FuelCellsWorks

Green Energy Initiative Launched by Town of Hempstead

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — Long Island, New York now boasts hydrogen vehicle fueling capability. Air Products’ (NYSE: APD) hydrogen fueling technology was formally dedicated at a ceremony today as part of an alternative fuel, green energy initiative led by the Town of Hempstead. Air Products is a member of the project team establishing Long Island’s first hydrogen fueling station, along with the Town of Hempstead, the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), National Grid, and Proton Energy Systems.

“This is a wonderful project with a lot of visibility being located on Long Island. It showcases our dispensing technology, which has the capability to provide hydrogen generated from multiple sources, and in this case, generated by electrolysis from water. We have also fueled vehicles and provided hydrogen at other sites from electrolysis driven by solar and wind methods. The Town of Hempstead and all the New York agencies involved with this green energy demonstration project should be applauded for their effort,” said Bruce Luff, business development manager-Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products.

“We are very excited to be at the forefront of an innovative project that explores what we can do to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and improve our environment,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray. “By demonstrating hydrogen technology and educating the public about hydrogen as an alternative fuel, Hempstead Town’s hydrogen fueling station will help us to lay the groundwork for a cleaner community and a greener planet for future generations.”

Hydrogen for this fueling station, located at the town’s Conservation and Waterways facility in Point Lookout, will be produced through an electrolysis process that generates hydrogen from water. The process does not involve any fossil fuels. The electrolyzer is provided by Proton Energy Systems.

“We are honored to be a part of Long Island’s first hydrogen fueling station, an innovative and important project,” said Rob Friedland, president and chief executive officer at Proton Energy Systems. “Our mission at Proton Energy is to apply advanced hydrogen technology in creative and practical ways to achieve the goals of a project. Hydrogen fueling stations such as Hempstead’s offer major promise for the future, and today marks an important milestone in renewable energy initiatives.”

The project’s goals are to demonstrate, evaluate and educate people about hydrogen’s energy technology and potential. The technology includes an electrolyzer, hydrogen storage and compression system, and multiple fueling dispensers, which are able to provide hydrogen, a hydrogen and compressed natural gas blend, and compressed natural gas for alternative fueled vehicles. Air Products supplied the fueling technology and installed all hydrogen infrastructure for the demonstration project.

Today’s station dedication program had on-hand several hydrogen powered passenger vehicles providing vehicle fueling demonstrations, and ride and drive opportunities for attendees. Air Products’ hydrogen powered bus, which operates daily at the company’s headquarters and at nearby locales for civic, educational and charitable events, gave rides, and its interactively designed interior provided information and quizzes on hydrogen. There was also a fuel cell powered golf course greens-cutter lawn mower there for demonstration.

Air Products, the leading hydrogen supplier to refineries to assist in making cleaner burning transportation fuels, has placed over 100 hydrogen fueling stations in the United States and 16 countries worldwide. Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives, planes and other material handling equipment, and even submarines, have been fueled with this trend-setting technology that involves Air Products’ know-how, equipment and hydrogen. Use of the company’s technology is increasing and is currently at 120,000 hydrogen fills per year. 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, or produced by on-site natural gas reformation, biomass conversion, or 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.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

About Proton Energy Systems

Proton Energy Systems designs and manufactures proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical systems to make hydrogen from water in a zero pollution process producing safe, pure, reliable onsite hydrogen to meet today’s global hydrogen requirements. Proton Energy Systems has been developing and manufacturing world-class electrolysis systems since 1996, with more than 1200 units deployed world-wide, on every continent. With a reputation for building robust, reliable, and safe systems, federal, state, and commercial partners repeatedly seek the creative solutions that Proton Energy Systems has proven it is capable of delivering. For more information, visit www.ProtonEnergy.com.

Taipei– Two leading Taiwanese fuel cell companies said Tuesday that fuel cell manufacture is a future “star” green industry in which Taiwan should move now in order to take the lead.They added that the government will have to play a significant role in providing more incentives and subsidies for the budding industry to develop.

Chung-hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing (CHEM) , a mechanical-electrical enterprise, and M-Field Energy Ltd., a manufacturer of back-up power systems, made the remarks ahead of the first Taiwan International Green Industry Show scheduled to open Oct.

