- Email: [email protected]
AFC Energy begins pre-commissioning of German KORE system
NEWS its R&D partnership with Indonesia’s Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), with the launch of a second research facility in the new Baron Jogyakarta Technopark. This programme expansion will see Cascadiant deploy its state-of-the-art, methanol-based PEM fuel cell solution, for the first time integrated with a wind turbine application. The integrated solution will use 100% domestically produced methanol to create 99.995% pure hydrogen cleanly and cheaply onsite. By integrating fuel cells with wind turbines, the application showcases a stand-alone, off-grid clean energy application. In 2013, Cascadiant was the first company to fully integrate an off-grid commercial energy solution combining solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays and fuel cells [FCB, February 2013, p5]. The Baron facility is one of 100 Technoparks being developed by the Indonesian government, and was launched in cooperation with the Jogyakarta regional government. ‘[Cascadiant] have been a very supportive partner in both the provision of equipment and the transfer of technology,’ says Dr Eniya Listiani Dewi, BPPT’s deputy chair of technology for agroindustry and biotechnology, who has spearheaded the fuel cell development partnership with Cascadiant for the past three years. ‘Together with Cascadiant we are hoping to reduce Indonesia’s industrial use of diesel generators for backup power, and move towards green energy sources that generate power from domestically produced feedstocks, such as hydrogen and methanol.’ Cascadiant fuel cell deployments with telecom operators in Indonesia include Hutchison CP Telecommunications [FCB, November 2012, p4], XL Axiata and Telkom International [FCB, February 2013, p5], and Indonesian Telkomsel on the island of Sumatra [FCB, May 2015, p4]. Last spring Cascadiant expanded its agreement with BPPT, including deployment of the agency’s first hydrogen fuel cell as backup power for its data centre [FCB, March 2015, p4]. The company’s Managed Energy Solution is built around the ElectraGen™ PEM fuel cell technology originally developed by IdaTech in the US, now part of Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems [FCB, August 2012, p10]. Cascadiant Singapore. Tel: +65 6220 6418, Email: [email protected], Web: www.cascadiant.com/fuelcell.html Cascadiant Indonesia. Tel: +62 21 522 5466, Email: [email protected] Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology, Indonesia: www.bppt.go.id/english
January 2016
Shields to sell Altergy fuel cell backup power for wireless telecoms
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alifornia-based Altergy Systems has appointed Shields Environmental as a new distributor partner for its clean, reliable fuel cell backup power solutions for telecoms and critical power applications. Shields Environmental, with offices in the UK and Florida, is a leading supplier of equipment and services solutions to telecom network operators worldwide. The company will help manage greater demand for Altergy’s products and solutions from customers who are realising the benefits of fuel cells as a cost-effective backup power solution, as well as a strategic solution that helps meet corporate sustainability goals. ‘There is no doubt every carrier will be using this technology for backup power in the next few years,’ says Bill Peardon, VP of wireless services for Shields. ‘With the Altergy solution, fuel cell technology is finally economical, and proven extensively in the field.’ Altergy’s distributor partners include EXPconsulting in the UK, Island Alternative Power Solutions (IAPS) in the Caribbean, IXAYA in Mexico, as well as Eaton, Hill Group, and Pinnacle Telecom Group in North America. Altergy’s Freedom Power™ PEM fuel cell systems proved to be a more reliable telecom backup power source than conventional systems when Hurricane Joaquin caused devastation in the Caribbean last October [FCB, December 2015, p4]. The company has also participated in a project led by Sandia National Laboratories, to develop fuel cell powered mobile lighting systems [FCB, October 2014, p5].
