- Email: [email protected]
myFC automates JAQ PowerCard production with ABB YuMi robot
NEWS modules totaling 8.4 MW to its South Korean partner POSCO Energy, to meet growing Asian demand. This module sale is in addition to the monthly fuel cell kit shipments under an existing multi-year, 122 MW order [FCB, November 2012, p5]. South Korea has quickly adopted utilityscale fuel cell parks for clean distributed generation that enhances the resiliency of the electric grid [see also page 6]. Multi-MW fuel cell parks solve power generation challenges for utilities, with their combination of nearzero pollutants and modest land-use needs, and their quiet operating nature facilitates siting in urban locations. Recent progress includes groundbreaking at the site of a 20 MW fuel cell park in Seoul City, which is part of a much larger programme to enhance power independence with efficient and environmentally friendly distributed fuel cell power generation. And Meiya Power Corporation recently accepted a 5.6 MW installation, expanding its fuel cell ownership beyond an existing 10.4 MW fuel cell park. In addition, the previously announced fuel cell power plant at a Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) owned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal has begun operation [FCB, October 2013, p4]. The fuel cell plant uses boil-off gas (BOG) from the LNG process to generate ultra-clean power, rather than letting the gas escape or incurring the cost to re-liquefy the gas. This project is intended to be the initial step in developing multi-MW fuel cell parks at LNG facilities, to generate electricity for LNG operations and supply the grid. The market potential for LNG terminals in Asia is sizable for POSCO Energy, and this application has the potential to expand worldwide. Eighteen fuel cell parks are operating in 13 Korean cities, generating over 140 MW for the electric grid, including the world’s largest fuel cell park at 59 MW in Hwaseong City, south of Seoul [FCB, March 2014, p6]. This rapidly expanding installed base also provides long-term service opportunities to POSCO Energy and FuelCell Energy. POSCO Energy’s fuel cell manufacturing facility is expected to commence commercial production shortly [FCB, September 2015, p4]. FuelCell Energy is expanding its North American manufacturing facility in Torrington, Connecticut, and is supplying a power plant to United Illuminating for a new microgrid in the town of Woodbridge [see page 4]. FuelCell Energy, Danbury, Connecticut, USA. Tel: +1 203 825 6000, www.fuelcellenergy.com POSCO Energy: http://eng.poscoenergy.com
December 2015
portable & Micro
Intelligent Energy to develop embedded fuel cells for smartphones
U
K-based Intelligent Energy has signed an agreement with an ‘emerging’ – but unnamed – smartphone OEM to create a tailored PEM fuel cell development and integration programme for a specific smartphone application. For some time IE has been engaging with several potential partners across the consumer electronics spectrum in relation to its embedded fuel cell technology. It is intended that the newly announced programme will build on Intelligent Energy’s existing prototype smartphone with an embedded fuel cell, and may in time result in the licensing of the company’s technology. In the short term, once the programme is agreed, Intelligent Energy will generate revenue from its delivery. With smartphones using an ever-increasing amount of power as they become more sophisticated, consumers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the current limitations on battery life. Embedding a fuel cell into the phone, using hydrogen to power it, means consumers can have off-grid power for their phones when and where they want. Intelligent Energy’s solution retains the smartphone’s existing technology, including its battery. ‘We believe embedding fuel cell technology into portable devices provides a solution to the current dilemma of battery life,’ says Julian Hughes, acting managing director for Intelligent Energy’s Consumer Electronics division. ‘We already have working prototypes, so we are delighted to move to the next stage of development, and look forward to further relationships of this type as OEMs show increasing interest in our capabilities.’ In the summer Intelligent Energy demonstrated a working iPhone 6 prototype powered by a built-in hydrogen PEM fuel cell connected to a rechargeable battery [FCB, September 2015, p11]. IE is believed to be working closely with Apple, although neither has officially confirmed the partnership. Intelligent Energy is developing efficient and clean hydrogen PEM fuel cell power systems for the global automotive, consumer electronics, and distributed power generation markets. The company recently signed a £1.2 billion
