FuelCellsWorks

Fuel cell technology can deliver “clean, efficient and abundant” energy for Europe while creating economic growth, a conference in Brussels heard.

The conference was told, however, that to make this possible, “additional” public and private funding was needed.

Jean-Marc Tixhon, chairman of FeulCellEurope, told the conference, “Fuel cell technologies are clean and efficient.

“They have the potential to contribute to EU energy policy and are part of the solution to tackle climate change.”

He welcomed the €5bn sum proposed by the commission for fuel cell and hydrogen energy projects but said more investment was needed.

The meeting heard that market energy targets set by the fuel cell industry “will require substantial additional effort.”

The Brussels conference, organised by the commission, focused on the commission’s call for a shift of money towards supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Meanwhile, a debate in parliament on Tuesday heard that any move towards creating a low-carbon economy required “wholehearted political support.”

Nigel Knee, of the French EDF energy group, told the meeting that without such support “our investments will be at risk.”

His comments come after the UK government announced on Tuesday that it plans to build ten new nuclear plants in Britain.

Knee, a keynote speaker at the debate “nuclear new build in the UK,” said the UK has “significant” reserves of energy sources, namely coal, oil and natural gas.

He added, “But these reserves are declining and the fact that the UK still relies for 70 per cent of its energy needs on such sources of energy has raised concern about the carbon footprint involved.”

He warned, however, that “it is essential we take the local community with us,” in attempts to promote nuclear as an energy option.

ODENSE, Denmark, Nov. 10, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Odense-based Falck Schmidt Defence Systems A/S today announced that Boeing Research & Technology will assess Falck Schmidt fuel cell products for potential use in Boeing renewable-energy power systems for military platforms.

The announcement followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies that also points to potential opportunities for the use of Falck Schmidt composite components and materials in Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) rotorcraft programs.

“This relationship with Boeing presents the opportunity to expand our proven power solutions to new fuel-cell applications that would offer armed forces significant operational advantages at better cost and with cleaner energy,” said Jan Falck-Schmidt, president and CEO of Falck Schmidt Defence Systems. “We also look to expand our composite technology used in ground-based applications — which have proven their capability in current military operations including in Afghanistan — to rotorcraft systems.

“This cooperation between Boeing and Falck Schmidt Defence Systems would not only contribute directly to our own growth, but also to the growth of the broader Danish industrial base,” added Falck-Schmidt, who is also the chairman of FAD, the Defence & Aerospace Industries Association in Denmark.

“Falck Schmidt is a key player in the Danish defense industry, providing proven power-supply solutions and composite materials to ground forces around the world,” said Tom Bell, vice president of Business Development for Boeing Military Aircraft, a division of IDS. “As they adapt their technologies for aerospace, we see natural links to Boeing’s current research and development activities.”

Falck Schmidt Defence Systems A/S has more than 40 years of experience and know-how as a prime contractor and supplier on land-based military programs. The company produces lightweight carbon-fiber, heavy-duty and high-reach mast platforms for reconnaissance and surveillance applications, vehicle-mounted missile systems and sensor systems. Its capabilities also span harnessing and instrumentation; modeling, prototyping, testing and manufacturing of structural composite and hybrid components for vehicles and other platforms, as well as add-on armor components; ground mobile auxiliary power units and integration; and logistics and life cycle support services.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

Fuel cell-powered vehicles from Toyota Motor Corp, Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. leave the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2009, for a 1,100-kilometer run to Fukuoka to demonstrate that they can go as far as gasoline-powered cars on a single fueling. Toyota’s FCHV-adv, Nissan’s X-Trail FCV and Honda’s FCX Clarity will be used in the event.

Ground-breaking ‘green’ fuel-cell technology is being trialled in Sunderland with the help of transport experts from China.

Development agency One North East is backing ECO2Trans, a high-tech engineering solution that is spearheading advances in hydrogen propulsion systems.

Sunderland University’s Institute of Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP), Shanghai’s Shen Li High Technology and VID Vehicles are collaborating on the project.

It has involved converting two electric Gulliver U500EUK buses into hydrogen vehicles using a fuel cell, battery and capacitor combination.

Hydrogen cells produce water as the only waste product, and are one of a range of ultra-low-carbon and zero-emission vehicles being developed in the North East.

Says AMAP researcher Dirk Kok: “Visitors from Shen Li have helped us to understand the fuel-cell operation, train us in its use and help mount it in the buses.

“These vehicles will act as a test bed to evaluate novel hydrogen technologies in vehicles, and will enhance the region’s status as an important automotive research-and-development centre.”

AVID Managing Director Ryan Maughan said: “This is cutting-edge technology that is helping develop the workforce of the future with the required skill set in low carbon vehicle technology.”

The project is intended to educate people, act as a catalyst for the development of the hydrogen infrastructure in the region and help to stimulate growth in the sector.

Said One North East’s Helen Armstrong: “This is another catalyst for the development of the power distribution and charging infrastructure for low-carbon vehicles in the region.”