FuelCellsWorks

WHISTLER, BC–Today in Whistler, British Columbia, BC Transit inaugurates the hydrogen station that will fuel its fleet of 20 zero-emission buses running in Whistler, and soon to be carrying athletes and visitors to the 2010 Winter Games.

In addition to supplying certified hydrogen fuel, Air Liquide designed, built, operates and maintains the filling station that will keep B.C.’s new fleet of green buses on the move. It will be the largest hydrogen filling station in the world with to capacity to fill 23 buses per day.

Air Liquide worked alongside Canadian companies Sacre-Davey Group, Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation and Hydrogenics Corporation to bring this project to term.

“Air Liquide’s initiative in this world leading project represents another step in our strategy to actively develop Canada’s hydrogen energy supply and infrastructure” said Luc Doyon, president and CEO, Air Liquide Canada.

Hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles produce no greenhouse gas emissions and they can be twice as efficient as internal combustion engines. In one year, while operating the 20 fuel cell buses, over 1800 tonnes of emissions are saved. In the 20-year lifespan of these buses, that means over 36,000 tonnes will be eliminated from our air.

Over forty Air Liquide stations have been installed throughout the world to date. Other Canadian programs include the Vancouver and Montreal airports, which are installing hydrogen stations to supply fuel-cell and internal combustion engine powered passenger and utility vehicles.

“Michael J. Graff, president and CEO, American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and a member of Air Liquide’s executive committee said: “As we near the 2010 Olympics, Air Liquide is proud to show the world how innovative fuel cell technology can power public transportation and protect our environment. Air Liquide is actively contributing to developing alternative energies, investing 60% of its R&D budget in solutions that aim to preserve the environment and life.”

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in over 75 countries with 43,000 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen carbon dioxide and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.

Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry’s energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy… Oxygen for hospitals, homecare, fighting nosocomial infections… Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.

A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide’s teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.

Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its sustainable development approach. In 2008, the Group’s revenues amounted to (euro)13.1 billion, of which almost 80% were earned outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.

Hydrogen vector of energy

Using hydrogen as an energy carrier is a promising alternative fuel solution for motor vehicles. Used in a fuel cell, hydrogen combines with oxygen in the air to produce electricity to power the vehicle, with water as the only emission.

Hydrogen can be produced from a various range of energy sources, natural gas, in particular, but also renewable energy sources. Hydrogen thus has great potential to provide clean energy and ensure reliability of supplies.

Air Liquide and hydrogen

To support car manufacturers in the development of their hydrogen-powered vehicles, Air Liquide has developed filling stations to fill fuel tanks with pressurized hydrogen up to 700 bar. These stations complete the fill-up in less than five minutes and as easily and safely as for a gasoline stop. Air Liquide has supplied over 40 hydrogen filling stations around the world.

Air Liquide’s hydrogen revenue in 2008 reached (euro)1.2 billion. Air Liquide is present across the entire hydrogen energy chain (production, distribution, high-pressure storage, fuel cells and hydrogen filling stations).

Hydrogen energy demonstration projects

The Group takes part in demonstration projects that aim to develop and test hydrogen energy and help it to promote its social acceptance.

The Group is notably the general coordinator of the European Hychain program that tests hydrogen vehicles in 4 regions of Europe, and of the Horizon Hydrogen Energy (H2E) program, supported by the French agency for innovation, OSEO.

- Design improvements will be implemented on test transit buses to be operated in Metro Vancouver

- Will move technology closer to commercialization

VANCOUVER–Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) announced that it has been awarded up to $4.8 million by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) for a project to further develop fuel cell power module technology for the transit bus market. Design improvements will be implemented on test buses to be operated in Metro Vancouver, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting alternate sources of energy, including hydrogen,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “By supporting innovative hydrogen and fuel cell research projects, such as Ballard’s power module, we are putting more zero-emissions vehicles on the road while creating high quality jobs and improving the health of Canadians.”

“Heavy duty diesel vehicles account for almost half of Canada’s road transportation greenhouse gas emissions,” said Vicky Sharpe, President and CEO of SDTC. “The technology developed by Ballard will increase the cost-effectiveness and performance of fuel cell hybrid buses, making them more accessible to public transit authorities and helping Canada to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.”

