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FuelCell Energy links up with Fraunhofer IKTS to develop European market for stationary fuel cells
fUelCELLS BULLETIN
www.fuelcellsbulletin.com
ISSN 1464-2859 February October 2010 2012
FuelCell Energy links up with Fraunhofer IKTS to develop European market for stationary fuel cells
U
S-based FuelCell Energy has announced a Memorandum of Understanding to form a German-based joint venture with the Fraunhofer IKTS Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems in Dresden, to develop the European market for Direct FuelCell® stationary power plants. The venture will target opportunities in Europe for ultra-clean baseload power from DFC® molten carbonate fuel cell power plants using natural gas and renewable biogas. Continuous baseload power from fuel cell power plants will help balance the intermittency of renewable power generation in many European countries. FuelCell Energy will lead market development and servicing efforts for DFC power plants, as well as support for existing carbonate fuel cell power plants operating in Europe. Fraunhofer IKTS will contribute R&D resources to enhance the DFC technology, and use local knowledge and relationships to assist market development. FuelCell Energy has established a legal entity in Germany for the joint venture, and will retain majority ownership.
‘Strong partners like German-based Fraunhofer IKTS, and our recent partnership announcement with Spanish-based Abengoa [FCB, January 2012, p5], are helping us execute our European strategy to penetrate and rapidly grow stationary fuel cell installations in Europe,’ says Chip Bottone, president and CEO of FuelCell Energy. ‘We have an active pipeline of approximately 45 MW in Europe, developed in just the past year with limited local presence to date, illustrating the strong market potential.’ FuelCell Energy recently reported that it has passed the milestone of producing 1 billion kWh of electricity using its DFC power plants since 2003 [see page 7]. FuelCell Energy used to supply carbonate stacks to its European partner, MTU Onsite Energy, which was working to commercialize its HotModule systems – until parent company Tognum decided to discontinue its stationary fuel cell activities [FCB, January 2011, p1]. FuelCell Energy: www.fuelcellenergy.com Fraunhofer IKTS Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems: www.ikts.fraunhofer.de
Acta forms strategic partnership with Heliocentris
I
talian-based electrolyser developer Acta SpA has entered into a 10-year licensing agreement with Heliocentris Energy Solutions in Germany. Heliocentris specialises in autonomous zero-emission energy supply and energy efficiency solutions to replace diesel generators. Under the agreement, Heliocentris has committed to buying alkaline solid membrane electrolyser products exclusively from Acta, with a minimum purchase commitment of 500 units in year 3 of the partnership and E1.5 million (US$2 million) worth in year 4. Heliocentris will have a non-exclusive worldwide license to use Acta technology in its
products. Heliocentris will maintain exclusive licenses in Germany and for the Middle East and Africa [see page 10] for certain stationary clean power applications, such as telecom base stations or home power, as well as the worldwide exclusive license for certain lab, educational, and training applications. Acta recently signed a deal with Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies in Singapore to evaluate, develop, and produce electrolyser systems incorporating Acta’s hydrogen generation technology [see page 8]. Acta SpA: www.actagroup.it Heliocentris Energy Solutions: www.heliocentris.com
Contents Contents NEWS FuelCell Energy, Fraunhofer IKTS link to develop Euro stationary fuel cell market
1
Acta strategic partnership with Heliocentris
1
ROAD VEHICLES Ballard deal with Tata Motors to power fuel cell bus demonstrations in India
2
Hydrogenics wins US Hybrid deal for heavy duty vehicle modules
2
Ballard for UNDP-EMTU buses in Brazil
3
MOBILE APPLICATIONS Intelligent Energy, Suzuki to make fuel cells
3
GreenGT fuel cell sports car in Le Mans test
4
US–SA team to produce fuel cell mine locos
4
SMALL STATIONARY CFCL German agent sells 100 BlueGens
4
FutureE powers telecom operator Swisscom
5
ACAL Energy proves FlowCath durability
6
LARGE STATIONARY Solvay sees Nedstack 1 MW PEM fuel cell in operation at SolVin chemical plant
6
FuelCell Energy generates 1 billion kWh
7
Bloom Energy units in California buildings
7
PORTABLE & MICRO myFC showcases PowerTrekk portable fuel cell charger for consumer market
7
FUELLING ITM, Logan Energy to cooperate on Scottish energy storage projects
8
Acta, Horizon develop, make electrolysers
8
TÜV SÜD aids Japan to revise standards, regulations for hydrogen refuelling
9
ITM Power wins CE compliance for HFuel
9
COMMERCIALISATION Ballard, WEG Industries fuel cells for Brazil
9
Heliocentris expands P21 Mid East presence
10
Nuvera expands team to push on in 2012
10
NE Chemcat licenses Brookhaven catalyst technology for automotive fuel cells
10
RESEARCH Increased reformer durability, ruggedness
11
FEATURE UTC Power and the PureCell Model 400 fuel cell power plant finding wide application
12–15
REGULARS Editorial News In Brief Patents Events Calendar
3 11 16–19 20
ISSN 1464-2859/12 1464-2859/10 © 2012 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.
