- Email: [email protected]
FCES delivers MCFC power unit to German education ministry
NEWS with an uninterruptible power module which provides business continuity during grid outages. In 2011, businesses in Connecticut experienced approximately 140 hours of outages (excluding major storms), according to the state Department of Public Utility Control’s Annual Report on Reliability. The 600 kW Bloom Energy installation will provide an estimated 5 million kWh of reliable electricity per annum, and backup generation for future grid events. The Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority of Connecticut (CEFIA) helped provide funding for the project. Bloom Energy Servers are producing power for major companies including Google, Walmart, AT&T, eBay [FCB, October 2013, p3], as well as non-profit organisations such as the California Institute of Technology and healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente [FCB, March 2012, p5]. Bloom recently installed power plants for a CenturyLink data centre in Irvine, California [FCB, October 2013, p3], and established a joint venture with SoftBank Group in Tokyo [FCB, August 2013, p4]. Bloom Energy Corporation, Sunnyvale, California, USA. Tel: +1 408 543 1500, www.bloomenergy.com JPMorgan Chase: www.jpmorganchase.com Macy’s Inc: www.macysinc.com Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, Connecticut: www.ctcleanenergy.com
AFC signs Thailand commercialisation deal with Waste2Tricity
U
K-based alkaline fuel cell developer AFC Energy has entered into a commercialisation agreement with Waste2Tricity International (Thailand) Ltd, a majority owned subsidiary of Waste2Tricity Ltd (W2T), which grants W2T Thailand the exclusive long-term rights for the application of AFC’s technology to the waste-to-energy market in Thailand. The Thailand agreement builds on a commercialisation deal for the UK market announced in 2009 [FCB, April 2009, p8]. Under this, W2T is promoting and developing projects involving the integration of AFC’s fuel cell products with hydrogen derived from gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) – utilising Alter NRG’s Westinghouse Plasma Gasification Technology for front-end conversion – to generate renewable energy. In April 2012, W2T exercised its right to exclusively represent AFC Energy in the UK until 2022, and has secured first refusal for
November 2013
additional territories including Europe and North America. The new agreement will extend AFC’s reach into the fast growing emerging markets of South East Asia, beginning with Thailand. W2T Thailand will be AFC Energy’s exclusive agent in Thailand, initially until 2024, for securing fuel cell system supply contracts from projects where waste is gasified, from which AFC Energy expects to derive further revenues. W2T Thailand will receive commission at 33%, less the price of products and services supplied by AFC Energy. Under the agreement, AFC Energy will receive a non-refundable appointment fee of £1.2 million (US$1.9 million) payable in stages over the next four years. ‘The energy needs of the southern Asian countries are expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years, and this is an example of how AFC Energy plans to commercialise and embed its technology in key energy markets worldwide,’ says Ian Williamson, chief executive of AFC Energy. ‘We are putting in the relationships and preparing for our initial projects as they are delivered by Waste2Tricity.’ Waste2tricity is involved in the $500 million Air Products Tees Valley Renewable Energy Facility, a 50 MW project utilising Alter NRG Westinghouse waste-to-energy technology currently being built in the Tees Valley in northern England for startup in 2014 [FCB, September 2011, p8], and a new duplicate adjacent project. Air Products has also just become a key strategic partner in AFC Energy’s Power Up project, providing surplus hydrogen from a major chemical plant [see page 6]. AFC Energy, Cranleigh, Surrey, UK. Tel: +44 1483 276726, www.afcenergy.com Waste2Tricity: www.waste2tricity.com Alter NRG: www.alternrg.com Air Products Tees Valley Renewable Energy Facility: www.airproducts.co.uk/teesvalley
FCES delivers MCFC power unit to German education ministry
D
resden-based FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH recently delivered its first German-manufactured molten carbonate fuel cell power plant to the federal ministry of education and research (BMBF) office complex in Berlin [FCB, August 2013, p1]. FuelCell Energy Solutions is managing the installation of the power plant, with commissioning expected in mid-2014 as the office complex nears completion.
