FuelCellsWorks

Hyundai unveiled its latest eco-friendly creation, the Blue2 (Read as “Blue square”) concept vehicle, the company’s first sedan-style Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) powered by hydrogen. The automaker also introduced its first gasoline-hybrid vehicle, the Sonata Hybrid, to its home market. Most importantly, Hyundai applied its new brand direction, “New Thinking. New Possibilities.”, throughout its exhibition, including its customer-oriented booth design, entertaining displays and cutting edge future technologies.

Blue²

Hyundai Motor staged a world premiere of its new concept car, Blue² (codenamed HND-6), a mid-size FCEV which shows a blueprint for future sedans. The name ‘Blue^2’ is a combination of Hyundai’s sub eco-brand ‘Blue Drive’ and the number `2’ from H², the symbol for hydrogen gas.

Aiming at gaining early leadership of the FCEV market, Blue² is powered by a fuel cell electric system that delivers a stack power of 90kW(1.65kW/L) and fuel economy of 34.9km/ℓ. The Blue² is materialized in a sporty and luxurious style, a combination of futuristic, flowing designs and eco-friendly features. The Blue² is equipped with low-resistance tires and alloy wheels which are designed to improve aerodynamic performance, while the car’s interior design encompasses a futuristic look by using eco-friendly new materials.

Hyundai’s concept keywords for the exterior design are ‘Intersected Flow,’ featuring innovative and dynamic designs. The vehicle’s condition is visible via unique and futuristic images on the exterior of the car through outside LED screen panels, which are located on both the front and rear of the car. Blue² also features a welcome system which recognizes the driver, while an automatic opening door system enhances the driver’s convenience. Conventional side mirrors are replaced by side cameras and a roof camera, offering a state-of-the-art driving environment.

The exterior designs flow inside the vehicle, with asymmetrically-designed dashboards and doors to optimize a driver’s convenience and add emotional value. Wider seats enable people to get in and out of the vehicle more comfortably.

Hyundai combined the cluster and center fascia, applying an advanced Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) monitor and ultra-light tempered glass, called Gorilla® Glass, providing more accurate and vivid graphic information. The infotainment system is operated by a Motion Sensor Moustick, a haptic wheel and motion sensor that respond to the driver’s touch and hand movements, respectively, giving drivers a new experience.

Blue² aims to satisfy all the senses of future drivers, including the air they breathe: A cluster ionizer freshens the air inside the vehicle, while antibacterial genuine leather with leaf-shaped patterns, called ‘eco-graphic perforation,’ enhances an eco-friendly look and feel.

On March 15th, 2011, Schunk Bahn- und Industrietechnik GmbH received the “TÜV SÜD” certification for product families FC-42 and FC-08 in accordance with standard IEC 62282-2.

This certification verifies that the Schunk stack fulfills the special safety and technical maturity requirements. “We’re very proud of this quality seal,” said Stefan Schaaf, Managing Director of Schunk Bahn- und Industrietechnik. “It reflects our experience with the product in industrial and demonstration applications and confirms the safe use of this technology.”

The entire product line is based on the same technology, which makes flexible integration possible. The separation of fuel cell modules into separate 360 W stacks provides the customer with great flexibility and saves money when it comes to integration into scalable system solutions. The stack is equipped with a clever tap water-based cooling solution and can thus be used in a considerably wider range of applications in comparison to air-cooled fuel cells.

“We carried out intensive technical testing on the fuel cell stack,” said Tom Elliger, head of the Gas System and Hydrogen Technology Department at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH. “We were able to verify that the stack can be used safely even under extreme conditions.”

Erman Senoz, a UD doctoral student, and Dylan Rattigan with the MSNBC camera crew.

MSNBC came to campus asking questions about the future of energy. This Thursday, March 31, the cable network will air what it learned.

Dylan Rattigan, host of The Dylan Rattigan Show, and a television crew taped a segment on the University of Delaware’s Affordable Composites from Renewable Sources (ACRES) program. Chemical engineering doctoral student Erman Senoz detailed in an interview how the research group uses chicken feathers to store hydrogen for use in cars, buses and other forms of transport.

The segment is set to air Thursday as part of the show’s “Steel on Wheels” feature, which Rattigan labels as a road trip tackling the nation’s most important issues. He includes energy in that list.

The ACRES program, headed by Richard Wool, professor of chemical engineering, designs and develops bio-based materials for use in various renewable energy projects, from fuel cells to energy efficient housing.

While in Newark, the MSNBC crew taped at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources‘ chicken houses, where Allen Laboratory manager Bob Alphin gave them a tour. They also viewed one of UD’s hydrogen buses, the product of work conducted by UD’s Center for Fuel Cell Research.

HILLSBORO, Ore.–Today ClearEdge Power has become the first fuel cell maker in history to be awarded the Korean Gas Safety Corporation’s (KGS) internationally recognized safety certification for its 5-kilowatt high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Achieving this certification is mandatory to market fuel cells in Korea, and KGS officials say their certification is recognized throughout Asia, including China, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Russia, and parts of Europe. The certification follows a $40 million distribution agreement with LS Industrial Systems, a $1.5 billion (USD) Korea-based company focused on electric power generation, distribution and automation worldwide.

“KGS has a significant amount of influence throughout Asia and the Pacific, not just in the Korean gas and fuel cell industry alone,” said Key Lee, ClearEdge Power managing director, Asia and Pacific. “We are pleased to have achieved this important milestone, and to have received KGS’s support with international certifications, gas safety consulting and joint projects in an effort to promote our fuel cell system throughout Korea, Asia and the Pacific region.”

