- Email: [email protected]
Carbon Trust sees bright future for UK fuel cell developers
NEWS ‘The wind and hydrogen systems will be used for training, teaching, and research,’ says Dr Khalid Loudiyi, assistant professor of physics at Al Akhawayn University and co-director of the project. ‘Our aim is to strengthen our research portfolio and to develop a number of hydrogen applications, such as fuel cell vehicles, cooking, and even heating.’ The Pure Energy Centre is active in a wide range of renewable energy projects involving wind energy, solar, hydrogen, and compressed natural gas. The company developed the hydrogen and fuel cell system for the Hydrogen Office in Fife’s Energy Park in eastern Scotland [FCB, February 2011, p9]. Pure Energy Centre, Unst, Shetland, UK. Tel: +44 1957 711410, www.pureenergycentre.com Sahara Wind Inc, Rabat, Morocco. Tel: +212 537 742290, www.saharawind.com Dr Khalid Loudiyi, Assistant Professor of Physics, Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco. Tel: +212 535 862108, Email: [email protected], Web: www.aui.ma/old/VPAA/sse
ITM, German utility to study hydrogen energy storage in gas grid
U
K-based ITM Power has signed a Letter of Intent with a leading German local utility company, to investigate ‘Power-to-Gas’ energy storage. The integration of renewable energy sources into the existing electricity and gas networks in Germany is providing significant challenges to energy providers. The new collaboration will investigate the potential of energy storage through the production of hydrogen from ITM Power’s rapid response electrolysis equipment, and build a plant to test the performance and operation. ‘This is our first key development in the German utility market, and I am delighted that this particular, forward-looking utility has recognised ITM Power’s expertise in the energy storage and clean fuel sector,’ says Phil Doran, managing director of its German operation, ITM Power GmbH. ‘There are many significant opportunities in Germany, including energy storage using hydrogen gas injection into the gas grid, and clean fuel provision for captive fleets and road vehicles.’ ITM Power is already leading the GridGas study in the UK, to investigate the technical, financial, and operational feasibility of injecting hydrogen gas – generated from electrolysis fed from excess renewable energy – into the
October 2012
UK’s gas networks [FCB, April 2012, p1, and September 2012, p8]. There is increasing interest in using excess renewable energy in electrolysis to generate hydrogen, which is then injected into natural gas pipelines. For example, Canadian-based Hydrogenics is working with the German utility E.ON for a 2 MW Power-to-Gas energy storage facility at Falkenhagen [FCB, July 2012, p7].
Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies in the UK; Hinicio in Belgium; and the National Research & Development Institute for Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies in Romania.
ITM Power Plc, Sheffield, UK. Tel: +44 114 244 5111, www.itm-power.com
Carbon Trust sees bright future for UK fuel cell developers
UK GridGas project: www.gridgas.co.uk
HyUnder project looks at energy storage in underground hydrogen
T
welve leading organisations in Europe have launched the HyUnder project, co-financed by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), to assess the potential for largescale storage of renewable electricity through underground hydrogen storage in several European regions. The HyUnder project will provide the first complete assessment of the potential for largescale storage of fluctuating renewable electricity in underground salt caverns for hydrogen, with a specific focus on using synergies with its application as a transportation fuel and other markets. The project kicked off with a partner meeting in Brussels in June. The E1.8 million (US$2.3 million), twoyear project will develop six case studies across Europe, which will be consolidated into an EU Implementation Plan to move underground hydrogen storage from development to demonstration and deployment, with a particular focus on salt caverns. HyUnder will also define a timeline and pathway towards commercial deployment of hydrogen storage across the EU, on the basis of the geographic match between intermittent renewables and suitable storage sites. Furthermore, it will provide economic and CO2 mitigation recommendations focusing on where ‘green’ hydrogen would be best used – e.g. for grid balancing, admixture to natural gas pipelines, industrial use, and/or as transport fuel. The project is being coordinated by Hydrogen Aragon in Spain, working with Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik, E.ON Gas Storage, Solvay Chemicals, KBB Underground Technologies, and DEEP Underground Engineering in Germany; ECN and Shell Global Solutions International in the Netherlands; CEA in France; the CENEX
HyUnder project: www.hyunder.eu
COMMERCIALISATION
A