IN BRIEF HyGear hydrogen unit for DB Schenker Dutch-based HyGear (www.hygear.nl) has installed its hydrogen generation system at DB Schenker’s logistics facility in Linz, Austria. The 350 bar system will provide hydrogen for 10 forklift trucks, as part of the E-LOGBioFleet project [FCB, August 2013, p2]. The HyGear system generates 4 Nm3/h of hydrogen from methane derived from biogas. The E-LOG-BioFleet is a partnership between Fronius International, HyCentA Research, Joanneum Research, Linde Material Handling [see page 3], OMV, Air Products, HyGear, and DB Schenker. The latter’s facility in Linz offers a suitable location for testing fuel cell powered forklift trucks under normal operating conditions. Linde MH delivered the first vehicle in June, with the remainder due in the coming months. More funding in NRW Hydrogen HyWay The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has long been prioritising the development and demonstration of fuel cell and hydrogen technology. Since 2008 it has provided E50 million (US$68 million) for 25 projects under NRW Hydrogen HyWay, through its progres.nrw programme. The NRW government has now committed a further E30 million ($41 million) to continue this programme. The second phase, for 2013–2016, focuses on conversion (electrolysers) and hydrogen storage; infrastructure for introducing ‘green’ hydrogen for transportation; testing FCEVs (public transport, commercial vehicles, and special applications); R&D and testing of decentralised combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell systems, and virtual power plants; and R&D for fuel cell technology optimisation and cost reduction, and pre-testing of new developments. The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Network NRW (www.fuelcell-nrw.de) will support applicants in finding project partners. Chiyoda plant to supply Japan hydrogen In Japan, Chiyoda Corporation (www.chiyodacorp.com/en) will construct in fiscal 2015 the world’s first large-scale production facility for hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles, according to a Nikkei report. The new ¥30 billion (US$300 million) plant in Kawasaki will have an output capacity of 600 million m3, enough to fill up 40 000 vehicles a day, and could help bring down fuel costs by as much as 30%. The Japanese government aims to set up 100 hydrogen stations by fiscal 2015 [FCB, June 2012, p11, and see page 8]. Currently, hydrogen extracted in petrochemical production is priced at about ¥120 ($1.20) per m3. Chiyoda says that its new facility could help lower the price to ¥80 through mass production, and with the help of facility improvements could reach about ¥60 – on a par with gasoline.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
7
NEWS The virtual absence of pollutants, quiet operation, and lack of vibration enable fuel cell power plants to be located in populated areas; indeed, FuelCell Energy Solutions is installing this system inside the BMBF complex. The power plant is configured for combined heat and power (CHP) to enhance efficiency, and the high-quality heat will be used to generate steam for facility heating and absorption chilling. The fuel cell power plant will provide approximately 40% of the electrical needs and 20% of the thermal needs of the facility, which is being constructed by BAM Deutschland. ‘We provide a comprehensive power generation solution, including installation of the power plant combined with operation and maintenance under multi-year service agreements,’ says Andreas Frömmel, VP of commercial and business development for FuelCell Energy Solutions. ‘We strive to make it easy for our customers to benefit from the many attributes of fuel cell power plants, while contracting the operation and maintenance to us.’ FCES, with its German manufacturing base in Ottobrun, is the sales, manufacturing and service business for the European Served Area for US-based FuelCell Energy Inc. FCES is a joint venture between FuelCell Energy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Dresden [FCB, July 2012, p8]. Earlier this year FCES signed a service agreement for a fuel cell power plant owned by the Zürich municipal electric utility in Switzerland [FCB, February 2013, p7]. And last autumn it sold a 300 kW power plant for the 20 Fenchurch office development in London, UK [FCB, December 2012, p4]. FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH, Dresden, Germany. Tel: +49 351 2553 7390, www.fces.de/?lang=en FuelCell Energy Inc, USA: www.fuelcellenergy.com Fraunhofer IKTS, Energy Systems: http://tinyurl.com/ikts-energysystems
PORTABLE & MICRO
Aquafairy demos solid hydrogen fuel cells for Japanese consumers
T
