- Email: [email protected]
CFCL, AFC Energy raise investment funds
NEWS fueling
Dynetek mobile highpressure storage wins US DOT approval
C
algary-based Dynetek Industries has received approval from the US Department of Transportation to use its 450 bar (6527 psi) cylinder in Dynetek BT450 tube trailer systems. Last fall the company announced the delivery of the first BT450 tube trailer systems for the transport of hydrogen in Canada. These first systems were approved by Transport Canada for operation within Canada. ‘Today we are pleased to announce that our 450 bar cylinder and system design has been approved by the US DOT, which will enable operation of our BT450 tube trailer systems throughout North America,’ says Dr Christian Rasche, president/CEO. ‘The traditional method of bulk gas hauling is with steel tube trailers, with typical operating pressure of 3000 psi (200 bar). Our new high-pressure cylinders and systems, which will operate at 6500 psi, will enable direct refueling of hydrogen vehicles from our specially designed BT450 modules.’ The firm has received an order from Air Liquide to provide cylinders for the construction of a BT450 tube trailer system, which will be used to refuel the hydrogen bus fleet being deployed by BC Transit for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, BC. Dynetek’s BT450 tube trailer systems provide a mobile refueling capability to support hydrogen-powered fuel cell and internal combustion engine vehicles. The systems will play a significant role in providing much-needed interim hydrogen infrastructure, which will enable real-life road testing of vehicles in areas where a refueling infrastructure does not exist.
Contact: Dynetek Industries Ltd, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Tel: +1 403 720 0262, www.dynetek.com
Hydrogenics electrolyzer for remote wind-hydrogen system
O
ntario-based Hydrogenics has been selected to provide the hydrogen electrolyzer for a community windhydrogen-diesel system in the community of Ramea, in Newfoundland and Labrador. By adding zero-emission hydrogen generation and storage,
July 2008
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is anticipating an increase in the amount of electricity derived from wind, which will lead to a reduced dependence on diesel. Hydrogenics anticipates it will deliver its commercially proven HySTAT onsite generation electrolyzer to Hydro by next summer. Like many communities, Ramea is isolated from the electrical grid, and depends on diesel generation to meet its electricity needs. Harnessing the power of available renewable resources, such as wind energy, is an ideal approach for such communities to offset the power needed from the diesel gensets, but is limited by wind’s inherent intermittency. Introducing hydrogen technologies to the community allows excess energy to be stored and redeployed when the wind is not blowing. This project is a five-year R&D pilot, with potential for expansion to other remote communities. ‘Hydrogen provides an ideal energy storage solution,’ says Daryl Wilson, president/CEO of Hydrogenics. ‘We believe that hydrogen will play a critical role in capturing the power of renewable resources and creating viable energy systems that are cost-effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly… Hydrogen storage is highly scalable, and ideal for storing large amounts of energy for long periods of time.’ Contact: Hydrogenics Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Tel: +1 905 361 3660, www.hydrogenics.com
commercialization
CFCL, AFC Energy raise investment funds
A
ustralian-based solid oxide fuel cell developer Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd has raised gross proceeds of £7.0 million (US$13.7 million), in a placing of new ordinary shares to institutional investors in the UK and Europe, through London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Meanwhile, AIM-quoted AFC Energy Plc, which is developing lowcost alkaline fuel cells, has raised gross proceeds of £4.4 million (US$8.6m) by way of a placing of new ordinary shares to UK investors. ‘We remain on track to achieve commercialization of our fuel cell products from 2009,’ says CFCL managing director, Brendan Dow. ‘We are building our volume plant in Germany to supply our first volume order, announced in February this year [FCB, April 2008]. The successful fundraising announced today demonstrates the continued support for our strategy by existing
