that it is partnering with IdaTech, the fuel cell subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE: IDA), to develop a 50-kilowatt fuel cell system that can serve as an independent energy source for large facilities such as hotels, hospitals and office buildings.

IdaTech was recently awarded a $9.6-million (U.S.) development program by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) after the DOE's recent solicitation for proposals toward new research in advanced fuel cell technology for stationary applications.  The 50 kW fuel cell system will use newly developed component technologies, including Hydrogenics' fuel cell power module technology, and IdaTech's fuel processing technology.

"We are very pleased to be working in this new partnership with an organization like IdaTech, a company that is recognized as a leader in fuel processing technology and system integration," commented Pierre Rivard, President and CEO of Hydrogenics. "Gaining the opportunity to access government funds for a demonstration that encompasses not only leading edge technology but also end-use applications, is a key element in our business plan."

The fully integrated proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system will combine IdaTech's patented multi-fuel fuel processing technology with a Hydrogenics fuel cell power module and will deliver both electricity and thermal energy to hotel systems.  Future potential applications include multi-family dwellings, office buildings, prison systems, hospital/medical care facilities, and similar defense market applications.  Three 50-kW systems will be field-tested, one each with Sempra Utilities, Puget Sound Energy and Marriott International.

University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher Dennis Witmer held up a small patch of material for Chancellor Marshall Lind and other onlookers Wednesday, searching for an easy way to explain the material's application for the fuel cell power device he was demonstrating. 

"You ever teach physics?" Witmer asked Lind, before launching into a complicated explanation of the latest fuel cell acquired by UAF's Arctic Energy Technology Development Laboratory.

 Fuel cells, which create electricity and heat through conversion of energy sources such as methanol or natural gas, are potentially advantageous power sources because of their ability to produce efficient electricity with minimal maintenance and next to no emissions. 

Researchers and manufacturers have experimented with several models of fuel cells in recent years in an effort to improve the largely unproven technology. 

HERA, Hydrogen Storage Systems Inc. ("HERA"), a leading company in the development and manufacture of solid hydrogen storage systems, is pleased to announce that it has purchased the hydrogen business of Ergenics, Inc. ("Ergenics").

Ergenics is a USA based company located in the state of New Jersey with extensive experience in the development of products based on metal hydride materials. Its product capabilities include hydrogen storage units and solid state hydrogen compressors. Ergenics' technology is protected by over 30 U.S. and foreign patents.

"HERA is noted for its leading materials development program to commercialize high performance, low cost metal hydrides targeted at solid hydrogen storage for the transportation industry", said Mr. Clemens van Zeyl, President and CEO of HERA. "To ultimately commercialize these next generation materials and to pursue current applications of existing hydride technologies, HERA has been steadily increasing its product development and manufacturing capability. The acquisition of Ergenics will accelerate this initiative by adding over twenty (20) years of product development expertise in the application of metal hydride materials. It will expand HERA's product capabilities and strategically position HERA in the US market."

Finmeccanica (via its subsidiary Iritech) and EnerTAD, the renewable energy and environmental services company listed on the Milan stock exchange, have reached an agreement that will see the two companies work towards developing fuel cell technology for use in electricity generating plants.

Fuel cell technology will play a key role in the future of the electricity market, and responds fully to the requirements of the Kyoto protocol, thanks to:
· its high thermal efficiency, which gives it a very low environmental impact in terms of
both emissions and noise;
· the easier extraction of waste carbon dioxide for treatment;
· the potential widespread generation of electricity from small power plants that are less dependent on the national  transmission grid.

Under the agreement, EnerTAD and Gepafin (a Sviluppoumbria company) will take an initial stake of 6.3% in Ansaldo Fuel Cells SpA (currently 100% owned by Iritech), which will gradually rise via reserved capital increases. The agreement heralds the beginning of a new partnership between Finmeccanica, which is in a prime position to develop the know-how gained in its laboratories thanks to the support of Italian government and EU research programmes, and the private company EnerTAD, which has operated for many years in the sector of renewable energy.

The agreement was signed today at the industry ministry in Rome, in the presence of Minister Antonio Marzano, Chief Executive of Iritech Alessandro De Dominicis, Chairman of EnerTAD Luigi Agarini and Giacomo Porrazzini, Chairman of Gepafin. Representing Finmeccanica were Chairman and CEO Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, and CEO and Managing
Director Roberto Testore, while EnerTAD was represented by its Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Sante Agarini, and Sviluppoumbria by its Chairman Calogero Alessi.

IdaTech, the fuel cell subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE: IDA - News), has been awarded a $9.6 million development program by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the development of a 50-kW proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system suitable for providing grid-independent energy sources for large facilities.

The DOE awarded the three-year, cost-shared cooperative agreement to IdaTech in response to a competitive nationwide solicitation. The DOE funding -- a component of President George Bush's Hyydrogen Fuel Initiative -- originates from within its Office of Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure. IdaTech's partners for the program include fuel cell manufacturer Hydrogenics Corporation (Nasdaq: HYGS - News); energy companies Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE - News) and Puget Sound Energy (NYSE: PSD - News); hotel management company Marriott International (NYSE: MAR - News); and the California Hotel and Lodging Association.

The fully integrated PEM fuel cell system will combine IdaTech's patented multi-fuel fuel processing technology with a Hydrogenics fuel cell power module and will deliver both electricity and thermal energy to hotel systems. Future potential applications include multi-family dwellings, office buildings, prison systems, hospital/medical care facilities, and similar defense market applications. Three 50-kW systems will be field-tested, one each with Sempra Utilities, Puget Sound Energy and Marriott International.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to strengthen our strategic relationship with the Department of Energy," said Claude Duss, IdaTech President and Chief Executive Officer. "With the collaboration of our partners, we have formed a solid project team to develop a comprehensive energy solution for larger buildings."

"The increased level of support from the government to enact new energy policy reaffirms the importance of advanced energy technologies, such as fuel cell systems, to energy security," added Duss. "The development of a 50-kW cogeneration system will propel IdaTech's advancement into medium-scale distributed generation markets."

IdaTech's fuel cell solutions are based on a flexible, modular design that supports the development of systems with a range of outputs up to 50 kW. These solutions incorporate IdaTech's proprietary multi-fuel fuel processing technology and fuel cell system integration expertise including automation and controls. With the support of strategic partners, the company's solutions are being deployed on a global scale for stationary and portable applications. IdaTech is a subsidiary of the Boise, Idaho-based energy and technology holding company IDACORP, Inc.