FuelCellsWorks

Lima, OH–Today, American Trim, Ohio State University and General Motors demonstrated, in real time, the actual production of a fuel cell bipolar plate before a group of collaborators and media at American Trim’s Research and Development Facility in Lima, Ohio. The production of the bipolar plate represents another success for the Lima, Ohio based company in demonstrating that it is putting the State’s Third Frontier Grant monies to productive use. This work supports the second Grant which assembles the plates into a functional fuel cell.

“This team has reached a significant milestone that could be a catalyst in bringing alternative fuel vehicles to the buying public. We have demonstrated the very real possibility that we can produce fuel cell bipolar plates for a fraction of what they currently cost. A fraction.” said Rick Pfeifer, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at American Trim. Mayor David Berger was on hand for the presentation and said “Rewards go to those who innovate and break thru despite economic restraints. What this team has accomplished is a big win for Northwest Ohio and Lima in particular as we build on our strategy of transforming manufacturing in the State.”

Also on hand for the event were:

* Dr. Glenn Daehn a Professor at OSU and recognized expert within the electromagnetic forming technologies.
* Dr. Mike Martin the VP of Fuel Cell Technology at EMTEC
* Pat Valente the Director of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition

About High Velocity Metal Forming
High Velocity Metal Forming (HVMF) is a method of metal forming where the sheet metal to be formed is accelerated to 300 meters per second into a die, and thereby forms the part. It is an exciting breakthrough in metal forming technology which could add more precision to the metal forming process, increase processing speed and reduce cost in terms or equipment and processing.

About American Trim
American Trim was founded in 1951 and specializes in the forming, decorating, and coating of metal and composite substrates. These core competencies are supported and enhanced by American Trim’s Design, Research and Development activities ensuring the most advanced and cost effective solutions for its customer partners.

On April 28, 2099 the Flemish Minister of Industry, Enterprise, Research, Innovation and Trade, Patricia Ceyssens kicked off project that totals  € 14,1 mln. for three years to develop demonstration projects in the field of sustainable hydrogen production, poratble refuellibg stations, maritime and road transport vehicles and the use of waste hydrogen.

Belgian based companies like  Solvay, Umicore, Hydrogenics, Imec en VanHool are supporting the project.

According to the Flemish minister the active involvement of Belgian industry and SME’s convinced her to support the project that is partly finaced by the EU Interreg programme.

BRUNNTHAL/MUNICH, Germany–SFC Smart Fuel Cell, leading supplier of fuel cell products for mobile and off-grid power applications, has been named the winner of the 2009 Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award by Cleantech Group, an international company that promotes the development and commercialization of clean technologies.

According to Cleantech, the award is given to companies “that have demonstrated rapid growth and/or provided a high realized return to investors by bringing a truly disruptive clean technology or business model to the market.”

SFC, which has sold more than 13,000 of its direct methanol fuel cells for leisure, industrial and defense applications, is one of only two companies that received awards at Cleantech Forum XXII, April 28-30, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

At the forum, which is an annual gathering of executives of clean-technology companies and clean-tech investors and experts, Dr. Peter Podesser, SFC’s chief executive officer, described SFC’s rise to leadership in the fuel-cell market and provided a look ahead for the clean-tech industry.

“Our EFOY fuel cells have dramatically improved the power-supply options in the leisure and industrial markets by providing clean, quiet and reliable off-grid electricity, and our solutions for defense organizations, such as the JENNY fuel cell, have significantly reduced the weight load soldiers in the field carry while providing them with 100 percent reliable power,” said Dr. Podesser. “Receiving this Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award from Cleantech Group sends a strong message about both the growing markets for alternative energy sources and SFC’s leadership in the fuel cell industry.”

Richard Youngman, managing director of Cleantech Group/Europe, said the Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award also recognizes SFC’s achievement as the fastest-growing clean technology company in the Deloitte Technology 2008 Fast 500 EMEA listing. The program recognizes technology companies that have achieved the fastest rates of annual revenue growth in Europe, the Middle East and Africa during the previous five years. SFC also ranked third in Deloitte’s Fast 50 for 2008, recognizing outstanding business achievements by German technology companies. Deloitte is a top supporting organization of Cleantech Group.

The Cleantech Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award is the sixth major international award or official recognition that SFC has received in the past year.
The Cleantech Group pioneered clean technology as an investment category in 2002. Today, it accelerates the development and market adoption of clean technologies. Its clients represent more than $3 trillion in assets.

About SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG
SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG is market leader in fuel cell technologies for mobile and off-grid power applications serving the leisure, industrial and defense markets.  As one of Germany’s technology pioneers, SFC has won numerous innovation awards.  SFC has alliances with leading companies in a wide range of industries.  Unlike most other fuel cell manufacturers, who are in the research and development phase or run subsidized demonstration projects, SFC has shipped more than 13,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for more than four years, and has created a convenient fuel cartridge supply infrastructure. SFC is DIN ISO 9001:2000 certified. SFC is based in Brunnthal, Germany, and has a U.S. sales and technical service office in Atlanta.

Columbus–Governor Ted Strickland and Mark Barbash, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development and Chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, today announced a $1 million grant for the advancement of fuel cell research and production in Ohio. The grant was awarded through the Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program and is contingent upon State Controlling Board approval.

“This award demonstrates Ohio’s continued commitment to fuel cell development and support for the growth of the industry in our state,” Barbash said. “The technological advances achieved in the fuel cell industry in Ohio are a testament to our innovative workforce, our welcoming business environment, and our efforts to remain at the forefront of the expanding renewable energy sector by attracting the companies that constitute a highly competitive supply chain.”