www.fuelcellsbulletin.com
ISSN 1464-2859 February October 2010 2012
FuelCell Energy links up with Fraunhofer IKTS to develop European market for stationary fuel cells
U
S-based FuelCell Energy has announced a Memorandum of Understanding to form a German-based joint venture with the Fraunhofer IKTS Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems in Dresden, to develop the European market for Direct FuelCell® stationary power plants. The venture will target opportunities in Europe for ultra-clean baseload power from DFC® molten carbonate fuel cell power plants using natural gas and renewable biogas. Continuous baseload power from fuel cell power plants will help balance the intermittency of renewable power generation in many European countries. FuelCell Energy will lead market development and servicing efforts for DFC power plants, as well as support for existing carbonate fuel cell power plants operating in Europe. Fraunhofer IKTS will contribute R&D resources to enhance the DFC technology, and use local knowledge and relationships to assist market development. FuelCell Energy has established a legal entity in Germany for the joint venture, and will retain majority ownership.
‘Strong partners like German-based Fraunhofer IKTS, and our recent partnership announcement with Spanish-based Abengoa [FCB, January 2012, p5], are helping us execute our European strategy to penetrate and rapidly grow stationary fuel cell installations in Europe,’ says Chip Bottone, president and CEO of FuelCell Energy. ‘We have an active pipeline of approximately 45 MW in Europe, developed in just the past year with limited local presence to date, illustrating the strong market potential.’ FuelCell Energy recently reported that it has passed the milestone of producing 1 billion kWh of electricity using its DFC power plants since 2003 [see page 7]. FuelCell Energy used to supply carbonate stacks to its European partner, MTU Onsite Energy, which was working to commercialize its HotModule systems – until parent company Tognum decided to discontinue its stationary fuel cell activities [FCB, January 2011, p1]. FuelCell Energy: www.fuelcellenergy.com Fraunhofer IKTS Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems: www.ikts.fraunhofer.de
Acta forms strategic partnership with Heliocentris
I
talian-based electrolyser developer Acta SpA has entered into a 10-year licensing agreement with Heliocentris Energy Solutions in Germany. Heliocentris specialises in autonomous zero-emission energy supply and energy efficiency solutions to replace diesel generators. Under the agreement, Heliocentris has committed to buying alkaline solid membrane electrolyser products exclusively from Acta, with a minimum purchase commitment of 500 units in year 3 of the partnership and E1.5 million (US$2 million) worth in year 4. Heliocentris will have a non-exclusive worldwide license to use Acta technology in its
products. Heliocentris will maintain exclusive licenses in Germany and for the Middle East and Africa [see page 10] for certain stationary clean power applications, such as telecom base stations or home power, as well as the worldwide exclusive license for certain lab, educational, and training applications. Acta recently signed a deal with Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies in Singapore to evaluate, develop, and produce electrolyser systems incorporating Acta’s hydrogen generation technology [see page 8]. Acta SpA: www.actagroup.it Heliocentris Energy Solutions: www.heliocentris.com
Contents Contents NEWS FuelCell Energy, Fraunhofer IKTS link to develop Euro stationary fuel cell market
1
Acta strategic partnership with Heliocentris
1
ROAD VEHICLES Ballard deal with Tata Motors to power fuel cell bus demonstrations in India
2
Hydrogenics wins US Hybrid deal for heavy duty vehicle modules
2
Ballard for UNDP-EMTU buses in Brazil
3
MOBILE APPLICATIONS Intelligent Energy, Suzuki to make fuel cells
3
GreenGT fuel cell sports car in Le Mans test
4
US–SA team to produce fuel cell mine locos
4
SMALL STATIONARY CFCL German agent sells 100 BlueGens
4
FutureE powers telecom operator Swisscom
5
ACAL Energy proves FlowCath durability
6
LARGE STATIONARY Solvay sees Nedstack 1 MW PEM fuel cell in operation at SolVin chemical plant
6
FuelCell Energy generates 1 billion kWh
7
Bloom Energy units in California buildings
7
PORTABLE & MICRO myFC showcases PowerTrekk portable fuel cell charger for consumer market
7
FUELLING ITM, Logan Energy to cooperate on Scottish energy storage projects
8
Acta, Horizon develop, make electrolysers
8
TÜV SÜD aids Japan to revise standards, regulations for hydrogen refuelling
9
ITM Power wins CE compliance for HFuel
9
COMMERCIALISATION Ballard, WEG Industries fuel cells for Brazil
9
Heliocentris expands P21 Mid East presence
10
Nuvera expands team to push on in 2012
10
NE Chemcat licenses Brookhaven catalyst technology for automotive fuel cells
10
RESEARCH Increased reformer durability, ruggedness
11
FEATURE UTC Power and the PureCell Model 400 fuel cell power plant finding wide application
12–15
REGULARS Editorial News In Brief Patents Events Calendar
3 11 16–19 20
ISSN 1464-2859/12 1464-2859/10 © 2012 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.