he Japanese startup company Aquafairy unveiled three prototypes of its hydrogen fuel cell technology at the recent CEATEC consumer electronics show in Chiba City. The company hopes to have the first products on sale to consumers next year, at what the company’s president, Mike Aizawa, says will be a consumer-friendly price. 8
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Kyoto-based Aquafairy was established in 2006, and has been developing a fuel cell based on hydrogen for on-the-go charging of gadgets such as smartphones or tablets. The company has developed a treatment that turns hydrogen into a solid form that is safe to handle, but still useful as a fuel. The company had three working prototype fuel cells on show at CEATEC, according to TechHive.com. The 2.5 W pocket-size, portable model is designed to fully charge a smartphone via a USB connector. A second charger is already in field trials in Japan, and can deliver 200 W, making it suitable for use after disasters. Weighing 7 kg (15 lb) and slightly smaller than a car battery, it is powered by a solid hydrogen canister similar to the butane canisters used in camping stoves. The unit, developed with support from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), has two USB outputs and two conventional AC outputs. The third charger is a long-life type designed for use in remote areas such as mountains and forests. It provides just 0.5 W, but can run for six months, for example reducing the frequency of trips to replace batteries on scientific measuring equipment. Aquafairy is working with Japanese semiconductor giant Rohm on the control circuitry for the chargers and to bring the products to market [FCB, October 2012, p6], but says it is also looking for partnerships with other companies and organisations. Aquafairy Corporation: www.aquafairy.co.jp/en
FUELING
Acta secures repeat electrolysers order, raises more funding
I
talian-based Acta SpA has secured a repeat order for six 500 L/h modular rack-mounted electrolysers from M-Field Energy Ltd, a telecom backup power fuel cell system integrator in Taiwan. Acta has also raised £2.1 million (US$3.4 million), less expenses, through the issue of 30 million new ordinary shares. The electrolysers for M-Field are of the new simplified design developed by Acta for the launch of the Acta Power system, and will be integrated into telecom backup power systems by M-Field for supply to telecom customers in Asia and elsewhere. The first three units are scheduled for shipment to M-Field in early November.
Fuel cell backup power systems, incorporating Acta’s electrolyser for autonomous refueling through onsite hydrogen generation, offer substantial benefits to telecom companies seeking to reduce the operating costs and security risks of their current base station backup power systems [see the Acta feature in FCB, September 2012]. Last autumn M-Field shipped the first fully integrated fuel cell telecom backup power system incorporating Acta’s onboard hydrogen generation for automatic fuel replenishment, to SEFCA Pty Ltd, Acta’s Australian marketing and distribution partner [FCB, October 2012, p6]. The Acta Power telecom backup power system was launched in April [FCB, May 2013, p4], and is now under evaluation with mobile telecom operators in Africa [FCB, October 2013, p3], Australia, and the Philippines [FCB, September 2013, p4]. M-Field intends to make a significant investment in CSA product certification of its own backup power system, which incorporates Acta’s electrolyser module as a specified component, to help address further telecom market opportunities. Acta and M-Field are currently negotiating the terms of a Master Purchase Agreement, to facilitate M-Field’s investment in its system certification and the scaleup of product volumes over the medium term. Meanwhile, the net proceeds of the share placing will provide new financing for continued business development that will allow Acta to continue to grow its commercial activities with existing customers and new commercial partners around the world. The placing was supported by a combination of existing and new institutional investors, plus the company’s board members. Acta SpA, Crespina, Pisa, Italy. Tel: +39 050 644281, www.actaspa.com M-Field Energy Ltd, Chutung, Hsinchu, Taiwan. Tel: +886 3 582 8530, www.m-field.com.tw
Air Liquide, Toyota Tsusho for hydrogen refueling in Japan
A
ir Liquide Japan and Toyota Tsusho Corporation are partners in a hydrogen supply business for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Japan. They will establish a new joint venture company, with Toyota Tsusho taking a 51% stake and Air Liquide Japan 49%. Meanwhile in Europe, Air Liquide has supplied the first hydrogen station in Slovenia, which will be used to refuel a fuel cell bus.