new report by the Carbon Trust outlines how innovative UK companies are at the forefront of achieving breakthroughs in PEM fuel cells which could address cost, the main barrier to their wide-scale deployment. The report says that a continued focus on technology innovation could make fuel cell electric vehicles cost-competitive with internal combustion engine cars by 2030, and lead to them forming one-third of all vehicles on the road by 2050. Current state-of-the-art PEM fuel cells are predicted to cost $49 per kW in automotive applications when manufactured in volume. But in order to be competitive with internal combustion engine vehicles, automotive fuel cells must reach a cost of approximately $36 per kW. The Carbon Trust cost analysis applies to projected costs for the period 2030–2050, when FCEVs reach mass production quantities (500 000 units per annum). The comparison with internal combustion engine cars is based on a total cost of ownership analysis that assumes a product lifetime of 15 years, no taxes or subsidies on the fuels used, and a peak power output of 85 kW (115 bhp). The report says that cost savings can be achieved by reducing material costs (notably platinum use), while increasing power density, reducing system complexity, and improving durability. Reducing the cost to better than $36/kW would lead to a dramatic market expansion, with 200 million more FCEVs being deployed by 2050, taking the total to some 690 million FCEVs. This would increase the value of the global FCEV market by $30 billion, to $261 billion per annum by 2050. The Carbon Trust is supporting five UK organisations – ITM Power, ACAL Energy, Ilika, Imperial College, and University College London – through its $10 million Polymer Fuel Cells Challenge to reduce the costs of PEM fuel cells. This initiative is now in
Fuel Cells Bulletin
9
NEWS its second phase, where organisations with potential breakthrough technologies that could achieve this step-change in cost are moving from feasibility testing towards commercial development with industry partners. ITM Power has developed a membrane with the potential to roughly double the power density of a cell, producing more power from less platinum [see the feature in FCB, July 2012]. ACAL Energy has developed a liquid cathode with the potential to directly reduce platinum use by at least two-thirds and eliminate the need for some standard components of a fuel cell [see the feature in FCB, April 2011]. Imperial College and University College London have developed a novel stackable cell architecture that uses low-cost materials and manufacturing techniques with breakthrough potential in terms of cost reduction. And materials developer Ilika has developed a Pt-free catalyst which has the potential to be 70% cheaper on a cost/performance basis than the current industry standard [see page 11]. The Carbon Trust: www.carbontrust.co.uk Polymer Fuel Cells Challenge: http://tinyurl.com/8bjzj7n Download the report: http://tinyurl.com/8oxbmg4
Intelligent Energy, Ricardo to offer FCEV engineering capability
I
n the UK, automotive consultancy Ricardo and fuel cell developer Intelligent Energy have announced that they are to work together in applying their respective expertise in advanced low-carbon vehicle engineering and fuel cell power technology platforms. The new partnership will provide customers with a fully integrated design, engineering, and implementation capability for fuel cell electric vehicles. Intelligent Energy and Ricardo have a proven track record of successful collaboration in engineering and development programmes, and believe that their combined capabilities will provide significant synergies in the delivery of successful FCEV projects. Intelligent Energy’s proprietary PEM fuel cell power technology platforms are targeted at production automotive as well as stationary power and consumer electronics applications. These fuel cell technologies will be the initial focus of the collaboration, which remains nonexclusive on either side but with each partner regarding the other as a preferred supplier. 10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
‘Ricardo is actively engaged in hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicle programmes, and we are receiving many enquiries in this area from vehicle manufacturers around the world,’ says Mark Garrett, COO of Ricardo. ‘While we will each continue to work independently, I believe that the combination of Ricardo and Intelligent Energy’s capabilities will provide an extremely attractive option for fuel cell electric vehicle customers looking to develop production-orientated solutions.’ ‘Our cost-effective and scalable systems and platforms have already proven themselves across our target market sectors, and we are increasingly asked to deploy our high-efficiency, zero-emission powertrains into vehicle and fleet trials, ahead of automotive market commercialisation,’ adds James Batchelor, managing director of Intelligent Energy’s Automotive Division. Earlier this year Intelligent Energy established a joint venture company with Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan, to develop and manufacture air-cooled PEM fuel cell systems for a range of industry sectors [FCB, February 2012, p3]. The joint venture, called SMILE FC System Corporation, will accelerate deployment of fuel cells for the next generation of FCEVs in particular. Intelligent Energy, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 271271, www.intelligent-energy.com Ricardo Plc, Shoreham, UK. Tel: +44 1273 455611, www.ricardo.com
