fuel cell-powered ice resurfacer on show
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Fuel Cells Bulletin February 2006
The reformer will be able to generate 65 kgper day of hydrogen, enough to refuel some 20FCVs. The reformer and refueling system isscheduled to be delivered and installed by June.The refueler will be one of the first in Korea, andKOGAS-Tech will play a major role in demon-strating the potential of hydrogen technologies.
Hydrogenics has ordered an H-3200 hydrogenpurifier from fellow BC-based firm QuestAirTechnologies. The unit will be integrated intothe hydrogen generation and compression pack-age to be installed at KOGAS-Tech.
Contact: Hydrogenics Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario,Canada. Tel: +1 905 361 3660, www.hydrogenics.com
Or contact: QuestAir Technologies Inc, Burnaby, BC,Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 1134, www.questairinc.com
Or contact: Korean Gas Technology, Seoul, SouthKorea. Tel: +82 2 2657 1200, www.kge.co.kr
BOC funds hydrogen fuelcell urban concept car
In the UK, The BOC Foundation hasawarded OSCar Automotive a grant to
develop a powertrain for a two-seaturban vehicle powered by a hydrogenfuel cell. The grant will help fund thetwo-year Hyrban project, which aims toprove that practical hydrogen fuel cellurban vehicles can be readily engineeredusing existing fuel cell technology.
The Hyrban concept car will have an electricmotor in each wheel powered primarily by afuel cell. The motors will become generatorsunder braking and will charge ultracapacitors,which will provide most of the power for accel-eration. This allows the vehicle to have theacceleration of a Smart Car, despite the fuel cellonly having an output of around 6 kWe andthe energy consumption of a moped. The carcould cruise at around 50 mph (80 km/h).
The project is being developed by OSCarAutomotive in collaboration with Oxford andCranfield universities. Oxford’s Department ofEngineering Science is developing the electricmotors, while Cranfield is developing computersimulations (used in design optimization) andthe vehicle control/energy management strategy.Both universities are already working with BOC,OSCar, Morgan Motor Company and QinetiQon the LIFECar fuel cell powered sports car pro-ject [FCB, August 2005].
Contact: The BOC Foundation, Windlesham, Surrey,UK. Tel: +44 1403 820021, www.boc.com/foundation
Or contact: Hugo Spowers, OSCar Automotive Ltd,Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Email: [email protected]
Millennium Cell winsUS Army contract
New Jersey-based Millennium Cellhas been awarded a Phase I SBIR
Program contract by the US Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command(TACOM), under which the companywill assess the feasibility of operatingits ‘hydrogen battery’ technology inconjunction with a 5 kWe PEM-basedfuel cell using water containing variousimpurities. Preliminary tests conductedby Millennium Cell suggest salt waterand other non-potable water may beadequate for use with the company’sHydrogen on Demand® technology.
The ability to ship dry sodium borohydridefuel which can be mixed with local water at thepoint of use would result in a significant reduc-tion in weight to be handled by the military’ssupply chain. The results of this work will helpthe military determine the best option for refuel-ing and distributing hydrogen devices deployedin remote locations or extreme situations.
Last fall the US Army joined the US Air Forcein supporting the development of Protonex Tech-nology’s P2 prototype 30 We portable soldierpower system incorporating Millennium Cell’sfuel technology [FCB, December]. The compa-nies showed the system at the Fuel Cell Seminar,and highlighted its weight and cost benefits overbatteries for soldier power [FCB, January]. TheP2 system weighs 5.5 kg, yet delivers the sameamount of energy. The ability to carry dry fuelcartridges would reduce a soldier’s power sourceburden to less than 3 kg for a 72 h mission.
Contact: Millennium Cell Inc, Eatontown, New Jersey,USA. Tel: +1 732 542 4000, www.millenniumcell.com
Or contact: Protonex Technology Corporation, South-borough, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 508 490 9960,www.protonex.com
Methanoic acid could bekey in hydrogen economy
Agroup of researchers from five UKuniversities – Bath, Leeds, Oxford,
Reading and Strathclyde – has won agrant from the Engineering & PhysicalSciences Research Council to investigatethe feasibility that methanoic acid, thesimplest carboxylic acid, could play akey role in a low-carbon economy.
The broad concept involves the production ofmethanoic acid (HCOOH) by direct catalytic
combination of hydrogen and CO2. The meth-anoic acid would effectively be a way to chemi-cally store hydrogen. It would then be used infuel cells, with the CO2 released recaptured toproduce more methanoic acid.
