- Email: [email protected]
Three DOE reports highlight growth in US fuel cell market
NEWS Meanwhile, EPS has finalised the acquisition of Elvi Energy, which comprises 100% of Elvi Energy and 30% of MCM Energy Lab – a leading R&D laboratory joint venture with the Politecnico di Milano – for E2.4 million (US$2.6 million). EPS has an option to take full control of MCM in early 2016. This strategic association of EPS and Elvi Energy will result in a fully integrated energy storage business: Electro Power Systems Group. Elvi Energy is a leading international storage systems integrator, with 4.6 MW of hybrid power plants installed in seven countries, and 9.5 MWh of energy storage systems realised. It specialises in software development and manufacturing of inverters, power converters, and controllers to integrate different power generation and battery technologies into sophisticated grid and microgrid systems. EPS has also recently raised E4.77 million ($5.2 million), before expenses, through a private placement to institutional investors. Electro Power Systems is a spinout from the Politecnico di Torino in Italy; a year ago it established its new headquarters in Paris, although its R&D and manufacturing facilities remain in Italy [FCB, February 2015, p10]. EPS has developed hydrogen fuel cell systems to provide backup power solutions, missioncritical applications, and to compensate for primary power outages. Its self-recharging ElectroSelf™ backup power system integrates the hydrogen fuel cell power system, energy management, and onsite generation of hydrogen and oxygen [FCB, March 2012, p3]. EPS has installed some 600 systems in Europe, the US, Australia, China, Indonesia, India, and South Africa. Electro Power Systems SA, Paris, France. Tel: +39 02 4543 5516, www.electropowersystems.com AutoGrid Systems: www.auto-grid.com Elvi Group: www.elvi-italia.com/en
COMMERCIALISATION
PowerCell S1 repeat order from Taiwan, first French S2 order
N
ordic fuel cell developer PowerCell Sweden has received a repeat order for its S1 PEM fuel cell stacks from a customer in Taiwan, for use in residential combined heat and power (CHP) systems, as well as the first order from France for its PowerCell S2 stack platform, for an automotive application.
10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
The repeat customer in Taiwan is launching a new 1 kW micro CHP system, operating on natural gas, into the household market. The unnamed customer uses the S1 stack with hydrogen produced using PowerCell’s natural gas reformer. The PowerCell S1 stack is designed to work on pure hydrogen or reformate gas. It uses metal bipolar plates and state-of-the-art PEM components to give a robust, low-cost, high-performance design. The modular S1 stack platform is available in 1–5 kW electric outputs, depending on customer application and requirements. PowerCell launched the S2 stack platform at the Hannover Messe last spring [FCB, May 2015, p10], with its first order coming soon afterwards [FCB, July 2015, p10]. PowerCell has now received its first order for the S2 platform from France, where an unnamed company has ordered a 25 kW stack for delivery in Q1. ‘The France automotive market is important for PowerCell, and we are happy to announce that a first order of our latest fuel cell stack platform has been placed by a company in France,’ says Andreas Bodén, director of marketing and sales. The first-generation PowerCell S1 stack is rated at 1–5 kW, and is complemented by the S2 platform, which covers a higher power range (5–25 kW), with the same tolerance to CO and reformate gas. The S2 stack can handle repeated starts and stops, minimising battery buffers, and is designed for a low pressure drop. PowerCell has combined its fuel cell and reforming technology into the PowerPac generator, which runs on diesel. It is collaborating in a Norwegian project to reduce diesel consumption for electricity generation during grocery vehicle loading and unloading [FCB, April 2015, p3]. PowerCell is also collaborating with mobile operator TeliaSonera, to install and operate a PowerPac generator at a telecom base station in Sweden [FCB, November 2015, p1]. The company is also hosting a pilot study to store hydrogen produced using excess wind and solar power [see page 8]. PowerCell Sweden AB, Gothenburg, Sweden. Tel: +46 31 720 3620, www.powercell.se
Greenlight establishes European service and engineering subsidiary
C
anadian-based electrochemical cell testing equipment manufacturer Greenlight Innovation has set up a European service and engineering subsidiary company. Greenlight