Lilliputian boosts financing to launch initial micro product
M
assachusetts-based Lilliputian Systems, which is developing portable fuel cell power products for consumer electronics, has closed on $40 million of a planned $60 million equity financing round, led by the Russian investment fund RUSNANO. The additional funding will enable Lilliputian to scale up manufacturing operations and launch its initial product, the USB Mobile Power System. Lilliputian’s patented Silicon Power Cell™ technology is based on highly efficient solid oxide fuel cells and microelectromechanical system (MEMS) wafer fabrication methods, including key nanotechnology elements, and is fuelled by recyclable, high-energy butane cartridges. Moscow-based RUSNANO is focused on the development of the Russian nanotechnology industry through co-investments in nanotech
projects. It joins Lilliputian’s current blue chip investors that include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Altira Group, Stata Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, Fairhaven Capital, and silicon chip giant Intel, which has a wafer manufacturing deal with Lilliputian [FCB, December 2010, p11]. The capital will enable Lilliputian to scale up manufacturing operations and launch its initial product, the USB Mobile Power System (MPS), a portable system for powering and charging virtually all mobile phones and other consumer electronic devices. As part of the transaction, Lilliputian plans to open a business development office and an R&D and manufacturing facility in Moscow. Ken Lazarus, CEO of Lilliputian, adds that the deal also provides the opportunity to tap into the vast scientific and technical resources available in Moscow, as well as gain access to the fast-growing and vibrant consumer market in Russia. The USB MPS is a compact, portable device that powers and charges a variety of USBcompatible consumer electronic products, such as smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, eReaders, Bluetooth headsets, and digital cameras. The product has the capacity to power/recharge consumer electronic devices for several weeks on a single cartridge without the need for traditional wall outlets, providing true wireless mobility. The power cartridges are safe, easy-touse, inexpensive, and recyclable. The product has already been approved for carry-on and use on both domestic and international flights. In the spring Lilliputian signed a strategic partnership agreement with the US retail store chain Brookstone, to launch its initial product, a portable charger for power-hungry consumer electronics [FCB, June 2012, p9]. Lilliputian Systems Inc, Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 978 203 1700, www.lilliputiansystems.com RUSNANO Corporation, Moscow, Russia. Tel: +7 495 988 5388, http://en.rusnano.com
Ceres gives update on SOFC tech, publishes independent report
U
K-based Ceres Power has reported on planned work to further improve the long-term durability of its core technology. The company has also released an independent assessment of its core solid oxide fuel cell technology by Dr Nguyen Minh, a leading fuel cell expert, now associate director of the Center for Energy Research at the University of California, San Diego.
October 2012
ITM, German utility to study hydrogen energy storage in gas grid
U
K-based ITM Power has signed a Letter of Intent with a leading German local utility company, to investigate ‘Power-to-Gas’ energy storage. The integration of renewable energy sources into the existing electricity and gas networks in Germany is providing significant challenges to energy providers. The new collaboration will investigate the potential of energy storage through the production of hydrogen from ITM Power’s rapid response electrolysis equipment, and build a plant to test the performance and operation. ‘This is our first key development in the German utility market, and I am delighted that this particular, forward-looking utility has recognised ITM Power’s expertise in the energy storage and clean fuel sector,’ says Phil Doran, managing director of its German operation, ITM Power GmbH. ‘There are many significant opportunities in Germany, including energy storage using hydrogen gas injection into the gas grid, and clean fuel provision for captive fleets and road vehicles.’ ITM Power is already leading the GridGas study in the UK, to investigate the technical, financial, and operational feasibility of injecting hydrogen gas – generated from electrolysis fed from excess renewable energy – into the
October 2012
UK’s gas networks [FCB, April 2012, p1, and September 2012, p8]. There is increasing interest in using excess renewable energy in electrolysis to generate hydrogen, which is then injected into natural gas pipelines. For example, Canadian-based Hydrogenics is working with the German utility E.ON for a 2 MW Power-to-Gas energy storage facility at Falkenhagen [FCB, July 2012, p7].
Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies in the UK; Hinicio in Belgium; and the National Research & Development Institute for Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies in Romania.
