FuelCellsWorks

Eco-200T offers smaller clean power solution in economic package

Spokane, Wash.–ReliOn, the leading provider of high reliability fuel cell solutions for backup power applications, today announced a new product in its portfolio, the Eco-200T.  The Eco-200T fuel cell system is designed around ReliOn’s patented technology and provides high reliability power for smaller scale power applications.  The product is a compact complete fuel cell system housed in a 2U (3.5″ tall) rack-mountable package.  Like all of ReliOn’s fuel cell products, emissions are limited to warm air and a small amount of water, and the Eco-200T is exempt from the most stringent air quality standards, such as those set by the California Air Resources Board.  Designed to be an economical small scale backup power solution, the Eco-200T can affordably provide hundreds of hours of runtime and many years of service for critical equipment.  The product will be commercially available in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Joe Blanchard, ReliOn’s Vice President of Product Line Management commented, “The Eco-200T provides a solution for our customers with lower power applications requiring high reliability and long runtime.  For key applications including remote backhaul sites, microwave repeaters and security and sensor sites, this product provides an ideal solution that allows customers to meet their critical backup power requirements while supporting their corporate sustainability goals.”

The Eco-200T joins ReliOn’s current product line – the T-1000® and T-2000® – which provide backup power solutions between 500W and 12kW.  The company has delivered more than 2 megawatts of product at over 600 commercial customer sites in 18 countries.  While many of ReliOn’s customers are wireless telecommunication providers, the company also serves markets including wireline telecommunications, government, security, and utility communications and transportation networks.

ReliOn products can be used for backup power and site hardening in both traditional configurations and as part of a clean technology system integrated with solar and wind power.  Visit ReliOn at CTIA Wireless booth 1341 April 1-3.

About ReliOn:

ReliOn is a leader in the development and marketing of modular Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell products. The company markets commercially available fuel cell products using its patented Modular Cartridge Technology®.  ReliOn products are available domestically and internationally for commercial and industrial backup applications in the 50-Watt to 12-kilowatt range.  ReliOn fuel cells are certified to multiple safety and performance standards. www.relion-inc.com <http://www.relion-inc.com/>  .

University of South Carolina Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative Announces Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge 2009 Awards at National Hydrogen Association Conference

COLUMBIA, S.C.– The University of South Carolina – City of Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative announced the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge 2009 Awards today at the National Hydrogen Association’s 20th Anniversary Conference, hosted in Columbia, S.C.  The Challenge, organized by the University of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) and EngenuitySC, was created in 2006 as an initiative to collaborate with private sector leaders from all areas of the fuel cell industry for the unprecedented deployment of fuel cell and alternative energy technologies into multiple city, university and public applications in Columbia.

In its first two years of activity, the Challenge has gained national recognition by accelerating the commercialization of ideas and discoveries and providing a real world environment in which these technologies can be deployed.  Project investments have been made across portable, stationary power, and mobility applications, as well as for expanding programs focused on education, outreach, and the discovery process.

In 2009, the Challenge selected and awarded five projects from over 15 project submissions covering all elements of the innovation pipeline, from discovery, to development to deployment.

“The partnerships assembled under the banner of the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge are turning innovative ideas from researchers and companies across the nation into significant economic opportunities, both in the Midlands of South Carolina as well as across the state,” said Bill Mahoney, SCRA CEO.

The University of South Carolina College of Engineering & Computing received a grant to install a 5 kW proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell as part of the power source for the scoreboard of the University’s new, riverfront baseball stadium.  The project will provide real life application for demonstration purposes as well as for building out additional technology applications in Columbia’s growing fuel cell district.

Industry leaders, Logan Energy and Plug Power have jointly been awarded a Challenge investment to test and evaluate a new PEM micro-Combined Heat and Power (CHP) fuel cell under real world conditions.  An Early Customer Acceptance Test (ECAT) unit, it produces 4.5kW electrical with a variable thermal capacity of 7kW  – 25kW thermal.   The unit operaates on natural gas and employs a unique high-temperature membrane, which should allow it to integrate effectively with traditional residential and light commercial heating systems.  “Columbia’s urban environment and support for emerging clean technologies made it a natural fit for the deployment and testing this commercially viable pre-market product.  We could not be more thrilled,”  said Sam Logan, CEO of Logan Energy.