IN BRIEF Sony brings hybridization to micro DMFCs Japanese electronics giant Sony unveiled its prototype hybrid micro direct methanol fuel cell system during a presentation at the recent Small Fuel Cells 2008 conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The prototype portable power system, measuring just 5 × 3 × 2 cm, comprises a fuel cell unit, a micropump ‘regulator’ to supply fuel (99% methanol), a lithium-polymer rechargeable battery, and a control circuit. In addition to power management of the fuel cell and the rechargeable battery, the control circuit controls the micropump and protects the battery. As a result of hybridization with the lithiumpolymer rechargeable battery, the new system offers a maximum output of 3 W or more, although the fuel cell itself only produces about 1 W, according to a Tech-On (Nikkei) report. The fuel cell generates power at a constant output at high efficiency, while load changes in the device are handled by the output from the battery. Thus, when the electrical load is light, the battery is charged by the fuel cell; when the load is heavy, the power is supplied from both the fuel cell and the battery. Sony says that it could display TV broadcasts on a state-of-the-art cell phone for about 14 h using just 10 ml of methanol. The fuel cell generates about 1.1 Wh of energy with 1 ml of methanol – more than three times higher than the firm’s 2005 prototype, and about double that of the 2006 prototype. Sony indicated that the output of the latest system decreased by only 5% after 900 h of continuous operation. The high energy efficiency results from a high-density, low-crossover MEA using a fullerene-based electrolyte film and a new platinumbased catalyst material. The energy efficiency was improved by the use of the regulator, which can optimally control the methanol flow. Millennium Cell ceases operations In early May, New Jersey-based Millennium Cell terminated the employment of all its executive officers and employees, and has ceased operations. The firm told its employees that they may be recalled if sufficient cash funding to restart operations becomes available, although no further developments have been reported. The board’s executive committee and certain senior managers serving on a voluntary basis are apparently engaged in discussions with a corporation that has expressed interest in entering into a reverse merger, which would provide short-term liquidity pending completion. Millennium Cell (www.millenniumcell.com) has been a leading developer of hydrogen technology for portable applications. Its proprietary Hydrogen on Demand® fuel cartridges and PowerSkin™ fuel cell modules are claimed to provide increased energy density, resulting in longer runtime and lower weight.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
7
NEWS investors, and we are also delighted to welcome a number of new institutions.’ CFCL is developing SOFC products for micro combined heat and power (m-CHP) and distributed generation units that generate electricity and heat for homes, with leading appliance partners and utility customers in Germany, France, the UK, Netherlands and Japan. The extra funds will allow CFCL to continue work to integrate its fuel cell products with conventional condensing boilers. Meanwhile, AFC Energy says that some of the proceeds from its placing will be used to provide operating capital for the completion and installation of its demonstartion systems at Akzo Nobel’s Bitterfeld site in Germany [FCB, March 2007, April 2008], and for the development of AFC Energy’s 50 kW system. ‘The chlorine industry, which is familiar with our type of technology, remains a very important market for AFC Energy,’ says Gerard Sauer, the firm’s chief executive. He adds that shipments will commence to its first customer, Akzo Nobel, in August, and that the company will identify and secure reliable third-party suppliers to provide low-cost plastic moldings. It will also shortly begin working with a manufacturing partner to assemble the final product. Contact: Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd, Noble Park, Victoria, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9554 2300, www.cfcl.com.au Or contact: Ceramic Fuel Cells (Europe) Ltd, Bromborough, Wirral, UK. Tel: +44 151 334 8880, Email: [email protected] Or contact: AFC Energy Plc, Cranleigh, Surrey, UK. Tel: +44 1483 276726, www.afcenergy.com
Helion markets Bahia fuel cell training kit
T
he French-based hydrogen fuel cell developer Helion has introduced its Bahia fuel cell system, an instructional kit for engineers, schools, universities and more generally in higher education. The company, a subsidiary of Areva, claims that this is the most comprehensive educational tool on fuel cell technology currently available. The kit was developed in collaboration with teachers at the Institut Universitaire de Technologie de Marseille, Ecole Polytechnique and Ecole des Mines, and includes an instruction bench equipped with a 1 kW PEM fuel cell, an operating simulator, as well as training materials and results analysis of practical work. The modular, EC-certified system offers professional ergonomics and advanced instrumentation to provide high-level education on fuel cells 8
Fuel Cells Bulletin
and their applications such as transport, submarine applications, backup power systems, coupling to renewable energies, and cogeneration.
providing hydrogen refueling infrastructure as well as transportation, micro and stationary fuel cell demonstrations.