The ClearEdge Power five-kilowatt combined heat and power stationary fuel cell uses a chemical process to cleanly convert natural gas into electricity and heat around the clock, regardless of weather conditions. Unlike power sources that use combustion technology, fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process that produces only negligible or undetectable levels of nitrogen and sulfur oxides. A significant percentage of heat produced by fuel cells can be captured and used to provide heat and hot water. In fact, the ClearEdge5 combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 35 to 40 percent compared to traditional combustion technology and other typical pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds, ash and particulates, to trace levels. When installed in homes or businesses, it can also reduce utility bills by up to 50 percent by creating power at the point of use.

About ClearEdge Power

ClearEdge Power is a global, privately held, technology company leading the way for smarter, cleaner on-site energy systems focused on commercial, institutional and residential buildings. ClearEdge Power corporate management systems are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. For more information, please visit us online at ClearEdgePower.com.

HILLSBORO, Ore.–ClearEdge Power, Inc., a manufacturer of high-efficiency fuel cells, announced today results from the successful test deployment of a ClearEdge5^TM fuel cell at a wind farm in California.

“A ClearEdge5 fuel cell was installed last year in Livermore, Calif., at the site of an existing wind farm owned by NextEra Energy Resources,” said ClearEdge Power President and CEO Russell Ford. “That 5-kilowatt fuel cell has been running consistently, with 98.6 percent availability since its installation.”

The ClearEdge5 is a combined heat and power 5-kilowatt stationary fuel cell that uses a chemical process to convert natural gas into electricity and heat. Unlike power sources that use traditional combustion technology, fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process that produces only negligible or undetectable levels of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. A significant percentage of heat produced by fuel cells can be captured and used to provide heat and hot water.

The ClearEdge5 fuel cell reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 35 to 40 percent compared to traditional combustion technology, and reduces other typical pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds, ash and particulates, to trace levels. The ClearEdge5 is roughly the size of a standard refrigerator, and incorporates a system for monitoring performance over a standard internet connection.

“NextEra Energy Resources is the largest generator in North America of renewable energy from the wind and sun. We view the success of this test deployment with NextEra Energy Resources as a key validation of our technology, and an opportunity to promote wider adoption of ClearEdge5 fuel cells in the marketplace,” said Ford. “We look forward to further potential fuel cell deployment opportunities with leading energy firms given the strong success of this test deployment.”

About ClearEdge Power

ClearEdge Power is a global, privately held, technology company leading the way for smarter, cleaner on-site energy systems focused on commercial, institutional and residential buildings. The company designs, manufactures and markets the ClearEdge5 system, a proven fuel cell appliance that cleanly converts natural gas to electricity and heat, offering both significant financial and energy savings, as well as a greatly reduced impact on the global environment. The ClearEdge Power corporate management systems are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. For more information, please visit us online at ClearEdgePower.com.

HFlame is an alkaline electrolyser technology producing an oxy-hydrogen flame that is far superior to traditional technologies

HFlame Achieves CE Certification

ITM Power (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce that it has achieved CE certification for its HFlame product.

A CE mark is a mandatory conformance mark for products placed on the market in the European Economic Area. As such, this achievement is an essential element of the Company’s commercial drive as it enables commercial sales within the EU and is another significant product milestone for the Company. CE conformance certifies that a product has met EU consumer safety, health and environmental requirements. In the case of HFlame, CE requires conformance with the EMC and Low Voltage Directives.

HFlame is an alkaline electrolyser technology producing an oxy-hydrogen flame that is far superior to traditional technologies. It generates gas on-demand, providing a high temperature, focused flame from electricity and water. This removes the need to store large amounts of flammable gas and reduces the costs of rental and delivery of gas bottles.
HFlame produces gas that can be used in most applications where oxygen, acetylene, propane or natural gas is employed. It has been designed to replace standard gas and oxy-acetylene systems for a variety of laboratory and workshop applications including heating, brazing/soldering, cutting, polishing of metal, plastic, glass and quartz.

Dr. Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, commented: “We are delighted that HFlame has achieved CE certification, as this is essential for our sales drive in Hannover this month. The unit can be sold into many conventional and established industrial sectors and has many high value niche applications. We look forward to the commercial launch of HFlame at the Hannover Messe next month.”

COLONIE — A Russian electricity company called Inter RAO UES has bought up a large portion of the stock of Latham fuel cell manufacturer Plug Power from another Russian energy company.

Filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission show that this month, Inter RAO UES acquired as much as 82 percent of the 44 million shares of Plug Power owned by a company called Third Generation of the Wholesale Electricity Market, or OGK-3.

Inter RAO UES will be the third Russian holder of Plug Power’s stock. OGK-3 owned about 33 percent of Plug Power’s shares. The original Russian owner was called Smart Hydrogen.

– Larry Rulison

ReliOn Recognized for Innovation in Green Telecom & Smart Energy Solutions Category

Spokane, WA – ReliOn’s E-2500 fuel cell system was awarded third place in the Green Telecom & Smart Energy Solutions, Applications and Hardware category of CTIA’s annual Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Awards competition last week. The CTIA E-Tech Awards honor the most innovative new products in 14 categories spanning the areas of mobile apps, consumer electronics, enterprise and infrastructure. Winners were announced at International CTIA WIRELESS® 2011, which took place March 22-24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando , Florida .

Upon notification of the E-Tech award, Joe Blanchard, ReliOn’s VP, Product Management commented, “ReliOn is honored to have been selected as the third place winner in the Green Telecom & Smart Energy category. There were several strong technologies in this category and we are excited that the panel of media and industry judges recognized our E-2500 fuel cell for its innovation and technological importance. Fuel cells are serving an important function in the telecom industry. Without power, none of the convenient and life-saving mobile devices can function. Balancing the need for power with the desire to work toward a sustainable environment is something all of us continue to strive for.”

