FuelCellsWorks

Twenty Mercedes-Benz fuel cell vehicles deployed in California will be part of a technology validation project of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Program. Mercedes-Benz recently announced that it will place seventy fuel cell vehicles in California by 2012. This deployment shows a strong commitment to advanced technology vehicles and international collaboration to bring these technologies to their fullest fruition. Bringing vehicles with the latest technology advancements to U.S. roadways as part of the DOE’s project will help validate the technologies for ultimate market acceptance.

The U.S. Department of Energy has participated with industry in a 50/50 cost-shared project to validate fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fueling stations under real-world operating conditions and demonstrate advances in research. Mercedes-Benz North America has been involved since 2005 and will continue to provide critical data to the DOE from 20 of the fuel cell vehicles being announced today.

A total of 152 vehicles and 24 fueling stations have reported data to the DOE’s project, including vehicles from General Motors, Ford, and Hyundai Kia, in addition to Mercedes-Benz. These vehicles have travelled over 2.8 million miles and have shown a durability of 2,500 hours, equivalent to about 75,000 miles.

The second generation, B-class Mercedes-Benz vehicles are designed to have a 270 mile driving range on one tank of hydrogen and take less than 5 minutes to fill. It is also currently certified by the EPA and CARB as a zero-emission vehicle for the 2011 model year.

Vehicles will be delivered to select customers in California before the end of this year. The full 70 vehicle fleet will be deployed by 2012. Based on successful performance of these vehicles, Mercedes-Benz anticipates commercialization of fuel cell vehicles in the 2015 timeframe.

Targeting Commercial Applications Segment

DANBURY, Conn.– FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean high efficiency power plants using renewable and other fuels for commercial, industrial, government, and utility clients, today announced that it will jointly develop a small-scale Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) power plant with its South Korean partner, POSCO Power. The power plant will target the fast-growing commercial applications market segment, particularly in Asia. POSCO Power will fund the $5.8 million program in stages as performance milestones are reached, with an initial funding of $2.9 million for design and development of a smaller scale fuel cell stack.

Due to their highly efficient power generation, lack of pollutants and quiet operation, fuel cell power plants are well-suited for commercial buildings located in urban environments. Fuel cells efficiently generate power using an electrochemical process that does not involve combustion. The lack of combustion results in virtually zero pollutants and quiet operation. Fuel cell generated power can make use of available clean energy incentives, and can compete favorably with commercial and residential electricity rates in many regions of the world.

“FuelCell Energy’s DFC products have been demonstrated as a dependable, ultra-clean solution,” said Ben Toby, Vice President of Global Business Development for FuelCell Energy. “With today’s announcement, POSCO Power and FuelCell Energy seek to build on their partnership to enter into a previously untapped market segment, which has the potential to drive significant volume.”

FuelCell Energy’s core DFC power plant product line consists of the 300 kilowatt DFC300, the 1.4 megawatt DFC1500, and the 2.8 megawatt DFC3000. The DFC3000 is scalable for utility-size applications of multiple megawatts.

About FuelCell Energy

DFC® fuel cells are generating power at over 50 locations worldwide. The Company’s power plants have generated over 600 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

ITM Power (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce that VolkerHighways (a member of the VolkerWessels UK group of companies) has signed an agreement to participate in the Hydrogen On Site Trials (HOST) of ITM Power’s transportable high pressure refueling unit (HFuel).  The HFuel unit was built with support from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and was launched at the Company’s AGM on 15^th September 2010.

VolkerHighways specialises in public and private sector highways maintenance, street lighting, civil engineering term contracts and hard and soft landscaping projects.  Dedicated divisions provide surfacing, road marking, specialist surfacing, traffic management and fencing, and operate a fleet of approximately 300 vehicles.

Commenting for ITM Power, CEO Graham Cooley said: “We welcome VolkerHighways to the growing number of organisations representing the public and utility sector service providers, who have joined our HOST programme.  Their feedback regarding our energy storage and clean fuel technology, using renewable energy for decarbonising fleet operations and for advancing the development of clean air transport strategies in urban centres, will enhance the data collected to assess the role our technology could play in this important sector of our economy.”

VolkerHighways’ Managing Director, Peter Hyde, said: “Decarbonising our vehicle fleet and reducing tail pipe pollutants is vitally important to our clients and for our operations in urban areas across the South East of England.  We are very pleased to be joining ITM Power’s hydrogen trials as we continue to look at options for utilising renewable power for zero carbon emission vehicles.”

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario– Hydrogenics Corporation (Nasdaq:HYGS) (TSX:HYG), a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products, today announced that Daryl Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, will be presenting at the LD MICRO Growth Conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 9th, 2010 at 3:00 PM PST. The presentation will provide a corporate overview and discussion the Company’s growth strategy.

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.

About LD MICRO

LD MICRO is a by-invitation only newsletter firm that focuses on finding undervalued companies in the micro-cap space. Since 2002, the firm has published an annual list of recommended stocks as well as comprehensive reports on select companies throughout the year. LD MICRO concentrates on finding, researching, and investing in companies that are overlooked by institutional investors. It is a non-registered investment advisor. For more information on the list of presenting companies or to register for the event, please visit http://www.ldmicro.com or call (408) 457-1042.

	Dantherm Power’s micro CHP plant will in its final shape in 2015 be the size of a dishwasher. In the future energy system, today’s large, central CHP plants will be supplemented with numerous quite small CHP plants of a few kW in each home. They will replace conventional oil or gas furnaces that only provide heat for the home. Micro CHP plants also produce all the necessary power for the home. They are being developed by the Danish company Dantherm Power. Dantherm Power expects to have seven micro CHP plants in operation in early 2011 which will stay in operation through the entire heating season and well into spring 2011. For more information about Dantherm Power, click here For more information about Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S, click here Learn more about the research into fuel cells at Risø DTU To learn more about the commercial applications of SOFC fuel cells based on Risø DTU’s research, see Dynamo 23, published on 26 November 2010 (in Danish)

The generation of electricity and heat with no pollution and with considerably less emission of the greenhouse gas CO₂ sounds too good to be true. However, it is possible with the so-called SOFC fuel cells, which Risø has been conducting research into for over 20 years. The technology is now on its way to reach Danish and international companies including consumers.

