Publication date: 02-December-2003 
Source:The News Journal

Hoping to build on Delaware's early foothold in environmentally friendly energy industries, state scientists and businesses are working to open a new university-based Clean Energy Research Center.

The effort got a boost from Congress earlier this month when lawmakers tucked a $1 million grant for the project into the annual federal energy and water appropriations bill.

Supporters of the measure said work in Delaware could help accelerate commercial use of fuel cells, solar power and other alternatives to polluting fossil fuels.

The proposal is similar to biotechnology, composite-material and poultry-research centers already operating at the University of Delaware. All were developed to promote and accelerate scientific advances in important local industries, potentially making the state's economy larger and more competitive.

"The idea is to enable the center to bring together university researchers as well as industrial partners so we can develop the fundamental science that's needed," said Eric Kaler, dean of the college of engineering at the University of Delaware. "We're in the early stages of developing a center that will involve fuel cell technology and most certainly some elements of solar energy."

The DuPont Co. and W.L. Gore & Associates - already leaders in the fuel cell field - and solar panel maker AstroPower Inc. are among the businesses expected to take part in the Clean Energy project. Hydrogen-supplier Air Products Inc. and DG Interconnect, an energy distribution company, also are participating.

Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity by a chemical reaction, releasing water vapor, carbon dioxide and heat instead of toxic compounds. A variety of sources can be tapped to produce hydrogen, including coal, water and familiar fuels like gasoline, ethanol, methanol, natural gas and kerosene.

The Bush administration and other nations have focused increased attention and investment on fuel cells and hydrogen power programs, hoping to wean economies away from fossil fuel for both environmental and political reasons.

"It's a game-changer," said David Lane, sales leader for Gore's fuel cells division. "Globally, I think people are realizing that hydrogen can be derived from so many sources that it creates a level playing field" in energy supply.

"The thing is," Lane said, "it's going to take a lot of investment. It won't happen overnight."

Lane said the university research center was a good fit for Delaware,

allowing Gore and DuPont to cooperate on common technology problems. Both companies produce membranes crucial to the chemical reactions.

Cellular phone and small electronics makers already are making plans to sell fuel-cell-powered devices within two or three years. Stationary versions for homes or businesses are expected to follow in several more years, followed by systems to power automobiles.

"There's still a lot of work to be done. The technology today is not commercially ready. There are still issues like fuel infrastructure and the need for demonstration programs," said Richard K. Okine, technology director for DuPont's fuel cells business.

DuPont recently announced a joint venture to produce fuel-cells for Taiwan's scooter market, with sales beginning as early as 2005. The company also leads a national, Department of Energy-backed consortium known as the Integrated Corn-Based Bioproducts Refinery project, developed to improve "bio-refinery" technologies that use corn or other renewable resources to produce energy and chemicals.

"Our view is that, based on the technology today, the portable and micro-fuel cells are the ones that will be commercialized first," Okine said. "By commercial, we're talking about selling lots of units to mass markets without any strings attached."

Gov. Ruth Ann Minner's administration made the project a priority in a task force report released in September, hoping to make Delaware a center for clean-energy businesses. Similar centers already are running at the University of South Florida, in Japan and China and other locations.

Reach Jeff Montgomery at 678-4277 or jmontgomery@delawareonline.com.

Photo Caption:

The News Journal/BOB HERBERT

Research technician Lawrence Rogers monitors fuel cells at the DuPont Co., already a leader in the fuel cell field.

FUEL CELLS AT A GLANCE

Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity by a chemical reaction, releasing water vapor, carbon dioxide and heat instead of toxic compounds. A variety of sources can be tapped to produce hydrogen, including coal, water and familiar fuels like gasoline, ethanol, methanol, natural gas and kerosene.