Announced earlier this month, the E-2500 fuel cell is the third in a new ReliOn product line, the E-series. The E-2500 fuel cell system offers 2,500 Watts of power in a simply-designed, air-cooled fuel cell system housed in an 8U (14” tall) 23” rack-mountable package. The development of this new product utilizes the patented modular, fault-tolerant aspects of ReliOn’s field-proven fuel cell systems in higher density power modules. As with all of ReliOn’s fuel cell products, emissions are limited to warm air and a small amount of water, and the E-2500 system is exempt from the most stringent air quality standards, such as those set by the California Air Resources Board. A scalable backup power solution, the E-2500 fuel cell system can provide 24 hours of power for equipment needing up to 10kW in an industry-leading footprint. Higher power configurations are available as well.

About ReliOn

ReliOn’s continuous innovation in core technology has made it a leader in the development and marketing of modular, fault-tolerant fuel cell products for customers seeking solutions to critical backup power applications. With more than 1,150 systems serving sites in 38 U.S. states and 21 countries, ReliOn customers enjoy the benefits of high reliability, low operating costs and easy maintenance. ReliOn fuel cells…simply powerful. www.relion-inc.com.

Against the backdrop of the town’s evolving Energy Park, Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray joined with energy partners to fuel the first zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars at Long Island’s first hydrogen fueling station in Point Lookout. Along with representatives from National Grid, Toyota, the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), GM and several clean energy organizations, Supervisor Murray took guests for rides in the newly fueled hydrogen vehicles while highlighting an array of renewable energy projects featured in the Energy Park at the town’s Department of Conservation and Waterways. Present at the March 29th press conference were Councilwoman Angie Cullin, Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, Joe Rende, Vice President of Energy Solutions for National Grid, John Love of NYSERDA and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. manager of public affairs Wade Hoyt.

“We’re pumping up the environment at Long Island’s first hydrogen car fueling station,” Murray said. “By powering up pollution-free vehicles, we’re exploring the potential of hydrogen in reducing our dependence on fossil fuel and we’re helping pave the way for a healthier planet.”

A vital component of Hempstead’s Clean Energy Project, the town’s pure hydrogen, blended hydrogen/compressed natural gas (HCNG) and compressed natural gas fueling station is the first of its kind on Long Island. With the addition of two “whisper quiet” Toyota FCHV-adv vehicles and a HCNG bus, the town will now to able to assess the viability of hydrogen and HCNG as alternative fuels to move our vehicles.

Hempstead Town received two Toyota fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHV-adv), valued at approximately $100,000, that convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity through a zero emissions process. Additionally, blended hydrogen/compressed natural gas fuels a new shuttle bus that will be used for the town’s Senior Enrichment program. The Ford E450 shuttle bus, supplied by Clean Vehicle Solutions, has been upfitted to run on natural gas and calibrated to run on the HCNG fuel.

“The creation of hydrogen infrastructure is vital for automakers to successfully bring hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to market,” said Hoyt. “We are thrilled to partner with Hempstead as part of Toyota’s ongoing FCHV-adv demonstration program and look forward to seeing the results of the township’s usage of the vehicle.”

“All of the fuels utilized at the hydrogen station will significantly reduce or eliminate the harmful emissions that contribute to the production of greenhouse gases,” Murray said. “With the addition of hydrogen vehicles to our municipal fleet, we can demonstrate hydrogen’s use as an energy source that minimizes negative environmental effects,” added Councilwoman Angie Cullin.

Murray explained that the hydrogen fueling station project serves three purposes: to demonstrate, evaluate and educate. The demonstration of hydrogen energy technology and its potential will underscore the importance of exploring prospective solutions to fossil fuel dependency, air pollution and environmental sustainability issues. The Supervisor also said that the hydrogen fuel site serves as an important educational tool to raise awareness, particularly with students, about hydrogen and HCNG as alternative fuels. Finally, engineers and scientists will utilize data from the use of the Toyota FCHV-adv vehicles and the HCNG bus to evaluate the practical potential of developing hydrogen and hydrogen blended fuels for institutional use, commercial/industrial applications and broad consumer applications.

While it does not exist on its own, hydrogen can be derived from numerous sources, including water. At Hempstead Town’s fuel station, pure hydrogen is produced via electrolysis, a process that uses electricity to split water. Fuel cell vehicles convert pure hydrogen to electricity via an electrochemical process leaving zero tailpipe emissions. The station is capable of providing 12 kg per day of hydrogen gas, which can fill approximately four vehicles daily. Additionally, the fueling station includes a data monitoring system to help inform the town and others about the viability of hydrogen fuel. The town is also exploring wind power as an addition to the fueling station’s infrastructure.

Construction of the fueling station cost approximately $2.2 million, with financial contributions and grants from NYSERDA and National Grid. Additionally, the New York State alternative fuel vehicle fueling infrastructure tax credit contributed 50 percent of the total cost of the refueling station.

“We are pleased to partner with the Town of Hempstead to help bring hydrogen-powered vehicles to Long Island,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “As we continue to seek ways to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in New York State, the use of hydrogen in our motor vehicles remains a promising technology that NYSERDA strongly supports.”

“National Grid is very excited to continue working on this innovative project with the Town of Hempstead,” said Joe Rende, Vice President of Energy Solutions for National Grid. “We are proud to contribute $55,000 for the Hythane shuttle bus, which is being used for the Senior Enrichment program. National Grid is committed to being an innovative leader on Long Island in energy management and in safeguarding our global environment for future generations.”