Altergy Systems, Folsom, California, USA. Tel: +1 916 458 8590, www.altergy.com Shields Environmental: www.shields-e.us
LARGE STATIONARY
AFC Energy begins pre-commissioning of German KORE system
U
K-based AFC Energy reports that the KORE industrial alkaline fuel cell system build at the Stade facility in Germany has now been completed, with all 24 fuel cell cartridges installed. The company expected to commence pre-commissioning of the entire system,
Fuel Cells Bulletin
5
NEWS in manual operation mode, in midDecember. Finalisation of the remaining precommissioning activity is expected to take approximately six weeks, in order to optimise the KORE plant, and to set up the entire system for fully automated operation. The results of full commissioning are expected to be announced by the end of January. ‘Following the achievement of Milestone 10 in October 2015 [FCB, November 2015, p5], we have continued to make solid progress towards Milestone 11,’ says Adam Bond, CEO of AFC. ‘However, we still need to complete all pre-commissioning activities before we are able to undertake automated commissioning, and test the KORE system at the targeted 240 kW design output.’ AFC Energy is approaching commercialisation of its KORE low-cost alkaline fuel cell power generation system [see the AFC feature in FCB, December 2015]. Its Power-Up project will demonstrate the world’s largest alkaline fuel cell system at the Air Products industrial gas plant in Stade, northern Germany. The demonstration of the 240 kW KORE system represents the final phase of the company’s pre-commercialisation technical development programme, and creates the platform for global commercial fuel cell deployment, with large-scale projects already announced in South Korea, Dubai, and Thailand [FCB, March 2015, p1 and May 2015, p6]. Meanwhile, AFC has recently raised £2.47 million (US$3.6 million), before expenses, through the issue of 12.4 million new ordinary shares. The company will also offer up to 5.6 million new ordinary shares for subscription by qualifying shareholders, potentially raising up to a further £1.13 million ($1.6 million). The company will use this funding to address a large number of project-related invoicing commitments incurred in advance of funding being received from the EU’s grant agency under the Power-Up agreement, due to the accelerated timetable towards achieving Milestone 11 and the first commercial-scale operability of the KORE module. AFC Energy, Cranleigh, Surrey, UK. Tel: +44 1483 276726, www.afcenergy.com Power-Up project: www.project-power-up.eu
FCE in $30m project finance facility with PNC Energy Capital
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onnecticut-based FuelCell Energy has announced a US$30 million project financing facility with PNC
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Fuel Cells Bulletin
Energy Capital, a full-service capital provider to the renewable energy and demand-side management segments of the energy industry. This facility provides long-term financing for projects that FCE is developing under power purchase agreements (PPAs). PNC Energy Capital will provide financing through a sale/leaseback structure to selected project subsidiaries formed and owned by FuelCell Energy. The facility monetises the tax benefits and cash flows from customer PPAs. Financing from PNC Energy Capital will broaden FuelCell Energy’s financing capabilities, which is expected to accelerate fuel cell project deployment. ‘This efficient financing platform enables FuelCell Energy to retain management of certain power purchase agreements, and should further enhance cash flows and service margins,’ says Michael Bishop, senior VP and chief financial officer. This financing facility provides FuelCell Energy with the choice to retain projects that it develops, and to benefit from the margin expansion opportunities inherent in the sale of power and heat derived from the underlying PPA. Revenue derived from the PPAs of the selected projects will be recognised by FuelCell Energy over the life of the project, in contrast to the one-time product revenue generated by outright equipment sale. The first project under this structure is expected to be the 1.4 MW molten carbonate fuel cell power plant providing electricity and heat to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center [FCB, July 2014, p6]. The power plant will generate about 30% of its power needs, while the heat produced will be used in a direct exhaust absorption chiller to produce 200 tonnes of cooling for an office building and associated institutional requirements. The installation was expected to achieve commercial operation in December 2015, at which time the project will be financed under this PNC facility. FuelCell Energy will operate and maintain the plant and sell power to UC Irvine under a long-term PPA. In its home state FuelCell Energy is expanding its manufacturing facility in Torrington, and will supply a power plant to United Illuminating for a new microgrid in Woodbridge [FCB, December 2015, p4]. FCE also recently sold six additional fuel cell modules totaling 8.4 MW to its South Korean partner POSCO Energy, to meet growing Asian demand [FCB, December 2015, p6]. FuelCell Energy, Danbury, Connecticut, USA. Tel: +1 203 825 6000, www.fuelcellenergy.com PNC Energy Capital: http://tinyurl.com/pnc-energy-capital
PORTABLE & MICRO
myFC deals with du for UAE, Mobileistic in US, as JAQ charger gets ready for launch
S
wedish fuel cell device developer myFC has signed an exclusive agreement with the ‘du’ mobile network carrier to distribute and market myFC’s new JAQ fuel cell charger in the United Arab Emirates, and a distribution agreement with smartphone accessory distributer Mobileistic for the American market. myFC has now shipped the first batch of JAQ chargers, ready for a major launch. The JAQ fuel cell charger – which myFC says is the world’s smallest – creates its own electricity using a slim, recyclable, single-use PowerCard filled with water and salt. The disposable PowerCard delivers about one full smartphone charge. The UAE agreement gives du – the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company – the exclusive right to sell, distribute and market the JAQ charger and PowerCards to its customers across the UAE, including in the company’s shops in and around Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qwain. Both partners have agreed on product pricing and target volumes, with JAQ sales to start in the UAE domain in Q2 of 2016. The JAQ charger will be distributed in the US by Mobileistic, which sells phone accessories to mobile operators, working mostly with North American operators. The company will provide myFC with in-depth knowledge of, infrastructure for, and service to the American market. The collaboration agreement does not indicate any binding sales quantities, but marks the launch of JAQ in the North American market, following its unveiling at the recent CES 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. myFC shipped the first batch of JAQ chargers in December, and is now ready for a major launch. The company has spent the past year developing this charger for frequent smartphone users who want to be completely mobile and not dependent on the power grid, even in urban environments. Its focus during this stage has been to develop a solution for the fast-growing need for accessible energy for mobile phones, while also meeting the consumer’s need for a user-friendly experience and a stylish design.