LiftOne, Hydrogenics and Air Products & Chemicals have jointly been awarded a Challenge grant to conduct one of the team’s six planned, month-long deployments with target end-users to validate the value proposition and the market requirements for fuel cell powered lift trucks.  These trials would deploy two Class One, sit-down electric forklifts with fuel cell power packs, and one mobile hydrogen fueler at selected distribution centers and manufacturing facilities within LiftOne’s three-state area of operations (VA, NC, SC).

“These deployments are intended to provide a broad group of stakeholders including facility management lift truck operators, codes and standards officials and the general public with the opportunity to experience and witness a real world fuel cell application operating in real world environments,” said Tom Dever, LiftOne project manager.  The Challenge grant provides funding for the specific trial planned for a Columbia-based manufacturing facility.  Primary funding for this project is being provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Education Program.

Dantherm Power, Inc. is being awarded a grant to deploy fuel cell backup power units at up to three radio communications sites owned and operated by the City of Columbia.  In the first phase of the project the incumbent backup power technology would be replaced by fuel cell generators supplied by Dantherm; in follow-on phases the project team would add the capability to refill the hydrogen supply bottles for these units from solar power.  As the end user of the project’s hardware, City of Columbia employees will be active participants in site selection, equipment performance specification, safety certification, and operating and testing procedures associated with the project.

NextGenEn, Inc.,  a recent start-up company at the University of South Carolina,  has been awarded a fuel cell challenge grant to develop a comprehensive system design and early demonstration prototype solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) device for portable power applications (from 100W up to 500W) that can operate in a highly controlled environment.  The fuel cell device will be designed specifically for medical device applications. “The fuel flexibility associated with SOFC will be essential to customer adoption of this disruptive technology as it seeks to replace traditional storage batteries,” said Chad Sands, NextGenEn, Inc. CEO.   The company intends to adopt a biofuel as the primary feedstock.

“The University-based companies involved in the Challenge are evidence to the talent we have built within our research community,” said University of South Carolina President Dr. Harris Pastides.   “Our University’s top minds are working shoulder to shoulder with industry every day to tackle the global energy issue.”

“The City of Columbia is proud once again for our fuel cell district to be a test bed for innovative technology deployment,” said City of Columbia Mayor Bob Coble.  “We remain committed to being at the leading edge of sustainability and alternative energy applications.”

About the USC Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative

The University of South Carolina – City of Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborativee was formed by the University of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, EngenuitySC and the South Carolina Research Authority to position Columbia, SC as a leader in hydrogen fuel cell innovation and technology.  Its mission is to attract private sector partners, top fuel cell scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators to the Columbia region. For more information, visit: www.fuelcellchallenge.com

About the University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina is dedicated to building the knowledge economy in South Carolina by attracting the world’s top professors, scientists, students and entrepreneurs to Columbia, SC.  Through its new Innovation district called Innovista, the University is supporting research initiatives in nanotechnology, health sciences, Future Fuels(TM), the environment, and information and knowledge technologies.  For more information, visit:   www.sc.edu

About the City of Columbia

The City of Columbia is as rich in cultural heritage and history as it is with talent and opportunity.  The City of Columbia is dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge economy in the midlands region through its partnership in the USC Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative, its award winning technology incubator, and its commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation.  The city fully supports the creation of the first integrated fuel cell district in the country and is committed to making Columbia a business friendly environment for innovative companies.  For more information, visit: www.columbiasc.net

About EngenuitySC

EngenuitySC is an active public/private sector partnership focused on nurturing the growth of a knowledge-based economy in the Columbia, SC region.  Comprised of business and industry leaders, along with representatives from local government and academia, EngenuitySC strives to create a fertile business climate that: encourages entrepreneurship and the commercialization of ideas and technology, harnesses the research breakthroughs of higher education institutions, establishes public policy that is sensitive to the unique needs of knowledge-based companies, and promotes access to start-up investment capital.  For more information, visit: www.engenuitysc.com

About SCRA

SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with offices in South Carolina, Ohio and in the Washington, D.C. area. SCRA collaborates to advance technology, providing technology-based solutions with assured outcomes to industry and government, with the help of research universities in SC, the US and around the world.