2009 Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Award for Advanced Research,Development, and Commercialization

Crown Equipment, located in New Bremen (Auglaize County), was awarded $1 million for its Development of an Integrated Fuel Cell Forklift Truck project. The project will investigate, model, and create a running prototype of an integrated fuel cell powered-lift truck. The integration of the fuel cell into the truck design allows improved power efficiency and design flexibility that opens material handling opportunities and applications not possible with the power pack design. Specific project tasks include a system modeling effort that involves support from Ohio Northern University, identification of and partnering with fuel cell and balance-of-plant (BOP) suppliers, bench-top model construction and baseline testing and defined specifications for the creation of a prototype truck. Edison Materials Technology Center (EMTEC) will assist Crown with Ohio supply chain development and NexTech will work with Crown to incorporate its hydrogen sensor technology into the integrated truck design.

Ohio Third Frontieris committed to expanding Ohio’s technological strengths and promoting commercialization that leads to economic prosperity throughout Ohio. Designed to build world-class research programs, nurture early- stage companies, and foster technology development that make existing industries more productive, Ohio Third Frontier creates opportunity through innovation.

Created in 2002, the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative aims to spur job creation in Ohio while positioning the state as a national leader in the growing fuel cell industry.

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO–Hydrogenics Corporation (TSX:HYG)(NASDAQ:HYGS), a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products, today announced the installation of two HySTATTM electrolyzers in Europe for fueling station applications. In conjunction with Heliocentris Fuel Cells AG, a German fuel cell systems integrator, Hydrogenics has installed a hydrogen-generating electrolyzer at a bus fueling station in Barth, Germany and, separately, the Company has also installed, with Schwelm of Germany, an electrolyzer in Dunkirk, France for a similar hydrogen fueling application.

In Barth, the Hydrogenics electrolyzer will be incorporated within a solar-assisted gas generation system, providing a zero-emission fueling solution for a bus also powered by Hydrogenics’ fuel cells – integrated by Heliocentris within a full electric hybrid powertrain. While producing clean, renewable fuel, the gas generation system will simultaneously provide oxygen to increase the efficiency of a municipal water treatment facility, saving capital costs for an otherwise necessary extension of treatment capacity.

The Dunkirk fueling station is already operational, with buses running on a blend of hydrogen and natural gas. Dunkirk is the first city in France to have a public hydrogen station.

“Europe continues to be a leader in using hydrogen as a renewable energy resource, and we believe these stations are just the start of numerous applications that will be implemented throughout the region,” said Daryl Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “As Hydrogenics builds its presence in this important transportation sector, we are becoming recognized as a reliable technology provider of the key building blocks for advanced, clean energy fueling stations that will take on added significance in the years to come.”

About Hydrogenics

Hydrogenics Corporation (www.hydrogenics.com) is a globally recognized developer and provider of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products and services, serving the growing industrial and clean energy markets of today and tomorrow. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Hydrogenics has operations in North America and Europe.

Governor Schwarzenegger viewed the Honda FCX Clarity at the Capitol.

The Honda FCX Clarity is the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle built from the platform up and was researched, designed and co-developed by engineering teams in Tochigi, Japan and Torrance, California.

ALGONA, Iowa–Hydrogen Engine Center, Inc. (HEC) (OTCBB: HYEG.OB) announced today that it will be involved in an $11 million (CAD) hydrogen energy technology demonstration project at Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport. The airport project is focused on testing and demonstrating hydrogen technologies and fueling infrastructures. Numerous hydrogen usages will be tested within the project, including but not limited to, passenger transportation, cargo handling, various power sources as well as hydrogen “filling” technologies. A main goal of the project is to demonstrate how hydrogen can be integrated into existing environments safely and effectively.

Ted Hollinger, HEC’s founder and Jan Rowinski, HEC Canada’s Board Chairman were in Montreal for the announcement of this project and are pleased that HEC Canada will be responsible for providing and installing up to ten (10) hydrogen-fueled 4.9L internal combustion engines for installation in existing airport luggage tractors. This is a multi-million dollar agreement for which HEC will provide goods and services valued at $1,151,898 CAD. Participation in the project involves an in-kind contribution from HEC in the amount of $575,949 CAD. Ted Hollinger elaborated on the importance of HEC’s involvement in the project. “This project has been a long time coming. We are thrilled to be a part of the solution to convert existing airports into a cleaner, greener environment. Our participation in this Hydrogen Demonstration Project will allow the entire world traveling through this airport to witness a sampling of the carbon-free power solutions HEC designs and manufactures.”

The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are major partners in the project along with Air Liquide who is participating in the project and acting as the Projects Manager. HEC plans to work directly with Air Liquide on all aspects of the hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines.

Jan Rowinski stated that, “By working with elite companies such as Air Liquide, we are able to position ourselves as a prime mover. This shows the world we’re ready, willing and able to immediately deliver hydrogen-fueled engines and power solutions on a global scale.”

About Hydrogen Engine Center, Inc.

Hydrogen Engine Center, Inc. (HEC) develops systems and processes used in the design, manufacture and distribution of alternative fuel internal combustion engines, engine controls and power generator systems. These technologies are for use by customers and partners in the industrial and power generation markets. These solutions and the engines using them are designed to run on hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, ammonia and traditional fuels. Engines and engine products are sold under the brand name Oxx Power®. HEC trades on the Bulletin Board under the symbol “HYEG.OB.” Principal offices are located at 2502 E Poplar St., Algona, Iowa 50511. Visit or in the US dial 515-295-3178 for more information.