- Email: [email protected]
Strong 2003 for Ballard
NEWS the various interfaces. In addition, the fabrication method allows the use of any desired flowfield and interconnect compositions, not just commercially available metals and alloys. The TuffCell’s superior mechanical properties have been proven in several rapid cycling tests from room temperature to 800°C, impact tests, and four-point bending tests. The latter showed these cells to have failure strengths approximately an order of magnitude higher than commercial, anode-supported cells. The physical and electrochemical integrity of the TuffCell was verified by achieving close to theoretical open-circuit voltages under hydrogen/air atmospheres, and maximum power densities of more than 0.25 W/cm². Work on the TuffCell is continuing, with the goal of further increasing single-cell performance to more than 0.5 W/cm², and testing short stacks of two or more cells. Contact: Romesh Kumar, Fuel Cell Technology Manager, Chemical Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA. Tel: +1 630 252 4342, Email: [email protected], www.transportation.anl.gov/fuelcell
Magnetek, Plug Power for joint development
N
Y-based fuel cell developer Plug Power has selected Magnetek in Los Angeles to provide advanced power conditioners for its new generation of stationary fuel cells. Magnetek will deliver two prototype power conditioners in August. The Magnetek power conditioners will invert the DC produced by Plug Power’s PEM fuel cells into the precise, reliable AC required for stationary applications, and will enable the fuel cells to operate in grid-tied or stand-alone mode should there be a loss of utility power. In stand-alone mode each Magnetekequipped fuel cell will be able to handle peak power loads in excess of 9 kWe, accommodating load imbalances from 0% to 80%. In gridtied mode, in the case of a utility power failure, the power conditioner will pick up the load immediately, and the fuel cells will continue to operate in stand-alone mode until utility power is restored. In the past five years Magnetek has delivered power conditioners rated at up to 200 kW for more than 160 commercial fuel cell installations, including the world’s two largest fuel cell plants in Anchorage, Alaska and Long Island, NY.
Contact: Magnetek Inc, Los Angeles, California, USA. Tel: +1 310 208 1980, www.magnetek.com
4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Or contact: Plug Power Inc, Latham, NY, USA. Tel: +1 518 782 7700, www.plugpower.com
Strong 2003 for Ballard
B
allard Power Systems has reported its financial results for the year to 31 December 2003. The company’s revenues for the year were a record US$119.6 million, well up on the $90.9m it reported for 2002. Even so, its net loss for 2003 was $125.1m, including $12.7m of investment writedowns and $8.8m restructuring costs, although this was an improvement on the $148.4m loss reported in 2002. ‘Ballard’s strong performance in 2003, including a 31% increase in revenue and a 66% reduction in cash consumption, is the product of our streamlined organization, improved focus and the many dedicated employees of Ballard who worked so hard to meet the ambitious corporate goals we set,’ says the company’s president/CEO, Dennis Campbell. During 2003 Ballard introduced the Nexa® RM Series fuel cell generator for the UPS and telecoms power markets, opened distribution and service channels, and expanded its customer base for the residential cogeneration market in Japan. In transportation, it delivered all 30 fuel cell engines for the European Fuel Cell Bus Project on time and on budget, and in December delivered three additional fuel cell bus engines for Perth, Australia. It also began deliveries of automotive fuel cell engines and powertrains to DaimlerChrysler and Ford. Ballard’s research and product development expenses for 2003 were $103.9m, down 9% on 2002. The decrease was achieved through cost reduction initiatives and restructuring activities, winding down its 250 kWe stationary generator field trial and heavy-duty bus programs and fuel processing activities, and deferring the 10 and 60 kWe stationary generator programs. The company’s leadership in fuel cell technology is evidenced by a strong intellectual property portfolio, with 140 new patents issued in 2003. Its IP portfolio now includes 1800 patents and patent applications covering almost 800 distinct inventions. ‘A significant development during the past year was the growing importance of internal combustion engine hybrid electric vehicles as a bridging technology to fuel cells,’ comments Campbell. ‘As a result, we are discussing strategic alternatives within the Alliance that could provide DaimlerChrysler and Ford with greater involvement in the development of fuel cell systems and the integration of those systems into their vehicles.’