The hydrogen fueling station is an important component of Supervisor Murray’s broader environmental agenda to explore and utilize alternative energy sources that will lead to a greener, cleaner community. The town’s Energy Park offers numerous innovate energy projects, including a self-relying “green” energy solar house, a solar and wind powered shellfish nursery, a solar carport used to charge electric vehicles, a wind turbine, geothermal energy and an energy learning center.

“We are pleased to see this innovative project advance to the next level. LIPA commends Supervisor Murray, who continues to lead the way on projects like the ‘NYS Hydrogen Corridor’, which reaffirms Long Island’s commitment to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and better preparing for our energy future through partnerships with communities and government leaders,” said LIPA vice president of environmental affairs Michael J. Deering.

“I want to thank Toyota for working diligently to develop innovative vehicles that offer alternatives to fossil fuels, as well as NYSERDA, National Grid and GM for working closely with the town to support uses of alternative energy,” Supervisor Murray concluded. “Along with the other components of our Energy Park, the demonstration of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will help us to lay the groundwork for a cleaner community and a greener planet for future generations.”

by Christina Williams
Sustainable Business Oregon

ClearEdge Power Inc. raised an additional $3 million in debt and securities, according to paperwork filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The additional capital comes a few months after a $1 million investment in the Hillsboro-based fuel cell company by Southern California Gas Co. in January.

Venture-backed ClearEdge is gaining traction in the market for its combined heat and power fuel cells, the ClearEdge 5, which run on natural gas and provide a highly efficient source of power.

ClearEdge CEO Russell Ford, said in January that the company was working with Goldman Sachs to pursue funding in addition to the $25 million raised by the company.

If the fuel cell business continues to pick up speed, ClearEdge could be a candidate for an initial public offering of stock.

Earlier this month, ClearEdge announced a deal with the Irvine Unified School District to install a dozen fuel cells at two Southern California high schools — a move expected to save each school $18,000 per year in operating expenses. In February, the widow of Gene Autry opened up her home to Palm Springs-area dignitaries to show off her ClearEdge fuel cells.

The relatively high cost of power has made the California market attractive for ClearEdge. The company also secured a partnership last year to distribute fuel cells in Korea.

Green Growth is essential for future growth

We support the current profile raising activity at the Carbon Trust, to raise awareness of the importance and opportunity for economic growth in clean and low emssion technology, and as such feature in the latest video “The Big Opportunity”

Access the video on this link

The Fuel Cell Black Cab on Westminster Bridge as it passes the Houses of Parliament

LOUGHBOROUGH, UK–  Intelligent Energy, the global clean power systems company, has announced that the Fuel Cell Black Cabs have taken to the roads of London for the first time since being awarded Road Legal status by the UK Vehicle Certification Authority (VCA). At an event on 22nd March 2011, one of the Intelligent Energy powered taxis travelled from Forbes House, headquarters of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the taxi’s base for the day, to some of London’s most iconic landmarks.

The project to deliver a fleet of the zero emission taxis to the streets of London in time for 2012 is on track, with the first Fuel Cell Black Cabs covering a combined total of over 8,000 miles in road and test track testing conditions. During its first tour of London’s roads, one of the Fuel Cell Black Cabs excelled in rush-hour traffic, with smooth and responsive acceleration provided by the fuel cell and electric motors.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, wants to make Britain a leader in fuel cell technology and has already announced plans to increase hydrogen refuelling stations around the capital. He said, “These prototype zero-emission taxis are a shining example of British ingenuity, combining revolutionary fuel cell technology with an iconic design classic. This marks an important milestone in my goal to create a cleaner cab fleet, firstly through introduction of the first ever age limits moving towards zero-emission vehicles as they come to market. Affordable and low polluting cabs are within our grasp and I urge manufacturers to accelerate efforts to produce them.”

The zero emission taxis have been developed by a consortium, led by Intelligent Energy, which includes Lotus Engineering, London Taxis International and TRW Conekt with part-funding from the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board. The fuel cell and battery powered hybrid taxi provides a 250 mile driving range with rapid refuelling, all within the confines of the body of a conventional London taxi. Now that fully functional, validated, proven vehicles have been produced, the consortium plans to push ahead with the delivery of a fleet to London in time for 2012.

“The Fuel Cell Black Cabs are now road proven with thousands of miles of operation. Indeed, many people may have seen them as they have been driven around various parts of the UK, but we are now happy to formally announce their road legal status and that you will be seeing more of them in the coming months,” noted Dr. Henri Winand, Chief Executive of Intelligent Energy. “At a time when London will soon be demonstrating its commitment to excellence in the sporting arena, we are proud to show that the UK can also deliver world-leading zero emissions, fuel cell electric vehicle technology that will make a real difference both to lowering carbon emissions and improving air quality.”

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said:

“Green vehicles are taking to the streets in a big way. High petrol prices and the desire to clean up our air quality make them the smart choice. The zero emissions London taxi looks and performs just like a conventional taxi, even over long distances. It’s a great British innovation and I look forward to seeing them in service in London next year.”

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of SMMT, said:

“The UK is at the heart of the global low carbon industry and is a leader for research and development into new technologies. Over the coming years the low carbon sector is set to become increasingly important for manufacturers and motorists. The Fuel Cell Black Cab is a terrific example of British engineering skills and pioneering innovation”.