Innovation GmbH is located in Rheinau, Baden-Württemberg, in southwestern Germany. The new division – under managing director Christoph Schuetz – will be primarily responsible for service and support of Greenlight’s growing installed base of equipment in Germany and across Europe. The office will also work on software development, PLC programming, and industrial automation. ‘Our new German office will provide us with a greater presence in the European community, and allow us to better serve our local customer base,’ says Greenlight president Ross Bailey. Greenlight’s electrochemical cell testing equipment is widely used in universities, research labs, and companies that are developing fuel cells, electrolysers, flow batteries, and other types of energy storage technologies. The new service office will be available for calibration, upgrades, maintenance, and support for Greenlight’s products. Last spring Greenlight took delivery of an integrated robotic assembly system specific to fuel cell manufacturing, which it will use in the automated hydrogen fuel cell component production systems it offers [FCB, April 2015, p12]. A year earlier it acquired Commonwealth Automation, a leading supplier of automated equipment for fuel cell manufacturing [FCB, April 2014, p11]. Greenlight Innovation, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 676 4000, www.greenlightinnovation.com Greenlight Innovation GmbH, European Service and Engineering Office, Rheinau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Tel: +49 151 2704 1143, Email: [email protected]
Three DOE reports highlight growth in US fuel cell market
T
he US Department of Energy recently released three new reports showcasing strong growth across the nation’s fuel cell and hydrogen technologies market. The reports detail continued strength in the US fuel cell and hydrogen technologies market, as well as efforts by businesses and states to increase American competitiveness in this growing global industry. The State of the States, Fuel Cells in America 2015 report highlights leadership among US states to grow domestic fuel cell manufacturing and deployment. The report recognises California, Connecticut, and New York for
January 2016
NEWS / IN BRIEF
Protonex follow-on Power Manager order from US Army
Special Operations Kits, with a value of approximately US$2.8 million. The purchase order was issued by the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, which has responsibility for acquiring manworn and carried equipment utilised by US Army soldiers. The SPM-622 units will be deployed with Special Operations Forces for battlefield use. ‘This follow-on order from PEO Soldier is strong evidence that a key customer is pleased with the Squad Power Manager and its effectiveness in dismounted operations,’ says Dr Paul Osenar, president of Protonex. ‘Our Squad Power Manager and Vest Power Manager products improve energy efficiency and reduce the weight burden on the warfighter.’ The lightweight SPM-622 allows a squad of five to nine soldiers to power all portable radios, computers and other electronic equipment from any available battery, and recharge that battery from solar, vehicle, AC power, or scavenged energy sources. The SPM622 has been developed and is produced by the Protonex engineering and operations team at its Southborough facility for military use. To date more than 4000 Power Managers have been trialed and deployed by the US and allied military forces. As a part of the US military’s ‘digital battlefield’ strategy, Protonex Power Managers are being used by every branch of the military to greatly reduce the number and variety of batteries needed in forward positions. This significantly lightens the load carried by soldiers and Marines, while giving them the flexibility to keep their gear powered regardless of changing battlefield conditions. ‘Our acquisition of Protonex at the beginning of this quarter added power management capability to our portfolio, enabling Ballard to expand beyond fuel cells by seamlessly linking fuel cell, solar, and storage technologies to deliver clean energy simply and efficiently,’ says Ballard’s president and CEO, Randy MacEwen. ‘Through the acquisition, Ballard is also now gaining exposure to the military, representing an important incremental market opportunity.’ Last spring Protonex launched its P200i solid oxide fuel cell-based portable remote power system, operating on widely available propane [FCB, March 2015, p7].