(US$1.8 billion) deal to supply clean power to 27 400 telecom towers in India [FCB, October 2015, p1], and extended a joint development programme with an Asian automaker [FCB, October 2015, p2]. IE is also leading the EU-funded VolumetriQ project to develop its 90 kW EC (evaporatively cooled) PEM fuel cell automotive technology, with a blueprint for stack suitability for mass manufacture and future industrialisation [FCB, November 2015, p10]. Intelligent Energy, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 271271, www.intelligent-energy.com
myFC automates JAQ PowerCard production with ABB YuMi robot
S
wedish fuel cell device developer myFC is collaborating with automation giant ABB, whereby ABB’s new dual-armed YuMi® robot technology will produce PowerCards for myFC’s JAQ™ fuel cell charger. The collaboration will see myFC build its first factory in Sweden. PowerCard production using the YuMi robots will start in spring 2016. The robots will initially conduct production tests and the assembly for JAQ’s charging cards, which contain water and salt that are used to generate clean energy using the fuel cell in the JAQ device. myFC’s JAQ charger – launched earlier this year at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona [FCB, March 2015, p6] – uses micro PEM fuel cell technology to generate electricity for smartphones and tablets. The slim PowerCard and JAQ charger will easily fit in a pocket or purse and can be used anywhere, without any need for a power socket. The electricity is generated instantly when the charger activates the card. ‘The reason we are now initiating cooperation with ABB and the new YuMi robots is so that we can control the whole fuel production, while at the same time become location-independent,’ says Björn Westerholm, CEO of myFC. ‘This is why we are placing the first production facility in Sweden, so that we can make sure that the whole assembly and production is 100% green, using only renewable energy.’ ‘With YuMi, we can be extremely flexible with a variable volume, and produce closer to our customers in Europe, the USA, and Asia – or anywhere where we can have a completely green, controllable, and high-quality environment for production,’ he continues. ‘The automation also means that we bring
Fuel Cells Bulletin
7
NEWS down the production cost for the card, which is an important parameter to consider. For a telecom operator, it means more flexibility when producing cards with designed messages for different occasions.’ ‘YuMi’s outstanding features for collaborative small part assembly make a perfect match with myFC’s need of a robot that provides ease of use, and a robot that can work closely with humans on the same assembly tasks,’ adds Dennis Helfridson, ABB’s robotics local business unit manager in Sweden. myFC recently signed an exclusive distribution agreement with telecom network operator 3 Sweden, in the next step in their partnership to roll out the JAQ mobile charging technology [FCB, November 2015, p6]. myFC AB, Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: +46 8 5000 0200, www.myfcpower.com YuMi robot: http://new.abb.com/products/robotics/yumi
fueling
ITM Power station in service in Riverside, permission for CEME
I
TM Power Inc has achieved operational status for its hydrogen fueling station in Riverside, California. And in the UK, parent company ITM Power has been granted full planning permission to construct a hydrogen station at the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence in Rainham, east London. The Riverside station is the first electrolyserbased station to achieve this status under the California Energy Commission (CEC) 2014 funding programme for hydrogen fueling stations [FCB, June 2014, p6]. The station achieved this status in less than 11 weeks from issuance of the local permit, the quickest installation and commissioning of an onsite hydrogen generation fueling station so far. Achieving operational status on time ensures that ITM Power will receive the full $2.125 million grant, together with the maximum $300 000 allowance over three years for Operation & Maintenance (O&M). The next phase will see ITM confirm station operation with FCEV OEMs, and qualify the station with the Division of Measurement Standards in order to be able to sell fuel to the public. In the UK, ITM Power has been granted full planning permission from Havering Borough Council to construct the previously announced hydrogen station at the Centre for Engineering 8
Fuel Cells Bulletin