An SOFC fuel cell produces electricity and heat with a very high efficiency. That means less carbon emissions for each kW produced. Furthermore, the production of electricity happens with nearly no emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen and sulphur oxides. Thus, SOFC fuel cells are a strong card in the future climate-friendly energy supply. SOFC fuel cells are flat and thin as a piece of paper, providing a voltage of approx. 1 volt. They are put together in stacks to achieve the desired voltage and wattage.

The results from the research at Risø DTU are known internationally and have spread in ever-widening circles. Risø DTU entered into a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with Topsoe Fuel Cell, which developed fuel cell stacks into a commercial stage and is now marketing them under the name Topsoe PowerCores™. Topsoe Fuel Cell has subsequently entered into a long-term cooperation agreement with the Danish company Dantherm Power, which is selling small CHP plants, among other things. So long-term research conducted in Risø DTU’s laboratories is now turning into concrete revolutionary products to be used in the supply of power and heat.

Each home will have a micro CHP plant of its own
To accommodate more renewable energy, the future electricity system will look significantly different from now. E.g. it is believed that today’s large, central CHP plants will be supplemented with numerous quite small CHP plants of a few kW, in each home. These micro CHP plants in homes can help balance energy in the future energy system, where more energy will be coming from renewable energy sources such as the wind and the sun. The micro CHP plants will be taking over energy production, for example, when there is no wind, and when the sun is hiding behind a cloud.

“Topsoe Fuel Cell provides the engine, we produce the rest of what is to surround the engine in order to finally end up having a fully operational micro CHP plant,” says Jesper Themsen from Dantherm Power. The core technology at Topsoe Fuel Cell is based on fuel cells developed at Risø DTU.

“At the moment, we are developing compact micro CHP plants, similar to a conventional oil or gas furnace when it comes to generating heat for the home. What’s new about micro CHP plants, is that they also produce the power the home needs. In this way, you avoid transmission loss in the electricity and district heating network,” says Jesper Themsen, technical director at Dantherm Power. Simultaneously, the micro CHP plants emit no or very little pollution and less carbon.

“In the spring of 2010 we produced a few micro CHP plants as part of the project ‘Danish micro cogeneration’. Now we’re doing tomorrow’s micro CHP plant in cooperation with Topsoe Fuel Cell, and in October 2010, we produced two systems that we will put into operation among professional users, for example plumbers or electricians. People with craftsman experience who can help us solve the problems that naturally arise with the plants during the first phase, “says Jesper Themsen. The first plants will generate 1 kW of power and 1 kW of heat and will be powered by natural gas.

“Subsequently, we will produce five micro CHP plants, which will also be put into operation among professional users. We are still in the early process of the technological launch and need to gather as much experience with these systems as possible,” says Jesper Themsen.

The micro CHP plants are based on Topsoe PowerCores™. Dantherm Power will build the rest around them. It should be possible to add natural gas purified of sulphur and with the correct pressure. There must be supply of fresh air, a heat exchanger and a heat store. The necessary electronic control for the micro CHP plant to be connected to the grid will be incorporated. Last but not least, the micro CHP plants will have to gain security clearance.

Currently, micro CHP plants are the size of an overgrown American fridge. “It’s not that we cannot make them smaller, but here to start with it should not be too compact, but easy for one to supervise and maintain the various parts of the plant,” says Jesper Themsen.

Dantherm Power expects to have seven micro CHP plants in operation in early 2011, which will be in operation throughout the entire heating season and well into spring 2011.

In September 2011, Dantherm Power plans to produce 15 new micro CHP plants based on experiences from the first seven. “They’ll be so reliable that we can install them in private homes in Southern Jutland,” says Jesper Themsen and continues: “In 2012, we believe that SOFC micro CHP plants will be affordable and have the desired properties, allowing ordinary people to easily replace their old furnace with a SOFC micro CHP plant.”

Jesper Themsen expects a major breakthrough to happen in 2013 – 2015 and that many Danish families in 2015 will be having a SOFC micro CHP plant, which will not take up more space than a dishwasher. Fuels will initially be natural gas, later it could be methanol and liquefied petroleum gas. In the long term, biofuels could also prove useful.

“We are having a long-term strategic cooperation with Topsoe Fuel Cell on SOFC micro CHP plants, and we are working mutually to make SOFC fuel cell power plants a commercial success,” says Jesper Themsen.

In the long term, he imagines that fuel cell power plants will replace generators powered by diesel or gas. They are used as backup in countries where the grid is not as stable as in Denmark. Here they are in operation continuously for many hours with the purpose of using the fuel efficiently.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Temasek Polytechnic (TP) on Monday jointly launched a new Maritime Fuel Cell Research Initiative.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the main aim of the initiative is to seed and encourage projects that will yield improvements and breakthroughs in the use of fuel cell and other technologies applicable to maritime industry.

The projects will focus on research, development, test-bedding and eventual commercialization of fuel cell applications and other technologies for the maritime industry.

Co-funded by MPA’s Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund and TP, research grants of up to 4 million and 1 million Singapore dollars (3.03 million and 0.76 million U.S. dollars) will be contributed by MPA and TP respectively over a three-year period.

Two research projects have been identified under the MOU. The first project is to test-bed fuel cell as auxiliary power in vessels, and the second is to develop an automated process of supplying continuous clean power to underwater systems and devices.

The Fuel Cell Nano-Materials Group has successfully developed two types of novel materials which satisfy all the three requirements for electrolyte: ion conductivity, chemical stability and sinterability, at high levels.

