- Email: [email protected]
Intelligent Energy, Etisalat in portable device collaboration
NEWS D’Couto, president of Neah Power. ‘The use and evaluation of PowerPlay within a Fortune 110 company will provide Neah Power Systems feedback to further optimise the product to meet this and other customer requirements.’ Neah Power’s mutually exclusive, paid development contract with Ion Geophysical was announced in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in January. Ion Geophysical provides advanced seismic acquisition equipment, services, and data libraries to the global oil & gas industry. This contract is for the development of a fuel cell based underwater application, in lieu of lithium-ion batteries and other power sources. As part of the contract, Neah has implemented a manufacturing partnership with a MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) foundry supplier for high-volume manufacturing of the PowerChip fuel cells. The company has also made significant progress on product design and development for Ion Geophysical. Neah Power uses a unique, patented, siliconbased design for its Powerchip and PowerPlay micro DMFCs that results in higher power densities, lower cost, and compact form-factors, as well as the ability to run in aerobic and anaerobic modes. The company is exploring collaboration with Boeing to deploy the PowerChip technology to various distributed power sources on Boeing’s current and future aircraft and ground systems [FCB, November 2011, p4]. Neah Power Systems, Bothell, Washington, USA. Tel: +1 425 424 3324, www.neahpower.com Ion Geophysical Corporation: www.iongeo.com
Intelligent Energy, Etisalat in portable device collaboration
U
K-based fuel cell developer Intelligent Energy has announced a collaboration with telecom company Etisalat Nigeria, to meet the increasing need for practical and cost-effective alternatives to powering portable electronic devices. The companies have already started work to test personal energy devices powered by Intelligent Energy’s proven PEM fuel cell technology, with an Etisalat user trial to commence this summer. As electronic devices become more sophisticated, the requirement for portable power has increased exponentially. However, advances in battery power have lagged behind, leading to consumer disappointment and creating a need for 8
Fuel Cells Bulletin
practical and cost-effective alternatives. Intelligent Energy’s portable power technology has been developed to address this need, providing greater amounts of ‘on-the-go’ power so that mobile operators can deliver better user experience and increase the average revenue per user (ARPU). The scope of the Etisalat trial will include field-testing of a new solution, based on technology from Intelligent Energy’s consumer electronics division, with selected customers across various mobile energy devices. ‘Etisalat believes in providing our customers with up-to-date solutions that will improve their mobile experience,’ says Wael Ammar, chief commercial officer at Etisalat Nigeria, which is part of the UAE-based Etisalat Group. ‘Our customers will now be able to enjoy personal energy on the go, and are also able to use their portable devices at any time without the concern of running out of energy, thanks to this world-class technology.’ Earlier this year Intelligent Energy announced that it is collaborating with Cable & Wireless Communications to run a user trial of consumer electronic devices powered by IE’s fuel cell technology for various mobile devices across their market sectors [FCB, March 2013, p6]. Intelligent Energy is also commercialising its fuel cell technology in other applications [see the IE feature in FCB, August 2009]. These include backup power systems for telecom towers in India [FCB, November 2012, p10], and through its SMILE FC System joint venture with Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan, which has established a ready-to-scaleup production plant for its PEM fuel cell systems in Yokohama [FCB, March 2013, p8]. Intelligent Energy also recently completed a three-year project with several UK partners that demonstrated a more than 30% increase in the power density of its fuel cell system, together with reliable cold-start performance down to –20°C [FCB, April 2013, p1]. Intelligent Energy, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 271271, www.intelligent-energy.com Etisalat Group, United Arab Emirates: www.etisalat.ae
FUELING
The hydrogen station will supply around 20 electric forklift trucks powered by GenDrive® hydrogen PEM fuel cells produced by HyPulsion, the joint venture owned by Air Liquide’s subsidiary Axane and Plug Power in the US [FCB, May 2013, p1]. These forklift trucks offer extended runtime of a full 8 h working shift [see the Plug Power feature in FCB, December 2011]. The Air Liquide fueling station will supply hydrogen at 350 bar (5000 psi), with refills in just 3 min. Replacing electric batteries with fuel cells provides greater flexibility and productivity, thanks to a longer operating range for users and a shorter downtime for refueling. IKEA’s 100 000 m2 distribution centre in SaintQuentin-Fallavier is a key warehouse for the upstream logistics of IKEA stores in southern Europe, organising the receipt and storage of products delivered from all over the world. IKEA signed the contract with HyPulsion last summer [FCB, June 2012, p13]. ‘This project, which is a first in Europe, proves the competitiveness and technical maturity of this solution for electric forklift trucks,’ says François Darchis, senior VP at Air Liquide. ‘And thanks to the cooperation between public and private partners, it is the opportunity to drive change in the regulations to allow the development of hydrogen energy in France.’ This project is the result of work carried out by the partners of the Horizon Hydrogen Energy (H2E) Program in France, funded by OSEO, the national agency for funding and supporting technological innovation, and the fruit of effective cooperation with public authorities. The use of hydrogen as an energy carrier for logistic platforms has been developing in the US and Canada, with over 3000 forklift trucks currently running on hydrogen. The conversion of just 10% of the worldwide fleet of forklift trucks would represent a potential hydrogen market of E7 billion (US$9 billion), according to Air Liquide. Air Liquide, Hydrogen Energy: www.airliquide-hydrogen-energy.com HyPulsion: http://tinyurl.com/hypulsion Axane: www.axane.fr Air Liquide, Horizon Hydrogen Energy (H2E) Program: http://tinyurl.com/H2E-program Plug Power: www.plugpower.com
Air Liquide hydrogen station for forklift fleet Sandia, SRI advancing hydrogen, natural gas at IKEA in France for transportation
I
n France, Air Liquide is providing a hydrogen fueling station to the furniture and home accessories retailer IKEA, to supply part of its logistic platform in SaintQuentin-Fallavier, near Lyon.