In addition, the methanoic acid would be usedas a feedstock to manufacture higher chemicalsand polymers.
According to a report in Chemistry World mag-azine, Professor Peter Hall of the University ofStrathclyde has demonstrated a novel type ofmethanoic acid fuel cell, and believes that suchfuel cells could overcome many of the difficultiesof their hydrogen- or methanol-based counter-parts. Other consortium members are workingon new catalytic systems to make methanoic acid,and on using it as a chemical feedstock. The fea-sibility study is due for completion in the fall.
Contact: Professor Peter Hall, Department of Chemical& Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde,Glasgow, UK. Tel: +44 141 548 4084, Email: [email protected], www.strath.ac.uk/chemeng
IdaTech launchesElectraGen™3 backuppower system
Oregon-based IdaTech has unveiledits latest backup power product,
the ElectraGen™3 fuel cell system. TheElectraGen™3 is a hydrogen-basedPEM fuel cell system that produces upto 3 kWe of reliable backup power.
Like its bigger brother, the ElectraGen™5launched last spring [FCB, May 2005], the newproduct is a CE-certified fuel cell systemdesigned for critical backup power needs from1.5 to 3 kWe. By offering improved system reli-ability and more predictable performance in abroad range of climates, the ElectraGen™3 sys-tem is seen as a cost-effective replacement tovalve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries andother traditional electricity-generating methodsin telecoms and uninterruptible power system(UPS) backup power applications.
Contact: IdaTech LLC, Bend, Oregon, USA. Tel: +1 541383 3390, www.idatech.com
Fuel cell-powered iceresurfacer on show
The first hydrogen fuel cell-poweredice resurfacer – a machine that
smooths the surface of ice skating andhockey rinks – has been unveiled bythe University of North Dakota (UND)’s
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February 2006 Fuel Cells Bulletin5
Energy & Environmental ResearchCenter (EERC). The vehicle was subse-quently exhibited at the Electric DriveTransportation Association Conferencein Vancouver, BC in early December.
The eP-Ice Bear ice resurfacer is being devel-oped by ePower Synergies, an Illinois-baseddeveloper of clean, sustainable transportationsystems, and ice refinisher maker ResurficeCorporation of Ontario. The EERC’s NationalCenter for Hydrogen Technology is supportingsystem development and leading the initialdemonstration. The vehicle is powered with a5 kWe PowerFlow PEM fuel cell power modulemade by US/Italian-based Nuvera Fuel Cells.
Other project partners include Ontario-basedHyMotion, Dynetek Corporation in Calgary,and the US Department of Energy’s NationalEnergy Technology Laboratory. Kraus GlobalInc in Winnipeg is supplying the portable hydro-gen refueling station for the eP-Ice Bear vehicle.
Contact: ePower Synergies Inc, Cordova, Illinois, USA.Tel: +1 309 654 9299, www.epowersynergies.com
Or contact: Energy & Environmental Research Center,University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota,USA. Tel: +1 701 777 5000, www.eerc.und.nodak.edu
Or contact: Nuvera Fuel Cells, Cambridge, Massachu-setts, USA. Tel: +1 617 245 7500, www.nuvera.com
CMR floats on AIM, joinsWorld Economic Forum
UK-based CMR Fuel Cells successfullyfloated on London’s Alternative
Investment Market (AIM) in December,with a placement of 5.85 million shares.At a placing price of £1.76 (US$3.09),the company had a market value ofmore than £36m ($64m) on admission.
The AIM listing raised £10.3m ($18.1m)before expenses, which CMR will use to fundexpansion of its R&D program. The companywas spun out of technology investment groupGenerics Group to develop a revolutionary flow-through fuel cell utilizing mixed reactants [FCB,March 2004]. It is backed by venture capitalistsincluding Conduit Ventures and The CarbonTrust, with Generics retaining a 12% stake.
CMR’s technology has been further recognizedrecently by the World Economic Forum in itsselection of the company as one of 36 Technol-ogy Pioneers for 2006. Technology Pioneers arecompanies from around the world that have beenidentified as developing and applying ‘highlytransformational and innovative technologies’,with potential long-term impact on business andsociety, in the areas of energy, biotechnology andhealth, and information technology.