Contact: Helion Fuel Cells, Aix-en-Provence, France. Tel: +33 4 4290 8150, www.helion-fuelcells.com
For more on the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Research, go to: http://ifci-iipc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Canada invests further in Vancouver region’s fuel cell industry
DOE commits $130m to accelerate hydrogen fuel cell development
T
T
he Canadian federal government has announced a C$13.6 million (US$13.3m) investment in the National Research Council (NRC)’s Vancouverbased fuel cell and hydrogen industry. The declaration came at the inauguration of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway, a technology demonstration and exhibit center showcasing Canada’s world-leading fuel cell and hydrogen industry. The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway is located at the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation in Vancouver, and was conceived through a public-private partnership between NRC, Natural Resources Canada, Industry Canada, the Government of BC and the industry association, Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Canada (www.h2fcc.ca). This location provides visitors with a window into fuel cell and hydrogen demonstration projects, and is the headquarters for BC’s Hydrogen Highway™ and the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program. In addition to the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway demonstration center, a world-class NRC research facility has been created that works with all of Canada’s major fuel cell developers and users; construction has begun on the only publicly available hydrogen-rated environmental test chamber in North America; and Vancouver is now generally recognized as an international leader in MEAs, modeling and materials research on membranes and catalysts. While pockets of fuel cell research exist in other locations across Canada, Vancouver remains the national hub for groundbreaking R&D, accounting for nearly 75% of the roughly 2000 Canadian jobs in the field. BC’s Hydrogen Highway – led by Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Canada and Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell Alliance (www.ctfca.nrcan.gc.ca) – is an integral component of NRC’s cluster strategy. Envisioned as a key attraction at the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Highway will extend from Vancouver’s airport to Whistler. The NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Research (NRC-IFCI) will be one of seven centers along the highway,
he US Department of Energy has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for up to $130 million over three years, subject to Congressional appropriations, to advance the development and use of fuel cells for automotive, stationary and portable power applications. The announcement is part of the President’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, to accelerate the pace of R&D for hydrogen-powered fuel cells. In addition to seeking proposals for R&D projects in the areas of transportation, stationary and portable power, DOE is also seeking proposals to demonstrate fuel cells in distributed energy systems, and to support market transformation that provides real-world operation data. DOE anticipates making up to 50 awards through this competitive funding opportunity, which is open to industry, universities and national labs. With a minimum 20% private sector cost-share for the R&D projects and a minimum 50% applicant cost-share for the demonstration projects, the total DOE and private sector investment in advanced hydrogen fuel cell technologies under this funding opportunity may exceed $170 million. Applications for the fuel cell funding opportunity are due on or before 27 August.
For more on the DOE’s Hydrogen Program, go to: www.hydrogen.energy.gov
EU agrees to set up 1 billion fuel cells, hydrogen initiative
T
he Council of the European Union has adopted the regulation to set up the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. This public-private joint technology initiative (JTI) will implement the EU’s target-oriented R&D to support the broad market introduction of these technologies.
July 2008
Dynetek mobile highpressure storage wins US DOT approval
C
algary-based Dynetek Industries has received approval from the US Department of Transportation to use its 450 bar (6527 psi) cylinder in Dynetek BT450 tube trailer systems. Last fall the company announced the delivery of the first BT450 tube trailer systems for the transport of hydrogen in Canada. These first systems were approved by Transport Canada for operation within Canada. ‘Today we are pleased to announce that our 450 bar cylinder and system design has been approved by the US DOT, which will enable operation of our BT450 tube trailer systems throughout North America,’ says Dr Christian Rasche, president/CEO. ‘The traditional method of bulk gas hauling is with steel tube trailers, with typical operating pressure of 3000 psi (200 bar). Our new high-pressure cylinders and systems, which will operate at 6500 psi, will enable direct refueling of hydrogen vehicles from our specially designed BT450 modules.’ The firm has received an order from Air Liquide to provide cylinders for the construction of a BT450 tube trailer system, which will be used to refuel the hydrogen bus fleet being deployed by BC Transit for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler, BC. Dynetek’s BT450 tube trailer systems provide a mobile refueling capability to support hydrogen-powered fuel cell and internal combustion engine vehicles. The systems will play a significant role in providing much-needed interim hydrogen infrastructure, which will enable real-life road testing of vehicles in areas where a refueling infrastructure does not exist.