ITM Power Plc, Sheffield, UK. Tel: +44 114 244 5111, www.itm-power.com
Carbon Trust sees bright future for UK fuel cell developers
UK GridGas project: www.gridgas.co.uk
HyUnder project looks at energy storage in underground hydrogen
T
welve leading organisations in Europe have launched the HyUnder project, co-financed by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), to assess the potential for largescale storage of renewable electricity through underground hydrogen storage in several European regions. The HyUnder project will provide the first complete assessment of the potential for largescale storage of fluctuating renewable electricity in underground salt caverns for hydrogen, with a specific focus on using synergies with its application as a transportation fuel and other markets. The project kicked off with a partner meeting in Brussels in June. The E1.8 million (US$2.3 million), twoyear project will develop six case studies across Europe, which will be consolidated into an EU Implementation Plan to move underground hydrogen storage from development to demonstration and deployment, with a particular focus on salt caverns. HyUnder will also define a timeline and pathway towards commercial deployment of hydrogen storage across the EU, on the basis of the geographic match between intermittent renewables and suitable storage sites. Furthermore, it will provide economic and CO2 mitigation recommendations focusing on where ‘green’ hydrogen would be best used – e.g. for grid balancing, admixture to natural gas pipelines, industrial use, and/or as transport fuel. The project is being coordinated by Hydrogen Aragon in Spain, working with Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik, E.ON Gas Storage, Solvay Chemicals, KBB Underground Technologies, and DEEP Underground Engineering in Germany; ECN and Shell Global Solutions International in the Netherlands; CEA in France; the CENEX
HyUnder project: www.hyunder.eu
COMMERCIALISATION
A
new report by the Carbon Trust outlines how innovative UK companies are at the forefront of achieving breakthroughs in PEM fuel cells which could address cost, the main barrier to their wide-scale deployment. The report says that a continued focus on technology innovation could make fuel cell electric vehicles cost-competitive with internal combustion engine cars by 2030, and lead to them forming one-third of all vehicles on the road by 2050. Current state-of-the-art PEM fuel cells are predicted to cost $49 per kW in automotive applications when manufactured in volume. But in order to be competitive with internal combustion engine vehicles, automotive fuel cells must reach a cost of approximately $36 per kW. The Carbon Trust cost analysis applies to projected costs for the period 2030–2050, when FCEVs reach mass production quantities (500 000 units per annum). The comparison with internal combustion engine cars is based on a total cost of ownership analysis that assumes a product lifetime of 15 years, no taxes or subsidies on the fuels used, and a peak power output of 85 kW (115 bhp). The report says that cost savings can be achieved by reducing material costs (notably platinum use), while increasing power density, reducing system complexity, and improving durability. Reducing the cost to better than $36/kW would lead to a dramatic market expansion, with 200 million more FCEVs being deployed by 2050, taking the total to some 690 million FCEVs. This would increase the value of the global FCEV market by $30 billion, to $261 billion per annum by 2050. The Carbon Trust is supporting five UK organisations – ITM Power, ACAL Energy, Ilika, Imperial College, and University College London – through its $10 million Polymer Fuel Cells Challenge to reduce the costs of PEM fuel cells. This initiative is now in
Fuel Cells Bulletin
9
NEWS its second phase, where organisations with potential breakthrough technologies that could achieve this step-change in cost are moving from feasibility testing towards commercial development with industry partners. ITM Power has developed a membrane with the potential to roughly double the power density of a cell, producing more power from less platinum [see the feature in FCB, July 2012]. ACAL Energy has developed a liquid cathode with the potential to directly reduce platinum use by at least two-thirds and eliminate the need for some standard components of a fuel cell [see the feature in FCB, April 2011]. Imperial College and University College London have developed a novel stackable cell architecture that uses low-cost materials and manufacturing techniques with breakthrough potential in terms of cost reduction. And materials developer Ilika has developed a Pt-free catalyst which has the potential to be 70% cheaper on a cost/performance basis than the current industry standard [see page 11]. The Carbon Trust: www.carbontrust.co.uk Polymer Fuel Cells Challenge: http://tinyurl.com/8bjzj7n Download the report: http://tinyurl.com/8oxbmg4
Intelligent Energy, Ricardo to offer FCEV engineering capability
I
