Fuel Cells 2000's Fuel Cell Technology Update - December 2002

Fuel Cells 2000's Fuel Cell Technology Update - December 2002

For more information on the following stories, click on the provided link,
contact Jennifer Gangi at [email protected] or call (202) 785-4222,
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message. 

TRANSPORTATION

Hybrid Bus Enters Passenger Service, UTC Joins with NAVC for Bus Power
Plant.
A bus powered by a UTC Fuel Cells (UTCFC) 75kW power plant has become the
first fuel cell hybrid bus to enter passenger service in California.  The
30-foot ThunderPower bus is operated by SunLine Transit Agency, which serves
the greater Palm Springs desert resort area. SunLine expects the bus to
travel 100 miles a day on its Line 50 route in Rancho Mirage and Palm
Desert.  In other news, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has
awarded a contract to UTCFC and the Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium
(NAVC) to design a heavy-duty, zero emission, ambient-pressure fuel cell
power plant for buses.  The effort is being funded by $2.6 million from the
U.S. Department of Transportation with a $2 million match from UTCFC. 
http://www.utcfuelcells.com/news/archive/111402.shtml
http://www.utcfuelcells.com/news/archive/111102.shtml

Fuel Cell Locomotive Project Completed.
FuelCell Propulsion Institute's fuel cell mine locomotive passed its final
test procedure in Reno, Nevada, and has successfully completed the
Mine-Locomotive Project, which received funding from DOE. The locomotive
will continue service under the Institute's Mine-Loader Project.
http://www.fuelcellpropulsion.org

Toyota to Lease Fuel Cell Cars to University of California.
Toyota Motor Corporation will start leasing two fuel cell-powered cars to
the University of California beginning December 2.  The two fuel cell cars
will go to the Irvine and Davis campus under a 30-month lease for a monthly
charge of US $10,000 per vehicle.
<http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021202/nym058_1.html>

Ballard Receives 1.88 Million Order from New Customer.
Ballard Power Systems has received a US $1.88 million order from a new
automotive customer for Ballard's fuel cell engine and support services. The
contract will include Ballard's light-duty fuel cell engine, featuring the
Mark 902 fuel cell module, application engineering, integration and vehicle
launch support.
http://www.ballard.com/news.asp?pgid=15&dbid=0

Palcan to Collaborate with Clean Fuel Generation.
Palcan Fuel Cells Ltd. has signed an agreement with Clean Fuel Generation,
LLC. (CFG) to jointly develop fuel cell based auxiliary power units (APU).
The APUs will combine Palcan's fuel cell module with Clean Fuel's reformer
technology and hydrogen purification systems to allow the use of propane or
methanol fuel storage systems. Applications include auxiliary power for
recreational vehicles, marine and highway trucks.
http://www.palcan.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=44100

21st Century Truck Gets Fuel Cell APU.
General Dynamics C4 Systems has delivered a fuel cell-based auxiliary power
unit (APU) to SunLine Transit Agency for installation aboard a concept Class
8 tractor through the U.S. Army's 21st Century Truck initiative. The 5-kW
solid oxide fuel cell will act as a battery charger to power the air
conditioning and other driver utilities when the truck is parked.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021118/dcm028_1.html

Hydrogenics Delivers Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Unit.
Hydrogenics Corporation has delivered a regenerative fuel cell auxiliary
power unit (APU) developed under contract by the U.S. Army Tank-automotive
and Armaments Command (TACOM) for deployment and testing on army vehicle
platforms.  The PEM electrolyzer module will recharge the hydrogen supply
while the vehicle engine is operating. This will supply the hydrogen storage
subsystem with sufficient fuel to operate the fuel cell auxiliary power
system for up to five hours with a load of 3 kW average, and peak demand of
5 kW.  Hydrogenics and TACOM will undertake a joint evaluation of the system
on different vehicle platforms to assess performance, full-cycle
characteristics, costs and feasibilities.
<http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021129/nyf025_1.html>