Each year, Technology Pioneer nominees areevaluated by an external committee of technolo-gy experts with respect to innovation, potentialimpact, growth and sustainability, proof of con-cept, and leadership. Technology Pioneers arethen fully integrated into Forum activities andcan meet with scientists, academics, NGOs andForum members and partners to discuss anddebate the impact of technology innovation onsociety and business.
Contact: CMR Fuel Cells Ltd, Harston, Cambridge, UK.Tel: +44 1223 875295, www.cmrfuelcells.com
FuelCon, Advance TechControls link up in India
German-based FuelCon, a leadingsupplier of fuel cell testing technol-
ogy, has appointed Advance TechControls Pvt Ltd as its sales partner forIndia. Advance Tech Controls is a tech-nology, engineering and services com-pany with operations throughout India,which is becoming a critical region forfuel cell technology development.
Indian clients of FuelCon will benefit fromthe support of Advance Tech’s extensive servicenetwork, particularly in the after-sales market.Advance Tech says it sees excellent opportunitiesfor FuelCon’s Evaluator® product line in India.
FuelCon is a leading independent, global sup-plier of testing equipment for PEM, DMFC,SOFC and MCFC technologies. It operates itsown test center at its facilities near Berlin.
Contact: FuelCon AG, Magdeburg-Barleben, Germany.Tel: +49 39203 961330, www.fuelcon.com
Or contact: Advance Tech Controls Pvt Ltd, Baroda,Gujarat, India. Tel: +91 265 283 1216,www.advancetech.in/tnmmain.htm
Hyundai delivers FCV to AC Transit
Korean-based Hyundai Motor hasdelivered the first of 10 Hyundai
and Kia FCEVs to California’s Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit).The handover ceremony took place atAC Transit’s Emeryville Bus Division,beginning a five-year demonstrationand validation project to evaluate FCVsand hydrogen infrastructure technolo-gies [FCB, March 2005].
Hyundai plans to place two additional Tucsonprototype FCEVs with AC Transit in early 2006,and will add six Kia Sportage FCEV models in
I N B R I E F
Swiss investor saves HexisThe Sulzer Hexis fuel cell business will continuethrough a foundation that will finance futuredevelopment work. Last summer Sulzerannounced that it would discontinue invest-ments in the SOFC developer because it hadnot found a partner for the business [FCB,September 2005].
A Swiss foundation acquired 100% of theshares of Sulzer Hexis AG with effect from1 January. This will allow continuing develop-ment of fuel cells at the established site. Thecompany will be renamed Hexis AG as soon aspossible. Dr Alexander Schuler, previously headof systems development at Sulzer Hexis, will bemanaging director of the new company.
Manhattan Scientifics sells licensee stakeUS-based Manhattan Scientifics has sold itsequity interest in a Singaporean licensee fornearly $900 000, which the company intends touse to eliminate a significant portion of its debt.
In early 2004, Manhattan Scientifics signed anon-exclusive worldwide license agreementwith the undisclosed Singapore company,which has production facilities in Shanghai, tomanufacture and sell its NovArs mid-range fuelcell technology [FCB, April 2004]. The licenseincluded an upfront license fee, royalty onproducts sold, gross revenue sharing on non-fuel cell products, and an equity interest in thatcompany. Manhattan Scientifics has now soldback its equity interest and the interest in thelicensee’s non-fuel cell products. However, itcontinues to license its patented fuel cell enginetechnology to the Singapore company, andanticipates potential future royalty revenue.
The company is now focused on identifyinga strong Asian manufacturing partner to co-produce the small, lightweight NovArs hydro-gen fuel cell engine, which is targeted at electricscooters and bicycles.
FCE system certified to Cal 2007 standardsFuelCell Energy’s modular 250 kWe DirectFuelCell® power plant has met the CaliforniaAir Resources Board (CARB)’s stringent distrib-uted generation emissions standards for 2007,qualifying the DFC300MA power plant forstate-sponsored economic incentives.
By meeting this standard, the company’sDFC300MA power plant is categorized as an‘ultra-clean’ distributed generation technology,exempting it from air quality district permit-ting requirements. In addition, the certifica-tion qualifies the products for preferential ratetreatment by the California Public UtilitiesCommission (CPUC).
Introduced last summer with a productioncost of approximately $6000/kW, the produc-tion cost of the DFC300MA power plant hasnow been further reduced to $4600/kW [FCB,August 2005].