January 2016
January 2016
Shields to sell Altergy fuel cell backup power for wireless telecoms
C
alifornia-based Altergy Systems has appointed Shields Environmental as a new distributor partner for its clean, reliable fuel cell backup power solutions for telecoms and critical power applications. Shields Environmental, with offices in the UK and Florida, is a leading supplier of equipment and services solutions to telecom network operators worldwide. The company will help manage greater demand for Altergy’s products and solutions from customers who are realising the benefits of fuel cells as a cost-effective backup power solution, as well as a strategic solution that helps meet corporate sustainability goals. ‘There is no doubt every carrier will be using this technology for backup power in the next few years,’ says Bill Peardon, VP of wireless services for Shields. ‘With the Altergy solution, fuel cell technology is finally economical, and proven extensively in the field.’ Altergy’s distributor partners include EXPconsulting in the UK, Island Alternative Power Solutions (IAPS) in the Caribbean, IXAYA in Mexico, as well as Eaton, Hill Group, and Pinnacle Telecom Group in North America. Altergy’s Freedom Power™ PEM fuel cell systems proved to be a more reliable telecom backup power source than conventional systems when Hurricane Joaquin caused devastation in the Caribbean last October [FCB, December 2015, p4]. The company has also participated in a project led by Sandia National Laboratories, to develop fuel cell powered mobile lighting systems [FCB, October 2014, p5].
Altergy Systems, Folsom, California, USA. Tel: +1 916 458 8590, www.altergy.com Shields Environmental: www.shields-e.us
LARGE STATIONARY
AFC Energy begins pre-commissioning of German KORE system
U
K-based AFC Energy reports that the KORE industrial alkaline fuel cell system build at the Stade facility in Germany has now been completed, with all 24 fuel cell cartridges installed. The company expected to commence pre-commissioning of the entire system,
Fuel Cells Bulletin
5
NEWS in manual operation mode, in midDecember. Finalisation of the remaining precommissioning activity is expected to take approximately six weeks, in order to optimise the KORE plant, and to set up the entire system for fully automated operation. The results of full commissioning are expected to be announced by the end of January. ‘Following the achievement of Milestone 10 in October 2015 [FCB, November 2015, p5], we have continued to make solid progress towards Milestone 11,’ says Adam Bond, CEO of AFC. ‘However, we still need to complete all pre-commissioning activities before we are able to undertake automated commissioning, and test the KORE system at the targeted 240 kW design output.’ AFC Energy is approaching commercialisation of its KORE low-cost alkaline fuel cell power generation system [see the AFC feature in FCB, December 2015]. Its Power-Up project will demonstrate the world’s largest alkaline fuel cell system at the Air Products industrial gas plant in Stade, northern Germany. The demonstration of the 240 kW KORE system represents the final phase of the company’s pre-commercialisation technical development programme, and creates the platform for global commercial fuel cell deployment, with large-scale projects already announced in South Korea, Dubai, and Thailand [FCB, March 2015, p1 and May 2015, p6]. Meanwhile, AFC has recently raised £2.47 million (US$3.6 million), before expenses, through the issue of 12.4 million new ordinary shares. The company will also offer up to 5.6 million new ordinary shares for subscription by qualifying shareholders, potentially raising up to a further £1.13 million ($1.6 million). The company will use this funding to address a large number of project-related invoicing commitments incurred in advance of funding being received from the EU’s grant agency under the Power-Up agreement, due to the accelerated timetable towards achieving Milestone 11 and the first commercial-scale operability of the KORE module. AFC Energy, Cranleigh, Surrey, UK. Tel: +44 1483 276726, www.afcenergy.com Power-Up project: www.project-power-up.eu
FCE in $30m project finance facility with PNC Energy Capital
C
onnecticut-based FuelCell Energy has announced a US$30 million project financing facility with PNC
6
