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Imperial in UK joins Korea's POSTECH to advance fuel cell tech
NEWS
Imperial in UK joins Korea’s POSTECH to advance fuel cell tech
build on these projects and establish even stronger ties between both nations. Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College: www.imperial.ac.uk/energyfutureslab Ceres Power: www.cerespower.com KD Navien, Korea: www.kdnavien.com
T
wo major research institutions in the UK and Korea have signed an agreement that signifies a new phase of cooperation in hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Imperial College London and Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that paves the way for further engagement in hydrogen and fuel cell technology research between the two countries. The Energy Futures Lab (EFL) is Imperial College’s focal point for multidisciplinary energy research. EFL is leading a nationwide hub for hydrogen and fuel cell technology research, the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell SUPERGEN Hub, funded by the UK Research Councils’ energy programme. ‘There are a number of fields where fuel cell technology is being used [in the UK], and there are some outstanding companies involved in fuel cell development, such as Ceres Power, which is an Imperial spinout company,’ says Professor Nigel Brandon, director of the Energy Futures Lab and the Fuel Cell SUPERGEN Hub. ‘The UK is considering storing a growing proportion of its renewable energy through hydrogen generation,’ continues Brandon. ‘Some of the newer London buses are using hydrogen fuel cells [FCB, September 2013, p2], and there is a real prospect that hydrogen fuel cell cars will soon become commercially viable in the UK.’ Brandon adds that Korea is investing heavily in a range of energy technologies including fuel cells, reflecting its relative lack of natural resources. ‘Korea is developing fuel cells for a wide range of applications, both for power generation and for transport as hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles,’ he says. ‘By 2014 the Seoul government will have built 29 hydrogen and fuel cell plants [FCB, June 2012, p7].’ The UK and South Korea are already partnering in research and industrial development in hydrogen and fuel cells. For example, in the summer Ceres Power partnered with KD Navien of Korea to develop fuel cell boilers using its intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell technology [FCB, August 2013, p4]. And Rolls-Royce Fuel Cells Systems – whose major shareholder is the Korean manufacturer LG [FCB, July 2012, p7] – is developing MW-scale SOFC power generators. The new MOU presents an opportunity to
December 2013
Rolls-Royce, Fuel Cells: www.rolls-royce.com/energy_products/fuel_cells
ARPA-E $30m push on mid-temp fuel cell distributed generation
T
he US Department of Energy has announced up to $30 million in Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) funding for a new programme focused on the development of intermediatetemperature fuel cell (ITFC) technologies that can act as a storage device in lowcost distributed generation. Current fuel cell research generally explores technologies that either operate at high temperatures for grid-scale applications (solid oxide) or low temperatures for vehicle technologies (PEM). But projects in ARPA-E’s Reliable Electricity Based on ELectrochemical Systems (REBELS) programme will focus on developing intermediate-temperature fuel cells – e.g. high-temperature PEM (HT-PEMFC) or intermediate-temperature solid oxide (IT-SOFC) – through innovative designs, fuel activation approaches, and low-cost materials to facilitate widespread distributed power generation. These projects also explore multi-functional fuel cell systems that can store energy like a battery or use electricity to convert natural gas to liquids. ARPA-E anticipates three specific areas of interest in the REBELS funding opportunity announcement: (1) low-cost, efficient, reliable ITFCs for small distributed generation applications; (2) ITFCs that are capable of in situ charge storage in an electrode to enable battery-like response to transients; and (3) electrochemical devices that produce liquid fuels from methane using excess renewable resources. REBELS will not cover fuel cell systems based on existing DOE R&D programmes, such as low-temperature PEM and high-temperature SOFCs. ARPA-E, REBELS Teaming Partner List: http://tinyurl.com/arpa-e-REBELS REBELS Funding Opportunity Announcement (PDF): http://tinyurl.com/REBELS-FOA ARPA-E: http://arpa-e.energy.gov
