FuelCellsWorks

Fuel cell-powered mobile plasma lighting system featuring LUXIM’s Light Emitting Plasma™ technology deployed at Academy Awards^®

SUNNYVALE, Calif. At the Academy Awards® ceremony held earlier this month, a new mobile lighting system incorporating Light Emitting Plasma™ (LEP) from LUXIM and a clean hydrogen fuel cell was deployed at the celebrity gathering, infusing the festivities with a brighter, cleaner sparkle.  The novel mobile unit was recently developed by a team of collaborators as a more efficient alternative to traditional technologies powered by diesel fuel generators.  In addition to LUXIM, the team consisted of Sandia National Laboratories, The Boeing Company, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Altergy Systems, Multiquip Inc., and others.

The use of the new system marks a major departure for this kind of high-intensity entertainment lighting application.  Up to now, mobile lighting units were powered by diesel fuel generators that produce carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and soot, making them less than ideal for the environment.  Before this technology arrived, mobile lighting units typically consumed 4.4 kilowatts.  The LEP system consumes only about 2.3 kilowatts for the same light output, a reduced power requirement that saves energy and increases the system duration (operational time between refills).

Said Geoff Browne, LUXIM’s Vice President of Sales, “It’s a thrill to see our technology deployed at such a high-profile venue.  The fuel cell mobile system featuring LEP is an especially good fit for the entertainment industry.  It meets film production sound levels, maintains zero exhaust emissions and can be used for indoor and outdoor film shoots.  But beyond the novelty of deployment at a highly visible Hollywood entertainment event, LEP is gaining steady adoption in multiple other important commercial venues like street and area, and general lighting.  It’s simply the most powerful, efficient and cleanest light source for new-generation high-intensity applications.”

LUXIM is the world leader in Light Emitting Plasma technology, having shipped more than 50,000 products under its LiFi™ brand.  These products are used in applications as varied as projection display, medical instruments and entertainment lighting.  In each application the technology has brought dramatic improvements in efficiency, life and color quality.  LUXIM is now bringing the benefits of Light Emitting Plasma technology to the area lighting market with the goal of playing a meaningful role in reducing the planet’s energy consumption and abating climate change.

Member of the Greenlandic Government Jens B. Frederiksen speaks at the opening of the hydrogen plant

Hydrogen plant installed in Greenland

The first hydrogen plant for renewable energy storage was inaugurated at a public event today. The plant is a test system which shall help provide suggestions for how hydrogen can be used for future renewable energy storage in the country. H2 Logic A/S from Denmark has developed and delivered the hydrogen plant which is owned and operated by the national energy company Nukissiorfiit.

It was the three year old Andreas Anuik Hardenberg, who had the honour of placing the key in the lock when the first hydrogen plant opened in Greenland with the presence of representatives from the Greenlandic Government. It is the national energy company Nukissiorfiit that has procured the mobile plant which is now installed and in operation outside the company headquarter in Nuuk, the capital of the country. The plant is developed and supplied by H2 Logic A/S from Denmark.

Purpose of the test plant is to gain experiences with production, distribution and use of hydrogen as energy carrier and thereby investigate the opportunities for increasing the renewable energy share in the energy production from Nukissiorfiit.

Better use of the renewable energy

- In many periods of the year we have a reserve capacity at the hydro power plant that provides energy for the city of Nuuk. The idea is to use this capacity to produce electricity and split water into hydrogen and oxygen in the test hydrogen plant, – explained the energy director from Nukissiorfiit, Svend Hardenberg in his speech at the plant inauguration.

- In periods with larger energy consumption, typically during winter, we convert the hydrogen to electricity and heat in the fuel cell system in the test plant. This way the hydrogen functions as a battery that stores energy for later use whenever needed.

The plant will also function as a demonstration plant that is to increase the public awareness for hydrogen and fuel cells. Therefore the plant is equipped with large applied graphics on the exterior that explains about the plant and its technical composition and purpose.

Support for the hydrogen project

At the hydrogen plant inauguration was also the member of the Greenland Government for Houses, Infrastructure and Traffic, Jens B. Frederiksen. Among others he stated in his speech that:

- Dependency of fossil fuels makes it necessary to conduct long term investments in new technology, knowledge build-up and a strong believe in new development opportunities such as hydro, wind, solar and hydrogen energy technologies. The Greenlandic Government has since 2006 earmarked funds on the national budget for research and development of renewable energy. This is also the initiative that has supported this hydrogen plant and in the future is to put focus on energy supply for arctic regions.

The situation today

Around 60% of the energy – electricity and heat – that Nukissiorfiit produces today for the entire country comes from hydro power. The remainder is produced by use of expensive and polluting diesel. Especially the small settlements are depended on diesel power, and where many of them do not have the opportunity for establishment of other means of renewable energy in larger scale. Further diesel power is also used as reserve power in cities that today is supplied with energy from hydro power plants.