About Intelligent Energy
Intelligent Energy is a global clean power systems company, with a range of leading fuel cell and hydrogen generation technologies. The company partners with leading global companies in the transportation, oil and gas, aerospace, defence, distributed generation and portable power markets. Current partners and customers include Scottish & Southern Energy plc and The Suzuki Motor Corporation, with whom Intelligent Energy built the Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, a recent recipient of European WVTA (Whole Vehicle Type Approval) – a first for any fuel cell vehicle, which qualifies the scooter as safe to use on all EU public roads and another important commercial milestone on the path to clean, user friendly mobility for all. Other Intelligent Energy world’s firsts in recent years include the development of the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell motorbike and supplying the fuel cell system to Boeing which powered the world’s first manned fuel cell aircraft.
In addition to visiting Intelligent Energy, more information is available via Twitter, Youtube, Flickr and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts
James Kennedy
AxiCom PR for Intelligent Energy
james.kennedy@axicom.com
+44 (0)208 392 4091

Dr Jon Moore
Director of Communications, Intelligent Energy
jon.moore@intelligent-energy.com
+ 44 (0)1509 271271

Electrolyte

The researchers at the Faculty of Applied Sciences at TU Delft were concentrating their efforts on improving electrolyte materials. This is the material between two electrodes, for example in a fuel cell or a battery. The better the characteristics of the electrolyte, the better, more compactly or more efficiently the fuel cell or battery works.

Solid matter

The electrolyte is usually a liquid, but this has a number of drawbacks. The liquid has to be very well enclosed, for example, and it takes up a relatively large amount of space. “It would therefore be preferable to have an electrolyte made of solid matter,” says PhD student Lucas Haverkate. “Unfortunately though, that has disadvantages as well. The conductivity in solid matter is not as good as it is in a liquid.”

Traffic jam on the motorway

“In a solid matter you have a network of ions, in which virtually every position in the network is taken. This makes it difficult for the charged particles (protons) to move from one electrode to another. It’s a bit like a traffic jam on a motorway. What you need to do is to create free spaces in the network.”

Nanocrystals

One of the ways of achieving this, and therefore of increasing conductivity in solid electrolytes, is to add nanocrystals (of seven nanometres to around fifty nanometres), of Titanium Dioxide. ”A characteristic of these TiO₂ crystals is that they attract protons, and this creates more space in the network.” The nanocrystals are mixed in the electrolyte with a solid acid (CsHSO₄). This latter material ‘delivers’ the protons to the crystals. “The addition of the crystals appears to cause an enormous leap in the conductive capacity, up to a factor of 100,” concludes Haverkate.

Similarity

This remarkable achievement by TU Delft has already led to two publications in the scientific journal Advanced Functional Materials. Last December, Haverkate published an article on the theory behind the results. His fellow PhD student, Wing Kee Chan, is the main author of a second item that appeared in the same publication this week. Chan focused on the experimental side of the research. “The nice thing about these two publications is that the experimental results and the theoretical underpinning strongly complement each other,” says Haverkate.

Neutrons

Chan carried out measurements on the electrolyte material using the neutron diffraction method. This involves sending neutrons through the material. The way in which the neutrons are dispersed makes it possible to deduce certain characteristics of the material, such as the density of protons in the crystals. Haverkate: “It is the first time that measurements have been taken of solid-material electrolytes in this way, and on such a small scale. The fact that we had nuclear research technologies at the Reactor Institute Delft at our disposal was tremendously valuable.”

Temperature

However, the combination of TiO₂ and CsHSO₄ does not mark the end of the search for a suitable solid-material electrolyte. Other material combinations will be tested that may achieve better scores in the area of stability, for example. Professor Fokko Mulder, who is Haverkate’s and Chan’s PhD supervisor, says. “At this stage, we are more concerned about acquiring a fundamental understanding and a useful model, than the concrete issue of finding out what the most suitable material is. It is important that we identify the effect of nanocrystals, and give it a theoretical basis. I think there is great potential for these electrolytes. They also have the extra benefit of continuing to function well over a wide range of temperatures, which is of particular relevance for applying them in fuel cells.”

References:

• Wing K. Chan, Lucas A. Haverkate, Wouter J.H. Borghols, Marnix Wagemaker, Stephen J. Picken, Ernst R.H. van Eck, Arno P.M. Kentgens, Mark R. Johnson, Gordon J. Kearley, Fokko M. Mulder. Direct View on Nanoionic Proton Mobility. Advanced Functional Materials. 24 March 2011.
• Lucas A. Haverkate, Wing K. Chan, Fokko M. Mulder. Ionic Nanosystems: Large Space-Charge Effects in a Nanostructured Proton Conductor. Advanced Functional Materials. 9 December 2010.

Contact: Ineke Boneschansker, Science Information Officer, TU Delft. Tel: +31 (0) 15 278 88499, Email: i.boneschansker@tudelft.nl.

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, [AIM/ASX:CFU] a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission electricity generation units for homes and other buildings, today announced it has been selected as a finalist in the 2010-11 DuPont Australia & New Zealand Innovation Awards.

First held in 2003-04, the DuPont Australia & New Zealand Innovation Awards recognise the commercialisation of outstanding science and technology.

Ceramic Fuel Cells’ gas-to-electricity technology has been selected as a finalist in the ‘Design for a Sustainable Future’ category of the DuPont awards – the first time this category has been included in the awards. The category attracted entries from throughout Australia and New Zealand and Ceramic Fuel Cells has been selected as one of three finalists.

The ‘Design for a Sustainable Future’ category is a broad-ranging category for innovations adopted for commercial use between 1 January 2008 and 31 March 2010 in Australia and/or New Zealand.

Entries will be judged on degree of innovation, scope of application (current and potential), commercial significance and benefit (current and potential), degree of collaboration, and environmental sustainability.

Ceramic Fuel Cells’ BlueGen gas-to-electricity units connect to a building’s existing natural gas pipeline and mains water. BlueGen units operate constantly, generating 1.5 kilowatts of electricity plus heat for hot water, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of weather.