Argonne Opens Advanced Powertrain Research Facility.
Argonne National Laboratory plans to open an Advanced Powertrain Research
Facility, which will provide public testing for engines, fuel cells,
electric drives and energy storage. Facilities will include a
four-wheel-drive dynamometer system, a sophisticated emissions measurement
system, data acquisition system, safety system, and state-of-the-art air
handling system. http://www.anl.gov/OPA/news02/news021115.htm

STATIONARY POWER

Plug Power Signs Deal to Acquire H Power.
Plug Power, Inc. has entered into a  "definitive merger agreement" to
acquire H Power Corporation in a "stock-for-stock exchange" valued at more
than $50 million.  The goal of the acquisition is to create a stronger
company that is better positioned to achieve long-term commercial and
financial success in the proton exchange membrane (PEM)] fuel cell industry.
<http://www.plugpower.com/news/NM_Detail2.cfm?ID=2360>

PORTABLE/BACKUP POWER

MTI MicroFuel Cells Enters Agreement With Harris Corporation.
MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (MTI Micro), and the RF Communications Division of
Harris Corporation announced an agreement for the development of micro fuel
cell system prototypes for potential use in Harris' Falcon® II tactical
handheld radios. Under the agreement, Harris will purchase direct methanol
fuel cell system prototypes from MTI Micro with delivery scheduled for early
in 2003. 
http://www.mechtech.com/news/article.cfm?A_ID=4614

Medis Technologies Announces Fuel Cell Advance for First Commercial Product.
Medis Technologies Ltd. has achieved the technical level in its fuel cell
performance to provide continuous power for its first planned commercial
product - a Power Pack to provide uninterrupted power to users of cell
phones, PDA's and certain hand-held electronic devices. The fuel cell
demonstrated sufficient power to enable a laboratory tested Power Pack unit
to operate the phone while at the same time fully charging a totally
discharged battery. Each refueling of the Power Pack is planned to provide
the user with the equivalent of six to nine hours of talk time or over two
charges of the battery depending on the pattern of use. 
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021120/202196_1.html

FUELS/REFORMERS/STORAGE

DOE Unveils Hydrogen Roadmap.
DOE Secretary Abraham unveiled the National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap,
outlining the research, development, demonstration, codes and standards, and
education efforts necessary to achieve the "hydrogen economy."
http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases02/novpr/pr02_v.htm
<http://rd.bcentral.com/?ID=382816&s=11186307>

Hydrogen and Electricity Co-Production Station in Las Vegas.
The world's first hydrogen energy station featuring the co-production of
hydrogen fuel and electric power was formally dedicated and is operational,
generating hydrogen on-site that is utilized both to fuel vehicles and
produce electricity. The project, a public-private partnership between the
United States Department of Energy (DOE), the City of Las Vegas, Air
Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Plug Power, Inc., will serve as a
commercial demonstration of hydrogen as a safe and clean energy alternative.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021115/phf019a_1.html

QuestAir's Hydrogen Purifier Installed in Las Vegas Station. 
QuestAir Technologies Inc.'s commercial HyQuestor® hydrogen purification
system has been installed as a key component of the Hydrogen Energy Station
in Las Vegas, NV, the first integrated hydrogen vehicle fueling and power
generation facility in North America.  As deployed in the station,
QuestAir's HyQuestor® system purifies a hydrogen containing gas stream
extracted or 'reformed' from natural gas. The purified hydrogen is then used
to fuel City of Las Vegas transit buses and other vehicles, or a stationary
50kW fuel cell electricity generator.
http://www.questairinc.com/pressreleases/2002-11-15.htm