Contact: Dynetek Industries Ltd, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Tel: +1 403 720 0262, www.dynetek.com
Hydrogenics electrolyzer for remote wind-hydrogen system
O
ntario-based Hydrogenics has been selected to provide the hydrogen electrolyzer for a community windhydrogen-diesel system in the community of Ramea, in Newfoundland and Labrador. By adding zero-emission hydrogen generation and storage,
July 2008
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is anticipating an increase in the amount of electricity derived from wind, which will lead to a reduced dependence on diesel. Hydrogenics anticipates it will deliver its commercially proven HySTAT onsite generation electrolyzer to Hydro by next summer. Like many communities, Ramea is isolated from the electrical grid, and depends on diesel generation to meet its electricity needs. Harnessing the power of available renewable resources, such as wind energy, is an ideal approach for such communities to offset the power needed from the diesel gensets, but is limited by wind’s inherent intermittency. Introducing hydrogen technologies to the community allows excess energy to be stored and redeployed when the wind is not blowing. This project is a five-year R&D pilot, with potential for expansion to other remote communities. ‘Hydrogen provides an ideal energy storage solution,’ says Daryl Wilson, president/CEO of Hydrogenics. ‘We believe that hydrogen will play a critical role in capturing the power of renewable resources and creating viable energy systems that are cost-effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly… Hydrogen storage is highly scalable, and ideal for storing large amounts of energy for long periods of time.’ Contact: Hydrogenics Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Tel: +1 905 361 3660, www.hydrogenics.com
commercialization
CFCL, AFC Energy raise investment funds
A
ustralian-based solid oxide fuel cell developer Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd has raised gross proceeds of £7.0 million (US$13.7 million), in a placing of new ordinary shares to institutional investors in the UK and Europe, through London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Meanwhile, AIM-quoted AFC Energy Plc, which is developing lowcost alkaline fuel cells, has raised gross proceeds of £4.4 million (US$8.6m) by way of a placing of new ordinary shares to UK investors. ‘We remain on track to achieve commercialization of our fuel cell products from 2009,’ says CFCL managing director, Brendan Dow. ‘We are building our volume plant in Germany to supply our first volume order, announced in February this year [FCB, April 2008]. The successful fundraising announced today demonstrates the continued support for our strategy by existing
IN BRIEF Sony brings hybridization to micro DMFCs Japanese electronics giant Sony unveiled its prototype hybrid micro direct methanol fuel cell system during a presentation at the recent Small Fuel Cells 2008 conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The prototype portable power system, measuring just 5 × 3 × 2 cm, comprises a fuel cell unit, a micropump ‘regulator’ to supply fuel (99% methanol), a lithium-polymer rechargeable battery, and a control circuit. In addition to power management of the fuel cell and the rechargeable battery, the control circuit controls the micropump and protects the battery. As a result of hybridization with the lithiumpolymer rechargeable battery, the new system offers a maximum output of 3 W or more, although the fuel cell itself only produces about 1 W, according to a Tech-On (Nikkei) report. The fuel cell generates power at a constant output at high efficiency, while load changes in the device are handled by the output from the battery. Thus, when the electrical load is light, the battery is charged by the fuel cell; when the load is heavy, the power is supplied from both the fuel cell and the battery. Sony says that it could display TV broadcasts on a state-of-the-art cell phone for about 14 h using just 10 ml of methanol. The fuel cell generates about 1.1 Wh of energy with 1 ml of methanol – more than three times higher than the firm’s 2005 prototype, and about double that of the 2006 prototype. Sony indicated that the output of the latest system decreased by only 5% after 900 h of continuous operation. The high energy efficiency results from a high-density, low-crossover MEA using a fullerene-based electrolyte film and a new platinumbased catalyst material. The energy efficiency was improved by the use of the regulator, which can optimally control the methanol flow. Millennium Cell ceases operations In early May, New Jersey-based Millennium Cell terminated the employment of all its executive officers and employees, and has ceased operations. The firm told its employees that they may be recalled if sufficient cash funding to restart operations becomes available, although no further developments have been reported. The board’s executive committee and certain senior managers serving on a voluntary basis are apparently engaged in discussions with a corporation that has expressed interest in entering into a reverse merger, which would provide short-term liquidity pending completion. Millennium Cell (www.millenniumcell.com) has been a leading developer of hydrogen technology for portable applications. Its proprietary Hydrogen on Demand® fuel cartridges and PowerSkin™ fuel cell modules are claimed to provide increased energy density, resulting in longer runtime and lower weight.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
7