21 with the aim of sharing Taiwan’s innovations with the global market.

Company representatives told CNA that Taiwan should act now to retain the niche market of fuel cells while the country still enjoys the advantage of producing the products at a lower cost than Japan or Canada, which are also involved in the field.

“Without the government’s support, both by investing in production and outlining a sensible subsidy scheme for consumers who opt for fuel cells, individual companies will be fighting a very difficult battle to open markets domestically and overseas, ” said Mark Huang, marketing manager of M-Field.

M-Field manufactures MF-UTH-10 to be an eco-friendly solution to replace conventional diesel generators, as it consumes hydrogen from hydrogen cylinders to produce sustainable electricity and heat with water as the only byproduct.

Robert C. Wu, general director of CHEM’s Renewable Energy R&D Center, also said the government plays a key role in the success of their product — 1 kilowatt residential fuel cell combined heat and power (CHP) system that uses natural gas as its fuel source.

According to Wu, the CHEM fuel cell system operates at an efficiency rate of 75 percent-85 percent, compared to traditional power plants, which lose 65 percent of the generated power during transmission.

“The system is the best eco-friendly solution for residential use, as it produces 40 percent less, or 2.7 tons less carbon dioxide per year compared to that generated by conventional coal fired power plants and water heaters,” Wu said.

He suggested that the Taiwanese government should model Japan’s practice, in which people opting for fuel cell CHP systems pay 1 million yen (US$11,072) toward the cost of the machine, while the Japanese government provides 1.2 million yen in subsidies.

Each household using the fuel cells can then save 60,000 yen per year on electricity and heating, Wu said.

Noting that CHEM’s fuel cell CHP systems will cost around the same as the Japanese ones, Wu said his company is looking to partner with Japan’s Hitachi next year for production.

(By Rachel Chan)

BEND, OR–IdaTech plc (AIM: IDA), a global leader in the development and manufacture of clean and reliable extended run backup power fuel cell products, today announces that its Latin America partner MICROM Electronic SA de CV (”MICROM”) published details of the largest commercial backup power fuel cell deployment using IdaTech’s systems in Mexico.

MICROM, a subsidiary of Grupo Condumex, has deployed the largest number of fuel cell products in Telcel’s cellular network in Mexico. Radiomovil DIPSA SA de CV (”Telcel”), Mexico’s largest mobile phone carrier, founded in 1989 and based in Mexico City, is a leading provider of wireless communications services in Mexico with over 58 million subscribers. MICROM has successfully sold 43 ElectraGen™ XTR extended run backup power fuel cell systems in Telcel’s cellular base stations throughout Mexico. These systems serve as the primary critical backup power at outdoor telecom sites in which their high reliability, extended run time, quiet operation, and low emissions make IdaTech’s fuel cell an ideal solution.

IdaTech’s ElectraGen™ XTR fuel cell product was developed to specifically address critical backup power solutions in the telecom market. The ElectraGen™ XTR uses IdaTech’s proprietary fuel reforming capability which converts liquid fuel into high-purity hydrogen onsite as needed providing Telcel with extended run backup power. The system provides the 24 or 48 VDC backup power required by telecommunications networks to provide a replacement to traditional solutions such as batteries and diesel generators, but with greater reliability and significantly reduced annual maintenance.

MICROM is committed to the environment and advanced fuel cell technology applications in the telecom market throughout the Latin America and Caribbean regions.

Commenting on the deployment, Hal Koyama, Chief Executive Officer of IdaTech, said: “This large deployment of IdaTech fuel cell systems in Mexico is another positive sign that uptake of our ElectraGen™ fuel cell systems is gaining momentum and builds on yesterday’s announcement that 22 IdaTech ElectraGen™ systems had been delivered to the United States Army by our partner, b+w Electronic Systems.”

About IdaTech

IdaTech plc is an advanced fuel cell products company which is operationally headquartered in Bend, Oregon, USA and is listed on AIM with the ticker code IDA. IdaTech designs, develops, and manufactures extended run backup power fuel cell products for Telecom applications requiring 100 W to 15 kW of backup power. IdaTech’s unique PEM fuel cell technology provides solutions for a wide range of applications to directly support efforts towards sustainable energy.