November 2013
AFC signs Thailand commercialisation deal with Waste2Tricity
U
K-based alkaline fuel cell developer AFC Energy has entered into a commercialisation agreement with Waste2Tricity International (Thailand) Ltd, a majority owned subsidiary of Waste2Tricity Ltd (W2T), which grants W2T Thailand the exclusive long-term rights for the application of AFC’s technology to the waste-to-energy market in Thailand. The Thailand agreement builds on a commercialisation deal for the UK market announced in 2009 [FCB, April 2009, p8]. Under this, W2T is promoting and developing projects involving the integration of AFC’s fuel cell products with hydrogen derived from gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) – utilising Alter NRG’s Westinghouse Plasma Gasification Technology for front-end conversion – to generate renewable energy. In April 2012, W2T exercised its right to exclusively represent AFC Energy in the UK until 2022, and has secured first refusal for
November 2013
additional territories including Europe and North America. The new agreement will extend AFC’s reach into the fast growing emerging markets of South East Asia, beginning with Thailand. W2T Thailand will be AFC Energy’s exclusive agent in Thailand, initially until 2024, for securing fuel cell system supply contracts from projects where waste is gasified, from which AFC Energy expects to derive further revenues. W2T Thailand will receive commission at 33%, less the price of products and services supplied by AFC Energy. Under the agreement, AFC Energy will receive a non-refundable appointment fee of £1.2 million (US$1.9 million) payable in stages over the next four years. ‘The energy needs of the southern Asian countries are expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years, and this is an example of how AFC Energy plans to commercialise and embed its technology in key energy markets worldwide,’ says Ian Williamson, chief executive of AFC Energy. ‘We are putting in the relationships and preparing for our initial projects as they are delivered by Waste2Tricity.’ Waste2tricity is involved in the $500 million Air Products Tees Valley Renewable Energy Facility, a 50 MW project utilising Alter NRG Westinghouse waste-to-energy technology currently being built in the Tees Valley in northern England for startup in 2014 [FCB, September 2011, p8], and a new duplicate adjacent project. Air Products has also just become a key strategic partner in AFC Energy’s Power Up project, providing surplus hydrogen from a major chemical plant [see page 6]. AFC Energy, Cranleigh, Surrey, UK. Tel: +44 1483 276726, www.afcenergy.com Waste2Tricity: www.waste2tricity.com Alter NRG: www.alternrg.com Air Products Tees Valley Renewable Energy Facility: www.airproducts.co.uk/teesvalley
FCES delivers MCFC power unit to German education ministry
D
resden-based FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH recently delivered its first German-manufactured molten carbonate fuel cell power plant to the federal ministry of education and research (BMBF) office complex in Berlin [FCB, August 2013, p1]. FuelCell Energy Solutions is managing the installation of the power plant, with commissioning expected in mid-2014 as the office complex nears completion.