NEWS investors, and we are also delighted to welcome a number of new institutions.’ CFCL is developing SOFC products for micro combined heat and power (m-CHP) and distributed generation units that generate electricity and heat for homes, with leading appliance partners and utility customers in Germany, France, the UK, Netherlands and Japan. The extra funds will allow CFCL to continue work to integrate its fuel cell products with conventional condensing boilers. Meanwhile, AFC Energy says that some of the proceeds from its placing will be used to provide operating capital for the completion and installation of its demonstartion systems at Akzo Nobel’s Bitterfeld site in Germany [FCB, March 2007, April 2008], and for the development of AFC Energy’s 50 kW system. ‘The chlorine industry, which is familiar with our type of technology, remains a very important market for AFC Energy,’ says Gerard Sauer, the firm’s chief executive. He adds that shipments will commence to its first customer, Akzo Nobel, in August, and that the company will identify and secure reliable third-party suppliers to provide low-cost plastic moldings. It will also shortly begin working with a manufacturing partner to assemble the final product. Contact: Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd, Noble Park, Victoria, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9554 2300, www.cfcl.com.au Or contact: Ceramic Fuel Cells (Europe) Ltd, Bromborough, Wirral, UK. Tel: +44 151 334 8880, Email: [email protected] Or contact: AFC Energy Plc, Cranleigh, Surrey, UK. Tel: +44 1483 276726, www.afcenergy.com
Helion markets Bahia fuel cell training kit
T
he French-based hydrogen fuel cell developer Helion has introduced its Bahia fuel cell system, an instructional kit for engineers, schools, universities and more generally in higher education. The company, a subsidiary of Areva, claims that this is the most comprehensive educational tool on fuel cell technology currently available. The kit was developed in collaboration with teachers at the Institut Universitaire de Technologie de Marseille, Ecole Polytechnique and Ecole des Mines, and includes an instruction bench equipped with a 1 kW PEM fuel cell, an operating simulator, as well as training materials and results analysis of practical work. The modular, EC-certified system offers professional ergonomics and advanced instrumentation to provide high-level education on fuel cells 8
Fuel Cells Bulletin
and their applications such as transport, submarine applications, backup power systems, coupling to renewable energies, and cogeneration.
providing hydrogen refueling infrastructure as well as transportation, micro and stationary fuel cell demonstrations.
Contact: Helion Fuel Cells, Aix-en-Provence, France. Tel: +33 4 4290 8150, www.helion-fuelcells.com
For more on the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Research, go to: http://ifci-iipc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Canada invests further in Vancouver region’s fuel cell industry
DOE commits $130m to accelerate hydrogen fuel cell development
T
T
he Canadian federal government has announced a C$13.6 million (US$13.3m) investment in the National Research Council (NRC)’s Vancouverbased fuel cell and hydrogen industry. The declaration came at the inauguration of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway, a technology demonstration and exhibit center showcasing Canada’s world-leading fuel cell and hydrogen industry. The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway is located at the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation in Vancouver, and was conceived through a public-private partnership between NRC, Natural Resources Canada, Industry Canada, the Government of BC and the industry association, Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Canada (www.h2fcc.ca). This location provides visitors with a window into fuel cell and hydrogen demonstration projects, and is the headquarters for BC’s Hydrogen Highway™ and the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program. In addition to the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway demonstration center, a world-class NRC research facility has been created that works with all of Canada’s major fuel cell developers and users; construction has begun on the only publicly available hydrogen-rated environmental test chamber in North America; and Vancouver is now generally recognized as an international leader in MEAs, modeling and materials research on membranes and catalysts. While pockets of fuel cell research exist in other locations across Canada, Vancouver remains the national hub for groundbreaking R&D, accounting for nearly 75% of the roughly 2000 Canadian jobs in the field. BC’s Hydrogen Highway – led by Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Canada and Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell Alliance (www.ctfca.nrcan.gc.ca) – is an integral component of NRC’s cluster strategy. Envisioned as a key attraction at the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Highway will extend from Vancouver’s airport to Whistler. The NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Research (NRC-IFCI) will be one of seven centers along the highway,
he US Department of Energy has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for up to $130 million over three years, subject to Congressional appropriations, to advance the development and use of fuel cells for automotive, stationary and portable power applications. The announcement is part of the President’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, to accelerate the pace of R&D for hydrogen-powered fuel cells. In addition to seeking proposals for R&D projects in the areas of transportation, stationary and portable power, DOE is also seeking proposals to demonstrate fuel cells in distributed energy systems, and to support market transformation that provides real-world operation data. DOE anticipates making up to 50 awards through this competitive funding opportunity, which is open to industry, universities and national labs. With a minimum 20% private sector cost-share for the R&D projects and a minimum 50% applicant cost-share for the demonstration projects, the total DOE and private sector investment in advanced hydrogen fuel cell technologies under this funding opportunity may exceed $170 million. Applications for the fuel cell funding opportunity are due on or before 27 August.
For more on the DOE’s Hydrogen Program, go to: www.hydrogen.energy.gov
EU agrees to set up 1 billion fuel cells, hydrogen initiative
T
he Council of the European Union has adopted the regulation to set up the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. This public-private joint technology initiative (JTI) will implement the EU’s target-oriented R&D to support the broad market introduction of these technologies.
July 2008