Fuel Cells 2000's Fuel Cell Technology Update - January 2003

Fuel Cells 2000's Fuel Cell Technology Update - January 2003

Happy New Year!  For more information on the following stories, click on the
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TRANSPORTATION

Nissan Unveils New FCV.
Nissan unveiled its X-TRAIL FCV fuel cell vehicle powered by a 75kW UTC Fuel
Cells (UTCFC) hydrogen power plant in Tokyo, Japan. The vehicle is the first
produced under agreements signed between Nissan and UTC Fuel Cells to
develop fuel cells and fuel cell components for vehicles.  Nissan intends to
start public road testing of the vehicle, which is fueled by compressed
hydrogen, in Japan. 
<http://www.utcfuelcells.com/news/archive/121002.shtml>

DaimlerChrysler to Test FCVs in Japan Next Year. 
DaimlerChrysler plans to field-test eight hydrogen-powered fuel cell
vehicles (FCVs) on public roads in Japan next year.  The F-Cell prototype
FCVs to be tested are based on its Mercedes-Benz A-class subcompact car and
have a top speed of approximately 140 kilometers per hour (about 87 miles
per hour).  The FCV is able to travel 150 kilometers (about 93 miles)
without needing to refill its 1.8-kilogram compressed hydrogen fuel storage
tank. 

GM, FedEx to Conduct FCV Project in Tokyo. 
General Motors Corporation and FedEx Corporation plan to launch a joint
project next year in Tokyo, Japan that will examine the use of fuel cell
vehicles (FCVs) for package delivery service. The FCVs to be used in the
yearlong project will be based on the Opel Zafira minivan. 

Hydrogenics Selected by John Deere to Provide Power Module Demonstrator
Vehicle.
Hydrogenics Corporation has shipped its new fuel cell power module - the
HyPM-LP2 - to Deere & Company (John Deere). This third-generation HyPM power
module will be used as part of a technology demonstrator fuel cell-powered
Commercial Work Vehicle (CWV). 
http://www.hydrogenics.com/ir/NewsReleaseDetail-1.asp?RELEASEID=97360

MARAD Reports on Shipboard Fuel Cell Projects.
U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) has
entered into a Cooperative Research Agreement with SurePower Corporation to
test and observe a fuel cell system's response to simulated marine power
loads. The tests demonstrated that the system met all regulations as they
apply to rotating, alternating and direct current generators, with the
exception of the 300% overload test. MARAD also reports that San Francisco's
Bay Area Water Transit Authority is actively developing a fuel cell powered
ferry that will serve Treasure Island. The ferry design project is scheduled
for completion in early to mid-2003, at which time funding for construction
will be sought.
http://marad.dot.gov/nmrec/energy%20&%20emissions/images/Newsletter%20Fall%2
02002.pdf

Astris Signs MOU With CareAction.
Astris Energi Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with
CareAction, Inc., under which Astris will license its technology and
CareAction will provide financing and management for a $15,000,000
technology and consumer product development program, centered on the
transportation sector.  A new company, to be called Astris Transportation
Systems, Inc. (ATSI), will form an integral part of a strategic alliance
between Astris, CareAction and Feel Good Cars Inc., which is also setting up
operations at the same location in Montreal. The objective of this alliance
is to develop a range of converted vans, passenger cars, as well as electric
and hydrogen fuel cell low-speed vehicles, primarily for the burgeoning,
under-served markets represented by seniors and disabled persons.
<http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021212/120086_1.html>

Ztek Joins California Fuel Cell Partnership.
Ztek Corporation has joined the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) to
demonstrate and promote fuel cell vehicles and fuel alternatives. Ztek
specializes in the manufacturing of fossil fuel-to-electricity and hydrogen
conversion technology and will team up with another CaFCP associate partner,
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), to supply a hydrogen reformer
system. That system, which will use natural gas to produce hydrogen, will
provide fuel for the partnership's fuel cell vehicles. It will be located at
PG&E's Service Center in Auburn, Calif. Ztek will also be responsible for
system installation, commissioning and service.  The Auburn hydrogen
station, located approximately 40 miles from the CaFCP headquarters facility
in West Sacramento, will be the partnership's third hydrogen fueling station
in northern California. It is expected to be operational in 2003. 
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021218/180279_1.html

STATIONARY POWER

Marubeni to Install Direct FuelCell at Nippon Metal Plant. 
The Marubeni Corporation, the Asian partner of FuelCell Energy, Inc. plans
to install a 250-kilowatt (kW) Direct FuelCell (DFC) at Nippon Metal
Industry Company, Ltd.'s Sagamihara Works specialty steel production
facility in Kanagawa, Japan.  The DFC cogeneration unit will supply the
plant with electricity and steam. 
<http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021216/nym085_1.html>

FDEP and FPL Join for Yearlong Fuel Cell Test.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has joined with
Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) to launch a yearlong demonstration
project to study fuel cell technology.  Under the research program, the
agency has installed a five-kilowatt, natural gas-powered fuel cell at Hugh
Taylor Birch State Park that will provide electricity for FPL's distribution
network.
<http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/comm/2002/02_1212fpl.htm>