M
Protonex Technology Corporation, Southborough, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 508 490 9960, www.protonex.com
leading the country with continued and expanded support for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, helping to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and create new job and business opportunities. The report also highlights efforts in Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Ohio as rising stars in the industry. Meanwhile, the DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program: 2015 Annual Progress Report documents more than 1000 pages of accomplishments achieved by DOEfunded projects in the last year, with each project team summarising its annual progress. The report highlights major programmatic achievements, including launching the US$1 million H2 Refuel H-Prize [FCB, May 2015, p11], demonstrating the world’s first fleet of hydrogen fuel cell airport ground support equipment [FCB, May 2015, p2], establishing national laboratory-led consortia in key R&D areas [FCB, November 2015, p10 and p11], and supporting the H2USA public-private partnership to develop financial assessment tools for hydrogen infrastructure and critical equipment to validate the performance of hydrogen stations as they come online [FCB, May 2015, p8, and see the HyStEP News Feature on page 14 of this issue]. And according to Pathways to Commercial Success: Technologies and Products Supported by the Fuel Cell Technologies Office, DOE’s fuel cell R&D efforts over the last decade have helped develop 40 commercial technologies and 65 new technologies that are expected to reach commercial scale within the next three to five years. DOE fuel cell R&D has also resulted in more than 515 US patents. State of the States 2015 (PDF): http://tinyurl.com/state-of-states-2015 DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program, 2015 Annual Progress Report: www.hydrogen.energy.gov/annual_progress15.html Pathways to Commercial Success (PDF): http://tinyurl.com/fuel-cell-pathways-2015 DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Office: http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells
assachusetts-based Protonex Technology – now a subsidiary of Canadian company Ballard Power Systems [FCB, July 2015, p1] – has received a follow-on purchase order from the US Army, for more than 400 Squad Power Manager (SPM-622)
January 2016
Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com Program Executive Office Soldier: www.peosoldier.army.mil
IN BRIEF Toyota sends Air Products mobile fueling to Mirai FCEV dealers in California Toyota will supply temporary, mobile hydrogen refueling stations to California dealerships selling its Mirai fuel cell sedan (http://tinyurl. com/toyota-fcevs), since some buyers are put off taking delivery until a suitable refueling infrastructure is set up. Mobile hydrogen trailers from Air Products (www.airproducts. com/h2energy) will serve as a stopgap until the state opens more stations. The collaboration builds on Toyota’s efforts to support California’s hydrogen fueling infrastructure, after it provided funding for FirstElement Fuel [FCB, June 2014, p6]. Air Products recently partnered with Bohlen & Doyen in Germany to support further development of the European hydrogen fueling market [see page 7]. Neah in MOU with South African group US-based Neah Power Systems (www. neahpower.com) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a South African consortium, comprising a provincial government and platinum mining conglomerates, to license Neah’s technology for serving the fast-growing African and Middle East markets. The deal includes the PowerChip® fuel cell technology [FCB, February 2015, p7], Formira HOD® formic acid reforming technology [FCB, November 2015, p9], and BuzzBar technology for charging portable electronic devices [FCB, October 2014, p6]. The MOU aims to establish a joint venture, for a preferred source of raw materials for Neah fuel cells and reformers. Pajarito Powder leads ARPA-E project Pajarito Powder (www.pajaritopowder.com) in New Mexico is leading a $2.79 million project funded by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The company and its partners – IRD USA, Northeastern University, Proton OnSite, and the University of New Mexico – will develop a reversible hydrogen electrode for cost-effective hydrogen production and reversible fuel cells for FCEVs. Cella, Herakles collaborate on hydrogenbased power systems for aerospace UK-based Cella Energy (www.cellaenergy.com) has signed a memorandum of understanding with French aerospace giant Safran Herakles (www. herakles.com), preparing a five-year exclusive cooperation plan to develop Cella Energy’s solidstate hydrogen power systems for use on aircraft in combination with fuel cells. These lightweight systems will provide electrical power onboard aircraft. Cella Energy and Herakles are already working together to prove the feasibility of using Cella’s low-pressure hydrogen storage material for aerospace applications [FCB, October 2014, p3].
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11
COMMERCIALISATION
PowerCell S1 repeat order from Taiwan, first French S2 order
N
ordic fuel cell developer PowerCell Sweden has received a repeat order for its S1 PEM fuel cell stacks from a customer in Taiwan, for use in residential combined heat and power (CHP) systems, as well as the first order from France for its PowerCell S2 stack platform, for an automotive application.
