Tanaka builds plant to develop, manufacture fuel cell catalysts

NEWS ‘The Yokohama production line is testament to the rigorous, results-oriented collaboration between Intelligent Energy and Suzuki Motor Corporation – one that brings us a step closer to the commercialisation of fuel cell electric vehicles,’ says Dr Henri Winand, CEO of Intelligent Energy. ‘This demonstrates how our focused commercial approach accelerates and de-risks our partners and customers’ deployment plans.’ Based at Suzuki headquarters in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, SMILE FC was established in February 2012 to develop and manufacture PEM fuel cell systems for a range of industry sectors, including automotive [FCB, February 2012, p3]. The joint venture provides Suzuki with access to Intelligent Energy’s aircooled PEMFC technology through partnering and licensing. This will drive benefits such as early volume production, economies of scale, and avoiding the higher costs associated with in-house development. IE and Suzuki have already developed the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, which two years ago was granted Whole Vehicle Type Approval to qualify the design as safe to use on public roads across the European Union [FCB, April 2011, p2]. Intelligent Energy is also commercialising its fuel cell technology in other applications, including backup power systems for telecom towers in India [FCB, November 2012, p10], and even to power portable consumer electronics through a new collaboration with Cable & Wireless Communications [see page 6].

FCvelocity™-HD6 power module [FCB, February 2010, p9]. The project has improved the durability and reliability of the power module, as well as reducing its cost. Many of these design improvements were successfully implemented into the BC Transit fuel cell hybrid bus fleet in Whistler, British Columbia, leading to improved overall performance. As a testament to its operation, Whistler’s 20-bus fleet has now surpassed the 1.7 million mile (2.8 million km) threshold for revenue service to that community, since entering service in early 2010 [FCB, November 2009, p2]. During the project extension, to run through October 2013, Ballard will focus on standardisation of certain product components and optimisation of the power module’s balanceof-plant and control systems, to further reduce cost as well as improve manufacturability of the FCvelocity-HD6 module. Tony Guglielmin, CFO of Ballard, emphasises that the continued federal support is helping to accelerate product cost reductions. ‘In turn, this enables more competitive positioning relative to incumbent diesel buses, which will further the adoption of clean energy fuel cell products for mass transit in Canada, the US, Europe, and other locations around the globe,’ he says. SDTC is also supporting Ballard for the development of its ClearGen™ distributed generation system [FCB, March 2011, p6 and see page 4 in this issue].

Intelligent Energy, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 271271, www.intelligent-energy.com

Sustainable Development Technology Canada: www.sdtc.ca

Suzuki Motor Corporation, Fuel Cell Vehicles: www.globalsuzuki.com/Burgman_Fuel-Cell_Scooter

Ballard wins extra funding to advance bus fuel cell modules

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ancouver-based Ballard Power Systems has been awarded C$2 million (US$1.9 million) in funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), for a oneyear extension to a project that is furthering commercialisation of the company’s PEM fuel cell power module for use in the transit bus market. Three years ago, SDTC awarded Ballard C$4.8 million (US$4.7 million) for a development project under which Ballard has now completed the design, testing, and implementation of new subsystems for its

March 2013

Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com

ACAL passes 8000 h with zero degradation, appoints new CEO

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K-based ACAL Energy reports that its low-cost liquid cathode PEM fuel cell has achieved 8000 h of continuous use with no degradation, confirming the inherent ability of the FlowCath® technology to address the long-term performance issues of conventional PEM fuel cells. The company has also appointed Greg McCray as its new CEO, who will lead the company through its next round of funding and product trials in the automotive and stationary power industries as it moves towards commercialisation. ACAL Energy has developed a novel fuel cell technology that cuts costs and boosts the durability of hydrogen fuel cells, by replacing the fixed platinum catalysts on the cathode