Upper left: Schematic diagram of the procedure for preparing an anode supported BZY electrolyte film. Lower left: Elemental mapping, confirming the In3+ ions evaporation and Y3+ ions migration from the anode to the electrolyte layer, to occupy the In3+ sites. Right: Fuel cell performance of electrode-supported cells using BZY electrolytes prepared by different methods and measured at 600oC in the literature reports (spin-coating cell was tested at 800oC) as well as in the present study, indicating that the BZY cell in the present study shows the largest power density SOFCs are environmental-friendly and efficient energy production devices. Reducing the operating temperature of SOFCs below 700°C is needed for a wide practical application of these devices. Yttrium-doped barium zirconate (BZY) is now considered as an alternative to the oxygen-ion conductor electrolytes conventionally used in SOFCs due to its higher bulk proton conductivity at low temperatures. BZY has not been exploited until now despite its excellent chemical stability because, when prepared as a ceramic polycrystalline material, it suffers from difficult sintering and proton conductivity is decreased by grain boundaries, which have a blocking effect. Fuel Cell Nano-Materials Group has successfully developed two types of novel materials which satisfy all the three requirements for electrolyte: ion conductivity, chemical stability and sinterability, at high levels. One is yttrium-doped barium zirconate with 10 mol% of praseodymium (BZPY). The addition of Pr improves the sinterability of BZY and dense samples are obtained after sintering at 1500°C for 8 hours. This material showed very high proton conductivity (above 0.01S/cm at 600˚C), comparable to the proton conductivity of BCZY, now proposed for proton conductor electrolyte, but with significantly better chemical stability, thereby resulting in realistic applicability in fuel cell devices. The other material is indium-doped barium zirconate (BZI) on a NiO-BZY anode substrate. During sintering at 1450oC, a dense electrolyte film is formed and simultaneously indium evaporates, being substituted by yttrium. The final result is the achievement of a dense BZY electrolyte film on a NiO-BZY anode, which cannot be obtained at the same temperature with direct processing. The fuel cells using this electrolyte film showed the largest fuel cell performance, 0.169 W/cm2 at 600oC, ever reported for BZY-based electrolytes. The BZY film made by this method shows excellent chemical stability, indicating its potential for long-term operation. These two materials are promising electrolyte materials for SOFC operating in the intermediate temperature range, 500 to 650°C, which allows reducing SOFC fabrication and operation costs, and thus accelerating their commercialization. The previous work of the group, published in Nature Materials on September 20th, introduced high-performance materials that show very high proton conductivity at even lower temperatures, but it was fabricated by using a special technology called pulsed laser deposition. In these new studies, high-performance electrolyte materials were obtained by simple co-pressing and subsequent sintering in the air, which is suitable for mass-production. This indicates the aforementioned results could accelerate the commercialization of SOFCs. For more detail Enrico Traversa International Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) National Institute for Materials Science TEL: +81-29-860-4891 E-Mail：TRAVERSA.Enrico@nims.go.jp

China’s first new energy fuel cell light rail locomotive, which is powered by the world advanced permanent-magnet motor and jointly developed by the China North Vehicle Yongji Electric Motor Corporation and the Southwest Jiaotong University, was successfully introduced.

China’s first new energy fuel cell light rail locomotive adopts hydrogen as the energy for the fuel cells as well as the world advanced permanent-magnet synchronous motor and frequency converter independently developed by the China North Vehicle Yongji Electric Motor Corporation as its main source of power. 

Meanwhile, China North Vehicle Yongji Electric Motor also independently took on the tasks of vehicle design and research and development. As the comprehensive performance test results meet the requirements of various indicators, this new energy fuel cell light rail locomotive has many potential applications as well as huge economic and environmental benefits in fields such as railways, subways, urban-suburban light rail railways and mining.

The permanent-magnet synchronous motor adopted by the China’s first new energy fuel cell light rail locomotive has advantages, such as high power, high efficiency, remarkable energy conservation and low vibration and noise. 

It can achieve the high performance that traditional motors cannot achieve and also can be developed into a special motor and highly-efficient energy-conservation motor to meet specific operational requirements. It can conserve 10 percent to 20 percent of integrated energy on average and has been successfully applied in many fields. It is also an important development direction for China’s motor industry to adjust its industrial structure.

Experts believe the successful application of the permanent-magnet synchronous motor in China’s first new energy fuel cell light rail locomotive has provided a solution for the electrification of China’s urban public transportation and the traffic congestion panic. It is also conducive to the promotion of China’s new energy industry in a larger scope.

Making fuel cells practical and affordable will not happen overnight. It may, however, not take much longer.

With advances in nanostructured devices, lower operating temperatures, and the use of an abundant fuel source and cheaper materials, a group of researchers led by Shriram Ramanathan at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are increasingly optimistic about the commercial viability of the technology.

Ramanathan, an expert and innovator in the development of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), says they may, in fact, soon become the go-to technology for those on the go.

Electrochemical fuel cells have long been viewed as a potential eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels—especially as most SOFCs leave behind little more than water as waste.

The obstacles to using SOFCs to charge laptops and phones or drive the next generation of cars and trucks have remained reliability, temperature, and cost.

Fuel cells operate by converting chemical energy (from hydrogen or a hydrocarbon fuel such as methane) into an electric current. Oxygen ions travel from the cathode through the electrolyte toward the anode, where they oxidize the fuel to produce a current of electrons back toward the cathode.

That may seem simple enough in principle, but until now, SOFCs have been more suited for the laboratory rather than the office or garage. In two studies appearing in the Journal of Power Sources this month, Ramanathan’s team reported several critical advances in SOFC technology that may quicken their pace to market.

Pupils from Denbeath and Kennoway primaries, and from Kirkland, Lochgelly and Buckhaven high schools, competed in the event devised by the Hydrogen Office in Methil.