PES Supplies Hydrogen Generator to BVG.
Proton Energy Systems, Inc. (PES) has supplied a HOGEN hydrogen fuel
generator to TotalFinaElf for use at a Berlin Transportation Company (BVG)
hydrogen fueling station in Berlin, Germany's Wedding District. Swiss PES
distributor Diamond Lite installed the hydrogen generator, compressor and a
hydrogen storage and dispensing system at the new fueling station, which
will fuel hydrogen-powered buses in the city's fleet.
<http://www.protonenergy.com/index.php/html/companyinfo/news/pressreleases.h
tml>

NETL Develops Multi-Fuel Reformer. 
The Fuel Processing Team at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)
has developed a concept for a reciprocating compression reformer that could
convert a variety of fuels into forms suitable for use in a fuel cell. The
invention does not require external heat transfer and eliminates several
unit operations required in conventional fuel processing technologies.
http://www.ornl.gov/news/pulse/pulse_v119_02.htm

Enova to Assist in the Development of Process Control Systems.
Enova Systems has concluded an agreement with a unit of ChevronTexaco
Technology Ventures to assist in the development and manufacture of a
process control system for ChevronTexaco Technology Ventures' hydrocarbon
fuel processors for stationary fuel cell applications. The agreement
contemplates that the initial development program may lead to manufacturing
if the prototype proves to be commercially viable.
<http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021112/120124_1.html>

Synergy Reforms High Sulfur Diesel.
Synergy Technologies Corporation has demonstrated that its patented SynGen
cold plasma reforming process can reform high sulfur, off-specification
liquid fuels into hydrogen-rich synthesis gas, or syngas. The syngas has
many applications, one of which is to provide fuel for fuel cells. The
ability to reform these fuels for use in fuel cells is critical for
industrial and military operations in many parts of the world where
off-specification (or non-standard), high sulfur fuels are the norm rather
than the exception.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021031/310274_1.html

Dynetek Announces New Valve Division.
Dynetek Industries Ltd. has formed a new valve division to focus on the
compressed hydrogen market.  Dynetek acquired the valve technology
(including tangible assets, patents and patents pending) for approximately
US $1.5 million.
http://micro.newswire.ca/releases/November2002/12/c0889.html/47875-0

Millennium Cell Honored With Popular Science Award. 
Millennium Cell Inc. has received a 2002 Best of What's New Award from
Popular Science.  Together with DaimlerChrysler, Millennium Cell was
recognized for its Hydrogen on Demand(tm) hydrogen storage and generation
system, which powers the DaimlerChrysler Town and Country fuel cell minivan,
the Natrium(tm). Calling the technology "the most imaginative solution we've
seen" to power a fuel cell car, Popular Science featured the Natrium as one
of its Automotive Technology winners. 
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021108/82119_1.html

FUEL CELL COMPONENTS

Superior MicroPowders Unveils DMFC Electrocatalysts.
Superior MicroPowders, LLC (SMP) launched its latest electrocatalysts
developed for use in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs).  These latest DMFC
materials extend SMP's Dynalyst(tm) family of catalysts, which are produced
utilizing SMP's proprietary spray-based powder production process. 
http://www.smp1.com/news/recentnews.asp

New Coating Company Formed.
BC Technologies, Inc. (BCTI) has been formed in Spartanburg, South Carolina,
and will represent Coatema Coating Machinery in the U.S. and Canada.  BCTI
will bring Coatema's coating and laminating equipment to various industries
in North America.

PCI Joins Program to Develop MEAs.
Polymer Chemistry Innovations (PCI) is participating in a program to develop
advanced membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for PEM fuel cells.  PCI is
partnering with Superior MicroPowders, LLC on an SMP-lead NIST ATP program.
Other subcontractors on the team include Motorola Labs and Case Western
Reserve University.  The program is focused on developing novel high
temperature membranes and advanced MEA manufacturing methods.  
<http://www.polychemistry.com/>

