The Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge announces the release of a request for proposals (RFP) aimed at building on its existing fuel cell innovation pipeline in Columbia, South Carolina. With a singular focus from its leaders and through partnerships with university researchers, industry and service providers, Columbia is launching a comprehensive effort to become a national leader in fuel cell technology across three phases: Discovery, Development and Deployment. Projects awarded in response to the RFP will build towards the vision of a multi-year, multi- stage journey - establishing Columbia as the pre-eminent location for fuel cell innovation.

"Columbia stands as a leader in the future of fuel cell technology," said Bill Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer of the South Carolina Research Authority. "This RFP results from combining the compelling existing assets in the area with the hard work and vision of the USC Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative."

As a focal point for the Fuel Cell Challenge, Columbia's Fuel Cell District will encompass a two mile radius in the heart of downtown Columbia. Columbia is the ideal city for the first planned end-to-end Fuel Cell District because of the existing research strengths in fuel cells at USC and the focus and collaboration of the region's political, business and academic leaders. Additionally, the University of South Carolina is building Innovista, a forward looking research campus that will spread out over 200 acres and combine 5 million square feet of research labs, office space, mixed-use retail and affordable residential housing. The activities of the Fuel Cell Challenge will provide an international showcase for fuel cell technologies, as the National Hydrogen Association has announced plans to bring its annual convention to Columbia, SC in the spring of 2009.

The RFP is soliciting projects for this challenge in the form of education and outreach programs, hydrogen production sites, storage and distribution locations - including fueling stations - and multiplle end-use applications. The RFP incorporates plans for portable fuel cell applications around the University and research campus, stationary fuel cell applications in business complexes and University buildings and transportation applications such as utility vehicles along the river and shuttle buses on the University campus.

The RFP can be viewed at www.fuelcellchallenge.com. Letters of intent are requested by August 31, 2006 and final proposals by September 29, 2006.

About The Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge

USC, the City of Columbia, the South Carolina Research Authority and EngenuitySC have organized the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge to collaborate with private sector leaders from all areas of the fuel cell market for the unprecedented deployment of fuel cell and alternative energy technology into multiple city, university and commercial applications throughout the region. For more information, please visit www.fuelcellchallenge.com.