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Nel launches A1000 medium-scale alkaline electrolyser
NEWS Eaton’s four-speed, medium-duty electrified vehicle transmission, to create an integrated motor drive for electric commercial vehicles with best-in-class efficiency and power density. Arcola Energy: www.arcolaenergy.com Avid Technology: www.avidtp.com Eaton, eMobility: https://tinyurl.com/eaton-emobility Advanced Propulsion Centre: www.apcuk.co.uk
Horizon to power 1000 fuel cell heavy vehicles in port operations
S
ingapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to supply 1000 units of 100 kW and higher automotive fuel cell systems for heavyduty trucks within three years, with the first units to be delivered later this year. This represents one of the world’s largest deployments of fuel cell heavy vehicles. This is an important step in improving air quality around busy shipping ports, where diesel engines are a major contributor to air pollution. Horizon points out that deployments of fuel cell powered commercial vehicles are now at fleet scale in China. This latest deal for Horizon’s new highpower, high power density automotive PEM fuel cells [FCB, June 2019, p13] highlights the performance and economic competitiveness of the company’s systems. It also underscores the attractiveness of hydrogen, as fleet operators seek to meet new restrictions on the use of diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. The range limitations and charging downtime of battery electric vehicles make them less suited to demanding usage scenarios in ports and logistics hubs. Shifting to hydrogen powered vehicles involves no significant change in port and warehouse operations, with one or two hydrogen refueling stations capable of supporting busy fleets of vehicles, as each station can perform hundreds of fills daily. Horizon supplies a full range of fuel cell systems, from low-power air-cooled fuel cells through to high-power automotive systems rated at more than 100 kW, as well as containerised stationary fuel cell power plants [May 2018, p7]. Two years ago the company established a joint venture in China to construct a facility in Rugao, Jiangsu Province for the production of 10–30 kW modules for fuel cell electric vehicles [April 2017, p11].
Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies: www.horizonfuelcell.com
10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Wuhan Tiger to take delivery of four more PowerCell S2 stacks
P
owerCell Sweden has received an order for an additional four PowerCell S2 PEM fuel cell stacks from Chinese company Wuhan Tiger Fuel Cell Vehicle Company Ltd. The delivery of these stacks will take place in Q3, and is part of the initial order placed by Wuhan Tiger in March 2017 for fuel cell stacks and systems [FCB, April 2017, p12], with additional stacks shipped earlier this year [June 2019, p14]. With the new order a total of 58 PowerCell S2 stacks will have been delivered. Wuhan Tiger is developing fuel cell powered commercial vehicles for the Chinese market, and has launched a fuel cell electric bus in collaboration with Chinese vehicle manufacturer Skywell [January 2018, p5]. The bus, equipped with PowerCell S2 stacks, was approved for production by the Chinese authorities last year. The fleet of buses is now in daily operation on line 359, a 12 km (7.5 mile) bus route running through the Wuhan East Lake Development Zone. The Chinese government has introduced large subsidies for fuel cell powered vehicles, while at the same time ending the previous subsidy programme for battery electric vehicles. ‘The Chinese authorities have realised that electrification of the road traffic using only battery powered vehicles will not be enough to decrease the emissions of CO2 and hazardous substances,’ says Per Wassén, CEO of PowerCell. ‘Wuhan Tiger is one of several Chinese manufacturers that have started launching extensive tests of fuel cell vehicles.’ PowerCell Sweden: www.powercell.se Wuhan Tiger FCV: http://en.whtiger.com
Hydrogenious global cooperation deal, wins major new investment
G
erman-based Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies GmbH has entered into a close cooperation with compatriot MAN Energy Solutions and Frames Group BV in the Netherlands to build large-scale hydrogen storage systems based on its Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) technology. Hydrogenious has also received a E17 million (US$19 million) investment from strategic
