- Email: [email protected]
InnovaTek wins DOE grant to study biofuel production, processing
NEWS these savings on to drivers of fuel cell electric vehicles through lower fuel costs. ‘This advancement helps create the technological foundation for an affordable and reliable refuelling infrastructure across the country,’ says Mark Schiller, the firm’s VP for business development. ‘These electrolysers represent a big leap toward attaining that goal, while cementing PEM electrolysers’ position as the choice technology for largescale hydrogen production, which will continue to evolve.’ Proton OnSite, Wallingford, Connecticut, USA. Tel: +1 203 678 2000, www.ProtonOnSite.com
InnovaTek wins DOE grant to study biofuel production, processing
I
n the US, InnovaTek is one of 67 small businesses nationwide selected to receive an energy innovation grant from the Department of Energy. The small businesses selected are eligible to compete for a second phase of the programme for awards up to $1 million over two years. ‘The technology to be developed using this funding will help make it economically feasible to replace fossil fuels with renewable fuels for transportation, by reducing capital and operating costs of the production facility,’ says Dr Patricia Irving, founder and CEO of InnovaTek. ‘This is needed so that the cost of ‘green’ gasoline is competitive with petroleum fuels.’ Biomass from agricultural residuals or non-food sources is a near-term alternative to oil that can be used for sustainable production of ‘green’ liquid fuels. The goal of InnovaTek’s work is to improve the economics of biofuel production by developing catalysts, enzymatic extraction, and microstructured processing technology. Wheat straw, a predominant agricultural waste in the Pacific Northwest, will be used as the biomass feedstock in the project. In addition to conducting its own proprietary research, Richland, Washingtonbased InnovaTek will fund researchers in the Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL) at nearby Washington State University, Tri-Cities to collaborate on the project. InnovaTek is a leader in fuel processing technology and advanced catalysts for hydrogen production from petroleum and renewable fuels. The company is developing biofuel
June 2012
production technology and integrated fuel cell products for electric vehicles, auxiliary power systems, and distributed energy applications. Last summer it was awarded funding from the Department of Defense to continue R&D on a miniature fuel processor for butanol, for use in a fuel cell to power portable electronic devices for the US Army [FCB, August 2011, p8]. InnovaTek Inc, Richland, Washington, USA. Tel: +1 509 375 1093, www.innovatek.com
COMMERCIALISATION
Acta signs exclusive MEA supply deal with electrolyser producer
I
talian-based Acta SpA has signed a supply agreement for the exclusive supply of its core hydrogen generation components to a leading – but unnamed – fuel cell and electrolyser manufacturer, for incorporation into their electrolyser for consumer fuel cell applications. The agreement is conditional on the successful completion of an initial performance validation phase, which the parties expect to complete within the next three to six months. Subject to this performance validation, Acta will be specified as the exclusive supplier of alkaline membraneelectrode assembly (MEA) components for the new electrolyser, and for any other alkaline membrane-based electrolyser equipment produced by the customer for other applications. The contract is for the supply of Acta’s alkaline MEAs for a consumer electrolyser that will be used to refill small hydrogen cartridges for fuel cell applications. The agreement includes pricing terms for mass volumes of up to 100 000 units per annum. Initial product applications for the hydrogen cartridges include a fuel cell recharger for electronic devices (3G mobile phones etc.) that has already been developed. Mass-market adoption may come through the incorporation of fuel cells into product applications such as portable electrical equipment and devices, including power tools and generators, by other OEMs. The introduction of consumer electrolysers is an ideal strategy for addressing the mass market for fuel cell applications. This approach will promote the development of a consumer hydrogen infrastructure ahead of the introduction of third-party fuel cell products, and demonstrate
IN BRIEF Ohio fuel cell roadmap builds in shale gas The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition (www. fuelcellcorridor.com) unveiled a roadmap for the state’s fuel cell industry at the recent Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium. OFCC developed the roadmap in collaboration with NorTech, the technology-based economic development organisation for northeast Ohio. The roadmap (http://ow.ly/bPqTc) quantifies credible market growth opportunities, which could have the potential to create 1650 new jobs in Ohio’s fuel cell industry by 2019. In particular, it identifies and validates three subsectors with growth potential for Ohio: solid oxide fuel cell systems, bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells, and fuel reforming reactors. The process also highlights an opportunity to leverage Ohio’s shale gas activity, which anticipates significant new natural gas production from the Utica Point Pleasant shale formation. This resource – which will be exploited using the controversial ‘fracking’ process – will generate abundant natural gas, and could create a substantial increase in demand for fuel cells. Over the next two years OFCC and NorTech will implement actions to advance the state’s position as a leader in fuel cell technology – which has been boosted by the Ohio Third Frontier programme (http://ow.ly/bPr4m). These include a white paper to inform key policy makers on SOFC/reforming reactor synergies with natural gas and CHP; supporting legislative initiatives for fuel cell suppliers and end-users; educating policymakers and the financial community; and supporting targeted bipolar plate and supply chain development, attraction, and retention activities. Japan eases rules for hydrogen stations The Japanese government is easing regulations on the construction of hydrogen refuelling stations, in addition to offering subsidies to companies involved in a plan to set up 100 such sites across Japan by 2015. The government will revise a ministerial ordinance in the High Pressure Gas Safety Act to facilitate the construction of hydrogen stations in residential areas and commercial districts. Under the current regulations, hydrogen stations can only be built in industrial areas. Thirteen companies, including three automakers and several oil & gas firms, plan to establish 100 hydrogen stations in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka by 2015, according to a Nikkei report. The plans more than match the German aim to set up 50 public hydrogen stations by 2015 [see page 1]. The industry ministry plans to ease regulations on steel and other materials used to build hydrogen stations. It will also work with the private sector to integrate industry standards for components such as valves.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11