of a traditional PEM fuel cell with a liquid regenerating catalyst system [see the ACAL feature in FCB, April 2011]. Conventional PEM fuel cells degrade by approximately 28 mV per 1000 h – a key barrier to their widespread adoption. But ACAL’s FlowCath system bypasses the issues that cause degradation, while also making a 25% cost saving through the reduced need for platinum. By using a liquid system and carrying out the oxygen side of the reaction outside the fuel cell stack, the system addresses the durability problems caused by unwanted oxidation reactions occurring in the cell, degradation of the membrane through repeated drying, and degradation of the catalyst. The system is also far simpler than most PEM fuel cells, requiring no air compressor or humidity control, and the liquid catalyst is able to act as a coolant, which also reduces volume and cost. A year ago ACAL unveiled a new, compact stack design with a rated power of 12 kW and improved power density at the Fuel Cell Expo in Tokyo [FCB, March 2012, p9]. ACAL believes that with a range from 1 kW to 200 kW, its product has applications from combined heat and power for homes and businesses, to backup power for mobile networks or computer systems, or even as a replacement for diesel generators. The company is already in discussion with several automotive companies about commercialising the technology for use in fuel cell electric vehicles. In other news, ACAL has appointed Greg McCray as its new chief executive. McCray was previously CEO of wireless components company Antenova Ltd, which he transformed into the world’s fastest-growing innovative antenna business. Before that, he was CEO and chairman of PipingHot Networks, a UK broadband startup, which he saw raise US$27 million in venture capital investment before being acquired by Motorola. McCray’s primary role at ACAL will be to begin the mass-market deployment of the company’s technology, via licensing agreements with the automotive industry. His experience will also be key as ACAL also looks to raise £15 million ($23 million) in the first half of this year. ACAL Energy, Runcorn, Cheshire, UK. Tel: +44 1928 511581, www.acalenergy.co.uk

Tanaka builds plant to develop, manufacture fuel cell catalysts

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anaka Precious Metals, a leading global producer of fuel cell

Fuel Cells Bulletin

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NEWS catalysts, has constructed a dedicated plant for fuel cell catalysts within its existing Shonan Plant in Hiratsuka City, about 50 km south of Tokyo. This ¥1 billion (US$10 million) ‘mother plant’ for PEM fuel cell catalyst manufacturing will meet the increasing demand for fuel cell electric vehicles and distributed power generation. The new manufacturing facility – with a total floor space of 1000 m2 (10 800 sq ft) inside the Shonan Plant – is currently seeing the merger and relocation of the group’s fuel cell catalyst R&D, product inspection, and shipment functions from the Hiratsuka Technical Center. This will enable further strengthening of the organisation for development and manufacture of fuel cell catalysts. Positioning it as a mother plant for expansion to meet anticipated greater demand for catalysts, will make it possible to quickly and flexibly increase production capacity. The dedicated plant is scheduled for completion in March, with functions transferred in phases ahead of full operation expected by October. The Tanaka Kikinzoku Group is combining precious metal catalyst technology and electrochemical technology that the company has been cultivating over many years, to develop highly active platinum catalysts used in PEMFC cathodes, and platinum alloy catalysts with excellent resistance to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning used in PEMFC anodes. The Group realised that it would be unable to scale up manufacturing sufficiently under the existing catalyst manufacturing organisation – hence the need to construct a dedicated plant. Automobile manufacturers are conducting R&D aimed at introducing practical FCEVs from 2015, and there is increased demand for catalysts in residential fuel cells since the launch of the Ene-Farm systems in 2009. Tanaka is establishing a division for the development and manufacture of catalysts in April, to continue its focus on R&D with the aim of making highly durable fuel cell catalysts, and reducing platinum consumption by providing greater performance. It will pursue cost reductions through process improvements, to further expand the fuel cell business. Moreover, the company will make full use of platinum recycling technology, and provide comprehensive support for the wider rollout of fuel cells. Tanaka Precious Metals: http://pro.tanaka.co.jp/en