investors Royal Vopak, Mitsubishi Corporation, Covestro, and AP Ventures. Hydrogenious, Frames Group and MAN Energy Solutions have signed a cooperation agreement focused on the development and global delivery of large-scale hydrogenation plants to store hydrogen in the LOHC material. As a first step, the partners have developed systems with hydrogen capacities of 5 and 12 tonnes per day; such large hydrogen processing capacities will be crucial for the decarbonisation of Europe’s energy needs. The LOHC technology uses the existing infrastructure for conventional fuels, making it feasible to import and transport large amounts of ‘green’ hydrogen, for example from Scandinavian wind parks to central Europe. Frames designs and builds solutions for renewable energy and oil & gas processing equipment, and will be responsible for overall realisation of the hydrogenation plant. MAN Energy Solutions – which recently acquired a 40% stake in H-TEC Systems [FCB, April 2019, p10] – has extensive experience in design and fabrication of reactor systems for chemical and petrochemical applications, and will deliver the reactor and related steam generator equipment to the projects. This strong European consortium is thus well positioned for the worldwide realisation of large-scale LOHC plants. Meanwhile, Hydrogenious has signed an investment agreement with several strategic partners in a E17 million funding round led by tank storage company Royal Vopak, along with Japanese trading giant Mitsubishi Corporation, polymer supplier Covestro in Germany, and AP Ventures – Anglo American Platinum’s venture capital fund [February 2018, p8]. The operational expertise of Vopak and the other new investors will help to accelerate the international distribution of renewable energies via hydrogen. Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies: www.hydrogenious.net Frames Group: www.frames-group.com MAN Energy Solutions: www.man-es.com Royal Vopak: www.vopak.com Mitsubishi Corporation: www.mitsubishicorp.com Covestro: www.covestro.de/en AP Ventures: www.apventuresllp.com
Nel launches A1000 medium-scale alkaline electrolyser
N
el Hydrogen Electrolyser, a subsidiary of Norwegian-based Nel ASA, has officially launched its A1000 alkaline electrolyser, a medium-
August 2019
NEWS scale, 2 tonne/day addition to its range of large-scale alkaline electrolyser solutions for hydrogen generation. The A1000 builds on the company’s successful A-Series atmospheric alkaline platform, and comes with a net production rate from 600 to 970 Nm3/h, allowing for flexible scale-up according to end-user demand. The system offers the same robustness and reliability of the conventional A-Series units, but with a lower cost for medium-scale customer needs. Nel’s A-Series of atmospheric alkaline electrolysers feature a cell stack power consumption as low as 3.8 kWh/Nm3 of hydrogen gas produced, up to 2.2 MW per stack. These electrolysers can produce up to 3880 Nm3/h of hydrogen, or just over 8 tonnes per day. The modular concept enables customised indoor hydrogen solutions for any application, configuration and size. The company tailors each delivery to customer requirements, from complete installation of the entire electrolyser plant, to delivery of specific modules according to customer preferences. This robust system can be containerised, offering compact footprints for high-capacity electrolyser plants at 200 bar. Nel is a global hydrogen company, delivering optimal solutions to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen produced using renewable energy. The company has more than 3500 reliable, cost-efficient alkaline and PEM water electrolysers [FCB, June 2019, p13] installed around the world, serving a wide range of applications at small to large scales. The company also offers hydrogen fueling stations [e.g. May 2019, p10]. Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser: www.nelhydrogen.com
the major fossil fuel companies a convenient path to ensuring their legacy filling stations are converted rather than disposed of or abandoned during the migration to clean fuels. This conversion path will allow the filling station assets – typically owned and operated by oil companies or via local independent operators who sell fuel under oil company brand names – to absorb some of the anticipated financial impact that will result from mass adoption of electric and hydrogen powered vehicles. Shanghai/Vancouver-based Palcan produces reliable, affordable PEM fuel cell systems powered by hydrogen generated from methanol, which is seen as a potential steppingstone in the transition from petroleum-based products. The company is an industry leader in methanol reforming systems, and is already approved by the Chinese government. The safe conversion of methanol to hydrogen, to produce electricity using the PEM fuel cells within the charging units, allows for a DC-based charging output, which provides fast-charging in less than 10 minutes. The partnership aims to reduce this to 4–6 minutes, similar to conventional refueling. The agreement allows for the use of Palcan’s technology outside of electricity generation for charging networks, and in other industry sectors such as hydrogen-based energy storage and mobile electricity generation. Ideanomics will market and promote Palcan’s technology and services, and introduce it to its manufacturing, power grid, and fleet operation partners. Earlier this year UK-based AFC Energy demonstrated its CH2ARGE™ system, an EV charger based on hydrogen-based alkaline fuel cell technology [FCB, February 2019, p12]. Palcan Energy Corporation: www.palcan.com
Palcan, Ideanomics for EV fast-charging using methanol-to-hydrogen
U
S-based Ideanomics is partnering with Chinese-Canadian company Shanghai Bo Hydro New Energy Technology (Palcan Energy Corporation) to introduce Palcan’s methanol-to-hydrogen reforming technology to existing conventional filling station networks, as an efficient way to roll out a fast-charging network for battery electric vehicles. The partnership plans to begin building out fast-charge networks, as part of Ideanomics’ S2F2C (Sales to Financing to fast Charging networks) business model, by partially or fully converting existing fossil fuel filling stations into fast-charging ‘new energy’ stations, giving