SatCon Power Inverter Earns UL Listing.
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), announced that the SatCon Technology®
Model AE-462-60-F-A power inverters for on-site power generation have been
determined to comply with the "Standard for Inverters, Converters, and
Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems, UL 1741."  UL tested
SatCon's power inverters for compliance with requirements addressing
alternative energy, distributed, and grid parallel energy generation
systems. With an output rating of 462 KVA, the SatCon power inverter is the
highest power rated on-site generation inverter to comply with the UL 1741
Standard, and its UL Listed status marks an important step in gaining
approval for installations in California where such compliance is a
requirement. 
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021114/142012_1.html

REPORTS/MARKET STUDIES

NASA Conducts Fuel Cell Feasibility Study. 
A recent feasibility study by NASA of fuel cells for aviation propulsion
found that a fuel cell-powered craft could fly a demonstration flight with
current state-of-the-art components. A system model of an all-electric craft
was shown capable of a 140-mile flight carrying 270 lbs.
http://www.aero-space.nasa.gov/curevent/news/vol3_iss4/eengines.htm
 
Stationary Market Study from ABI.
Allied Business Intelligence's (ABI) new study, "Global Stationary Fuel Cell
Markets: A Detailed Analysis of an Emerging Industry" identifies early
potential opportunities in markets that can see deployment from 50 Watts to
30 MW in the US and worldwide. The study also notes that quality power and
industrial power supply markets are expected to see higher growth rates than
residential markets. Industrial markets have already started to embrace fuel
cell power systems, with the largest growth potential specifically in the
small to medium sized industrial markets.
<http://www.alliedworld.com/servlets/ResearchDetails?productid=FCM02>

Automotive Fuel Cells.
The new ABI study "Automotive Fuel Cells: Global Market Issues, Technology
Dynamics and Major Players" analyzes market opportunities for automotive
fuel cell manufacturers from passenger cars to buses, and trucks. Niche
market opportunities from fleet applications to airport ground support
vehicles are also studied. The study details the technical challenges and
opportunities from market, economic, and environmental perspectives. The
major players in the industry are delineated, along with the status of their
technologies and their most likely market applications in the near term,
from 2002 to 2012. 
<http://www.alliedworld.com/servlets/ResearchDetails?productid=AFC02>

Micropower.
"Micropower", a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., claims that the
U.S. market for micropower products and systems is projected to increase ten
percent per year through 2006 to $6.5 billion.  For further details, please
contact Corinne Gangloff by phone 440.684.9600, fax 440.646.0484 or e-mail
[email protected].

The Outlook For Fuel Cells To 2010.
"The Outlook For Fuel Cells To 2010: Commercial Opportunities in Power
Generation Markets", a new report from Reuters Business Insight, provides
the details of the technologies, which are going to be competitive in what
environments, predicted costs and the future trajectory for fuel cell
development. 
<http://www.energycentral.com/sections/research/default.cfm?cpane=23006&rid=
101350>

Fuel Cell Technology Handbook.
CRC Press has recently published the Fuel Cell Technology Handbook, which
covers both technological background and recent commercial developments in
the field of stationary, automotive and portable fuel cells. The group of
industrial and academic authors covers all types of fuel cells and gives a
historic outline of the development of the technology. 
<http://www.crcpress.com/us/promotions/dynamic_data/2125_1022_0877%20FL.pdf>

TIAX Report Projects Cost Benefits for Zinc-Air Bus.
The Electric Vehicle Division of Electric Fuel Corporation announced the
results of a TIAX (formerly Arthur D. Little) report that projects
significant life cycle cost benefits for zinc-air when compared with
hydrogen fuel cell technology over a five to ten year period. The report, an
update of a previous study performed by Arthur D. Little, was set to
reevaluate the life cycle cost of operating zinc-air fuel cell transit bus
in a California public transit fleet.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021118/182588_1.html

MISCELLANEOUS

GE, ExxonMobil, Stanford to Invest $225 Million in Alternative Energy
Sources.
General Electric, ExxonMobil and Stanford University are forming the Global
Climate and Energy Project (G-CEP), to identify and develop alternative and
next-generation energy technologies including fuel cells. The total
investment for the project is up to $225 million over the next 10 years.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021120/202128_1.html