10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
The repeat customer in Taiwan is launching a new 1 kW micro CHP system, operating on natural gas, into the household market. The unnamed customer uses the S1 stack with hydrogen produced using PowerCell’s natural gas reformer. The PowerCell S1 stack is designed to work on pure hydrogen or reformate gas. It uses metal bipolar plates and state-of-the-art PEM components to give a robust, low-cost, high-performance design. The modular S1 stack platform is available in 1–5 kW electric outputs, depending on customer application and requirements. PowerCell launched the S2 stack platform at the Hannover Messe last spring [FCB, May 2015, p10], with its first order coming soon afterwards [FCB, July 2015, p10]. PowerCell has now received its first order for the S2 platform from France, where an unnamed company has ordered a 25 kW stack for delivery in Q1. ‘The France automotive market is important for PowerCell, and we are happy to announce that a first order of our latest fuel cell stack platform has been placed by a company in France,’ says Andreas Bodén, director of marketing and sales. The first-generation PowerCell S1 stack is rated at 1–5 kW, and is complemented by the S2 platform, which covers a higher power range (5–25 kW), with the same tolerance to CO and reformate gas. The S2 stack can handle repeated starts and stops, minimising battery buffers, and is designed for a low pressure drop. PowerCell has combined its fuel cell and reforming technology into the PowerPac generator, which runs on diesel. It is collaborating in a Norwegian project to reduce diesel consumption for electricity generation during grocery vehicle loading and unloading [FCB, April 2015, p3]. PowerCell is also collaborating with mobile operator TeliaSonera, to install and operate a PowerPac generator at a telecom base station in Sweden [FCB, November 2015, p1]. The company is also hosting a pilot study to store hydrogen produced using excess wind and solar power [see page 8]. PowerCell Sweden AB, Gothenburg, Sweden. Tel: +46 31 720 3620, www.powercell.se
Greenlight establishes European service and engineering subsidiary
C
anadian-based electrochemical cell testing equipment manufacturer Greenlight Innovation has set up a European service and engineering subsidiary company. Greenlight
Innovation GmbH is located in Rheinau, Baden-Württemberg, in southwestern Germany. The new division – under managing director Christoph Schuetz – will be primarily responsible for service and support of Greenlight’s growing installed base of equipment in Germany and across Europe. The office will also work on software development, PLC programming, and industrial automation. ‘Our new German office will provide us with a greater presence in the European community, and allow us to better serve our local customer base,’ says Greenlight president Ross Bailey. Greenlight’s electrochemical cell testing equipment is widely used in universities, research labs, and companies that are developing fuel cells, electrolysers, flow batteries, and other types of energy storage technologies. The new service office will be available for calibration, upgrades, maintenance, and support for Greenlight’s products. Last spring Greenlight took delivery of an integrated robotic assembly system specific to fuel cell manufacturing, which it will use in the automated hydrogen fuel cell component production systems it offers [FCB, April 2015, p12]. A year earlier it acquired Commonwealth Automation, a leading supplier of automated equipment for fuel cell manufacturing [FCB, April 2014, p11]. Greenlight Innovation, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 676 4000, www.greenlightinnovation.com Greenlight Innovation GmbH, European Service and Engineering Office, Rheinau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Tel: +49 151 2704 1143, Email: [email protected]
Three DOE reports highlight growth in US fuel cell market
T
he US Department of Energy recently released three new reports showcasing strong growth across the nation’s fuel cell and hydrogen technologies market. The reports detail continued strength in the US fuel cell and hydrogen technologies market, as well as efforts by businesses and states to increase American competitiveness in this growing global industry. The State of the States, Fuel Cells in America 2015 report highlights leadership among US states to grow domestic fuel cell manufacturing and deployment. The report recognises California, Connecticut, and New York for
January 2016
NEWS / IN BRIEF
Protonex follow-on Power Manager order from US Army
Special Operations Kits, with a value of approximately US$2.8 million. The purchase order was issued by the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, which has responsibility for acquiring manworn and carried equipment utilised by US Army soldiers. The SPM-622 units will be deployed with Special Operations Forces for battlefield use. ‘This follow-on order from PEO Soldier is strong evidence that a key customer is pleased with the Squad Power Manager and its effectiveness in dismounted operations,’ says Dr Paul Osenar, president of Protonex. ‘Our Squad Power Manager and Vest Power Manager products improve energy efficiency and reduce the weight burden on the warfighter.’ The lightweight SPM-622 allows a squad of five to nine soldiers to power all portable radios, computers and other electronic equipment from any available battery, and recharge that battery from solar, vehicle, AC power, or scavenged energy sources. The SPM622 has been developed and is produced by the Protonex engineering and operations team at its Southborough facility for military use. To date more than 4000 Power Managers have been trialed and deployed by the US and allied military forces. As a part of the US military’s ‘digital battlefield’ strategy, Protonex Power Managers are being used by every branch of the military to greatly reduce the number and variety of batteries needed in forward positions. This significantly lightens the load carried by soldiers and Marines, while giving them the flexibility to keep their gear powered regardless of changing battlefield conditions. ‘Our acquisition of Protonex at the beginning of this quarter added power management capability to our portfolio, enabling Ballard to expand beyond fuel cells by seamlessly linking fuel cell, solar, and storage technologies to deliver clean energy simply and efficiently,’ says Ballard’s president and CEO, Randy MacEwen. ‘Through the acquisition, Ballard is also now gaining exposure to the military, representing an important incremental market opportunity.’ Last spring Protonex launched its P200i solid oxide fuel cell-based portable remote power system, operating on widely available propane [FCB, March 2015, p7].