and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) site in Rainham [FCB, October 2015, p8]. The CEME campus is situated on the A13 main road, close to both the Canary Wharf business district and the M25 London orbital motorway. ITM Power was chosen by the Hydrogen London partnership to be the hydrogen refueling station partner for London, with a contract to supply three electrolyser-based stations. Planning permission was awarded within eight weeks and received no objections, showing that it is becoming easier to gain permission for hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the UK [FCB, August 2004, p1]. The station will be deployed as part of the HyFIVE project [FCB, April 2014, p1], and open to the public next spring. The site has one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays in southern England, which will provide power to the hydrogen station. ITM Power has just signed an agreement with Ove Arup, for siting and business development of hydrogen refueling stations and hydrogen energy systems [see page 1]. ITM also recently inaugurated its first public hydrogen station, by the M1 motorway in South Yorkshire, and is partnering with Shell to deliver hydrogen stations at three retail forecourts [FCB, September 2015, p1]. ITM has also signed an agreement with Arcola Energy and Symbio FCell, to provide an integrated package of zero-emission commercial vehicles, onsite fueling and after-sales support for UK fleet operators [FCB, November 2015, p7, and see the ITM Power feature in FCB, January 2012]. ITM Power, Sheffield, UK. Tel: +44 114 244 5111, www.itm-power.com Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence: www.ceme.co.uk HyFIVE project: www.hyfive.eu Hydrogen London: www.hydrogenlondon.org
McPhy to supply hydrogen refueling station in Valence
I
n France, McPhy Energy has been awarded the call for tender by the Valence Romans Sud Rhône-Alpes intercommunity authority, for its first hydrogen refueling station. This latest station is part of the national ‘Industrie du Futur’ plan, which anticipates 100 hydrogen refueling stations by 2018. After Lyon [FCB, October 2015, p9], Sarreguemines and Paris [FCB, November 2015, p8], the Valence facility is the fourth
French hydrogen refueling station that McPhy Energy has been awarded since August. McPhy and the Sarreguemines regional authority are members of the recently created Hydrogen Mobility Europe (H2ME) consortium, which will deploy a total of 325 fuel cell electric vehicles and 29 new hydrogen stations across Europe [see the News Feature on H2ME in FCB, October 2015]. Two years ago the Mobility Hydrogen France (Mobilité Hydrogène France) consortium was established, to boost the potential deployment of FCEVs in Europe, while strengthening renewable energy production capacities in regional France [FCB, August 2013, p2]. The Valence station, which is expected to be operational by the end of this year, will be equipped with McPhy Energy’s McFilling® modular solution for the hydrogen mobility market. This will supply a fleet of light utility vehicles for the intercommunity authority, as well as for 10 private operators. The station will be installed near the Valence-TGV station in Rovaltain, with two business parks housing regional technical departments and numerous service sector companies. ‘We are very pleased by this new success of our turnkey modular and streamlined solution, that is particularly well adapted to the needs of regional authorities,’ says Pascal Mauberger, chairman and CEO of McPhy Energy. ‘We are very glad to be able to contribute in this way to strengthening the regional network, with a target for installing 100 refueling stations by 2018 by the industrial sector as part of the ‘Industry du Future’ plan.’ McPhy Energy started off by developing a metal hydride-based technique for storing hydrogen in solid form [FCB, August 2014, p8], and now also has a range of electrolyser products for the energy and mobility markets, including Power-to-Gas [FCB, March 2015, p9, and see the News Feature in FCB, June 2015]. The company has production sites in France, Germany and Italy, and an R&D lab in France. McPhy Energy, La Motte-Fanjas, France. Tel: +33 4 7571 1505, www.mcphy.com Valence Romans Sud Rhône-Alpes: www.valenceromansagglo.fr (in French)
NEL takes control of hydrogen station tech provider Hyme AS
I
n Norway, NEL ASA has taken full control of Hyme AS, which provides design and technical solutions for
December 2015
December 2015
portable & Micro
Intelligent Energy to develop embedded fuel cells for smartphones
U
K-based Intelligent Energy has signed an agreement with an ‘emerging’ – but unnamed – smartphone OEM to create a tailored PEM fuel cell development and integration programme for a specific smartphone application. For some time IE has been engaging with several potential partners across the consumer electronics spectrum in relation to its embedded fuel cell technology. It is intended that the newly announced programme will build on Intelligent Energy’s existing prototype smartphone with an embedded fuel cell, and may in time result in the licensing of the company’s technology. In the short term, once the programme is agreed, Intelligent Energy will generate revenue from its delivery. With smartphones using an ever-increasing amount of power as they become more sophisticated, consumers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the current limitations on battery life. Embedding a fuel cell into the phone, using hydrogen to power it, means consumers can have off-grid power for their phones when and where they want. Intelligent Energy’s solution retains the smartphone’s existing technology, including its battery. ‘We believe embedding fuel cell technology into portable devices provides a solution to the current dilemma of battery life,’ says Julian Hughes, acting managing director for Intelligent Energy’s Consumer Electronics division. ‘We already have working prototypes, so we are delighted to move to the next stage of development, and look forward to further relationships of this type as OEMs show increasing interest in our capabilities.’ In the summer Intelligent Energy demonstrated a working iPhone 6 prototype powered by a built-in hydrogen PEM fuel cell connected to a rechargeable battery [FCB, September 2015, p11]. IE is believed to be working closely with Apple, although neither has officially confirmed the partnership. Intelligent Energy is developing efficient and clean hydrogen PEM fuel cell power systems for the global automotive, consumer electronics, and distributed power generation markets. The company recently signed a £1.2 billion
(US$1.8 billion) deal to supply clean power to 27 400 telecom towers in India [FCB, October 2015, p1], and extended a joint development programme with an Asian automaker [FCB, October 2015, p2]. IE is also leading the EU-funded VolumetriQ project to develop its 90 kW EC (evaporatively cooled) PEM fuel cell automotive technology, with a blueprint for stack suitability for mass manufacture and future industrialisation [FCB, November 2015, p10]. Intelligent Energy, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 271271, www.intelligent-energy.com
myFC automates JAQ PowerCard production with ABB YuMi robot
S
wedish fuel cell device developer myFC is collaborating with automation giant ABB, whereby ABB’s new dual-armed YuMi® robot technology will produce PowerCards for myFC’s JAQ™ fuel cell charger. The collaboration will see myFC build its first factory in Sweden. PowerCard production using the YuMi robots will start in spring 2016. The robots will initially conduct production tests and the assembly for JAQ’s charging cards, which contain water and salt that are used to generate clean energy using the fuel cell in the JAQ device. myFC’s JAQ charger – launched earlier this year at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona [FCB, March 2015, p6] – uses micro PEM fuel cell technology to generate electricity for smartphones and tablets. The slim PowerCard and JAQ charger will easily fit in a pocket or purse and can be used anywhere, without any need for a power socket. The electricity is generated instantly when the charger activates the card. ‘The reason we are now initiating cooperation with ABB and the new YuMi robots is so that we can control the whole fuel production, while at the same time become location-independent,’ says Björn Westerholm, CEO of myFC. ‘This is why we are placing the first production facility in Sweden, so that we can make sure that the whole assembly and production is 100% green, using only renewable energy.’ ‘With YuMi, we can be extremely flexible with a variable volume, and produce closer to our customers in Europe, the USA, and Asia – or anywhere where we can have a completely green, controllable, and high-quality environment for production,’ he continues. ‘The automation also means that we bring
Fuel Cells Bulletin
7
NEWS down the production cost for the card, which is an important parameter to consider. For a telecom operator, it means more flexibility when producing cards with designed messages for different occasions.’ ‘YuMi’s outstanding features for collaborative small part assembly make a perfect match with myFC’s need of a robot that provides ease of use, and a robot that can work closely with humans on the same assembly tasks,’ adds Dennis Helfridson, ABB’s robotics local business unit manager in Sweden. myFC recently signed an exclusive distribution agreement with telecom network operator 3 Sweden, in the next step in their partnership to roll out the JAQ mobile charging technology [FCB, November 2015, p6]. myFC AB, Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: +46 8 5000 0200, www.myfcpower.com YuMi robot: http://new.abb.com/products/robotics/yumi
fueling
ITM Power station in service in Riverside, permission for CEME
I
TM Power Inc has achieved operational status for its hydrogen fueling station in Riverside, California. And in the UK, parent company ITM Power has been granted full planning permission to construct a hydrogen station at the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence in Rainham, east London. The Riverside station is the first electrolyserbased station to achieve this status under the California Energy Commission (CEC) 2014 funding programme for hydrogen fueling stations [FCB, June 2014, p6]. The station achieved this status in less than 11 weeks from issuance of the local permit, the quickest installation and commissioning of an onsite hydrogen generation fueling station so far. Achieving operational status on time ensures that ITM Power will receive the full $2.125 million grant, together with the maximum $300 000 allowance over three years for Operation & Maintenance (O&M). The next phase will see ITM confirm station operation with FCEV OEMs, and qualify the station with the Division of Measurement Standards in order to be able to sell fuel to the public. In the UK, ITM Power has been granted full planning permission from Havering Borough Council to construct the previously announced hydrogen station at the Centre for Engineering 8