IN BRIEF HyGear hydrogen unit for DB Schenker Dutch-based HyGear (www.hygear.nl) has installed its hydrogen generation system at DB Schenker’s logistics facility in Linz, Austria. The 350 bar system will provide hydrogen for 10 forklift trucks, as part of the E-LOGBioFleet project [FCB, August 2013, p2]. The HyGear system generates 4 Nm3/h of hydrogen from methane derived from biogas. The E-LOG-BioFleet is a partnership between Fronius International, HyCentA Research, Joanneum Research, Linde Material Handling [see page 3], OMV, Air Products, HyGear, and DB Schenker. The latter’s facility in Linz offers a suitable location for testing fuel cell powered forklift trucks under normal operating conditions. Linde MH delivered the first vehicle in June, with the remainder due in the coming months. More funding in NRW Hydrogen HyWay The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has long been prioritising the development and demonstration of fuel cell and hydrogen technology. Since 2008 it has provided E50 million (US$68 million) for 25 projects under NRW Hydrogen HyWay, through its progres.nrw programme. The NRW government has now committed a further E30 million ($41 million) to continue this programme. The second phase, for 2013–2016, focuses on conversion (electrolysers) and hydrogen storage; infrastructure for introducing ‘green’ hydrogen for transportation; testing FCEVs (public transport, commercial vehicles, and special applications); R&D and testing of decentralised combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell systems, and virtual power plants; and R&D for fuel cell technology optimisation and cost reduction, and pre-testing of new developments. The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Network NRW (www.fuelcell-nrw.de) will support applicants in finding project partners. Chiyoda plant to supply Japan hydrogen In Japan, Chiyoda Corporation (www.chiyodacorp.com/en) will construct in fiscal 2015 the world’s first large-scale production facility for hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles, according to a Nikkei report. The new ¥30 billion (US$300 million) plant in Kawasaki will have an output capacity of 600 million m3, enough to fill up 40 000 vehicles a day, and could help bring down fuel costs by as much as 30%. The Japanese government aims to set up 100 hydrogen stations by fiscal 2015 [FCB, June 2012, p11, and see page 8]. Currently, hydrogen extracted in petrochemical production is priced at about ¥120 ($1.20) per m3. Chiyoda says that its new facility could help lower the price to ¥80 through mass production, and with the help of facility improvements could reach about ¥60 – on a par with gasoline.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
7
NEWS The virtual absence of pollutants, quiet operation, and lack of vibration enable fuel cell power plants to be located in populated areas; indeed, FuelCell Energy Solutions is installing this system inside the BMBF complex. The power plant is configured for combined heat and power (CHP) to enhance efficiency, and the high-quality heat will be used to generate steam for facility heating and absorption chilling. The fuel cell power plant will provide approximately 40% of the electrical needs and 20% of the thermal needs of the facility, which is being constructed by BAM Deutschland. ‘We provide a comprehensive power generation solution, including installation of the power plant combined with operation and maintenance under multi-year service agreements,’ says Andreas Frömmel, VP of commercial and business development for FuelCell Energy Solutions. ‘We strive to make it easy for our customers to benefit from the many attributes of fuel cell power plants, while contracting the operation and maintenance to us.’ FCES, with its German manufacturing base in Ottobrun, is the sales, manufacturing and service business for the European Served Area for US-based FuelCell Energy Inc. FCES is a joint venture between FuelCell Energy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Dresden [FCB, July 2012, p8]. Earlier this year FCES signed a service agreement for a fuel cell power plant owned by the Zürich municipal electric utility in Switzerland [FCB, February 2013, p7]. And last autumn it sold a 300 kW power plant for the 20 Fenchurch office development in London, UK [FCB, December 2012, p4]. FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH, Dresden, Germany. Tel: +49 351 2553 7390, www.fces.de/?lang=en FuelCell Energy Inc, USA: www.fuelcellenergy.com Fraunhofer IKTS, Energy Systems: http://tinyurl.com/ikts-energysystems
PORTABLE & MICRO
Aquafairy demos solid hydrogen fuel cells for Japanese consumers
T