The winners — Brooke, Sean, Rory and Caitlin.

The competition was devised as a way for children to learn about renewable energy, energy storage and the benefits to the environment.

As well as producing posters showing how they had designed their vehicles, the teams had to prepare for a sprint challenge with buggies timed over a set distance, an endurance test to see how far they travel on one tank of hydrogen and manoeuvrability, weight and measurement assessments of each buggy. The teams from Denbeath Primary and Lochgelly High emerged victorious.

Derek Mitchell, project manager for the Hydrogen Office, said, “We were very impressed by the work all the teams put into the project and how much they seem to have enjoyed the experience.”

One of the judges was Dr Daniel Aklil, managing director of the Pure Energy Centre and one of the world’s leading experts on hydrogen systems.

He said, “It was fantastic to see such innovation and enthusiasm shown by the competing teams. What a great way for school children to learn about this exciting technology.”

Lochgelly High’s team consisted of Ellis Lonie, Abbi Gilfillan, Emma McPherson and Caitlin McCall, while Brooke Bain, Caitlin Duncan, Rory Hutchison and Sean Hemsley represented Denbeath Primary.

Kennoway Primary’s team was commended for its buggy’s manoeuvrability and Buckhaven High’s team for its knowledge and understanding. The winners’ certificates were presented by Robert Dick, energy and support services manager of challenge sponsors Babcock.

He said, “This morning’s competition has been very exciting and inspiring. It’s great to see how it has fired the pupils’ imaginations and interest in engineering and energy.”

FOLSOM, CA, – Altergy Systems has installed a 30 kilowatt Freedom Power fuel-cell system to provide clean back-up electrical power at Time Warner Cable’s Palm Springs distribution hub site facility.

Using Altergy’s hydrogen-powered fuel-cell technology, the zero-emission system will provide hours of backup run time power in the event of an electrical grid power failure.

Television, high-speed data, and phone signals from Time Warner Cable’s primary distribution center in Palm Desert are transmitted over fiber to the hub site where they are then distributed to residential and business customers throughout Palm Springs.

Time Warner Cable is also using Altergy’s time-saving fill-in-place fuel system, which enables hydrogen fuel to be replenished without the need to swap out fuel cylinders.  Altergy introduced this technology to the telecommunications industry more than two years ago and has since installed hundreds of such systems throughout the country.

“With the installation of this fuel-cell system, Tim Warner’s superior service reliability will now be even better,” said Jon Tennies, Time Warner Cable facility supervisor.  “In addition to providing our customers with highest quality services, this reserve power system will help reach the State of California’s goals for improving air quality, secure our energy future by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cut our petroleum dependency.”

The hydrogen fuel-cell system eliminates the need for a diesel generator and liquid fuel tank that normally would be used for backup power during a power outage.  The system produces electricity from hydrogen in an electrochemical reaction, with no greenhouse gas emissions, little noise, and only heat and water as byproducts.

“Because our system generates no harmful air emissions and is very quiet, it provides an environmentally friendly and community friendly backup power system,” said Chris Radley, Altergy vice president, Product Line Management.

Recently Hynor Lillestrøm AS signed a contract with H2 Logic A/S on delivery of a hydrogen station in summer 2011, after a competitive tender exercise. The station will be installed at a new hydrogen research facility at Akershus Energy Park in Lillestrøm just outside of Oslo in Norway. The station will feature sustainable onsite hydrogen production and 700 bar refueling according to international standards, ensuring fast refueling in few minutes and long vehicle range. Together with another planned Oslo hydrogen station in 2011, this will ensure Norway one among the world’s most dense hydrogen refueling networks.

Recently an international study was announced showing that fuel cell vehicles provide the lowest-carbon solution for long distance driving and medium and large family-size cars. Also the study revealed that a hydrogen infrastructure is affordable, achievable and of comparable cost to other fuels and technologies. However it emphasizes that investment in hydrogen infrastructure must start without delay so that commercial scale up can take place. Also public incentives such as tax exemptions on vehicles could make fuel cell vehicles commercial as early as 2020.

Norway started the establishment of a hydrogen refueling network back in 2003 with the opening of the first hydrogen station in Stavanger as part of a network initiative called HyNor. Since then additional three stations has opened and 20 hydrogen vehicles been put in operation. The new hydrogen station to open in Lillestrøm summer 2011 will add yet another station to the HyNor network. Also attractive tax exemptions are already in place in Norway, with zero tax on hydrogen car compared to a significant tax on conventional vehicles. Similar efforts are happening in Sweden and Denmark through a joint collaboration effort called Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway Partnership.

The station will include an alkaline electrolyser enabling production of hydrogen by use of electricity from solar panels. Space is available for future test of other hydrogen production technologies such as PEM electrolysis. Hydrogen will be compressed to 700bar and refueled according to the latest international SAE standard on fast and safe refueling of hydrogen in few minutes, comparable to refueling of gasoline.

The hydrogen station will be supplied by H2 Logic A/S from Denmark, who also is to provide another hydrogen station for Oslo during 2011 where seventeen fuel cell vehicles will be deployed in Oslo. Five of the vehicles will be placed in Lillestrøm and use the new and innovative hydrogen station.

Jan Carsten Gjerløw, Managing director at Hynor Lillestrøm AS states: “The hydrogen station in Lillestrøm will supplement the many and extensive research activities planned at the new facility in Akershus Energy Park. With the station we can provide sustainable produced hydrogen for vehicles, covering even more of the Oslo region and expanding the HyNor network.”

Director in H2 Logic A/S, Jacob Krogsgaard states: ”We are proud to have been selected as supplier of the hydrogen station for Lillestrøm. We experience an increasing interest for our refueling products due to the strong signals provided by major car manufacturers on market introduction of fuel cell vehicles onwards 2015. The Lillestrøm station also provides great synergy with another hydrogen station that H2 Logic also is to construct in Oslo in 2011.”