InnovaTek wins DOE grant to study biofuel production, processing
I
n the US, InnovaTek is one of 67 small businesses nationwide selected to receive an energy innovation grant from the Department of Energy. The small businesses selected are eligible to compete for a second phase of the programme for awards up to $1 million over two years. ‘The technology to be developed using this funding will help make it economically feasible to replace fossil fuels with renewable fuels for transportation, by reducing capital and operating costs of the production facility,’ says Dr Patricia Irving, founder and CEO of InnovaTek. ‘This is needed so that the cost of ‘green’ gasoline is competitive with petroleum fuels.’ Biomass from agricultural residuals or non-food sources is a near-term alternative to oil that can be used for sustainable production of ‘green’ liquid fuels. The goal of InnovaTek’s work is to improve the economics of biofuel production by developing catalysts, enzymatic extraction, and microstructured processing technology. Wheat straw, a predominant agricultural waste in the Pacific Northwest, will be used as the biomass feedstock in the project. In addition to conducting its own proprietary research, Richland, Washingtonbased InnovaTek will fund researchers in the Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL) at nearby Washington State University, Tri-Cities to collaborate on the project. InnovaTek is a leader in fuel processing technology and advanced catalysts for hydrogen production from petroleum and renewable fuels. The company is developing biofuel
June 2012
production technology and integrated fuel cell products for electric vehicles, auxiliary power systems, and distributed energy applications. Last summer it was awarded funding from the Department of Defense to continue R&D on a miniature fuel processor for butanol, for use in a fuel cell to power portable electronic devices for the US Army [FCB, August 2011, p8]. InnovaTek Inc, Richland, Washington, USA. Tel: +1 509 375 1093, www.innovatek.com
COMMERCIALISATION
Acta signs exclusive MEA supply deal with electrolyser producer
I
talian-based Acta SpA has signed a supply agreement for the exclusive supply of its core hydrogen generation components to a leading – but unnamed – fuel cell and electrolyser manufacturer, for incorporation into their electrolyser for consumer fuel cell applications. The agreement is conditional on the successful completion of an initial performance validation phase, which the parties expect to complete within the next three to six months. Subject to this performance validation, Acta will be specified as the exclusive supplier of alkaline membraneelectrode assembly (MEA) components for the new electrolyser, and for any other alkaline membrane-based electrolyser equipment produced by the customer for other applications. The contract is for the supply of Acta’s alkaline MEAs for a consumer electrolyser that will be used to refill small hydrogen cartridges for fuel cell applications. The agreement includes pricing terms for mass volumes of up to 100 000 units per annum. Initial product applications for the hydrogen cartridges include a fuel cell recharger for electronic devices (3G mobile phones etc.) that has already been developed. Mass-market adoption may come through the incorporation of fuel cells into product applications such as portable electrical equipment and devices, including power tools and generators, by other OEMs. The introduction of consumer electrolysers is an ideal strategy for addressing the mass market for fuel cell applications. This approach will promote the development of a consumer hydrogen infrastructure ahead of the introduction of third-party fuel cell products, and demonstrate
IN BRIEF Ohio fuel cell roadmap builds in shale gas The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition (www. fuelcellcorridor.com) unveiled a roadmap for the state’s fuel cell industry at the recent Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium. OFCC developed the roadmap in collaboration with NorTech, the technology-based economic development organisation for northeast Ohio. The roadmap (http://ow.ly/bPqTc) quantifies credible market growth opportunities, which could have the potential to create 1650 new jobs in Ohio’s fuel cell industry by 2019. In particular, it identifies and validates three subsectors with growth potential for Ohio: solid oxide fuel cell systems, bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells, and fuel reforming reactors. The process also highlights an opportunity to leverage Ohio’s shale gas activity, which anticipates significant new natural gas production from the Utica Point Pleasant shale formation. This resource – which will be exploited using the controversial ‘fracking’ process – will generate abundant natural gas, and could create a substantial increase in demand for fuel cells. Over the next two years OFCC and NorTech will implement actions to advance the state’s position as a leader in fuel cell technology – which has been boosted by the Ohio Third Frontier programme (http://ow.ly/bPr4m). These include a white paper to inform key policy makers on SOFC/reforming reactor synergies with natural gas and CHP; supporting legislative initiatives for fuel cell suppliers and end-users; educating policymakers and the financial community; and supporting targeted bipolar plate and supply chain development, attraction, and retention activities. Japan eases rules for hydrogen stations The Japanese government is easing regulations on the construction of hydrogen refuelling stations, in addition to offering subsidies to companies involved in a plan to set up 100 such sites across Japan by 2015. The government will revise a ministerial ordinance in the High Pressure Gas Safety Act to facilitate the construction of hydrogen stations in residential areas and commercial districts. Under the current regulations, hydrogen stations can only be built in industrial areas. Thirteen companies, including three automakers and several oil & gas firms, plan to establish 100 hydrogen stations in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka by 2015, according to a Nikkei report. The plans more than match the German aim to set up 50 public hydrogen stations by 2015 [see page 1]. The industry ministry plans to ease regulations on steel and other materials used to build hydrogen stations. It will also work with the private sector to integrate industry standards for components such as valves.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11