PORTABLE/BACKUP POWER

Coleman Unveils AirGen Fuel Cell Generator.
Coleman Powermate introduced a new fuel cell powered generator unit designed
to operate as a portable power source or as an emergency backup power
system.  The new AirGen Fuel Cell generator, which features a Nexa power
module manufactured by Ballard Power Systems, Inc., is able to provide up to
1,000 watts.
<http://www.airgen.com/>

FUELS/REFORMERS/STORAGE

Stuart Energy Unveils First Jointly Developed PEM-based Hydrogen Fueling
Prototype.
Stuart Energy Systems Corporation and Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems
International, Inc., unveiled a jointly developed prototype hydrogen fueling
system at the Electric Transportation Industry conference in Florida. The
system uses water and electricity to produce pure hydrogen for vehicle
fueling and power applications and will be utilized by NASA for oxygen
generation on the International Space Station.
http://www.stuartenergy.com/news/press_releases/press_dec11.html

Dynetek to Provide Storage for Bus Project.
Dynetek Industries Ltd. is participating in a new $8 million hybrid fuel
cell bus
project.   Hydrogenics Corporation is leading the project along with other
industrial partners and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is committing $3
million of the total project over a three-year period. Dynetek is developing
the complete fuel storage solution using its certified hydrogen fuel storage
system. 
<http://micro.newswire.ca/releases/December2002/12/c3065.html/47875-0>

Airgas Signs Hydrogen Marketing Agreement with Aperion.
Aperion Energy Systems LLC, and Airgas, Inc., announced an agreement for
Airgas to offer hydrogen fuel and related services to Aperion's fuel cell
customers. Airgas will provide Aperion customers with services related to
fuel supply, including site preparation, installation, monitoring and fuel
replenishment, as well as safety consultation regarding storage and use of
hydrogen and hydrogen-rich fuels. The companies will also work together on
the commercialization and distribution of hydrogen-rich fuel alternatives to
compressed gas cylinder hydrogen, including Aperion's low-pressure hydrogen
generation systems. 
http://www.aperionenergy.com/level3.php?myPageId=48

Methanex Enters Supply Agreement With Lyondell. 
Methanex Corporation has entered into an exclusive agreement with Lyondell
Chemical Company under which Methanex will supply methanol feedstock to
Lyondell in both North America and Europe.  The supply agreement is
scheduled to begin in January and will be phased in over time.  Methanex
will acquire, for $10 million, Lyondell's methanol customer contracts in
North America beginning in 2004 and will retain certain production rights to
Lyondell's 750,000-ton-per-year methanol facility in Channelview, Texas. 
http://www.methanex.com/investorcentre/news2002.htm#dec16

FUEL CELL COMPONENTS

AMI to Build Fifteen SOFC Test Stands.
Advanced Measurements (AMI) has been awarded a contract to build fifteen
solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) test stands for a fuel cell development company
based in the Western U.S.  The SOFC test stands will be delivered in two
shipments to the customer later this year and first quarter 2003.
<http://64.69.77.104/generic_frames.asp?content_page=news.htm>

Honeywell Receives $1.5 Million from DOE.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Honeywell Sensing and Control a
$1.5 million appropriation to create physical sensors suitable for
monitoring and controlling a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel
cell-based power plant.  Honeywell Sensing and Control is a unit of the
company's Automation and Control Solutions division.  Honeywell will spend
the next three months working with industry leaders in fuel-cell development
in the U.S. and Europe to define the technical requirements for each
physical sensor. The company will then use its extensive knowledge of
sensors and sensor packaging to develop solutions that minimize size and
cost.  Prototype sensors will be designed, fabricated and tested in
third-party fuel-cell systems and fuel-processor companies.

REPORTS/MARKET STUDIES

Automakers on Fuel Cells.
Fuel Cells 2000 has released a new free report, Automakers on Fuel Cells.
The report focuses on statements made by the CEOs and Project Managers of
GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan and others.  It concludes
that fully commercial fuel cell vehicles will be available in the
marketplace by 2010
<http://www.fuelcells.org/AutoCompaniesonFuelCells.pdf>

New DG Study.
Jackson Associates released "Applying Distributed Generation Strategies to
Ease the Long Island Power Crises," which examines the ability of such
distributed generation (DG) technologies as fuel cells, microturbines and
engines to help meet power needs in Long Island, New York.  According to the
study, as much as 63 percent of the 1,000-megawatt capacity shortfall
expected by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) during the next nine
years could potentially be offset through the use of DG technologies located
at or near customer sites. 
<http://www.maisy.com/wpdglipa.htm>