Astris Energi Begins Tests of First Commercial Fuel Cells.
Astris Energi Inc. reported that the prototype of its first commercial fuel
cell has been completed.  The power generator, known as the POWERSTACK
MC250, in its various sizes is suitable for use in a wide variety of
portable, stationary and mobile applications. It is nearly twice as powerful
yet lower in weight than the company's LABCELL energy source, which it
succeeds.
http://www.astrisfuelcell.com/company.htm

Greenlight Expands Operations and Offers Testing Services.
Greenlight Power Technologies, Inc announced the opening of its new Burnaby,
British Columbia facilities and the launch of its new Fuel Cell Testing
Services division.  The new 54,000 square foot facility significantly
increases the company's manufacturing capability and supports the growth of
the company's fuel cell diagnostics and fuel cell testing services
divisions.
<http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021119/va045_1.html>

REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS

World Bank/IFC Announce Fuel Cell Financing.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector affiliate of
the World Bank Group, is taking the lead in introducing stationary fuel
cells as a preferred technology for distributed power in a number of
developing countries. IFC acts as an executing agency for the Global
Environment Facility (GEF), and will use funds from the GEF to assist the
development of the market for fuel cell technologies in privately-financed,
distributed, stationary power applications in selected GEF-eligible
countries. The GEF Secretariat in May 2002 agreed to consider providing up
to $54 million in two stages for this program. The first stage of the
project is expected to include up to three fuel cell DG commercial
demonstration projects in at least two countries. These projects will
involve various stakeholders and are expected to result in a total
installation of 5-7 MW of fuel cells by 2005. There will be a forthcoming
announcement of a pre-submittal conference call for the purpose of
addressing vendor questions regarding submittals. Those who wish to
participate in the conference call are requested to notify IFC no later than
the close of business December 7, 2002. Please direct all questions to Mr.
Dana Younger, IFC's GEF Coordinator, [email protected], Ph. 202-473-4779, or
to Mr. Byron Washom, interim program manager for IFC, [email protected],
Ph. 925-743-9196.

CONFERENCES/CALL FOR PAPERS

SAE World Congress.
The 2003 SAE World Congress will be held March 3-6, 2003, in Detroit
Michigan.  For more information, please go to www.sae.org/congress.

Fuel Cell Investment Summit.
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) presents the Fuel Cell Investment
Summit, March 17-18, 2003, at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville,
Connecticut.  For more information, contact CCEF at 860-563-0015.

ICIM2003.
The 2003 International Conference on Innovative Materials---Business &
Investment will be March 18, 2003, at Shanghai Mart, in Shanghai, China.
Interested parties should mention Fuel Cells 2000 to receive 50% off
registration. Please contact Chen Qian at [email protected].

Fuel Cell Fundamentals.
A short course on Fuel Cell Fundamentals will be offered May 8-9, 2003, at
Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  For more information, go to
<http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/ChemEng/>.

Clean Cities Conference.
The 9th National Clean Cities Conference and Exposition will be May 18-21,
2003, at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, California.
For registration information, check out www.ccities.gov/conference/.

1st European Hydrogen Energy Conference.
The 1st European Hydrogen Energy Conference will be held September 2-5,
2003, at Alpexpo in Grenoble, France.  For more information, visit
www.afh2.org.

Grove Fuel Cell Symposium.
The Eighth Grove Fuel Cell Symposium takes place September 24-26, 2003, in
London, England.  For conference details, please visit
www.grovefuelcell.com.

f-cell 2003.
f-cell 2003 will be held September 29-30, 2003, in Stuttgart, Germany.  For
information, go to www.messe.sauber.de.

EVS-20.
The 20th International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition will be
held November 15-19, 2003, in Long Beach, California.  For more information,
go to www.EVS20.org.

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