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.–Air Products (NYSE: APD), a global leader in hydrogen fueling and infrastructure, has installed its hydrogen fueling station technology at the Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna Pennsylvania (DDSP) in New Cumberland, Pa. and today is powering an overall fleet of 40 hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts being used in daily warehouse operations.  Air Products is the lead contractor for the two year Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) research and development demonstration pilot project.

In the pilot project, DDSP personnel will operate 20 fuel cell-powered forklifts alongside lead-acid battery forklifts, outside the scope pilot project, in daily operations.  In addition, the fueling station will be used to support an additional 20 fuel cell-powered forklifts provided by DLA.  Data to compare costs and operational characteristics will be collected and analyzed to support the development and commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell technologies for Department of Defense operations.

“We commend the DLA for taking this close look at the many positives, both operational and environmental, offered by the use of hydrogen powered forklifts.  The program at this location provides for a side-by-side comparison during routine operations of the traditional lead-acid battery technology and the advanced hydrogen fuel-cell technology.  We believe the performance of the hydrogen powered materials handling equipment will clearly demonstrate operational, economic and environmental benefits,” said Brian O’Neil, program manager for Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products.

“The DDSP project is the first in a series of three research and development pilots of fuel cell and associated hydrogen fueling technologies within the Defense Distribution Center,” said Leo Plonsky, DLA’s R&D program manager for hydrogen fuel cell technologies.  “Not only does this technology reduce DLA’s dependence on imported oil, it reduces greenhouse gas emission that can contribute to climate change.”

There are many advantages to using hydrogen powered forklifts and other materials handling equipment.   Hydrogen fuel cell-powered equipment needs refueling, which can be completed in minutes, only once or twice daily depending on use.   In contrast, traditional battery-powered equipment must be placed temporarily out of operation for battery replacement and required battery recharging approximately every four to six hours.   Hydrogen fuel cell-powered equipment provides consistent power during use and do not experience decreased performance or wear down as traditional lead-acid battery units do as they near a required battery change out or recharge time.   Further, hydrogen-powered fuel cell equipment is more environmentally friendly, without associated lead-acid battery storage and disposal issues.

Air Products had previously announced a hydrogen fueling infrastructure project for the materials handling industry in late 2008.  Air Products is installing indoor hydrogen fueling infrastructure to fill a fleet of over 200 fuel cell powered lift trucks that will operate at Central Grocers’ new distribution center in Joliet, Illinois.  The distribution center fueling project will come on-stream in 2009.  Air Products has also been involved with similar work at a grocery chain warehouse in Texas since 2007 and a manufacturing and assembly plant in Tennessee since 2006.

Air Products, the leading hydrogen supplier to refineries to assist in making cleaner burning transportation fuels, has completed over 85,000 hydrogen fills and has placed over 90 hydrogen fueling stations in the United States and 16 countries worldwide.   Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts and other materials handling equipment, and even submarines, have been fueled with this trend-setting technology that involves Air Products’ know-how, equipment, and hydrogen, and use of the technology is increasing at over 2,500 hydrogen fills per month.   Air Products provides liquid and gaseous hydrogen, and HCNG (hydrogen/compressed natural gas) fueling, and has developed a variety of enabling devices and protocols for fuel dispensing at varied pressures.   Hydrogen for these stations is delivered to a site via truck, by on-site natural gas reformation, and by electrolysis, including electrolysis that is solar and wind driven.

Air Products has more than 50 years of hydrogen experience and is on the forefront of hydrogen energy technology development.  Air Products has an extensive patent portfolio with over 50 patents in hydrogen dispensing technology.   For more information on Air Products’ hydrogen fueling station technologies go to www.airproducts.com/h2energy.