M
Protonex Technology Corporation, Southborough, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 508 490 9960, www.protonex.com
leading the country with continued and expanded support for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, helping to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and create new job and business opportunities. The report also highlights efforts in Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Ohio as rising stars in the industry. Meanwhile, the DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program: 2015 Annual Progress Report documents more than 1000 pages of accomplishments achieved by DOEfunded projects in the last year, with each project team summarising its annual progress. The report highlights major programmatic achievements, including launching the US$1 million H2 Refuel H-Prize [FCB, May 2015, p11], demonstrating the world’s first fleet of hydrogen fuel cell airport ground support equipment [FCB, May 2015, p2], establishing national laboratory-led consortia in key R&D areas [FCB, November 2015, p10 and p11], and supporting the H2USA public-private partnership to develop financial assessment tools for hydrogen infrastructure and critical equipment to validate the performance of hydrogen stations as they come online [FCB, May 2015, p8, and see the HyStEP News Feature on page 14 of this issue]. And according to Pathways to Commercial Success: Technologies and Products Supported by the Fuel Cell Technologies Office, DOE’s fuel cell R&D efforts over the last decade have helped develop 40 commercial technologies and 65 new technologies that are expected to reach commercial scale within the next three to five years. DOE fuel cell R&D has also resulted in more than 515 US patents. State of the States 2015 (PDF): http://tinyurl.com/state-of-states-2015 DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program, 2015 Annual Progress Report: www.hydrogen.energy.gov/annual_progress15.html Pathways to Commercial Success (PDF): http://tinyurl.com/fuel-cell-pathways-2015 DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Office: http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells
assachusetts-based Protonex Technology – now a subsidiary of Canadian company Ballard Power Systems [FCB, July 2015, p1] – has received a follow-on purchase order from the US Army, for more than 400 Squad Power Manager (SPM-622)
January 2016
Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com Program Executive Office Soldier: www.peosoldier.army.mil
IN BRIEF Toyota sends Air Products mobile fueling to Mirai FCEV dealers in California Toyota will supply temporary, mobile hydrogen refueling stations to California dealerships selling its Mirai fuel cell sedan (http://tinyurl. com/toyota-fcevs), since some buyers are put off taking delivery until a suitable refueling infrastructure is set up. Mobile hydrogen trailers from Air Products (www.airproducts. com/h2energy) will serve as a stopgap until the state opens more stations. The collaboration builds on Toyota’s efforts to support California’s hydrogen fueling infrastructure, after it provided funding for FirstElement Fuel [FCB, June 2014, p6]. Air Products recently partnered with Bohlen & Doyen in Germany to support further development of the European hydrogen fueling market [see page 7]. Neah in MOU with South African group US-based Neah Power Systems (www. neahpower.com) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a South African consortium, comprising a provincial government and platinum mining conglomerates, to license Neah’s technology for serving the fast-growing African and Middle East markets. The deal includes the PowerChip® fuel cell technology [FCB, February 2015, p7], Formira HOD® formic acid reforming technology [FCB, November 2015, p9], and BuzzBar technology for charging portable electronic devices [FCB, October 2014, p6]. The MOU aims to establish a joint venture, for a preferred source of raw materials for Neah fuel cells and reformers. Pajarito Powder leads ARPA-E project Pajarito Powder (www.pajaritopowder.com) in New Mexico is leading a $2.79 million project funded by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The company and its partners – IRD USA, Northeastern University, Proton OnSite, and the University of New Mexico – will develop a reversible hydrogen electrode for cost-effective hydrogen production and reversible fuel cells for FCEVs. Cella, Herakles collaborate on hydrogenbased power systems for aerospace UK-based Cella Energy (www.cellaenergy.com) has signed a memorandum of understanding with French aerospace giant Safran Herakles (www. herakles.com), preparing a five-year exclusive cooperation plan to develop Cella Energy’s solidstate hydrogen power systems for use on aircraft in combination with fuel cells. These lightweight systems will provide electrical power onboard aircraft. Cella Energy and Herakles are already working together to prove the feasibility of using Cella’s low-pressure hydrogen storage material for aerospace applications [FCB, October 2014, p3].
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11