Over the course of a year each BlueGen unit can produce about 13,000 kilowatt hours of electricity – more than twice the power needed for an average Australian home. The heat by- product is enough to produce 200 litres of hot water each day. BlueGen has a peak electrical efficiency of 60%, and a total efficiency, including the heat, of 85%. The BlueGen unit has the highest electrical efficiency of any small-scale power generation system in the world.

The winners of the DuPont awards will be announced on Friday 13 May at Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt Hotel.

ANAHEIM, March 27, 2011 — Scientists today claimed one of the milestones in the drive for sustainable energy — development of the first practical artificial leaf. Speaking here at the 241st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, they described an advanced solar cell the size of a poker card that mimics the process, called photosynthesis, that green plants use to convert sunlight and water into energy.

“A practical artificial leaf has been one of the Holy Grails of science for decades,” said Daniel Nocera, Ph.D., who led the research team. “We believe we have done it. The artificial leaf shows particular promise as an inexpensive source of electricity for homes of the poor in developing countries. Our goal is to make each home its own power station,” he said. “One can envision villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing an affordable basic power system based on this technology.”

The device bears no resemblance to Mother Nature’s counterparts on oaks, maples and other green plants, which scientists have used as the model for their efforts to develop this new genre of solar cells. About the shape of a poker card but thinner, the device is fashioned from silicon, electronics and catalysts, substances that accelerate chemical reactions that otherwise would not occur, or would run slowly. Placed in a single gallon of water in a bright sunlight, the device could produce enough electricity to supply a house in a developing country with electricity for a day, Nocera said. It does so by splitting water into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen.

The hydrogen and oxygen gases would be stored in a fuel cell, which uses those two materials to produce electricity, located either on top of the house or beside it.

Nocera, who is with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, points out that the “artificial leaf” is not a new concept. The first artificial leaf was developed more than a decade ago by John Turner of the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado. Although highly efficient at carrying out photosynthesis, Turner’s device was impractical for wider use, as it was composed of rare, expensive metals and was highly unstable — with a lifespan of barely one day.

Nocera’s new leaf overcomes these problems. It is made of inexpensive materials that are widely available, works under simple conditions and is highly stable. In laboratory studies, he showed that an artificial leaf prototype could operate continuously for at least 45 hours without a drop in activity.

The key to this breakthrough is Nocera’s recent discovery of several powerful new, inexpensive catalysts, made of nickel and cobalt, that are capable of efficiently splitting water into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen, under simple conditions. Right now, Nocera’s leaf is about 10 times more efficient at carrying out photosynthesis than a natural leaf. However, he is optimistic that he can boost the efficiency of the artificial leaf much higher in the future.

“Nature is powered by photosynthesis, and I think that the future world will be powered by photosynthesis as well in the form of this artificial leaf,” said Nocera, a chemist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass.

Nocera acknowledges funding from The National Science Foundation and Chesonis Family Foundation.

The American Chemical Society is a non-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 163,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

Bangalore: In the first such effort, Tata group chairman Ratan Tata has signed on a leading scientist from the globally renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to commercialize cutting-edge research that promises to produce cheap power from water.

Daniel Nocera, a professor of chemistry and energy, and his group of elite scientists at MIT attracted attention from Tata when he heard they had found a way towards one of science’s holy grails—to imitate photosynthesis, the process by which plants breathe, and produce power while doing so.

“I met him in September, and in October we signed,” Nocera said on the sidelines of EmTech India, a technology conference organized by MIT’s magazine for innovation, Technology Review.

Nocera would not disclose any more details of the deal. “I think you should ask Mr Tata that,” he said, before flying to Mumbai to meet Tata on Monday.

As he did with the Nano small car and the Swach non-electric water purifier, Tata hopes Nocera’s solution will be the latest in the group’s effort to serve the “bottom of the pyramid” and turn a profit while doing so, said a Tata group executive who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Tata’s hope is that Nocera’s “personalized energy” can produce a stand-alone, mini-power plant, perhaps a refrigerator-sized box, that could reinvent rural electricity supply and bring power to about three billion people worldwide who don’t have it.

Nocera said MIT’s technique has seen more than a year of preliminary research and hopes to produce enough electricity from a bottle-and-half of water, however dirty, to power a small home.

“We hope to have a prototype in a year-and-a-half,” said Nocera, whose other backers include Bob Metcalfe, co-inventor of the Ethernet and a former director of the US’ Central Intelligence Agency.

It is too early to say which Tata company will take MIT’s technology to market, the Tata official said. The Swach water purifier was developed by three Tata companies.

The deal with MIT is fundamentally new for the Tatas because Nocera’s technology is at a very early stage. As Nocera acknowledged, his research has not yet been published, though it is being submitted to the journal Science.

The idea of imitating the tiny chemical engines in plants, which essentially generate power from the sun by splitting water molecules, is not new and has energized science since the 19th century. Commercially available electrolyses devices can split water, but they are costly and need clean water.

Nocera’s solution can use even human waste water, “from the front and back”, as he put it euphemistically.

It was only 45 days ago that Nocera’s scientists made their biggest breakthrough, plunging an artificial silicon “leaf”, coated with a proprietary solution of cobalt and phosphate, into a jar of water and coaxed it to generate power at efficiencies that now exceed solar panels.

Still, the process of cracking the “most guarded secret of plants”, as Science magazine put it in 1912, is still in the research stage, and there are many issues that need to be solved. That includes dealing with the waste gases produced and how to get the system into a box that can be manufactured and sold on a mass scale.

“Mr Tata told me, ‘You know what you’re getting with me, right? Patience’,” said Nocera, who is also the energy industry’s go-to man for global energy calculations.

