- Email: [email protected]
Acumentrics SOFC tested for Japanese market
NEWS metal compounds at the nanoscale to reveal the most promising triggers for converting liquid fuels to hydrogen. The three-year project will be coordinated by Dionisios Vlachos, working with Jochen Lauterbach and Douglas Buttrey, all in the Center for Catalytic Science & Technology in the UD College of Engineering. The project also involves collaborators from Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY. The UD research team will use ammonia as the fuel in their proof-of-concept research. In practice, a car or stationary power generator would be fueled with ammonia, which would be chemically converted to hydrogen by the nanocatalysts. The hydrogen would then be supplied to a fuel cell. Ammonia has a large storage capacity of hydrogen, is easy to make into a liquid form, and is one of the most abundant chemicals produced worldwide through its extensive use in fertilizers. The researchers will explore a variety of nanocatalysts formed from combinations of inexpensive metals, as well try new techniques for fuel processing to avoid the poisoning of the catalysts by minute amounts of carbon monoxide, which are produced in current processing methods. Contact: Professor Dionisios G. Vlachos, Center for Catalytic Science & Technology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware. USA. Tel: +1 302 831 2830, Email: [email protected], www.che.udel.edu/ccst
as high as can be achieved using electrically powered air-conditioning systems, as here the thermal energy is utilized to cool the servers. Deutsche Telekom acquired its initial experience with the HotModule system with an installation in a telecoms facility in Munich. Now its objective is to test the fuel cell system in a computer center application, in preparation for utilizing the potential of this clean technology on a broad scale. The new HotModule will be officially put into service in the early summer. This innovative project was supported by funding from the German federal ministry of economics and technology (BMWi). To achieve CO2-neutral operation, PASM will purchase gas from Schmack Biogas. This ensures that the corresponding amount of biofuel is produced in the biogas plant in Pliening. The biogas, which has a methane content of 96%, is fed into the natural gas distribution system after passing through a cleaning process, and the HotModule draws its fuel from the natural gas distribution network. CFC Solutions calls its innovative approach the Permanent Premium Power principle (P3). Instead of drawing power from the grid and keeping standby generators in reserve, the HotModule takes the opposite approach. The system provides a permanent supply of electrical and thermal energy, even in the event of grid failure. This eliminates the need for a backup system with large diesel engines, storage tanks and battery rooms.
Biogas HotModule power for computer center
Contact: CFC Solutions GmbH, Ottobrunn, Germany. Tel: +49 89 607 31500, www.mtu-cfc-solutions.com
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UQM wins compressor motor order from Eaton
n Germany, a HotModule fuel cell system from CFC Solutions will soon be ensuring reliable operation of the servers in a T-Systems computer center operated by telecoms giant Deutsche Telekom. The power plant will be run on biogas produced from ‘energy crops’ grown in the countryside around Munich. CFC Solutions received the order for installation of the HotModule from Munich-based PASM Power and Air Condition Solution Management GmbH, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom. PASM organizes and is responsible for procurement of all of Deutsche Telekom’s energy needs. The 250 kW fuel cell system and absorption refrigeration system represent a package solution to supply electricity and cooling capacity for a server suite, which is a self-contained part of the computer center in Munich’s Euroindustriepark area. It is based on the trigeneration principle, which combines generation of electrical energy and thermal energy in a single process. The resulting energy efficiency is approximately twice
10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
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olorado-based UQM Technologies has received a follow-on order from Eaton Corporation, a Tier 1 supplier to automobile manufacturers worldwide, for additional UQM compressor drive motors for use as part of Eaton’s fuel cell air management product line. Eaton’s fuel cell product line consists of two product families: the M24 line, which is an offshoot of its Roots-type supercharger technology; and the centrifugal compressor product line, based on proprietary two-stage and single-stage non-surging technologies. The M24 product has a dual-seal configuration specifically engineered for fuel cells, to provide a low-cost and durable solution for the atmospheric and mid-range stack markets. The centrifugal compressor product uses two backto-back impellers driven by a common shaft
with an external stage-to-stage transfer tube to improve efficiency over a wide operating range, and is designed to meet the needs of higher-pressure stacks up to a pressure ratio of 2.8. Contact: UQM Technologies Inc, Frederick, Colorado, USA. Tel: +1 303 278 2002, www.uqm.com
Acumentrics SOFC tested for Japanese market
U
S-based SOFC developer Acumentrics reports that one of its 3 kW fuel cell generators has completed safety tests for the Japan Gas Association (JGA). The JGA, an industry association of 214 gas utilities and 260 associated firms, is promoting a national project funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in Japan. The project aims to ensure the safety of small stationary SOFC systems in preparation for Japanese market release, and rigid standards must be met under Japan’s Electrical Utilities Industry Act and Fire Services Act. Tests were conducted with several SOFC systems at the Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association facility in Tokyo. Acumentrics’ unique durable, fuel-flexible fuel cell technology is based on tubular ceramics. More than 20 of its fuel cell power generators, ranging from 1 kW to 10 kW in size, have been shipped and operated in the field. Its fuel cells can be run directly on natural gas, propane or biofuels, as well as hydrogen. The company also sells rugged, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to the mission-critical market.