IdaTech’s portfolio of industry-certified fuel cell products are based on the company’s fuel processing, purification and fuel cell system integration capabilities. With the support of strategic partners and customers, the company’s extended run backup power products are being deployed worldwide for stationary applications.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the company direct or by visiting its website at http://www.idatech.com.

About MICROM

MICROM Electrónica, S.A. de C.V. manufactures and provides end to end solutions for a solid and a diversified presence including electrical, electronic and electromechanical products and systems, intended for the power and telecommunications markets. MICROM also commercializes alternative energy solutions including, solar, wind and fuel cell solutions for private and public customers in a wide range of markets and applications.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the company direct or by visiting its website at www.microm.com.mx

DANBURY, Conn.– FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of high efficiency ultra-clean power plants using renewable and other fuels for commercial, industrial, government and utility customers, announced that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation (SB412) that extends the availability of incentives for clean energy technologies, including the company’s ultra-clean stationary fuel cell power plants, through 2015.

The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) provides funds for a predetermined set of clean power technologies, including fuel cells, that generate electricity on-site where it is needed. This type of clean local power production, or “distributed generation,” alleviates demands on the grid while complying with California’s strictest-in-the-nation air quality standards. Approximately 15 megawatts (MW) of FuelCell Energy’s Direct FuelCell(R) (DFC(R)) power plants in California have received support since the program’s inception in 2001. More than 9 MW of these systems, or roughly 60 percent of FuelCell Energy’s products in California, use renewable biogas as their fuel.

“California has always led the way in the deployment of clean energy technologies,” said Jeff Cox, Senior Policy Advisor of FuelCell Energy. “Extension of the SGIP is a prime example of California’s continuing commitment to improving air quality and reducing harmful emissions. Our fuel cell power plants are the most efficient, ultra-clean distributed generation available in their size range, which makes them a great solution for California.”

The SGIP was created in 2001 to encourage on-site production of electricity with generation technologies that help reduce greenhouse gases while also relieving demand on the state’s utility grid. The program is administered by California’s investor owned utilities — Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company and the California Center for Sustainable Energy in the San Diego area. With over 1,400 separate projects and $750 million in incentives paid to participants, the program continues to be the largest distributed generation initiative in the nation. By the end of 2008, it was responsible for lowering greenhouse gas emissions by over 175,000 tons of CO2 — the equivalent of taking over 29,000 cars off the road for an entire year.

SGIP fuel cell projects are eligible for incentives of $4,500 per kilowatt when running on renewable biogas and $2,500 per kilowatt when operating on natural gas, up to 3 MW in size. The incentive amounts are tiered, with the first MW receiving 100 percent of the incentive, the second MW receiving 50 percent and the third MW 25 percent.

California also enacted legislation creating new feed-in tariffs — a mechanism for utilities to buy energy that customers produce on-site. Two such initiatives — AB1613, signed in 2008 and SB32, in 2009 — provide additional incentives in the state and would be expected to increase demand for ultra-clean forms of generation like Direct FuelCell units. The California Public Utilities Commission currently is drafting contracts that will be made available to interested participants.

FuelCell Energy’s DFC systems operate continuously at full output and serve customers with around-the-clock baseload electrical demands. Wastewater treatment plants, food processors and refrigerated warehouses rely on DFC power plants to reduce their operating costs and provide added reliability. California’s new feed-in tariffs will enable customers in broader market segments without continuous electrical demands to benefit from the DFC technology. Excess energy not used at the customer facility can be sold back to the utility

About FuelCell Energy

FuelCell Energy is the world leader in the development and production of stationary fuel cells for commercial, industrial, municipal and utility customers. FuelCell Energy’s ultra-clean and high efficiency DFC(R) fuel cells are generating power at over 55 locations worldwide. The company’s power plants have generated over 340 million kWh of power using a variety of fuels including renewable wastewater gas, biogas from beer and food processing, as well as natural gas and other hydrocarbon fuels. FuelCell Energy has partnerships with major power plant developers and power companies around the world. The company also receives funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and other government agencies for the development of leading edge technologies such as fuel cells. For more information please visit our website at www.fuelcellenergy.com

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Sandia National Laboratories, with help from The Boeing Company, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and others, is leading an effort to develop a commercially viable, fuel cell-powered mobile lighting system.