Fuel Cells Bulletin
and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) site in Rainham [FCB, October 2015, p8]. The CEME campus is situated on the A13 main road, close to both the Canary Wharf business district and the M25 London orbital motorway. ITM Power was chosen by the Hydrogen London partnership to be the hydrogen refueling station partner for London, with a contract to supply three electrolyser-based stations. Planning permission was awarded within eight weeks and received no objections, showing that it is becoming easier to gain permission for hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the UK [FCB, August 2004, p1]. The station will be deployed as part of the HyFIVE project [FCB, April 2014, p1], and open to the public next spring. The site has one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays in southern England, which will provide power to the hydrogen station. ITM Power has just signed an agreement with Ove Arup, for siting and business development of hydrogen refueling stations and hydrogen energy systems [see page 1]. ITM also recently inaugurated its first public hydrogen station, by the M1 motorway in South Yorkshire, and is partnering with Shell to deliver hydrogen stations at three retail forecourts [FCB, September 2015, p1]. ITM has also signed an agreement with Arcola Energy and Symbio FCell, to provide an integrated package of zero-emission commercial vehicles, onsite fueling and after-sales support for UK fleet operators [FCB, November 2015, p7, and see the ITM Power feature in FCB, January 2012]. ITM Power, Sheffield, UK. Tel: +44 114 244 5111, www.itm-power.com Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence: www.ceme.co.uk HyFIVE project: www.hyfive.eu Hydrogen London: www.hydrogenlondon.org
McPhy to supply hydrogen refueling station in Valence
I
n France, McPhy Energy has been awarded the call for tender by the Valence Romans Sud Rhône-Alpes intercommunity authority, for its first hydrogen refueling station. This latest station is part of the national ‘Industrie du Futur’ plan, which anticipates 100 hydrogen refueling stations by 2018. After Lyon [FCB, October 2015, p9], Sarreguemines and Paris [FCB, November 2015, p8], the Valence facility is the fourth
French hydrogen refueling station that McPhy Energy has been awarded since August. McPhy and the Sarreguemines regional authority are members of the recently created Hydrogen Mobility Europe (H2ME) consortium, which will deploy a total of 325 fuel cell electric vehicles and 29 new hydrogen stations across Europe [see the News Feature on H2ME in FCB, October 2015]. Two years ago the Mobility Hydrogen France (Mobilité Hydrogène France) consortium was established, to boost the potential deployment of FCEVs in Europe, while strengthening renewable energy production capacities in regional France [FCB, August 2013, p2]. The Valence station, which is expected to be operational by the end of this year, will be equipped with McPhy Energy’s McFilling® modular solution for the hydrogen mobility market. This will supply a fleet of light utility vehicles for the intercommunity authority, as well as for 10 private operators. The station will be installed near the Valence-TGV station in Rovaltain, with two business parks housing regional technical departments and numerous service sector companies. ‘We are very pleased by this new success of our turnkey modular and streamlined solution, that is particularly well adapted to the needs of regional authorities,’ says Pascal Mauberger, chairman and CEO of McPhy Energy. ‘We are very glad to be able to contribute in this way to strengthening the regional network, with a target for installing 100 refueling stations by 2018 by the industrial sector as part of the ‘Industry du Future’ plan.’ McPhy Energy started off by developing a metal hydride-based technique for storing hydrogen in solid form [FCB, August 2014, p8], and now also has a range of electrolyser products for the energy and mobility markets, including Power-to-Gas [FCB, March 2015, p9, and see the News Feature in FCB, June 2015]. The company has production sites in France, Germany and Italy, and an R&D lab in France. McPhy Energy, La Motte-Fanjas, France. Tel: +33 4 7571 1505, www.mcphy.com Valence Romans Sud Rhône-Alpes: www.valenceromansagglo.fr (in French)
NEL takes control of hydrogen station tech provider Hyme AS
I
n Norway, NEL ASA has taken full control of Hyme AS, which provides design and technical solutions for
December 2015