The Lillestrøm hydrogen station is supported with funds from Norwegian Research Council, TRANSNOVA, the county of Akershus, Innovation Norway and the municipality of Skedsmo.

Fuel cells could create a breakthrough for electric cars, because refuelling them is fast and easy, just like your traditional gas guzzler. But there’s an obstacle. Current fuel cells need platinum in order to work. And that’s expensive.

Now chemists from Copenhagen, Potsdam and Hanau have taken the first step towards producing fuel cells using very little of the precious metal.

At the University of Copenhagen Matthias Arenz has specialized in testing the catalysts that do the actual work in fuel cells. Presented with a so called “Core Shell catalyst” developed by Clarkson University chemist Dan Goia for fuel cell company Umicore, he soon realized that this catalyst was special and testing it would deserve an unusual effort.

The catalyst in a fuel cell taps electrical current from a reaction fusing hydrogen and oxygen into water. This takes place in a complex reaction at the surface of the platinum, so more surface means more electricity.

In traditional fuel cells the surface area of platinum is maximized by grinding the precious metal into exceedingly small particles and suspending them in a frame of carbon. But there’s a catch or two. If the particles become too small, they lose their converting power. Tend to clot together. And over time the carbon-frame tends to burn away which again leads to clotting. These scenarios make the particles lose surface area, and with less surface area, catalysts produce less current.

Larger spheres don’t need the fragile carbon scaffold, and they ought not to clot as badly. But they would require much more platinum to make. Until now.

The novel catalyst from Umicore has gotten around this problem by coating larger spheres of less precious metal with a thin skin of platinum. If these do not clot the catalyst should keep producing electricity at top capacity for much longer than cells with small particles of platinum.

But figuring out whether particles clot or not is hard, explains Matthias Arenz.

“In an electron microscope we find a particular particle. Then we run the fuel cell. After running gasses over the catalyst, finding that same particle is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. But we have our ways”, smiles Dr. Arenz.

Having done a series of tests, Dr. Arenz is able to conclude that the novel large-sphere catalyst retains its full converting power. The catalyst produces the same amount of electricity as small particle models. But with bigger spheres, chances are that it will keep on producing at top capacity for a longer time.

Only one problem remains. The less precious spheres coated with platinum is…Gold.

“Dan Goia and Umicore have been the first to show, that it is possible to create these thin shells of platinum using simple and cheap chemistry. Now they need to show, that they can do it on spheres of a somewhat cheaper material. If they succeed in this, I’m sure my tests will show, that cheap and efficient fuel cells are on their way”, concludes Dr. Matthias Arenz.

READING, Pa., — EnerSys® (NYSE: ENS), the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, sold an Extended Run Time Solution™ hydrogen fuel cell system to Time Warner Cable and installed it at Time Warner Cable’s facility in Southern California.

The innovative 30kW fuel cell system, which applies Altergy Systems’ proprietary Freedom Power® hydrogen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel-cell technology, will provide environmentally clean reserve power in the event of a commercial grid outage, and ensure Time Warner Cable customers continued digital telephone, internet and video services without interruption.

Time Warner Cable also is using a time-saving fill-in-place system, which enables the replacement of hydrogen in the fuel cells without switching cylinders. Altergy introduced this technology to the telecommunications industry more than two years ago.

“With the installation of this fuel cell system, Time Warner’s superior service reliability will now be even better,” said Jon Tennies, Time Warner Cable facility supervisor. “In addition to providing our customers with the highest quality services, this reserve power system will help us reach the State of California’s goals for improving air quality, secure our energy future by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cut our petroleum dependency.”

The hydrogen fuel cell system replaces the need for a diesel generator and liquid fuel tank that normally would be deployed for backup power during a commercial power outage. Unlike the diesel generator that uses petroleum fuel for combustion, the Time Warner Cable fuel cell system derives electricity from hydrogen in an electrochemical reaction. The byproducts of this process are only heat and water, with no greenhouse gas emissions and very little noise during operation. In addition to reducing maintenance requirements to a negligible level, this technology is sustainable because hydrogen fuel is a renewable resource.

•    Ridas Yacht & Composites: First yacht manufacturer worldwide to integrate EFOY fuel cells as standard equipment in all models
•    Estonian yacht manufacturer delivers always available, silent and lightweight fuel cells ex works for power generation on board its yachts
•    Standard Integration at factory is further evidence that the EFOY fuel cell is becoming the preferred green energy source in sailboats and yachts

Brunnthal/Munich and Amsterdam– Holland Private Equity (HPE) will become the largest shareholder and anchor investor in SFC by acquiring a significant equity stake from Pricap Venture Partners AG and SFC’s founder, Dr Manfred Stefener. Both transactions were signed yesterday and are to be closed in January, 2011. Concurrently, changes will occur in both Executive and Supervisory Boards of SFC, as well as within the organisation.
After closing of the transactions, HPE will hold approx. 25.01% of the SFC shares outstanding. HPE has agreed to a lock-up period of 12 months during which HPE will not sell any of those shares, underlining HPE’s long-term growth strategy and commitment to this investment. SFC expects that this transaction will help to remove the market overhang in SFC’s stock which the company has been experiencing for a long time. The transaction price of EUR 5.70 per share is substantially above the recent trading levels and represents a premium of approx. 17% to the recent 30-day trading average.

Dr Peter Podesser welcomes HPE as the new anchor shareholder and continues to serve as CEO. The early renewal of his contract is aimed for beginning of next year. Supported by HPE’s sales and distribution expertise, he will drive further industrialization of the business model and implementation of a growth strategy.