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Energy Capital, a full-service capital provider to the renewable energy and demand-side management segments of the energy industry. This facility provides long-term financing for projects that FCE is developing under power purchase agreements (PPAs). PNC Energy Capital will provide financing through a sale/leaseback structure to selected project subsidiaries formed and owned by FuelCell Energy. The facility monetises the tax benefits and cash flows from customer PPAs. Financing from PNC Energy Capital will broaden FuelCell Energy’s financing capabilities, which is expected to accelerate fuel cell project deployment. ‘This efficient financing platform enables FuelCell Energy to retain management of certain power purchase agreements, and should further enhance cash flows and service margins,’ says Michael Bishop, senior VP and chief financial officer. This financing facility provides FuelCell Energy with the choice to retain projects that it develops, and to benefit from the margin expansion opportunities inherent in the sale of power and heat derived from the underlying PPA. Revenue derived from the PPAs of the selected projects will be recognised by FuelCell Energy over the life of the project, in contrast to the one-time product revenue generated by outright equipment sale. The first project under this structure is expected to be the 1.4 MW molten carbonate fuel cell power plant providing electricity and heat to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center [FCB, July 2014, p6]. The power plant will generate about 30% of its power needs, while the heat produced will be used in a direct exhaust absorption chiller to produce 200 tonnes of cooling for an office building and associated institutional requirements. The installation was expected to achieve commercial operation in December 2015, at which time the project will be financed under this PNC facility. FuelCell Energy will operate and maintain the plant and sell power to UC Irvine under a long-term PPA. In its home state FuelCell Energy is expanding its manufacturing facility in Torrington, and will supply a power plant to United Illuminating for a new microgrid in Woodbridge [FCB, December 2015, p4]. FCE also recently sold six additional fuel cell modules totaling 8.4 MW to its South Korean partner POSCO Energy, to meet growing Asian demand [FCB, December 2015, p6]. FuelCell Energy, Danbury, Connecticut, USA. Tel: +1 203 825 6000, www.fuelcellenergy.com PNC Energy Capital: http://tinyurl.com/pnc-energy-capital
PORTABLE & MICRO
myFC deals with du for UAE, Mobileistic in US, as JAQ charger gets ready for launch
S
wedish fuel cell device developer myFC has signed an exclusive agreement with the ‘du’ mobile network carrier to distribute and market myFC’s new JAQ fuel cell charger in the United Arab Emirates, and a distribution agreement with smartphone accessory distributer Mobileistic for the American market. myFC has now shipped the first batch of JAQ chargers, ready for a major launch. The JAQ fuel cell charger – which myFC says is the world’s smallest – creates its own electricity using a slim, recyclable, single-use PowerCard filled with water and salt. The disposable PowerCard delivers about one full smartphone charge. The UAE agreement gives du – the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company – the exclusive right to sell, distribute and market the JAQ charger and PowerCards to its customers across the UAE, including in the company’s shops in and around Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qwain. Both partners have agreed on product pricing and target volumes, with JAQ sales to start in the UAE domain in Q2 of 2016. The JAQ charger will be distributed in the US by Mobileistic, which sells phone accessories to mobile operators, working mostly with North American operators. The company will provide myFC with in-depth knowledge of, infrastructure for, and service to the American market. The collaboration agreement does not indicate any binding sales quantities, but marks the launch of JAQ in the North American market, following its unveiling at the recent CES 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. myFC shipped the first batch of JAQ chargers in December, and is now ready for a major launch. The company has spent the past year developing this charger for frequent smartphone users who want to be completely mobile and not dependent on the power grid, even in urban environments. Its focus during this stage has been to develop a solution for the fast-growing need for accessible energy for mobile phones, while also meeting the consumer’s need for a user-friendly experience and a stylish design.
January 2016