n the UK, automotive consultancy Ricardo and fuel cell developer Intelligent Energy have announced that they are to work together in applying their respective expertise in advanced low-carbon vehicle engineering and fuel cell power technology platforms. The new partnership will provide customers with a fully integrated design, engineering, and implementation capability for fuel cell electric vehicles. Intelligent Energy and Ricardo have a proven track record of successful collaboration in engineering and development programmes, and believe that their combined capabilities will provide significant synergies in the delivery of successful FCEV projects. Intelligent Energy’s proprietary PEM fuel cell power technology platforms are targeted at production automotive as well as stationary power and consumer electronics applications. These fuel cell technologies will be the initial focus of the collaboration, which remains nonexclusive on either side but with each partner regarding the other as a preferred supplier. 10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
‘Ricardo is actively engaged in hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicle programmes, and we are receiving many enquiries in this area from vehicle manufacturers around the world,’ says Mark Garrett, COO of Ricardo. ‘While we will each continue to work independently, I believe that the combination of Ricardo and Intelligent Energy’s capabilities will provide an extremely attractive option for fuel cell electric vehicle customers looking to develop production-orientated solutions.’ ‘Our cost-effective and scalable systems and platforms have already proven themselves across our target market sectors, and we are increasingly asked to deploy our high-efficiency, zero-emission powertrains into vehicle and fleet trials, ahead of automotive market commercialisation,’ adds James Batchelor, managing director of Intelligent Energy’s Automotive Division. Earlier this year Intelligent Energy established a joint venture company with Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan, to develop and manufacture air-cooled PEM fuel cell systems for a range of industry sectors [FCB, February 2012, p3]. The joint venture, called SMILE FC System Corporation, will accelerate deployment of fuel cells for the next generation of FCEVs in particular. Intelligent Energy, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 271271, www.intelligent-energy.com Ricardo Plc, Shoreham, UK. Tel: +44 1273 455611, www.ricardo.com
Lilliputian boosts financing to launch initial micro product
M
assachusetts-based Lilliputian Systems, which is developing portable fuel cell power products for consumer electronics, has closed on $40 million of a planned $60 million equity financing round, led by the Russian investment fund RUSNANO. The additional funding will enable Lilliputian to scale up manufacturing operations and launch its initial product, the USB Mobile Power System. Lilliputian’s patented Silicon Power Cell™ technology is based on highly efficient solid oxide fuel cells and microelectromechanical system (MEMS) wafer fabrication methods, including key nanotechnology elements, and is fuelled by recyclable, high-energy butane cartridges. Moscow-based RUSNANO is focused on the development of the Russian nanotechnology industry through co-investments in nanotech
projects. It joins Lilliputian’s current blue chip investors that include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Altira Group, Stata Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, Fairhaven Capital, and silicon chip giant Intel, which has a wafer manufacturing deal with Lilliputian [FCB, December 2010, p11]. The capital will enable Lilliputian to scale up manufacturing operations and launch its initial product, the USB Mobile Power System (MPS), a portable system for powering and charging virtually all mobile phones and other consumer electronic devices. As part of the transaction, Lilliputian plans to open a business development office and an R&D and manufacturing facility in Moscow. Ken Lazarus, CEO of Lilliputian, adds that the deal also provides the opportunity to tap into the vast scientific and technical resources available in Moscow, as well as gain access to the fast-growing and vibrant consumer market in Russia. The USB MPS is a compact, portable device that powers and charges a variety of USBcompatible consumer electronic products, such as smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, eReaders, Bluetooth headsets, and digital cameras. The product has the capacity to power/recharge consumer electronic devices for several weeks on a single cartridge without the need for traditional wall outlets, providing true wireless mobility. The power cartridges are safe, easy-touse, inexpensive, and recyclable. The product has already been approved for carry-on and use on both domestic and international flights. In the spring Lilliputian signed a strategic partnership agreement with the US retail store chain Brookstone, to launch its initial product, a portable charger for power-hungry consumer electronics [FCB, June 2012, p9]. Lilliputian Systems Inc, Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 978 203 1700, www.lilliputiansystems.com RUSNANO Corporation, Moscow, Russia. Tel: +7 495 988 5388, http://en.rusnano.com
Ceres gives update on SOFC tech, publishes independent report
U
K-based Ceres Power has reported on planned work to further improve the long-term durability of its core technology. The company has also released an independent assessment of its core solid oxide fuel cell technology by Dr Nguyen Minh, a leading fuel cell expert, now associate director of the Center for Energy Research at the University of California, San Diego.
October 2012