Dr Jens Müller, presently COO, has decided – after almost 10 years of building up SFC, and after a total of 15 years pioneering the fuel cell business – not to prolong his management contract beyond the end of 2010. He will remain associated with SFC on a consultant basis and also join HPE as Special Advisor. Furthermore, both HPE and the Company intend to nominate Dr Müller as Supervisory Board member for SFC beginning in 2011.

As successor for Dr Müller, SFC has promoted Verena Graf – who has been Director R&D since 2004 – to the newly defined role of Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, effective January 1st, 2011. Mrs Graf brings with her tremendous experience and leadership skills, having spent over 10 years in fuel cell technology, productization, and operations.

Tim van Delden and Harry Dolman, Partners of HPE, commented: “We see an increasing need for off-grid applications in the markets. After screening the European landscape we arrived at SFC as the best positioned company to overproportionally benefit from this trend. Their unique technology and the recent strategic move to broaden the business model provide an excellent basis to accelerate the future growth and thereby generating attractive financial returns for all shareholders. We are particularly excited about recent developments in the industrial off-grid power, mobility, and defence segments. We are looking forward to becoming an active part of the SFC story.”

Dr Peter Podesser added: “HPE shows a quality level of long-term commitment, underlined by a lock-up agreement with regards to their shareholding. HPE who is specialised in supporting their portfolio companies in the increase of international sales and distribution will make valuable contributions with their experienced team and wide industry network. After the changes we have managed now – in Shareholder structure, both Boards, and organisation – this is a natural inflexion point for SFC and positioning SFC very well to achieve our business objectives, and to make significant progress towards financial break-even.”
Further information is available at  www.sfc.com and  www.hollandprivateequity.com

ITM Power (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce that Enterprise plc has signed an agreement to participate in the Hydrogen On Site Trials (HOST) of ITM Power’s transportable high pressure refueling unit (HFuel). The HFuel unit was built with support from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and was launched at the Company’s AGM on 15^th September 2010.

Enterprise is the UK’s largest dedicated provider of maintenance and front-line services to the public sector and utility industry. With over 13,000 people working from over 150 locations nationwide, Enterprise delivers over 100 different services to more than 15 million people across the UK, which is 25% of the population. Enterprise operates a fleet of approximately 8,000 vehicles on a return-to-base capacity.

Commenting for ITM Power, CEO Graham Cooley said: “We welcome Enterprise to the growing number of diverse high profile logistics organisations already participating in HOST trials.  Enterprise is a major provider of front line services to the public and utility sectors, and their assessment of our energy storage, clean fuel technology, using renewable energy for promoting clean air and decarbonising fleet operations, will provide ITM Power with  invaluable data.”

David Pattinson, Innovation Manager at Enterprise said: “We are constantly seeking ways to provide innovative and pragmatic solutions to our customers, and ITM Power’s hydrogen trials will provide us with the unique opportunity to assess the energy storage: clean fuel proposition from the perspective of the driver, the fleet manager and as a company to help us deliver services with zero carbon emissions and improve air quality as part of our business.”

About HOST

HOST will begin in 2011, and comprises the operation and refueling of two Revolve Technologies hydrogen Ford Transit vehicles, with hydrogen produced on site at the point of use, at sites operated by participating companies and in the Gateway to London development area.  Enterprise joins  DHL Supply Chain,The Commercial Group, London Stansted Airport, The Forestry Commission, Scottish Water, SSE (Scottish & Southern Energy), Scottish Police Authority, Vestas Wind Systems AS, Center Parcs, Tarmac, May Gurney and local authorities Sheffield City Council,the London Borough of Camden and Southampton City Council who have recently joined the programme.

West Virginia stands ready to move to the front of the alternative energy line, thanks to a $1.15 million grant to the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium to develop the state’s second hydrogen production-fueling station.

The station, to be located near Bicentennial House on Mileground Road, will be the northern terminus of a “hydrogen highway” between Yeager Airport in Charleston and Morgantown

“Hydrogen is being used as a fuel for passenger vehicles,” said Al Ebron, executive director of the NAFTC which submitted the project proposal. “It can be used in fuel cells to power electric motors or used in internal combustion engines. Hydrogen is currently only available at a handful of locations, mostly in California, so making it available in West Virginia will put the Mountain State at the forefront of a relatively new industry.”

By building and operating a new hydrogen fueling station in Morgantown, West Virginia University will demonstrate the efficiency of running automobiles on hydrogen fuel made from coal-powered electricity – a step that could help break America’s dependence on imported oil, use coal in an environmentally-sound manner, and keep the Mountain State at the forefront of another evolving energy industry.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory recently awarded NAFTC the competitive grant to develop and install equipment to produce and dispense hydrogen fuel along with a detailed testing and evaluation program.

The program is part of the WVU’s Advanced Energy Initiative, a campus-wide movement that focuses research efforts on addressing US and West Virginia energy challenges.

Curt M. Peterson, WVU vice president for Research and Economic Development, said the program will educate target audiences, beginning first in West Virginia, about the safe use of hydrogen and the potential for fossil fuel-to-hydrogen programs of NETL.

“The effort is unique in that it will support obtaining hydrogen fuel by using domestic fossil energy,” Ebron said.

“NETL envisions that in the long term, hydrogen will either be produced from coal, or coal will provide the electricity necessary for the production of hydrogen via electrolysis. Ultimately, the program could not only make hydrogen acceptable to the citizens of West Virginia, it could make West Virginia a leader in the use of hydrogen. The program could then be duplicated in other areas.”

The facility will produce the hydrogen from water by using an electric current to separate hydrogen and oxygen molecules — the two elements that make up water. The resulting hydrogen will be stored as a gas at a pressure of up to 5,000 psi. It will then be piped to a pump that looks much like a standard gas pump.

“This open architecture will support the evaluation of all the various components, devices, subsystems and systems for creating and dispensing hydrogen energy,” said.