Nocera estimates that the world consumes 14 terawatts (TW) of power today. By 2050, it will need 16TW. If his solution works, said Nocera, it would need a swimming pool full of water every day to meet the world’s electricity needs. For the Tatas, the bet on Nocera and MIT is obviously likely to be a big one.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Hydrogenics Corporation (Nasdaq:HYGS) (TSX:HYG), a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products, today announced that the Company has received a contract from Statue Cruises, LLC, a subsidiary of Hornblower Cruises & Events for the delivery of two HyPM HD 16 fuel cell power modules delivering up to 33 kilowatts of continuous power. The 600 passenger Hornblower Hybrid will be propelled by hydrogen fuel cells in a compound hybrid arrangement along with wind turbines, solar panels and a tier 2 diesel engine for additional energy needs.

The marine market is well-poised to benefit from fuel cells from both an environmental and efficiency viewpoint. When in harbour, vessels typically utilize diesel powered main engines or auxiliary power units emitting large amounts of emissions and noise into the environment. Fuel cells emit no emissions and comparatively little noise making them an ideal solution for high profile marine applications. In the case of fleets which return to a common port or base, the economic justification for hydrogen fueling stations can be compelling.

“We are proud to be providing our fuel cell products for this high profile application. Delivering our standard fuel cell power modules allows customers to rapidly deploy fuel cells in a wide variety of challenging environments,” said Daryl Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydrogenics Corporation. In addition to providing fuel cell power modules, we will support Hornblower’s US Coast Guard certification process by utilizing our vast experience working with many of the leading certification bodies throughout the world,” added Wilson.

“By combining hydrogen, solar and wind power, Hornblower will minimize its environmental impact as we transport guests to popular national landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Our goal is to reduce emissions to the greatest extent possible, with a goal in the future to eliminate them entirely during a cruising day,” says Terry MacRae, CEO of Statue Cruises and Hornblower Cruises & Events. “We expect this pioneering project to inspire continued industry innovations. The technology on the Hornblower Hybrid is now scalable for other hybrid ferries, hybrid yachts and even hybrid tugs,” added MacRae.

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.

Sharks Ice at San Jose wants to cut its $65,000 monthly electricity bill with a $4.6 million “energy box” from Bloom Energy Corp.

San Jose Arena Management, which manages the skating facility, recently signed a purchase contract for a fuel-cell based Energy Saver system.

The energy box is expected to be installed at the city-owned complex, located on South 10th Street at East Alma Avenue, by next January, said Don Gralnek, general counsel of the management company.

San Jose Arena Management is a related company of Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment, which owns the San Jose Sharks.

Gov. Dannel Malloy visited FuelCell Energy in Torrington on Wednesday afternoon, meeting with company officials on their green technology future in Connecticut.

FuelCell is one of the Connecticut-based companies putting the state at the forefront of an industry making ultra-cell fuel cells that generated electricity with no air pollution. UTC Power in South Windsor and Proton Energy Systems in Wallingford also work on fuel cells in Connecticut.

Malloy toured the Torrington facility on Wednesday to meet with the company’s management team and staff. Malloy wants to create a state energy policy that makes Connecticut a leader in the use of green energy and the development of technology to spread green energy use.

On Wednesday, researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, claimed a breakthrough in the development of low-cost hydrogen fuel cells that could power electric cars, according to a report by United Press International.

Putting fuel cells into vehicles has been a key component of the Connecticut fuel cell industry. UTC Power has fuel cells in CT Transit buses that serve Greater Hartford. Proton Energy Systems is developing a series of hydrogen gas stations along the East Coast to provide fuel for fuel cell vehicles.

Recently more that 70 European regions in Europe supported the development of a regional electro-mobility initiative to jointly confront the challenges and opportunities in deploying battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles in local transport systems. HyRaMP, the European Regions and Municipalities Partnership for hydrogen and fuels cells,  has represented 30 regions active in ramping up the deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell applications since 2008 and has been asked by the European Commission  to broaden its activities to cover support for the full range of electro-mobility, including battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles and the necessary corresponding infrastructure requirements.

On February 16th 2011, HyRaMP members along with additional European regions came together in an effort to establish the  “Broadened HyRaMP Partnership” at a Workshop that took place in Brussels.

At a Workshop  HyRaMP future activities were discussed and it was decided to take the necessary steps to adapt HyRaMP’s structure and its name to reflect the new activities, to be presented to HyRaMP members at the next Annual General Meeting later this year.

To commemorate this new spring in European regions support for the roll out of electric vehicles in Europe, HyRaMP will be hosting a cocktail ceremony on March 16th at the Palais de Academies in Brussels from 16:30-19:00.

For more information on this event please contact: secretariat@hy-ramp.eu

FOLSOM, California –Altergy Systems (Altergy) is pleased to announce that its international fleet of deployed Freedom Power Systems has achieved yet another major milestone:  These clean and safe “zero emission” systems have accumulated over 5 million operational hours.

Altergy’s Freedom Power Systems are providing both continuous power and back-up power to the telecommunications industry and others worldwide.

Altergy’s zero emission electrical fuel cell power generators provide clean safe power at the point of use — eliminating the need for batteries and the grid. They provide high reliability, long runtime, a small footprint, low weight, long life, low maintenance, and low noise while also affording a low up front capital cost and the lowest total cost of ownership.

Unlike solar or wind power, Altergy’s Freedom Power Hydrogen Fuel Cell power systems provide true uninterrupted power supply (UPS). Mission critical applications such as telecommunications and various other crucial back up power demands immediate and long lasting reliability. The sporadic limitations of other alternative energy systems cannot successfully address these power demands on a continuous uninterrupted basis.