I
n California, Sandia National Laboratories is joining forces with SRI International, an independent research and innovation centre, to explore,
June 2013
Intelligent Energy, Etisalat in portable device collaboration
U
K-based fuel cell developer Intelligent Energy has announced a collaboration with telecom company Etisalat Nigeria, to meet the increasing need for practical and cost-effective alternatives to powering portable electronic devices. The companies have already started work to test personal energy devices powered by Intelligent Energy’s proven PEM fuel cell technology, with an Etisalat user trial to commence this summer. As electronic devices become more sophisticated, the requirement for portable power has increased exponentially. However, advances in battery power have lagged behind, leading to consumer disappointment and creating a need for 8
Fuel Cells Bulletin
practical and cost-effective alternatives. Intelligent Energy’s portable power technology has been developed to address this need, providing greater amounts of ‘on-the-go’ power so that mobile operators can deliver better user experience and increase the average revenue per user (ARPU). The scope of the Etisalat trial will include field-testing of a new solution, based on technology from Intelligent Energy’s consumer electronics division, with selected customers across various mobile energy devices. ‘Etisalat believes in providing our customers with up-to-date solutions that will improve their mobile experience,’ says Wael Ammar, chief commercial officer at Etisalat Nigeria, which is part of the UAE-based Etisalat Group. ‘Our customers will now be able to enjoy personal energy on the go, and are also able to use their portable devices at any time without the concern of running out of energy, thanks to this world-class technology.’ Earlier this year Intelligent Energy announced that it is collaborating with Cable & Wireless Communications to run a user trial of consumer electronic devices powered by IE’s fuel cell technology for various mobile devices across their market sectors [FCB, March 2013, p6]. Intelligent Energy is also commercialising its fuel cell technology in other applications [see the IE feature in FCB, August 2009]. These include backup power systems for telecom towers in India [FCB, November 2012, p10], and through its SMILE FC System joint venture with Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan, which has established a ready-to-scaleup production plant for its PEM fuel cell systems in Yokohama [FCB, March 2013, p8]. Intelligent Energy also recently completed a three-year project with several UK partners that demonstrated a more than 30% increase in the power density of its fuel cell system, together with reliable cold-start performance down to –20°C [FCB, April 2013, p1]. Intelligent Energy, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 271271, www.intelligent-energy.com Etisalat Group, United Arab Emirates: www.etisalat.ae
FUELING
The hydrogen station will supply around 20 electric forklift trucks powered by GenDrive® hydrogen PEM fuel cells produced by HyPulsion, the joint venture owned by Air Liquide’s subsidiary Axane and Plug Power in the US [FCB, May 2013, p1]. These forklift trucks offer extended runtime of a full 8 h working shift [see the Plug Power feature in FCB, December 2011]. The Air Liquide fueling station will supply hydrogen at 350 bar (5000 psi), with refills in just 3 min. Replacing electric batteries with fuel cells provides greater flexibility and productivity, thanks to a longer operating range for users and a shorter downtime for refueling. IKEA’s 100 000 m2 distribution centre in SaintQuentin-Fallavier is a key warehouse for the upstream logistics of IKEA stores in southern Europe, organising the receipt and storage of products delivered from all over the world. IKEA signed the contract with HyPulsion last summer [FCB, June 2012, p13]. ‘This project, which is a first in Europe, proves the competitiveness and technical maturity of this solution for electric forklift trucks,’ says François Darchis, senior VP at Air Liquide. ‘And thanks to the cooperation between public and private partners, it is the opportunity to drive change in the regulations to allow the development of hydrogen energy in France.’ This project is the result of work carried out by the partners of the Horizon Hydrogen Energy (H2E) Program in France, funded by OSEO, the national agency for funding and supporting technological innovation, and the fruit of effective cooperation with public authorities. The use of hydrogen as an energy carrier for logistic platforms has been developing in the US and Canada, with over 3000 forklift trucks currently running on hydrogen. The conversion of just 10% of the worldwide fleet of forklift trucks would represent a potential hydrogen market of E7 billion (US$9 billion), according to Air Liquide. Air Liquide, Hydrogen Energy: www.airliquide-hydrogen-energy.com HyPulsion: http://tinyurl.com/hypulsion Axane: www.axane.fr Air Liquide, Horizon Hydrogen Energy (H2E) Program: http://tinyurl.com/H2E-program Plug Power: www.plugpower.com
Air Liquide hydrogen station for forklift fleet Sandia, SRI advancing hydrogen, natural gas at IKEA in France for transportation
I
n France, Air Liquide is providing a hydrogen fueling station to the furniture and home accessories retailer IKEA, to supply part of its logistic platform in SaintQuentin-Fallavier, near Lyon.
I
n California, Sandia National Laboratories is joining forces with SRI International, an independent research and innovation centre, to explore,
June 2013