Funding for the one-year award began Oct. 1 and will continue through Sept. 30, 2011. An anticipated second phase of the project will provide follow-on funding to complete the station and purchase hydrogen test vehicles. The total amount of the project, including $288,500 in cost share, is $1.4 million.

Phase one funding for the project will enable:

* Site survey and site preparation

* Purchase and installation of a building and weather cover to house the hydrogen fuel dispensing station

* Procurement of an electrolyzer, buffer tank and chiller; a compressor; high-pressure storage composite tanks; electrical equipment and lighting; and grounding and lightning protection.

NAFTC is the nation’s only alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle training organization, providing training infrastructure for implementing widespread use of alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. The effort is focused on increasing America’s energy security, lessening its dependence on petroleum and improving air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation systems.

NAFTC is a program of West Virginia University and consists of National Training Centers located nationwide from Maine to California. Each NTC provides “Training with Impact” through its experienced instructors and real world shop facilities. Including a current group of 50 higher education institutions, NAFTC is dedicated to informing and educating instructors, technicians, first responders, industry representatives and other interested groups about clean, cost-effective and energy efficient vehicles. For more information about the NAFTC and its programs, visit www.naftc.wvu.edu.

Anna Jenkinson

Europe’s collaborative effort to develop and commercialise fuel cells and hydrogen took a step forward this week when the body responsible for the €1 billion public-private partnership was freed of the Commission’s fetters, streamlining administration as it seeks to push fuel cells and related technologies to market.

“We are now in a position to take our own financial decisions,” Bert De Colvenaer, executive director, told Science|Business, as the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking became an autonomous organisation.

The fuel cells body was launched in 2008, and until last week had been under the formal umbrella of the European Commission. Now it is judged to be grown up enough to manage its own programme and make proper use of public funds, the Commission said.

Fuel cells and hydrogen are a “key technology” if Europe is to achieve its 20-20-20 goals of a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 20 per cent of energy coming from renewable sources, and a 20 per cent increase in energy efficiency, by 2020, De Colvenaer told stakeholders at their general assembly in Brussels.

However, added De Colvenaer, a lot remains to be done if fuel cells and hydrogen technologies are to make enough progress within that timeframe.

Even in its own plan, the joint undertaking acknowledges the technologies are medium- and long-term options, and their contributions the 2020 targets will be “limited”. However, fuel cells and hydrogen energy sources are expected to play an important role in achieving the EU’s more ambitious targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“By that time it is expected that the critical barriers preventing commercialisation of these technologies will be overcome and their full socio-economic and environmental benefits realised,” the plan says. The barriers include the cost of fuel cells, the availability of large amounts of emissions-free, affordable hydrogen and the development of a long-term and stable regulatory framework.

The challenges facing the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking aren’t just technological. It also needs to integrate the different partners, become more organised and communicate with one voice, De Colvenaer, who was formerly employed at Toyota Europe, said.

The partnership is made up of the Commission, 64 companies ranging from multinationals to small and medium-sized enterprises, and 54 universities and research institutes. The Commission is putting in about €470 million in EU financing for the period 2008-2013, with the other half of the funding coming from industry.

Lucio Gallo, head of the joint undertaking’s new industry grouping and a member of the governing board, highlighted the risk that having so many participants can lead to too many different strategies. “Our main task is to home in on a few focused targets,” he said.

Such an approach could also help fuel cells and hydrogen gain a higher profile and more political visibility, an aim that was repeatedly called for at the Brussels meeting.

The Commission’s Rudolf Strohmeier, vice chair of the joint undertaking’s governing board, said, “The research community needs to raise its voice [...] be more outspoken” in order to achieve a redistribution of funds from other sectors. He also noted that the technologies needed to gain more acceptance from the general public and be viewed more positively.

Georg Menzen, representing the views of member states, echoed his comments. Photovoltaic and wind power are seen as “sexy” in Germany, Menzen said. Citizens are simply not as aware of fuel cells and hydrogen as they are of these other energy sources, he said.

In the search for efficient, durable and commercially viable fuel cells, scientists at the University of Ulster’s Nanotechnology Institute and collaborators from Peking University and University of Oxford have discovered a new catalyst-support combination that could make fuel cells more efficient and more resistant to carbon monoxide, CO, poisoning. The research – described in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C (“Rapid Microwave Synthesis of CO Tolerant Reduced Graphene Oxide-Supported Platinum Electrocatalysts for Oxidation of Methanol”) – may expedite the realisation of fuel-cell vehicles. Fuel cells that convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy by electrochemically decomposing a fuel, such as hydrogen or methanol are considered a promising new way of powering cars and portable devices. One major hurdle to the commercial use of fuel cells is the CO poisoning of the active platinum catalyst sites, which renders them ineffective and prevents fuel oxidation. The CO poisoning problem is especially severe in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) because CO is always present in critical amounts as an intermediate in methanol oxidation reaction. So far the major approach for reducing the poisoning is to alloy platinum with other expensive metals such as Ru, Pd or Au. However, now Ulster scientists have found a cheaper solution that could help bring fuel cell devices a step closer to the market. To create a catalyst system that can tolerate more carbon monoxide, they deposited platinum nanocrystals on a support material of graphene oxide and reduced it slightly to increase its electrical conductivity. They used a simple scalable, fast and eco-friendly microwave approach that has the advantage of reducing graphene oxide (RGO) and forming platinum nanoparticles simultaneously. To test the activity of the Pt/RGO the team looked at the oxidation of methanol – a reaction that takes place at the anode of a methanol fuel cell. Their research shows that the new material displays an unprecedented CO poisoning tolerance, a much better long term stability and a higher electrocatalytic activity than those exhibited by commercially available carbon-supported Pt (Pt/C) electrocatalysts. Platinum nanocatalysts supported on lightly reduced graphene oxide could make fuel cells more stable and resistant to carbon monoxide poisoning. Structural and electronic properties of the electrocatalysts were determined using high resolution X ray photoelectron spectroscopy at the National Centre for Electron Spectroscopy and Surface Analysis (NCESS) at Daresbury, combined with transmission electron microscopy analysis at the EPSRC funded TEM facility at Oxford university. “Our studies of the structure and activity of this catalyst — and comparisons with commercial Pt/C catalysts currently in use — illustrate that the lightly reduced graphene oxide support ‘protects’ the fine platinum nanocrystals from CO poisoning, enabling them to exhibit long term operation stability” explained Ulster Professor of Advanced Materials, Pagona Papakonstantinou, who leads the research team at Ulster University. The abundance of residual oxygen groups on lightly reduced graphene oxide (RGO) plays a major role on the removal of carbonaceous species. When an electrochemical potential is applied to the electrode, water molecules on the RGO support dissociate to form -(OH) groups, which readily oxidize the CO adsorbed groups on the adjacent Pt sites. ‘This is one probable mechanism, we believe is operating to provide CO free Pt sites’ It is important to emphasize that the team has come up with a new electrocatalyst design that can be considered as a promising alternative for improving durability of fuel cells and eliminate the use of costly bimetallic or ternary metal systems. The research was support by a Leverhulme Trust visiting Fellowship (Dr A. Ganguly) and a VCRS PhD studentship (S. Sharma).