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Fuel Cells Bulletin

Heliocentris wins repeat order for Africa telecoms, investment

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erman-based Heliocentris Energy Solutions reports that its partner Telesite Management Limitada in Mozambique has received its first repeat order for more than 50 Heliocentris Energy Management Systems from Mozambican Cellular (mcel). An additional order of a further 90 systems is expected shortly. Heliocentris has also announced the successful completion of a capital increase, as well as the renaming of its business units. Telesite serves the needs of mobile telecom companies in Mozambique and across Africa. Its client mcel – Mozambique’s largest wireless operator – purchased 500 Energy Management Systems in late 2011, most of which have been installed and commissioned [FCB, December 2011, p4]. The systems allow mcel to remotely monitor its base station infrastructure and remote assets, significantly reducing operational expenditure associated with energy use and maintenance visits, as well as increasing site uptime. ‘We see this as a confirmation of the performance of our systems, as well as of our market approach to generate continuous rollout business in the networks of our existing clients,’ says Ayad Abul-Ella, CEO of Heliocentris. ‘We have shown this with our client du, the second largest operator in the UAE, by the various follow-on orders received [FCB, April 2012, p4], and we appreciate to be able to do the same with mcel.’ As well as generating repeat orders with existing clients, Heliocentris has built a substantial pipeline of projects with new telecom prospects, and expects to receive further awards shortly. Meanwhile, Heliocentris has completed a capital increase for cash contributions from selected existing investors and strategic partners. The company received gross proceeds of E1.5 million (US$2 million), which will be used for further business expansion. In other news, the Heliocentris Group has renamed its business units, now that it has fully integrated P21 GmbH following its acquisition nearly two years ago [FCB, July 2011, p10]. Heliocentris Energy Solutions AG, with headquarters in Berlin, constitutes central functions like human resources, accounting, marketing etc., and acts as the holding company. Heliocentris Industry GmbH – formerly P21 GmbH – is located in Berlin and Munich, and

comprises sales, product management, R&D, and relevant functions for global business with clean energy and energy management solutions. Berlin-based Heliocentris Academia GmbH, formerly Heliocentris Energiesysteme GmbH, comprises sales, product management, development, and production of education, training, and research systems as well as associated curricula for customers worldwide. The Heliocentris Energy FZE (Free Zone Entity), located in the Dubai Silicon Oasis free economic zone [FCB, February 2012, p10], covers the Middle East and North Africa. And Heliocentris Energy Systems Inc in Vancouver, Canada is responsible for sales and business development of teaching, training, and research systems and associated curricula in North and South America. Heliocentris Energy Solutions, Berlin, Germany. Tel: +49 30 340 601500, www.heliocentris.com

HySA Catalysis, Oorja to push methanol fuel cells in South Africa

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alifornia-based Oorja Protonics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the HySA Catalysis Centre of Competence in South Africa, to collaborate in a strategic partnership for the commercialisation of direct methanol fuel cells in the South African market. HySA Catalysis is one of three competence centres [see page 6] established to fulfill the SA Department of Science & Technology’s National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Flagship Programme initiatives (known as Hydrogen South Africa, HySA). Co-hosted by the University of Cape Town and Mintek in Johannesburg, HySA Catalysis has the lead role in the HySA Portable Power Programme, with the goal of delivering commercially viable prototypes in the 50 W to 5 kW power range. The Oorja collaboration is aligned with HySA’s portable power key programme strategy, where non-South African technologies are introduced with the plan to incorporate South African technologies into its joint future product offerings. The plan involves Oorja granting rights to market, sell, and distribute its DMFC-based products in the African market for various applications such as telecom towers, materials handling, and refrigerated trucks. During the second phase of the collaboration, Oorja will license its technology to HySA Catalysis for manufacturing of its OorjaPac™ fuel cell unit in South Africa, with the ultimate plan to incorporate South African

March 2013