August 2019
Ideanomics: www.ideanomics.com
Pure Power Pool for one-stop hydrogen energy in Germany
G
erman companies Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, Umstro GmbH, and Klaus Ostermeier GmbH have signed a Letter of Intent to establish the Pure Power Pool consortium, which will act as a one-stop-shop for the supply of hydrogen fuel cell systems, including all components and services. Umstro, a developer of DC-based mobile and stationary energy systems based in Euskirchen in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), will act as the main point of contact and general contractor in planned fuel cell and electrolysis projects. Ostermeier, located
in Schweitenkirchen in Bavaria, north of Munich, will focus on the integration of PEM electrolysis stacks into modular electrolysis kits, and together with Proton Motor – also based near Munich – will provide support and conceptual support for customer advice. Proton Motor and Ostermeier will provide relevant information and components so that Umstro can offer complete solutions in its project management function. Any components needed to meet customer requirements that are not available from the consortium, such as storage or tank systems, will be bought in from third parties. Proton Motor Fuel Cell – a subsidiary of UK-based Proton Power Systems Plc – offers complete PEM fuel cell and hybrid systems, from development and production to the implementation of customer-specific solutions. Its focus is on stationary applications such as backup power and energy storage [e.g. see page 6], as well as mobile solutions such as back-tobase applications [FCB, May 2019, p14]. Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH: www.proton-motor.de/gb Umstro GmbH: www.umstro.de [in German] Klaus Ostermeier GmbH: www.ostermeier-gmbh.com
ITM Power lease for new factory, appoints senior production role
U
K-based ITM Power is leasing new premises in Sheffield, Yorkshire for its global manufacturing headquarters; the company has also made a senior production appointment to support the transition to the new facilities. Under the leasing agreement ITM will lease a 134 000 ft2 (12 450 m2) new-build development at PLP Bessemer Park in Sheffield. The manufacturing facility will have an electrolyser manufacturing capacity of up to 1 GW per annum, which the company says will be the world’s largest. ITM and park developer PLP will enter into a lease agreement on completion of the building, expected in Q4 of 2019. PLP Bessemer Park is a new 50 acre (20 ha) development at a strategic location next to junction 34 of the M1, and in close proximity to ITM Power’s existing facilities; the lease runs out at the existing Atlas Way site in 2021 [FCB, November 2018, p15]. The company expects to occupy the building from March 2020, and complete its technical and industrial fit-out and transition most of its operations by summer 2020. The requirement to expand ITM Power’s production capacity has been led by the continued growth in the company’s order pipeline [see also page 8]. The new headquarters
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11
Horizon to power 1000 fuel cell heavy vehicles in port operations
S
ingapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to supply 1000 units of 100 kW and higher automotive fuel cell systems for heavyduty trucks within three years, with the first units to be delivered later this year. This represents one of the world’s largest deployments of fuel cell heavy vehicles. This is an important step in improving air quality around busy shipping ports, where diesel engines are a major contributor to air pollution. Horizon points out that deployments of fuel cell powered commercial vehicles are now at fleet scale in China. This latest deal for Horizon’s new highpower, high power density automotive PEM fuel cells [FCB, June 2019, p13] highlights the performance and economic competitiveness of the company’s systems. It also underscores the attractiveness of hydrogen, as fleet operators seek to meet new restrictions on the use of diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. The range limitations and charging downtime of battery electric vehicles make them less suited to demanding usage scenarios in ports and logistics hubs. Shifting to hydrogen powered vehicles involves no significant change in port and warehouse operations, with one or two hydrogen refueling stations capable of supporting busy fleets of vehicles, as each station can perform hundreds of fills daily. Horizon supplies a full range of fuel cell systems, from low-power air-cooled fuel cells through to high-power automotive systems rated at more than 100 kW, as well as containerised stationary fuel cell power plants [May 2018, p7]. Two years ago the company established a joint venture in China to construct a facility in Rugao, Jiangsu Province for the production of 10–30 kW modules for fuel cell electric vehicles [April 2017, p11].
Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies: www.horizonfuelcell.com
10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Wuhan Tiger to take delivery of four more PowerCell S2 stacks
P
owerCell Sweden has received an order for an additional four PowerCell S2 PEM fuel cell stacks from Chinese company Wuhan Tiger Fuel Cell Vehicle Company Ltd. The delivery of these stacks will take place in Q3, and is part of the initial order placed by Wuhan Tiger in March 2017 for fuel cell stacks and systems [FCB, April 2017, p12], with additional stacks shipped earlier this year [June 2019, p14]. With the new order a total of 58 PowerCell S2 stacks will have been delivered. Wuhan Tiger is developing fuel cell powered commercial vehicles for the Chinese market, and has launched a fuel cell electric bus in collaboration with Chinese vehicle manufacturer Skywell [January 2018, p5]. The bus, equipped with PowerCell S2 stacks, was approved for production by the Chinese authorities last year. The fleet of buses is now in daily operation on line 359, a 12 km (7.5 mile) bus route running through the Wuhan East Lake Development Zone. The Chinese government has introduced large subsidies for fuel cell powered vehicles, while at the same time ending the previous subsidy programme for battery electric vehicles. ‘The Chinese authorities have realised that electrification of the road traffic using only battery powered vehicles will not be enough to decrease the emissions of CO2 and hazardous substances,’ says Per Wassén, CEO of PowerCell. ‘Wuhan Tiger is one of several Chinese manufacturers that have started launching extensive tests of fuel cell vehicles.’ PowerCell Sweden: www.powercell.se Wuhan Tiger FCV: http://en.whtiger.com
Hydrogenious global cooperation deal, wins major new investment
G
erman-based Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies GmbH has entered into a close cooperation with compatriot MAN Energy Solutions and Frames Group BV in the Netherlands to build large-scale hydrogen storage systems based on its Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) technology. Hydrogenious has also received a E17 million (US$19 million) investment from strategic
investors Royal Vopak, Mitsubishi Corporation, Covestro, and AP Ventures. Hydrogenious, Frames Group and MAN Energy Solutions have signed a cooperation agreement focused on the development and global delivery of large-scale hydrogenation plants to store hydrogen in the LOHC material. As a first step, the partners have developed systems with hydrogen capacities of 5 and 12 tonnes per day; such large hydrogen processing capacities will be crucial for the decarbonisation of Europe’s energy needs. The LOHC technology uses the existing infrastructure for conventional fuels, making it feasible to import and transport large amounts of ‘green’ hydrogen, for example from Scandinavian wind parks to central Europe. Frames designs and builds solutions for renewable energy and oil & gas processing equipment, and will be responsible for overall realisation of the hydrogenation plant. MAN Energy Solutions – which recently acquired a 40% stake in H-TEC Systems [FCB, April 2019, p10] – has extensive experience in design and fabrication of reactor systems for chemical and petrochemical applications, and will deliver the reactor and related steam generator equipment to the projects. This strong European consortium is thus well positioned for the worldwide realisation of large-scale LOHC plants. Meanwhile, Hydrogenious has signed an investment agreement with several strategic partners in a E17 million funding round led by tank storage company Royal Vopak, along with Japanese trading giant Mitsubishi Corporation, polymer supplier Covestro in Germany, and AP Ventures – Anglo American Platinum’s venture capital fund [February 2018, p8]. The operational expertise of Vopak and the other new investors will help to accelerate the international distribution of renewable energies via hydrogen. Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies: www.hydrogenious.net Frames Group: www.frames-group.com MAN Energy Solutions: www.man-es.com Royal Vopak: www.vopak.com Mitsubishi Corporation: www.mitsubishicorp.com Covestro: www.covestro.de/en AP Ventures: www.apventuresllp.com
Nel launches A1000 medium-scale alkaline electrolyser
N
el Hydrogen Electrolyser, a subsidiary of Norwegian-based Nel ASA, has officially launched its A1000 alkaline electrolyser, a medium-
August 2019
NEWS scale, 2 tonne/day addition to its range of large-scale alkaline electrolyser solutions for hydrogen generation. The A1000 builds on the company’s successful A-Series atmospheric alkaline platform, and comes with a net production rate from 600 to 970 Nm3/h, allowing for flexible scale-up according to end-user demand. The system offers the same robustness and reliability of the conventional A-Series units, but with a lower cost for medium-scale customer needs. Nel’s A-Series of atmospheric alkaline electrolysers feature a cell stack power consumption as low as 3.8 kWh/Nm3 of hydrogen gas produced, up to 2.2 MW per stack. These electrolysers can produce up to 3880 Nm3/h of hydrogen, or just over 8 tonnes per day. The modular concept enables customised indoor hydrogen solutions for any application, configuration and size. The company tailors each delivery to customer requirements, from complete installation of the entire electrolyser plant, to delivery of specific modules according to customer preferences. This robust system can be containerised, offering compact footprints for high-capacity electrolyser plants at 200 bar. Nel is a global hydrogen company, delivering optimal solutions to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen produced using renewable energy. The company has more than 3500 reliable, cost-efficient alkaline and PEM water electrolysers [FCB, June 2019, p13] installed around the world, serving a wide range of applications at small to large scales. The company also offers hydrogen fueling stations [e.g. May 2019, p10]. Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser: www.nelhydrogen.com