IN BRIEF California funds hydrogen infrastructure The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced up to $29.9 million in funding for hydrogen refueling infrastructure (http:// tinyurl.com/cal-h2-infra). The funding is being provided to construct, upgrade, or support stations that will expand the network of publicly accessible hydrogen stations. The station location areas reflect CEC’s targeted, higher-priority areas for the construction of hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Based on the California Fuel Cell Partnership Roadmap [FCB, October 2013, p6], a minimum of 68 stations are needed throughout the state to ensure an initial network of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, in anticipation of the commercial deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles that is expected to begin in 2015 [see the CaFCP feature in FCB, November 2009]. NREL app for alternative fueling stations The US Department of Energy has launched a new mobile app to help drivers find stations that provide alternative fuels for vehicles. Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (www.nrel.gov), the free Alternative Fueling Station Locator app – available for the iPhone and iPad from the Apple App Store – provides information on more than 15 000 stations across the US. Users can search for stations with electric charging, biodiesel (B20), natural gas (compressed and liquefied), ethanol (E85), hydrogen, and propane. After the user selects a fuel, the app maps the stations closest to his/her current location. Using the app’s filters, drivers can also search for stations that meet certain parameters, such as whether the station is open to the public. PowerDisc names chairman Truckenbrodt Vancouver-based fuel cell company PowerDisc Development Corporation (www.powerdisc. ca) has appointed Dr Andreas Truckenbrodt as chairman of its board of directors. He replaces John Morgan, who has led the board since 2010 and will remain as a director. Dr Truckenbrodt is currently chief executive and chief technical officer at the Daimler-Ford joint venture, Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC, www.afccauto.com). Previously, he was responsible for the DaimlerChrysler Hybrid Development Center, following a number of high-level executive positions within DaimlerChrysler, including heading the company’s Fuel Cell and Alternative Powertrain Vehicles unit. PowerDisc is designing, developing, and marketing its eFlow™ fuel cell technology solutions for a range of global applications including stationary, backup power, transportation, materials handling, and portable applications [FCB, July 2013, p10].
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11
Imperial in UK joins Korea’s POSTECH to advance fuel cell tech
build on these projects and establish even stronger ties between both nations. Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College: www.imperial.ac.uk/energyfutureslab Ceres Power: www.cerespower.com KD Navien, Korea: www.kdnavien.com
T
wo major research institutions in the UK and Korea have signed an agreement that signifies a new phase of cooperation in hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Imperial College London and Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that paves the way for further engagement in hydrogen and fuel cell technology research between the two countries. The Energy Futures Lab (EFL) is Imperial College’s focal point for multidisciplinary energy research. EFL is leading a nationwide hub for hydrogen and fuel cell technology research, the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell SUPERGEN Hub, funded by the UK Research Councils’ energy programme. ‘There are a number of fields where fuel cell technology is being used [in the UK], and there are some outstanding companies involved in fuel cell development, such as Ceres Power, which is an Imperial spinout company,’ says Professor Nigel Brandon, director of the Energy Futures Lab and the Fuel Cell SUPERGEN Hub. ‘The UK is considering storing a growing proportion of its renewable energy through hydrogen generation,’ continues Brandon. ‘Some of the newer London buses are using hydrogen fuel cells [FCB, September 2013, p2], and there is a real prospect that hydrogen fuel cell cars will soon become commercially viable in the UK.’ Brandon adds that Korea is investing heavily in a range of energy technologies including fuel cells, reflecting its relative lack of natural resources. ‘Korea is developing fuel cells for a wide range of applications, both for power generation and for transport as hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles,’ he says. ‘By 2014 the Seoul government will have built 29 hydrogen and fuel cell plants [FCB, June 2012, p7].’ The UK and South Korea are already partnering in research and industrial development in hydrogen and fuel cells. For example, in the summer Ceres Power partnered with KD Navien of Korea to develop fuel cell boilers using its intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell technology [FCB, August 2013, p4]. And Rolls-Royce Fuel Cells Systems – whose major shareholder is the Korean manufacturer LG [FCB, July 2012, p7] – is developing MW-scale SOFC power generators. The new MOU presents an opportunity to