Michael Goldstein, Ballard’s Chief Commercial Officer added “This level of support from the Canadian federal government and SDTC will have a measurable impact on the evolution of clean energy fuel cell products for commercial mass transit applications here in Canada and in locations around the globe.”

In the development project funded by SDTC, Ballard and it’s system integration partner, ISE Corporation, will design, assemble and test key sub-components for Ballard’s FCvelocity(TM)-HD6 power module and the hybrid electric drive system. Refinement of this critical new technology will facilitate the commercial introduction of fuel cell hybrid buses by reducing cost, improving durability and robustness of select sub-systems, and improving overall bus performance.

Ballard’s power module is a ‘plug-and-play’ fuel cell-based product that enables system integrators to build clean energy buses more easily and at lower cost. The fuel cell hybrid platform eliminates all emissions from bus tailpipes, while meeting the demands of range and duty cycle for virtually any bus route.

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) provides clean energy fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of applications. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com

About SDTC

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is an arm’s-length foundation created by the Government of Canada which has received $1.05 billion as part of the Government’s commitment to create a healthy environment and a high quality of life for all Canadians.

SDTC operates two funds aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative technological solutions. The $550 million SD Tech Fund(TM) supports projects that address climate change, air quality, clean water, and clean soil. The $500 million NextGen Biofuels Fund(TM) supports the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration-scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels.

SDTC operates as a not-for-profit corporation and has been working with the public and private sector including industry, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the financial community and all levels of government to achieve this mandate.

www.sdtc.ca

Orlando, FL –Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has selected Protonex Technology Corporation to develop power supply concepts that will enable the HULC robotic exoskeleton to support 72+-hour extended missions. Protonex will evaluate fuel cell-based power solutions that can be carried by the HULC, while at the same time powering the exoskeleton and the user’s mission equipment during extended dismounted operations.

“Integrating state-of-the-art power technology on the HULC is a whole system approach to meeting the needs of dismounted Warfighters and Special Operations forces,” said Rich Russell, director of Sensors, Data Links and Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “With proper power management systems, the HULC can be used to recharge critical equipment while carrying heavy combat loads on an extended mission.”

Dismounted Soldiers often carry loads greater than 130 pounds, including electronics and numerous extra batteries needed to operate gear and complete 72+-hour operations in the field. The HULC, equipped with an extended mission power supply with recharge capability, would enable dismounted Soldiers on these missions to carry fewer batteries.

Protonex brings significant expertise in developing and manufacturing compact, lightweight and high-performance fuel cell systems for portable power applications in the 100 to 1000-watt range. The company’s fuel cell systems are designed to meet the needs of military, commercial and consumer customers for off-grid applications by providing customizable, stand-alone portable power solutions.

Lockheed Martin’s un-tethered HULC exoskeleton is an anthropomorphic, electro-hydraulic design that currently operates on lithium polymer batteries. An onboard micro-computer senses the user’s actions and ensures the exoskeleton moves in concert with the operator. The HULC design maintains combat flexibility, allowing deep squats, crawls and upper-body lifting with minimal human exertion.

HULC is one of several technologies that Lockheed Martin is developing to support ground Soldiers. Lockheed Martin is a total systems solution provider to the military, including wearable situational awareness, a broad range of mobility assistance systems and power management systems.

Free software updater for EFOY fuel cells – results of a successful initiative

•    New software reduces EFOY fuel cells’ consumption and increases operational stability
•    Free software update installed for over 30 percent of all fuel cells sold
•    Exceptionally positive customer feedback from EFOY users
Brunnthal/Munich, Germany– In recent months, owners of EFOY fuel cells have been able to bring them up date by means of a free software updater. The EFOY updater optimizes and reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 percent compared to the first EFOY generation and increases the operational sta-bility of these reliable devices, particularly in extreme situations, such as heavy frost and intense heat. In this initiative, which has been successfully underway since mid-July 2009, over 5,000 EFOY fuel cells have already been updated. As SFC Smart Fuel Cell has sold over 16,000 fuel cells, this means that more than 30 percent of these power generators currently have the latest software version.