the major fossil fuel companies a convenient path to ensuring their legacy filling stations are converted rather than disposed of or abandoned during the migration to clean fuels. This conversion path will allow the filling station assets – typically owned and operated by oil companies or via local independent operators who sell fuel under oil company brand names – to absorb some of the anticipated financial impact that will result from mass adoption of electric and hydrogen powered vehicles. Shanghai/Vancouver-based Palcan produces reliable, affordable PEM fuel cell systems powered by hydrogen generated from methanol, which is seen as a potential steppingstone in the transition from petroleum-based products. The company is an industry leader in methanol reforming systems, and is already approved by the Chinese government. The safe conversion of methanol to hydrogen, to produce electricity using the PEM fuel cells within the charging units, allows for a DC-based charging output, which provides fast-charging in less than 10 minutes. The partnership aims to reduce this to 4–6 minutes, similar to conventional refueling. The agreement allows for the use of Palcan’s technology outside of electricity generation for charging networks, and in other industry sectors such as hydrogen-based energy storage and mobile electricity generation. Ideanomics will market and promote Palcan’s technology and services, and introduce it to its manufacturing, power grid, and fleet operation partners. Earlier this year UK-based AFC Energy demonstrated its CH2ARGE™ system, an EV charger based on hydrogen-based alkaline fuel cell technology [FCB, February 2019, p12]. Palcan Energy Corporation: www.palcan.com
Palcan, Ideanomics for EV fast-charging using methanol-to-hydrogen
U
S-based Ideanomics is partnering with Chinese-Canadian company Shanghai Bo Hydro New Energy Technology (Palcan Energy Corporation) to introduce Palcan’s methanol-to-hydrogen reforming technology to existing conventional filling station networks, as an efficient way to roll out a fast-charging network for battery electric vehicles. The partnership plans to begin building out fast-charge networks, as part of Ideanomics’ S2F2C (Sales to Financing to fast Charging networks) business model, by partially or fully converting existing fossil fuel filling stations into fast-charging ‘new energy’ stations, giving
August 2019
Ideanomics: www.ideanomics.com
Pure Power Pool for one-stop hydrogen energy in Germany
G
erman companies Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, Umstro GmbH, and Klaus Ostermeier GmbH have signed a Letter of Intent to establish the Pure Power Pool consortium, which will act as a one-stop-shop for the supply of hydrogen fuel cell systems, including all components and services. Umstro, a developer of DC-based mobile and stationary energy systems based in Euskirchen in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), will act as the main point of contact and general contractor in planned fuel cell and electrolysis projects. Ostermeier, located
in Schweitenkirchen in Bavaria, north of Munich, will focus on the integration of PEM electrolysis stacks into modular electrolysis kits, and together with Proton Motor – also based near Munich – will provide support and conceptual support for customer advice. Proton Motor and Ostermeier will provide relevant information and components so that Umstro can offer complete solutions in its project management function. Any components needed to meet customer requirements that are not available from the consortium, such as storage or tank systems, will be bought in from third parties. Proton Motor Fuel Cell – a subsidiary of UK-based Proton Power Systems Plc – offers complete PEM fuel cell and hybrid systems, from development and production to the implementation of customer-specific solutions. Its focus is on stationary applications such as backup power and energy storage [e.g. see page 6], as well as mobile solutions such as back-tobase applications [FCB, May 2019, p14]. Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH: www.proton-motor.de/gb Umstro GmbH: www.umstro.de [in German] Klaus Ostermeier GmbH: www.ostermeier-gmbh.com
ITM Power lease for new factory, appoints senior production role
U
K-based ITM Power is leasing new premises in Sheffield, Yorkshire for its global manufacturing headquarters; the company has also made a senior production appointment to support the transition to the new facilities. Under the leasing agreement ITM will lease a 134 000 ft2 (12 450 m2) new-build development at PLP Bessemer Park in Sheffield. The manufacturing facility will have an electrolyser manufacturing capacity of up to 1 GW per annum, which the company says will be the world’s largest. ITM and park developer PLP will enter into a lease agreement on completion of the building, expected in Q4 of 2019. PLP Bessemer Park is a new 50 acre (20 ha) development at a strategic location next to junction 34 of the M1, and in close proximity to ITM Power’s existing facilities; the lease runs out at the existing Atlas Way site in 2021 [FCB, November 2018, p15]. The company expects to occupy the building from March 2020, and complete its technical and industrial fit-out and transition most of its operations by summer 2020. The requirement to expand ITM Power’s production capacity has been led by the continued growth in the company’s order pipeline [see also page 8]. The new headquarters
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11