he Japanese startup company Aquafairy unveiled three prototypes of its hydrogen fuel cell technology at the recent CEATEC consumer electronics show in Chiba City. The company hopes to have the first products on sale to consumers next year, at what the company’s president, Mike Aizawa, says will be a consumer-friendly price. 8
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Kyoto-based Aquafairy was established in 2006, and has been developing a fuel cell based on hydrogen for on-the-go charging of gadgets such as smartphones or tablets. The company has developed a treatment that turns hydrogen into a solid form that is safe to handle, but still useful as a fuel. The company had three working prototype fuel cells on show at CEATEC, according to TechHive.com. The 2.5 W pocket-size, portable model is designed to fully charge a smartphone via a USB connector. A second charger is already in field trials in Japan, and can deliver 200 W, making it suitable for use after disasters. Weighing 7 kg (15 lb) and slightly smaller than a car battery, it is powered by a solid hydrogen canister similar to the butane canisters used in camping stoves. The unit, developed with support from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), has two USB outputs and two conventional AC outputs. The third charger is a long-life type designed for use in remote areas such as mountains and forests. It provides just 0.5 W, but can run for six months, for example reducing the frequency of trips to replace batteries on scientific measuring equipment. Aquafairy is working with Japanese semiconductor giant Rohm on the control circuitry for the chargers and to bring the products to market [FCB, October 2012, p6], but says it is also looking for partnerships with other companies and organisations. Aquafairy Corporation: www.aquafairy.co.jp/en
FUELING
Acta secures repeat electrolysers order, raises more funding
I
talian-based Acta SpA has secured a repeat order for six 500 L/h modular rack-mounted electrolysers from M-Field Energy Ltd, a telecom backup power fuel cell system integrator in Taiwan. Acta has also raised £2.1 million (US$3.4 million), less expenses, through the issue of 30 million new ordinary shares. The electrolysers for M-Field are of the new simplified design developed by Acta for the launch of the Acta Power system, and will be integrated into telecom backup power systems by M-Field for supply to telecom customers in Asia and elsewhere. The first three units are scheduled for shipment to M-Field in early November.
Fuel cell backup power systems, incorporating Acta’s electrolyser for autonomous refueling through onsite hydrogen generation, offer substantial benefits to telecom companies seeking to reduce the operating costs and security risks of their current base station backup power systems [see the Acta feature in FCB, September 2012]. Last autumn M-Field shipped the first fully integrated fuel cell telecom backup power system incorporating Acta’s onboard hydrogen generation for automatic fuel replenishment, to SEFCA Pty Ltd, Acta’s Australian marketing and distribution partner [FCB, October 2012, p6]. The Acta Power telecom backup power system was launched in April [FCB, May 2013, p4], and is now under evaluation with mobile telecom operators in Africa [FCB, October 2013, p3], Australia, and the Philippines [FCB, September 2013, p4]. M-Field intends to make a significant investment in CSA product certification of its own backup power system, which incorporates Acta’s electrolyser module as a specified component, to help address further telecom market opportunities. Acta and M-Field are currently negotiating the terms of a Master Purchase Agreement, to facilitate M-Field’s investment in its system certification and the scaleup of product volumes over the medium term. Meanwhile, the net proceeds of the share placing will provide new financing for continued business development that will allow Acta to continue to grow its commercial activities with existing customers and new commercial partners around the world. The placing was supported by a combination of existing and new institutional investors, plus the company’s board members. Acta SpA, Crespina, Pisa, Italy. Tel: +39 050 644281, www.actaspa.com M-Field Energy Ltd, Chutung, Hsinchu, Taiwan. Tel: +886 3 582 8530, www.m-field.com.tw
Air Liquide, Toyota Tsusho for hydrogen refueling in Japan
A
ir Liquide Japan and Toyota Tsusho Corporation are partners in a hydrogen supply business for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Japan. They will establish a new joint venture company, with Toyota Tsusho taking a 51% stake and Air Liquide Japan 49%. Meanwhile in Europe, Air Liquide has supplied the first hydrogen station in Slovenia, which will be used to refuel a fuel cell bus.
November 2013