Contact: Acumentrics Corporation, Westwood, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 781 461 8251, www. acumentrics.com Or contact: Japan Gas Association, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Tel: +81 3 3502 0116, www.gas.or.jp/english/ index.html
Ebus considers assembly in Tennessee, Arizona bus tours state
C
alifornia-based electric bus maker Ebus is considering manufacturing hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at a site that is currently used for customer support and engineering. Meanwhile, ECOtality has partnered with Arizona Public
April 2007
as high as can be achieved using electrically powered air-conditioning systems, as here the thermal energy is utilized to cool the servers. Deutsche Telekom acquired its initial experience with the HotModule system with an installation in a telecoms facility in Munich. Now its objective is to test the fuel cell system in a computer center application, in preparation for utilizing the potential of this clean technology on a broad scale. The new HotModule will be officially put into service in the early summer. This innovative project was supported by funding from the German federal ministry of economics and technology (BMWi). To achieve CO2-neutral operation, PASM will purchase gas from Schmack Biogas. This ensures that the corresponding amount of biofuel is produced in the biogas plant in Pliening. The biogas, which has a methane content of 96%, is fed into the natural gas distribution system after passing through a cleaning process, and the HotModule draws its fuel from the natural gas distribution network. CFC Solutions calls its innovative approach the Permanent Premium Power principle (P3). Instead of drawing power from the grid and keeping standby generators in reserve, the HotModule takes the opposite approach. The system provides a permanent supply of electrical and thermal energy, even in the event of grid failure. This eliminates the need for a backup system with large diesel engines, storage tanks and battery rooms.
Biogas HotModule power for computer center
Contact: CFC Solutions GmbH, Ottobrunn, Germany. Tel: +49 89 607 31500, www.mtu-cfc-solutions.com
I
UQM wins compressor motor order from Eaton
n Germany, a HotModule fuel cell system from CFC Solutions will soon be ensuring reliable operation of the servers in a T-Systems computer center operated by telecoms giant Deutsche Telekom. The power plant will be run on biogas produced from ‘energy crops’ grown in the countryside around Munich. CFC Solutions received the order for installation of the HotModule from Munich-based PASM Power and Air Condition Solution Management GmbH, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom. PASM organizes and is responsible for procurement of all of Deutsche Telekom’s energy needs. The 250 kW fuel cell system and absorption refrigeration system represent a package solution to supply electricity and cooling capacity for a server suite, which is a self-contained part of the computer center in Munich’s Euroindustriepark area. It is based on the trigeneration principle, which combines generation of electrical energy and thermal energy in a single process. The resulting energy efficiency is approximately twice
10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
C
olorado-based UQM Technologies has received a follow-on order from Eaton Corporation, a Tier 1 supplier to automobile manufacturers worldwide, for additional UQM compressor drive motors for use as part of Eaton’s fuel cell air management product line. Eaton’s fuel cell product line consists of two product families: the M24 line, which is an offshoot of its Roots-type supercharger technology; and the centrifugal compressor product line, based on proprietary two-stage and single-stage non-surging technologies. The M24 product has a dual-seal configuration specifically engineered for fuel cells, to provide a low-cost and durable solution for the atmospheric and mid-range stack markets. The centrifugal compressor product uses two backto-back impellers driven by a common shaft
with an external stage-to-stage transfer tube to improve efficiency over a wide operating range, and is designed to meet the needs of higher-pressure stacks up to a pressure ratio of 2.8. Contact: UQM Technologies Inc, Frederick, Colorado, USA. Tel: +1 303 278 2002, www.uqm.com
Acumentrics SOFC tested for Japanese market
U
S-based SOFC developer Acumentrics reports that one of its 3 kW fuel cell generators has completed safety tests for the Japan Gas Association (JGA). The JGA, an industry association of 214 gas utilities and 260 associated firms, is promoting a national project funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in Japan. The project aims to ensure the safety of small stationary SOFC systems in preparation for Japanese market release, and rigid standards must be met under Japan’s Electrical Utilities Industry Act and Fire Services Act. Tests were conducted with several SOFC systems at the Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association facility in Tokyo. Acumentrics’ unique durable, fuel-flexible fuel cell technology is based on tubular ceramics. More than 20 of its fuel cell power generators, ranging from 1 kW to 10 kW in size, have been shipped and operated in the field. Its fuel cells can be run directly on natural gas, propane or biofuels, as well as hydrogen. The company also sells rugged, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to the mission-critical market.
Contact: Acumentrics Corporation, Westwood, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 781 461 8251, www. acumentrics.com Or contact: Japan Gas Association, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Tel: +81 3 3502 0116, www.gas.or.jp/english/ index.html
Ebus considers assembly in Tennessee, Arizona bus tours state
C
alifornia-based electric bus maker Ebus is considering manufacturing hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at a site that is currently used for customer support and engineering. Meanwhile, ECOtality has partnered with Arizona Public
April 2007