“Surpassing 5 million hours of actual field operation is a major achievement.”  says Altergy CEO Eric Mettler   “We’re extremely proud that our Freedom Power Systems are now providing clean and safe zero emission power in thousands of locations around the world. “

“The world has long waited for fuel cells to demonstrate their capability as the true “work horse” in alternative energy.” he adds “We feel this achievement shows the dramatic and expanding role, importance, and advantages of hydrogen fuel cell power in solving the world’s current and future clean energy demands

CLEVELAND– Catalysts made of carbon nanotubes dipped in a polymer solution equal the energy output and otherwise outperform platinum catalysts in fuel cells, a team of Case Western Reserve University engineers has found.

The researchers are certain that they’ll be able to boost the power output and maintain the other advantages by matching the best nanotube layout and type of polymer.

But already they’ve proved the simple technique can knock down one of the major roadblocks to fuel cell use: cost.

Platinum, which represents at least a quarter of the cost of fuel cells, currently sells for about $65,000 per kilogram. These researchers say their activated carbon nanotubes cost about $100 per kilogram.

Their work is published in the online edition of Journal of the American Chemical Society at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/ja1112904.

“This is a breakthrough,” said Liming Dai, a professor of chemical engineering and the research team leader.

Dai and research associates Shuangyin Wang and Dingshan Yu found that by simply soaking carbon nanotubes in a water solution of the polymer polydiallyldimethylammoniumn chloride for a couple of hours, the polymer coats the nanotube surface and pulls an electron partially from the carbon, creating a net positive charge.

They placed the nanotubes on the cathode of an alkaline fuel cell. There, the charged material acts as a catalyst for the oxygen-reduction reaction that produces electricity while electrochemically combining hydrogen and oxygen.

In testing, the fuel cell produced as much power as an identical cell using a platinum catalyst.

But the activated nanotubes last longer and are more stable, the researchers said. Unlike platinum, the carbon-based catalyst: doesn’t lose catalytic activity and, therefore, efficiency, over time; isn’t fouled by carbon monoxide poising; and is free from the crossover effect with methanol. Methanol, a liquid fuel that’s easier to store and transport than hydrogen, reduces activity of a platinum catalyst when the fuel crosses over from the anode to the cathode in a fuel cell.

The new process builds on the Dai lab’s earlier work using nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as a catalyst. In that process, nitrogen, which was chemically bonded to the carbon, pulled electron partially from the carbon to create a charge. Testing showed the doped tubes tripled the energy output of platinum.

Dai said the new process is far simpler and cheaper than using nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes and he’s confident his lab will increase the energy output as well. “We have not optimized the system yet.”

Case Western Reserve University is one of the country’s leading private research institutions. Located in Cleveland, we offer a unique combination of forward-thinking educational opportunities in an inspiring cultural setting. Our leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Our nationally recognized programs include arts and sciences, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing and social work. About 4,200 undergraduate and 5,600 graduate students comprise our student body. Visit case.edu to see how Case Western Reserve thinks beyond the possible.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University researchers have collaborated with scientists at General Atomics to create safe and efficient pellets to power hydrogen fuel cells that can run an array of portable electronic devices.

The technology will be on display in Indianapolis as part of Purdue Day at the Statehouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday (March 22) in the Statehouse Rotunda.

The marble-sized fuel pellets, which contain a solid compound that gives off hydrogen when heated, overcome the historic challenges in using hydrogen as a fuel, said P.V. Ramachandran, the Purdue professor of chemistry who led the research.

“Hydrogen gas takes up a lot of space, is unstable and unsafe to transport,” Ramachandran said. “We’ve developed a way to use a very stable and safe compound that can release pure hydrogen gas on demand without any toxic or corrosive byproducts.”

The chemical compound, which is a derivative of ammonia borane, contains many hydrogen molecules locked into a safe, compact and highly portable material, he said.

“It is like a compressed digital file you might use to send a big document in an e-mail,” Ramachandran said. “It is quick and easy to send, and the recipient just clicks it open to access the transported information. The pellets actually contain four times more hydrogen atoms by volume than hydrogen gas, so it is a very efficient process.”

The pellets are incorporated into cartridges about the size of a small, thin soda can that simply snap into existing hydrogen fuel cells that create electric power from hydrogen gas.

The technology was commissioned to replace the battery packs used by soldiers, said Paul Clark, manager of advanced power systems for General Atomics.

“Soldiers can carry as much as 20 pounds of batteries, and this new fuel cell system reduces the weight necessary for the same amount of power by more than half,” Clark said. “This also appears to be a more cost-effective energy technology that we predict will be cheaper than batteries. Our estimates translate into a potential savings of $27 million per year if it is adopted by the U.S. military.”

The cost savings are due in part to a novel manufacturing method developed by Ramachandran, for which Purdue has a patent pending.

“This manufacturing method significantly reduces the costs to produce the compound from around $2 per gram to around 10 cents per gram,” he said. “The pellets also can be recharged to produce more hydrogen fuel.”

Currently the compound is made in Ramachandran’s laboratory in small quantities and is then sent to General Atomics, where it is pressed into pellets and put into cartridges.

The production process needs to be scaled up in order for the technology to be useful, and locations in Indiana are being considered for a manufacturing facility, Clark said.

Ramachandran next plans to study the potential for the compound to be used as fuel for hydrogen-powered cars.

“I think this technology could be used for a wide variety of everyday applications from recharging your cell phone to powering your laptop and perhaps one day your car,” he said. “Many of the technologies we take for granted in our everyday lives were originally created for military or space exploration purposes.”

Writer:  Elizabeth K. Gardner,