• Purely electrically driven vehicle with an operating range of around 400 kilometres in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle)
• A chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen produces electric power which is fed to an electric motor
• Water is the only emission
• The liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery as the energy provider has a storage capacity of more than 1.4 kWh
• The vehicle has front-wheel drive
• Designed as a compact family car with full day-to-day suitability, the B-Class F-CELL consumes the diesel equivalent of only 3.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the NEDC

DANBURY, Conn.– FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean high efficiency power plants using renewable and other fuels for commercial, industrial, government, and utility customers, today announced a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL), to relocate, install and service a DFC300 fuel cell power plant at U.S. Army Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area located in Dublin, California.

This project will demonstrate the high efficiency, reliability and ultra-clean benefits of a fuel cell power plant to the U.S. Army for a minimum of fourteen months. The project will involve the relocation and installation of a DFC300 power plant owned by the DoD that was operated at another military base under a one year demonstration program. The Camp Parks project represents the first Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) fuel cell power plant on a U.S. Army base following fuel cell power plant installations at U.S. Navy, Air Force and Marine bases.

The U.S. military is the largest single consumer of energy in the USA, using 79 percent of the total energy consumed by the Federal Government in 2006.  The DoD energy policy includes improving energy efficiency, expanding use of renewable and ultra-clean energy and reducing green house gas emissions, while reducing the risk to the military and critical national infrastructure from losses of power. The high efficiency and ultra-clean attributes of fuel cells that dependably generate power at the point of use make fuel cell power plants well suited for powering U.S. military bases.

The fuel cell power plant will provide power to an electrical sub-station on the Base, replacing electricity currently supplied by the commercial electric grid. Site preparation will begin in late 2010 and the power plant is expected to be operational by the summer of 2011.

“Fuel cells help the U.S. Military increase energy efficiency while enhancing energy security,” said Chip Bottone, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, FuelCell Energy, Inc. ”The high efficiency of this fuel cell power plant combined with the reliable power that it will generate right on the Base will assist the Army in achieving its energy goals and help the Base perform its mission.”

The fuel cell electro-chemical generation process is highly efficient. Fuel cells are 47 percent electrically efficient, which is higher than any similar size combustion based power plant. Higher efficiency results in fuel savings for the client as a greater amount of electricity is generated from each unit of fuel compared to less efficient combustion based power sources.

Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area in Dublin, California is the home of the U.S. Army 91^st Division (Reserve). Thousands of National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers from the San Francisco Bay Area train at Camp Parks.

The Mission of the Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) is to provide science, technology, and expertise in engineering and environmental sciences in support of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Nation. CERL conducts research to support sustainable military installations.  Research is directed toward increasing the Army’s ability to more efficiently construct, operate, and maintain its installations and ensure environmental quality and safety at lower cost.

About FuelCell Energy

DFC® fuel cells are generating power at over 50 locations worldwide. The Company’s power plants have generated over 600 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

Joshua Hertz, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware, is investigating new methods to improve solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), a promising fuel cell technology.

New technologies that can convert chemical bonds into electrical energy with increased efficiency are in high demand to address society’s growing economic and environmental concerns, explains Hertz.

Solid oxide fuel cells work by electrochemically oxidizing a fuel, transforming chemical energy directly into electricity.

Since they can efficiently operate from complex fuels, including biofuels, they are anticipated to become a highly important sustainable energy technology.

Currently, the solid electrolyte component provides poor low temperature oxygen ion conductivity, requiring operation at temperatures in excess of 800 degrees C. Such high temperatures necessitate slow startup and shutdown procedures, exotic gas-sealing techniques, expensive components to house the cell itself and a limited lifespan, making SOFCs cost prohibitive to commercial production.

To address the problem, Hertz and his research team are creating electrolytes from multilayers of materials — with layer thicknesses of just a few nanometers (about one-hundred-thousandth the width of a human hair) — in order to strain the atomic lattices.

“We expect that strain can improve oxygen ion conductivity, a critical parameter in improving the energy output of solid oxide fuel cells and other devices based on solid electrolytes at lower temperatures,” he says. “A few groups have shown that strain can affect the ease with which ions move in solids, but here we will perform a very systematic study to fundamentally understand how we can use these effects to improve the mobility of oxygen ions.”

Hertz serves as sole principal investigator for the grant. Jun Jiang, a doctoral student in materials science and engineering, and Weida Shen, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering, also serve on the research team.

“It’s great to see this groundbreaking energy related research coming to the University of Delaware,” says Michael J. Chajes, dean of the College of Engineering.

Article by Karen B. Roberts