Future opportunities

With a continuous increase of production capacities of hydro power plants in combination with an aim for hydrogen and fuel cells, it may in long term be possible for Nukissiorfiit, to completely avoid use of diesel for electricity and heat production. Further the hydrogen can be used as fuel for the transportation sector and with the excessive potential for hydro power that the country posses, export of hydrogen may be a long term opportunity.

Experimental plant

The test plant produces hydrogen by using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is stored for later conversion into electricity and heat in a fuel cell, whenever needed. The excess heat from both the hydrogen production and the fuel cell can be used for heating, while the electricity can be supplied to grid or used in the office building of Nukissiorfiit.

The plant also includes a compression and distribution system that enables storing of the hydrogen under pressure in distributable bulks. This way the hydrogen can be distributed to other cities and settlements in Greenland where it can be used for local energy production. The plant is also prepared for a future upgrade with a hydrogen refueling station, enabling use of hydrogen as fuel for transport.

Next phases

The next phases of the project are already under planning. One of the ideas is to distribute hydrogen from the plant to a nearby settlement or alternately move the entire plant, as it has been designed to be moveable.

More information

Information Officer Louise Johansson, Nukissiorfiit, (+299) 54 26 51, ljo@nukissiorfiit.gl

Hydrogen Infrastructure R&D Manager Jesper Boisen, H2 Logic A/S, (+45) 2145 2963, jb@h2logic.com

About Nukissiorfiit | www.nukissiorfiit.gl
Nukissiorfiit is one of the largest companies in Greenland, and acts as the national energy company, producing and distributing electricity, water and heat to the population. This is done through 14 local departments that are responsible for 17 cities and 54 settlements. The vision of Nukissiorfiit is to develop the energy supply in Greenland in a sustainable direction, ensuring low cost energy to the society and reducing dependency of oil. Nukissiorfiit employees 400 people and is owned by the Greenlandic Government.

About H2 Logic | www.h2logic.com
H2 Logic is a world leading developer of zero emission & sustainable Fuel Cell Power Systems for Material Handling vehicles and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure for production and refuelling of hydrogen to vehicles.

Southampton, UK–Bac2, the cleantech materials company, has been granted materials patents for its electrically conductive polymer trademarked ElectroPhen, The patent covers Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK. Patent applications for the material are awaiting grant in Japan, Canada, the USA, South Korea, India and China.

Bac2 has discovered a way to make a phenolic polymer electrically conductive. Phenolic polymers have been used as electrical insulators for over 100 years but ElectroPhen differs from other phenolic polymers in that  water is removed from the ElectroPhen resin and replaced with a solvent which is compatible with the resin and allows the introduction of dual function catalysts which initiate the polymerisation of the resin and also impart electro-active properties.

In its raw state, ElectroPhen is one billion times more conductive than other polymers and its characteristics can be tailored to each application through the addition of graphite, metal powders, plasticisers and reinforcers. Bac2 has also evolved a way to delay the polymerization process using a latent acid catalyst known as CSR10. It permits the pre-polymeric mixture to be transported and stored for several months before polymerization, adding flexibility to the manufacturing process and reducing costs.

Its inherent electrical conductivity makes ElectroPhen ideal for applications in fuel cells and other energy storage devices, for RF screening and static electricity protection, and for the manufacture of heating elements and heat sinks.

Bac2’s CEO, Mike Stannard, commented: “It’s now very rare for a young, privately-held company to be granted a basic materials patent. It’s testimony to the expertise and innovation of our development team, led by Dr. Graham Murray, that we have been able to patent this remarkable new material. We are coming across a vast array of potential applications. We are focusing our business development efforts on the cleantech sector where the characteristics of ElectroPhen make it an ideal material for low cost production of fuel cell components.”

RALEIGH, N.C. – Microcell Corporation announced today that it has created a new company, “First Hydrogen, Inc.” to pursue the development and commercialization of a novel renewable hydrogen generation technology. The technology will be based on a new class of nano-cells capable of producing hydrogen fuel suitable for low temperature PEM fuel cells from a wide range of commonly available, renewable, and non-fossil energy sources. With this technology, it is anticipated that hydrogen can be safely and cost  effectively generated on demand at the site of use. “While the technology has significant potential as a breakthrough in alternative fuels, much work remains to qualify various aspects of the technology for a commercial setting”, explained Ray Eshraghi, President and CEO of Microcell.

Microcell CFO, Andrew Williams commented, “On-site production of low cost, high quality, renewable hydrogen will significantly expand the application of Microcell’s fuel cell technology and can be transformational for the fuel cell community as a whole.”

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy. Unlike batteries, which convert chemical energy stored within the battery, fuel cells continue to deliver electrical energy as long as hydrogen fuel is supplied.

Microcell is the world leader in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Microfiber fuel cells.

The company’s extrusion based, micro-tubular platform distinguishes it from other fuel cell technologies. Microcell currently offers Micro-CHP (Combined Heat and Power) products for back up power applications. Microcell is headquartered in Raleigh with a manufacturing facility in Robersonville, North Carolina. The company has an investor/partnership relationship with Pepco Holdings Inc., Progress Energy, Dominion, American Electric Power, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation and Duke Energy.

