General Hydrogen to incorporate Hydrogenics’ new power modules

General Hydrogen to incorporate Hydrogenics’ new power modules

NEWS Global downsizes fuel cell division Calgary-based Global Thermoelectric has reduced its fuel cell division workforce by approximately one-third,...

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NEWS

Global downsizes fuel cell division Calgary-based Global Thermoelectric has reduced its fuel cell division workforce by approximately one-third, or 47 employees, to reduce annual R&D expenditure by approximately C$5m (US$3.7m). The announcement is consistent with the company’s strategy to focus on core technology development while maintaining prototype system capability. The initiative is independent of but complementary to the previously announced proposed combination with California-based Quantum Technologies [FCB, June 2003]. During the course of Global’s review to maximize shareholder value and create a sustainable SOFC program, it became clear that it needed to significantly cut expenditures and focus on its core competency and area of demonstrated leadership – the development of SOFC membrane and stack technology. This reduction in expenditure follows a cost reduction initiative last November. Global is retaining sufficient system capability to develop and assemble prototype and demonstration fuel cell systems, and will be in a position to deliver its next-generation natural gas fuel cell prototype – called Aurora – later this year. The commercialization timeline for core SOFC components such as the fuel cell membrane and stack are unaffected by the latest announcement. Contact: Global Thermoelectric Inc, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Tel: +1 403 204 6100, www.globalte.com

Ballard orders additional UQM compressor motors, takes NovArs license Colorado-based UQM Technologies has received an order from Ballard Power Systems in Canada for additional fuel cell compressor drive motors; the new order is in addition to an earlier order received in January. Ballard has also taken a non-exclusive patent license of the NovArs mid-range fuel cell technology from New York/Los Alamos-based Manhattan Scientifics. UQM has been supplying its custom-designed motors to Ballard since early 2001 for use in its fuel cell engines. UQM motors are compact and highly efficient, and this particular design application has been optimized to meet the specific operating requirements of Ballard’s fuel cell engines. The electric motors drive 6

Fuel Cells Bulletin

compressors which power and control the delivery of compressed air within the fuel cell. Improved efficiency of fuel cell auxiliary systems (lower parasitic losses) improve the overall energy efficiency of the fuel cell engine. Ballard has made an initial payment of US$300 000 in its license agreement with Manhattan Scientifics, for unlimited use of the NovArs technology and systems developed by Manhattan Scientifics. Ballard will pay an additional US$200 000 on commercial launch of a product using the technology. Manhattan is aggressively looking to license its patents and know-how to others developing mid-range PEM fuel cell systems, as it is now running low on funds despite the cash received from Ballard. The technology was developed over the past three years by Dr Arthur Koschany of NovArs GmbH, the German-based development partner of Manhattan Scientifics. The NovArs fuel cell is attractive because of its light weight, small size and high efficiency. It has been demonstrated in a variety of applications requiring power outputs ranging from 2 We to 3 kWe. Contact: Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com Or contact: UQM Technologies Inc, Frederick, Colorado, USA. Tel: +1 303 278 2002, www.uqm.com Or contact: Manhattan Scientifics Inc, New York, NY, USA. Tel: +1 212 551 0577, www.mhtx.com

Nuvera to demo PEM fuel cells for Coast Guard The US Department of Defense has selected Nuvera Fuel Cells to demonstrate its newest product prototype, an Avanti™ 4 kWe natural gas fuel cell system, at the US Coast Guard facility in Bristol, Rhode Island. The contract was awarded through the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), part of the US Army Engineer Research & Development Center. The contract covers installation, operation, maintenance and monitoring for a year. The systems, due for delivery later this year, are fully integrated and operate in parallel with the grid. The system will form part of CERL’s overall PEM Fuel Cell Demonstration Program. ‘This application will provide valuable insight into the operation of fuel cells in a salt-air environment, typical of many government and private coastal facilities,’ said Dr Mike Binder, CERL’s Fuel Cell Program Manager. Contact: Nuvera Fuel Cells, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 617 498 6732, www.nuvera.com

Or contact: Dr Mike Binder, US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories, Champaign, Illinois, USA. Tel: +1 217 373 7214, Email: [email protected], www.erdc.usace.army.mil

General Hydrogen to incorporate Hydrogenics’ new power modules Toronto-based Hydrogenics is to supply six of its new HyPM-LP2 fuel cell power modules to General Hydrogen in Vancouver, BC for use in General Hydrogen’s family of products for logistic operations in large distribution centers. Both companies are members of the General Motors alliance of fuel cell commercialization companies, but this is the first time they have combined their technologies in a collaborative project. The deal represents the first commercial sale of Hydrogenics’ new 10 kWe HyPM-LP2 power module. The company developed the 10 kWe power module based on the success of its original 20 kWe ‘low pressure, low profile’ design, which was launched last December and supplied to John Deere for its demonstrator fuel cellpowered commercial work vehicle. The 10 kWe module is targeted at light vehicle and power generation applications. It was developed without a major redesign of Hydrogenics’ current baseline technology, whereas the two previous generations of HyPM technology that preceded the HYPM-LP2 design underwent major modifications in configuration and components, in an effort to simplify the design and reduce the parts count. The LP2 design has translated into higher efficiencies, lower costs, smaller size and improved manufacturability. Hydrogenics has also unveiled its 4 kWe HyLyzer PEM electrolyzer module, the first product based on its proprietary PEM electrolyzer technology. This technology provides hydrogen generation in a compact, easily deployed, stand-alone module. The company has also launched a new ‘FCATSto-grid’ capability for its FCATS fuel cell test stations, which will enable users to export the power generated by their testing machines to the grid. Contact: Hydrogenics Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Tel: +1 905 361 3660, www.hydrogenics.com Or contact: General Hydrogen Corporation, Richmond, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 303 0050, www.generalhydrogen.com

July 2003