December 2013
Rolls-Royce, Fuel Cells: www.rolls-royce.com/energy_products/fuel_cells
ARPA-E $30m push on mid-temp fuel cell distributed generation
T
he US Department of Energy has announced up to $30 million in Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) funding for a new programme focused on the development of intermediatetemperature fuel cell (ITFC) technologies that can act as a storage device in lowcost distributed generation. Current fuel cell research generally explores technologies that either operate at high temperatures for grid-scale applications (solid oxide) or low temperatures for vehicle technologies (PEM). But projects in ARPA-E’s Reliable Electricity Based on ELectrochemical Systems (REBELS) programme will focus on developing intermediate-temperature fuel cells – e.g. high-temperature PEM (HT-PEMFC) or intermediate-temperature solid oxide (IT-SOFC) – through innovative designs, fuel activation approaches, and low-cost materials to facilitate widespread distributed power generation. These projects also explore multi-functional fuel cell systems that can store energy like a battery or use electricity to convert natural gas to liquids. ARPA-E anticipates three specific areas of interest in the REBELS funding opportunity announcement: (1) low-cost, efficient, reliable ITFCs for small distributed generation applications; (2) ITFCs that are capable of in situ charge storage in an electrode to enable battery-like response to transients; and (3) electrochemical devices that produce liquid fuels from methane using excess renewable resources. REBELS will not cover fuel cell systems based on existing DOE R&D programmes, such as low-temperature PEM and high-temperature SOFCs. ARPA-E, REBELS Teaming Partner List: http://tinyurl.com/arpa-e-REBELS REBELS Funding Opportunity Announcement (PDF): http://tinyurl.com/REBELS-FOA ARPA-E: http://arpa-e.energy.gov
IN BRIEF California funds hydrogen infrastructure The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced up to $29.9 million in funding for hydrogen refueling infrastructure (http:// tinyurl.com/cal-h2-infra). The funding is being provided to construct, upgrade, or support stations that will expand the network of publicly accessible hydrogen stations. The station location areas reflect CEC’s targeted, higher-priority areas for the construction of hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Based on the California Fuel Cell Partnership Roadmap [FCB, October 2013, p6], a minimum of 68 stations are needed throughout the state to ensure an initial network of hydrogen refueling infrastructure, in anticipation of the commercial deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles that is expected to begin in 2015 [see the CaFCP feature in FCB, November 2009]. NREL app for alternative fueling stations The US Department of Energy has launched a new mobile app to help drivers find stations that provide alternative fuels for vehicles. Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (www.nrel.gov), the free Alternative Fueling Station Locator app – available for the iPhone and iPad from the Apple App Store – provides information on more than 15 000 stations across the US. Users can search for stations with electric charging, biodiesel (B20), natural gas (compressed and liquefied), ethanol (E85), hydrogen, and propane. After the user selects a fuel, the app maps the stations closest to his/her current location. Using the app’s filters, drivers can also search for stations that meet certain parameters, such as whether the station is open to the public. PowerDisc names chairman Truckenbrodt Vancouver-based fuel cell company PowerDisc Development Corporation (www.powerdisc. ca) has appointed Dr Andreas Truckenbrodt as chairman of its board of directors. He replaces John Morgan, who has led the board since 2010 and will remain as a director. Dr Truckenbrodt is currently chief executive and chief technical officer at the Daimler-Ford joint venture, Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC, www.afccauto.com). Previously, he was responsible for the DaimlerChrysler Hybrid Development Center, following a number of high-level executive positions within DaimlerChrysler, including heading the company’s Fuel Cell and Alternative Powertrain Vehicles unit. PowerDisc is designing, developing, and marketing its eFlow™ fuel cell technology solutions for a range of global applications including stationary, backup power, transportation, materials handling, and portable applications [FCB, July 2013, p10].
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11