For more information, please visit Microcell’s web site at www.microcellcorp.com.

Will convert from battery to hydrogen fuel powered lift trucks at Kimberly-Clark Distribution Center

Pittsburgh, PA– GENCO Supply Chain Solutions, North America’s second largest and a Global Top 50 third-party logistics provider, today announced the purchase of 25 GenDrive™ hydrogen fuel cell power units from Plug Power Inc. for use in lift trucks. The GenDrive units will power the lift trucks at a 450,000 square foot distribution center in Graniteville, SC that GENCO operates for Kimberly-Clark Corporation. The GenDrive units are expected to be received in May and June 2010.

Funding was provided as part of a $6.1 million award made to GENCO in April, 2009 by the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell units and create jobs in fuel cell manufacturing, installation, maintenance and support services. Through this award, GENCO will deploy over 350 GenDrive units at Kimberly-Clark and other companies.

We are excited about the opportunity to move this initiative forward

We’ve had a two-unit pilot program in place with Kimberly-Clark at their Graniteville, SC facility and look forward to the many benefits of the full deployment.

Kimberly-Clark continues to explore new ways to increase safety in the workplace and to minimize the impact of our operations on the environment

GENCO understands the value provided by Plug Power’s GenDrive units

GENCO’s utilization of the GenDrive solution puts it at an advantage over its competition, with respect to both productivity and corporate social responsibility. GENCO is creating a safer environment for its teammates and the community.

“We are excited about the opportunity to move this initiative forward,” said Bob Simon, GENCO’s project manager. “We’ve had a two-unit pilot program in place with Kimberly-Clark at their Graniteville, SC facility and look forward to the many benefits of the full deployment.”

This sustainable solution eliminates the demand and cost of electricity and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, toxic lead-acid is removed from the workplace and replaced with hydrogen, which generates water as a byproduct.

“Kimberly-Clark continues to explore new ways to increase safety in the workplace and to minimize the impact of our operations on the environment,” said Joe DeYoung, Kimberly-Clark distribution operations manager for North American Consumer Products. “We were recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a 2010 Energy Star Partner of the Year, and have led the personal product category of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI) for the fifth year in a row. Our pilot at the Graniteville site has been very successful, and we’re pleased to be able to partner with GENCO and Plug Power in expanding hydrogen fuel cell technology to the entire lift truck fleet at this facility.”

“GENCO understands the value provided by Plug Power’s GenDrive units,” said Erik Hansen, vice president and general manager of Plug Power’s Motive Power Division. “GENCO’s utilization of the GenDrive solution puts it at an advantage over its competition, with respect to both productivity and corporate social responsibility. GENCO is creating a safer environment for its teammates and the community.”

GENCO Supply Chain Solutions is North America’s second largest and a Global Top 50 third-party logistics provider and the recognized leader in Reverse Logistics. The company manages over 130 operations and 37 million square feet of warehouse space throughout North America for a diverse range of retail, manufacturing and government customers. The company provides initial and ongoing value through a complete range of solutions, including contract logistics, transportation logistics, parcel negotiation and audits, reverse logistics, damage research, product liquidation, pharmaceutical services, government solutions and technology solutions. For more information, visit www.genco.com.

Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), an established leader in the development and deployment of clean, reliable energy solutions, integrates fuel cell technology into motive and continuous power products. The Company is actively engaged with private and public customers in targeted markets throughout the world. For more information about how to join Plug Power’s energy revolution as an investor, customer, supplier or strategic partner, please visit www.plugpower.com.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) and its well known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people – nearly a quarter of the world’s population – trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No.1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company’s 138-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com.

KOCHI–SFO Technologies, a NeST Group company, launched the first fuel cell systems for the first time in India which can be operated on LPG. It developed the fuel cell with the technology of Plug Power, manufacturers of fuel cells in the US. Plug Power entered into an agreement with SFO to localise the manufacturing and within five months the product was launched.

N Jehangir, vice chairman and managing director of NeST Group who unveiled the new product, said that SFO’s vertically integrated capabilities and facilities for engineering, electronics, power supply, sheet metal, plastics and wire harness manufacturing located at Kochi and Bangalore contributed to the successful launch of this product. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity. Fuel cells find wide applications for telecom, motive power and standby power generation.

Jehangir said this product is an environmentally clean alternate energy sources such as solar, wind power and fuel cells.

SFO is already working with many global partners for thermal power, wind energy and solar power and this is a major breakthrough for SFO to enter into the fuel cell market, which SFO considers as futuristic and environment friendly.

Scott Egbert, MD , Plug Power Energy said that fuel cells generate power from LPG or CNG by directly converting the chemical energy in to electrical energy. Fuel cells operate at very low levels of noise and have very little maintenance costs compared to any other power generating units.