EFOY customers’ response to the free software initiative has been exceptionally positive. “To think that such a thing still exists in Germany’s service wasteland!” exclaims EFOY owner H.S. “It is encouraging to see,” says customer Andreas B., “that in Germany’s service wasteland, there remains one ’small’ company which does place value on customer service.” As a result, the initiative is to be continued in 2010, not only in Germany, but also in other European countries, such as France and Italy.
EFOY owners who have not yet installed the update can do so in two different ways: recreational vehicle experts can request the handy EFOY updater directly via sales@efoy.com, stating the serial number of their EFOY, and update the software themselves in a matter of minutes. Those who would prefer to have the update installed by a dealer will find a list of recreational vehicle dealers on the EFOY website at www.efoy.com.
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Sandra Heimes is new Sales Manager Leisure at SFC Smart Fuel Cell

As Sales Manager Leisure at SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG, Sandra Heimes is now responsible for sales of EFOY fuel cells in the Leisure Division

As of January 11, 2010, Sandra Heimes is Sales Manager Leisure at SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG and is thus responsible for sales of EFOY fuel cells in the Leisure Division. In this role, as part of the international sales team, Sandra Heimes is in charge of further market development and expansion in the recreational vehicles, marine and cabins sectors.

This appointment represents a signal of intent on the part of SFC Smart Fuel Cell with regard to further company expansion. Sandra Heimes brings ten years of experience in technical sales with her, and has already been in charge of international development and expansion of the leisure market for technical products in the past. Due to her longstanding experience as International Key Account Manager at Webasto, she not only has excellent knowledge of the international recreational vehicles and marine markets, but is also highly familiar with the EFOY fuel cell already.
“We are delighted to welcome Sandra Heimes to SFC Smart Fuel Cell as Sales Manager Leisure,” says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG. “With her profound knowledge of the recreational vehicles and marine markets, as well as her longstanding familiarity with our EFOY products, she will make an important contribution to the further growth of our company.”
SFC Smart Fuel Cell, technology leader and market leader for mobile and off-grid energy solutions based on fuel cells, develops and sells the EFOY fuel cell family for leisure applications in five different models with a charging capacity ranging from 600 to 2,200 watt hours per day. Consuming less than a liter of fuel per kilowatt hour, these fuel cells are an economical, environmentally friendly, and con-venient power supply for recreational vehicles, yachts and cabins in remote locations, far from the power grid. The fuel for the fuel cells is available in five- or ten-liter EFOY fuel cartridges at over 1,400 sales points across Europe.

For further information visit www.efoy.com and www.sfc.com.

About SFC Smart Fuel Cell
SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG (www.sfc.com) 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 16,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for more than five years, and has created a convenient fuel cartridge supply infrastructure. SFC is DIN ISO 9001:2008 certified. SFC is based in Brunnthal, Germany, and has a sales and technical service office in the U.S. SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG is listed in the Prime Standard on the German stock exchange (WKN 756857).

VAIREX corporation of Boulder, Colorado announced today that it had accepted an order for 350 of the Comapny’s fuel cell air management systems from a US-based Fuel Cell manufacturer. These units will be delivered in the First Quarter of 2010, with the intent for increasing numbers to follow in successive Quarters. VAIREX is operating under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy code, and the transaction and payment terms were approved by the Court.

VAIREX CEO Ski Milburn said, “This single order equals our 2008 unit sales, and exceeds our unit shipments in 2009, testifying to the fuel cell industry’s successful commercialization and move to full-scale production. The fact that we were able to close this order while operating in bankruptcy is an endorsement of the quality of our products and our standing in the industry.”

Sacramento, Calif. — The California Fuel Cell Partnership announced that Dr. Andreas Truckenbrodt, Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation has been appointed 2010 Steering Team Chair.

The CaFCP Steering Team chair position changes every year, rotating through the four categories of partners: auto manufacturers, energy providers, fuel cell technology companies and government agencies. The vice chair becomes the chair the following year.

Dr. Andreas Truckenbrodt is Chief Executive Officer for AFCC and responsible for driving the commercialization of the company’s fuel cell activities. Previously, Dr. Truckenbrodt was responsible for the DaimlerChrysler Hybrid Development Center following a number of high-level executive positions within DaimlerChrysler including the head of the company’s Fuel Cell and Alternative Powertrain Vehicles. Dr. Truckenbrodt has also worked with Ballard Power Systems, Daewoo and BMW following his studies in Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and receipt of his PhD in Mechanics and Control Systems in 1981.