MISCELLANEOUS

Fuel Cells 2000 Releases New Fuel Cell Directory.
Fuel Cells 2000 has just published the Seventh Edition of its Fuel Cell
Directory. The 206-page directory lists more than 985 organizations, and
covers the entire industry - fuel cell developers, researchers, distributors
and consultants, suppliers, component manufacturers, utilities,
universities, publications, associations or government agencies and
laboratories. Entries include address, phone number, email, company URLs,
stock symbols, investor, media and human resource contacts, and the name of
the President or CEO, as well as a description of the company and current
research projects. The Seventh Edition of the Fuel Cell Directory costs
$125.00.  Non-profit organizations, college and university libraries, and
news outlets may request a free PDF copy of the Fuel Cell Directory.
Electronic versions of the Directory are available on diskette or CD-ROM in
MSExcel format for $500.00. The Directory is also available in Microsoft
Access upon request.  
<http://www.fuelcells.org/pubs.doc>

Stuart Energy to Acquire Vandenborre.
Stuart Energy Systems Corporation has entered into an agreement to acquire
Vandenborre Technologies NV, which also operates under the name Vandenborre
Hydrogen Systems.  Subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, Stuart
Energy will pay approximately CDN $9.9 million in cash and 7.3 million
common shares of Stuart Energy.  The total value of the transaction,
currently estimated at CDN $28 million, will be determined by Stuart
Energy's share price on the transaction closing date.  The two companies
believe that their combined leading-edge hydrogen generation technologies
and global market position will make the consolidated company the undisputed
world leader in the provision of onsite, electrolysis-based hydrogen
infrastructure solutions for power generation, vehicle fueling and
industrial markets.
<http://www.stuartenergy.com/news/press_releases/press_dec23.html>

Anuvu Signs Manufacturing Agreement with Celerity.
Anuvu Fuel Cell Products, Inc. has entered into a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) with Celerity, Inc. under which Celerity will provide
manufacturing and associated management services to Anuvu.  Additionally,
Celerity will manufacture fuel cells according to strict protocols
established by Anuvu.

REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS

Minority Institutions Solicitation. 
DOE has issued the solicitation "Support of Advanced Fossil Resource
Utilization Research by Historically Black Colleges and Universities and
other Minority Institutions," which includes two program areas of interest
related to fuel cells. "Clean Fuels Technology" seeks proposals for research
related to the production of hydrogen and other premium fuels and products
from coal. "Fuel Cells" seeks proposals focused on SOFC systems as relates
to the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) Program goals. 
https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/busopor.nsf/1be0f2271893ba198525644b006bc0be/f
0e65f12f0d9028785256c7e00701f8c?OpenDocument 

CECOM Program to Test & Compare Fuel Cells
The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) has received
approval to initiate the Foreign Comparative Test Program for High Power
Density Fuel in FY2003. Five candidate fuel cell power systems have been
identified by CECOM. Additional fuel cells are sought in several categories,
in both the 25-watt and >500-watt sizes: hydrogen-based systems,
hydrogen-based hybrid systems (with battery), methanol systems, and
alternative fuel systems. Only technology suitable for testing by July 2003
will receive consideration. Responses to this solicitation are due by
January 23, 2003.
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USA/USAMC/DAAB15/DAAB15-03-R-0004/SynopsisP.html
<http://rd.bcentral.com/?ID=453142&s=11186307>

CCEF Solicitation.
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) has recently issued an RFP to
promote clean reliable distributed generation in Connecticut and to promote
the commercialization of fuel cells.  Two categories of projects that are
being solicited in the RFP: Commercial Operation Projects, which consist of
the installation of commercially-ready fuel cells in high value
applications; and Demonstration Projects, which consist of the installation
of near-commercial fuel cell units to track performance and gather data to
accelerate their commercialization.  A pre-bid conference will be held on
January 9, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Hartford Marriott/Rocky
Hill.  The deadline to submit round one proposals is 3:00 PM on January 30,
2003 at the CCEF offices.  RFPs can be downloaded from the CCEF website -
www.ctcleanenergy.com.

CONFERENCES/CALL FOR PAPERS

Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles.
The 3rd Annual "Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Setting the Direction for
Advanced Technologies and Fuels" Conference will be held at the Mission
Palms Hotel in Tempe, Arizona on February 19-21, 2003.  For more
information, please go to <http://www.weststart.org>.

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.

Primary and Secondary Batteries.
The 20th International Seminar and Exhibit on Primary and Secondary
Batteries takes place March 17-20, 2003, at the Broward County Convention
Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  For details, go to
<http://www.POWERSOURCES.net>.

ICEPAG 2003.
The 5th Annual International Colloquium on Environmentally Preferred
Advanced Generation will be held on March 18-19, 2003, at the Radisson Hotel
in Newport Beach, California.  For more information, visit
<http://www.parcon.uci.edu/icepag2003/index.htm>.  

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2003.
The Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2003 Conference takes place at the Westin
Bayshore Resort & Marina, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, June 8-11,
2003.   For conference information, please visit
<http://www.hydrogenfuelcells2003.com/en/welcome.htm>.

AAB Conference.
The 3rd International Advanced Automotive Battery Conference will be held at
the Acropolis Convention Center in Nice, France, June 10-13, 2003.  For more
information, go to <http://www.advancedautobat.com/aabc_current.html>.

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


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