Contact: Ballard Power Systems Inc, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com
Hydrogenics in ultracapacitor collaboration, launches commercialization initiative
S
an Diego-based Maxwell Technologies has formed a strategic alliance with Hydrogenics in Toronto to accelerate the integration of ultracapacitor and fuel cell technologies. Hydrogenics will integrate Maxwell’s Boostcap® ultracapacitors into its fuel cell power systems in order to optimize system performance, cost and longevity. As well as the joint development program, Maxwell will be Hydrogenics’ preferred ultracapacitor supplier for a period of four years. The agreement broadens and formalizes an ongoing relationship that has enabled both companies to see how well their technologies complement each other in delivering high-performance, low-cost solutions. According to Hydrogenics’ president/CEO, Pierre Rivard, the combined systems will benefit from improved efficiencies and response time, while reducing overall cost. He adds that in FCVs, ultracapacitors have demonstrated higher recovery of energy from braking than batteries, are considerably lighter, have a longer economic life, and are more environmentally friendly in their manufacture and disposal. Paired with fuel cells in stop/go mobility applications, such as forklifts, ultracapacitors provide burst power for lifting and acceleration, and enable regenerative braking; in backup power applications they provide instantly available short-term bridging power; and in many applications they buffer power demand peaks, which will allow Hydrogenics’ scalable fuel cell systems to be optimized for size and low cost. Hydrogenics has also launched a new business initiative to develop fuel cell-based power trains for ‘off-road’ light vehicles. OEMs and component providers for hydrogen or energy storage, power conditioning, traction controllers and drives, and fuel cell components are being targeted to partner in developing a range of such vehicles in the sub-automotive power range – typically less than 50 kW of electric power. Such vehicles would be deployed in utility markets such as airport ground support, materials handling, mining, grounds maintenance and military applications. These markets are expected to be early adopters of fuel cell technology, as its attributes address customer needs that are
April 2004
Magnetek, Plug Power for joint development
N
Y-based fuel cell developer Plug Power has selected Magnetek in Los Angeles to provide advanced power conditioners for its new generation of stationary fuel cells. Magnetek will deliver two prototype power conditioners in August. The Magnetek power conditioners will invert the DC produced by Plug Power’s PEM fuel cells into the precise, reliable AC required for stationary applications, and will enable the fuel cells to operate in grid-tied or stand-alone mode should there be a loss of utility power. In stand-alone mode each Magnetekequipped fuel cell will be able to handle peak power loads in excess of 9 kWe, accommodating load imbalances from 0% to 80%. In gridtied mode, in the case of a utility power failure, the power conditioner will pick up the load immediately, and the fuel cells will continue to operate in stand-alone mode until utility power is restored. In the past five years Magnetek has delivered power conditioners rated at up to 200 kW for more than 160 commercial fuel cell installations, including the world’s two largest fuel cell plants in Anchorage, Alaska and Long Island, NY.
Contact: Magnetek Inc, Los Angeles, California, USA. Tel: +1 310 208 1980, www.magnetek.com
4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Or contact: Plug Power Inc, Latham, NY, USA. Tel: +1 518 782 7700, www.plugpower.com
Strong 2003 for Ballard
B
allard Power Systems has reported its financial results for the year to 31 December 2003. The company’s revenues for the year were a record US$119.6 million, well up on the $90.9m it reported for 2002. Even so, its net loss for 2003 was $125.1m, including $12.7m of investment writedowns and $8.8m restructuring costs, although this was an improvement on the $148.4m loss reported in 2002. ‘Ballard’s strong performance in 2003, including a 31% increase in revenue and a 66% reduction in cash consumption, is the product of our streamlined organization, improved focus and the many dedicated employees of Ballard who worked so hard to meet the ambitious corporate goals we set,’ says the company’s president/CEO, Dennis Campbell. During 2003 Ballard introduced the Nexa® RM Series fuel cell generator for the UPS and telecoms power markets, opened distribution and service channels, and expanded its customer base for the residential cogeneration market in Japan. In transportation, it delivered all 30 fuel cell engines for the European Fuel Cell Bus Project on time and on budget, and in December delivered three additional fuel cell bus engines for Perth, Australia. It also began deliveries of automotive fuel cell engines and powertrains to DaimlerChrysler and Ford. Ballard’s research and product development expenses for 2003 were $103.9m, down 9% on 2002. The decrease was achieved through cost reduction initiatives and restructuring activities, winding down its 250 kWe stationary generator field trial and heavy-duty bus programs and fuel processing activities, and deferring the 10 and 60 kWe stationary generator programs. The company’s leadership in fuel cell technology is evidenced by a strong intellectual property portfolio, with 140 new patents issued in 2003. Its IP portfolio now includes 1800 patents and patent applications covering almost 800 distinct inventions. ‘A significant development during the past year was the growing importance of internal combustion engine hybrid electric vehicles as a bridging technology to fuel cells,’ comments Campbell. ‘As a result, we are discussing strategic alternatives within the Alliance that could provide DaimlerChrysler and Ford with greater involvement in the development of fuel cell systems and the integration of those systems into their vehicles.’
Contact: Ballard Power Systems Inc, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com
Hydrogenics in ultracapacitor collaboration, launches commercialization initiative
S
an Diego-based Maxwell Technologies has formed a strategic alliance with Hydrogenics in Toronto to accelerate the integration of ultracapacitor and fuel cell technologies. Hydrogenics will integrate Maxwell’s Boostcap® ultracapacitors into its fuel cell power systems in order to optimize system performance, cost and longevity. As well as the joint development program, Maxwell will be Hydrogenics’ preferred ultracapacitor supplier for a period of four years. The agreement broadens and formalizes an ongoing relationship that has enabled both companies to see how well their technologies complement each other in delivering high-performance, low-cost solutions. According to Hydrogenics’ president/CEO, Pierre Rivard, the combined systems will benefit from improved efficiencies and response time, while reducing overall cost. He adds that in FCVs, ultracapacitors have demonstrated higher recovery of energy from braking than batteries, are considerably lighter, have a longer economic life, and are more environmentally friendly in their manufacture and disposal. Paired with fuel cells in stop/go mobility applications, such as forklifts, ultracapacitors provide burst power for lifting and acceleration, and enable regenerative braking; in backup power applications they provide instantly available short-term bridging power; and in many applications they buffer power demand peaks, which will allow Hydrogenics’ scalable fuel cell systems to be optimized for size and low cost. Hydrogenics has also launched a new business initiative to develop fuel cell-based power trains for ‘off-road’ light vehicles. OEMs and component providers for hydrogen or energy storage, power conditioning, traction controllers and drives, and fuel cell components are being targeted to partner in developing a range of such vehicles in the sub-automotive power range – typically less than 50 kW of electric power. Such vehicles would be deployed in utility markets such as airport ground support, materials handling, mining, grounds maintenance and military applications. These markets are expected to be early adopters of fuel cell technology, as its attributes address customer needs that are
April 2004