LIVERMORE, Calif. — Sandia National Laboratories, with help from The Boeing Company, the California Department of Transportation ( Caltrans ), and others, is leading an effort to develop a commercially viable, fuel cell-powered mobile lighting system.

“Mobile lighting” refers to small, portable lighting systems that are used primarily by highway construction crews, airport maintenance personnel, and even film crews.

“The beauty of this project is that it ties together the manufacturers [Multiquip, Altergy Systems, Luxim, Lumenworks, Stray Light] with Sandia and the end users [Caltrans, San Francisco International Airport] in one collaboration, hopefully reducing commercialization barriers that so often hinder the widespread use of new technology,” said Sandia project lead Lennie Klebanoff. The end goal of the project, according to Klebanoff, is to get fuel cell technology into more widespread commercial use, particularly in general construction and aviation maintenance applications.

Two separate designs

Sandia has adopted a two-prong ( alpha and beta ) approach to the project. First, along with a number of the external partners who are contributing time and in-kind resources, Klebanoff’s team is overseeing the production of the “alpha” mobile lighting unit that is expected to debut Oct. 22-26 at the annual meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials ( AASHTO ). The alpha unit is separate from the more advanced “beta” design that Sandia recently completed for Boeing and came about due to the enthusiasm of several industry partners and their desire to see a system built sooner rather than later.

“Caltrans wanted us to get the alpha version in front of their highway transportation peers immediately, and our unit will be in operation and actually illuminating the new electric cars being featured at the AASHTO meeting,” said Klebanoff. “It will give all of us good feedback on how interested potential customers are in the technology, and also allow us to get an initial assessment of how the technology performs, particularly the plasma lighting.”

The alpha system consists of advanced power-saving Light Emitting PlasmaTM technology ( contributed by Luxim, Lumenworks, and Stray Light ), two high-pressure hydrogen tanks ( purchased by Sandia ), a trailer to transport the equipment ( provided by Multiquip ), and a fuel cell ( provided and installed by Altergy Systems ). Multiquip and Altergy are assembling the overall unit, while Sandia has consulted on its design and formulated the alpha unit technical plan for the team.

The project has also attracted the interest of SFO, a long-time partner with Sandia on various homeland security projects. SFO would like to test the system for use in nighttime runway repair work, as well as in its terminal renovation activities. Unlike the diesel systems that traditionally power mobile lighting units, the fuel cell-powered mobile light can be used indoors.

Boeing design will use metal hydride storage

Boeing funded Sandia primarily to develop the “beta” design, a more sophisticated, technically ambitious unit that utilizes metal hydride storage tanks designed by Ovonic Hydrogen Systems.  These tanks store 12 kilograms of hydrogen, and thus offer some 90 hours of operating time ( compared to the 30-40 hours offered by the alpha unit ). Sandia’s engineers designed the overall beta system and solved the thermal management issues that surround metal hydride storage, including coupling waste fuel cell heat to the hydride bed.  Metal hydride storage is also appealing since it removes many of the safety concerns found with having high pressure on the Alpha unit ( whose tanks hold hydrogen at 5000 psi, compared to 250 psi with the metal hydride tank system ).  These are all important considerations for commercialization, Klebanoff said.

Other funding sources, he said, are being sought so that the beta system can be built and both versions of the system can then be tested and compared on equal terms. The team would also like to use the field-test data to perform quantitative analyses of the emissions reductions and increased energy efficiency afforded by the technology.  Ultimately, Klebanoff said, it will be the manufacturers who decide which system is most attractive for commercial purposes.

Traditionally, mobile lighting units are powered by diesel fuel generators that produce CO2, NOx ( nitrogen oxides produced during combustion ), and soot, making them less than ideal for the environment. In addition, diesel units are noisy, which creates a safety hazard when construction personnel are distracted and can’t hear oncoming traffic.  A fuel cell running on pure hydrogen, on the other hand, is both very quiet and a zero-emission electric power source.

Klebanoff estimates that each deployed fuel cell-based mobile light would avoid the burning of nearly 900 gallons of diesel fuel per year and eliminate the emission of NOx and soot.  If the hydrogen used is generated from non-fossil fuel sources, then each mobile light unit would also reduce CO2 emissions by about nine metric tons per year.

Created by Kimberlee Sakamoto