CMR Fuel Cells plc, the specialist developer of high power density fuel cell stacks and systems for portable electronics applications, is pleased to announce that it has successfully demonstrated the first prototype of its hybrid fuel cell power supply system to a leading Asian Original Design Manufacturer (‘ODM’). The two companies are collaborating in the design and development of a stand-alone hybrid power system using both a battery and Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (‘DMFC’) charger.

The DMFC System being developed by CMR functions with a battery being developed by its ODM partner and is designed to provide over eight hours of grid-independent power for a notebook computer from a single fuel cartridge; removing any reliance on mains electricity during its operational period.

About CMR Fuel Cells plc

CMR Fuel Cells plc is a UK AIM-listed developer of fuel cell ‘stacks’ and systems for portable and small stationary power generation applications. The Company is targeting the consumer electronics industry where there is growing demand for new power solutions which are longer running than today’s Lithium batteries.

This demand is being driven by the increasing power requirements of portable electronics devices which have outgrown incremental improvements in the performances of traditional batteries. As a result, consumer frustration with short ‘run-time’, ‘return to mains’ recharging and questionable battery safety is compelling the electronics industry to develop and deploy suitable alternatives for power delivery.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (‘DMFC’) power systems can deliver longer electrical equipment run-times than conventional batteries as well as delivering other superior performance features such as ‘instant recharge anywhere’, which are ideally suited for modern feature rich, ‘always on, always connected’ wireless devices.

CMR is based in Cambridge , United Kingdom and is listed on the London Stock Exchange, AIM market as CMF.L

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, (AIM / ASX: CFU) a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission microgeneration products for homes, gives an update on its product development project with Nuon for the Benelux market.

The parties have completed a joint review of the project to develop micro combined heat and power (mCHP) products based on Fuel cell technology. During the project a semi-integrated mCHP unit was installed and operated. The unit comprised a CFCL NetGenPlus fuel cell unit connected to a boiler unit and was installed in September 2008.

The mCHP unit successfully met or exceeded all technical targets set by the partners, including power export, electrical efficiency, and lifetime. CFCL’s fuel cell unit successfully exported electricity to the local grid, and generated heat for the boiler, from natural gas. As at 31 March the unit has been operating for 4,624 hours.

Mr Paul Hermans, New Business Development Manager for Nuon, said:

“The test with the mCHP unit met all technical targets. However, in order to keep focus in our current product development portfolio, Nuon has decided not to further pursue the development of a Fuel cell based mCHP at this moment. Accordingly the parties will not proceed with the next stage of the project or with the conditional forward order for commercial products”.

CFCL continues to develop mCHP products with its partners in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Japan.

Nanomix Inc., a leading nanotechnology company commercializing a line of nanoelectronic sensors for industrial and biomedical applications, today announced that it was issued an additional U.S. patent. The new patent is related to hydrogen storage technology and follows six earlier patents issued to Nanomix in this field. Efficient, safe, high-density hydrogen storage is critical to realizing the promise of practical and cost-effective energy from the emerging fuel cell industry. The new technology avoids the current limitations of liquid hydrogen storage. Using novel materials, Nanomix technology advances hydrogen storage systems to meet the performance needs of automotive, portable electronic applications, and power-grid energy storage.

“We are pleased with our growing patent portfolio related to hydrogen storage technology,” said Jeremy Rosenblatt, Vice President of Operations for Nanomix. “These advancements allow hydrogen storage systems to operate at more favorable pressure and temperature than conventional methods. Our new storage technology increases the safety and effectiveness of hydrogen-based energy storage systems. We are currently seeking industrial partners for the continued development of hydrogen energy systems based on our patented technologies.”

These is the seventh patent issued (US No. 7,479,240 issued January 20, 2009) in a group of patents comprising the Nanomix hydrogen storage portfolio. The patent describes the storage of hydrogen by physiosorption on boron oxide and boron oxide derivates. The new medium allows hydrogen storage systems to operate at lower pressure and more moderate temperature.