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WATT Fuel Cell buys Pittsburgh Electric Engines for SOFC tech
NEWS
WATT Fuel Cell buys Pittsburgh Electric Engines for SOFC tech
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n the US, WATT Fuel Cell Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of solid oxide fuel cell components and systems based on Long Island, New York has purchased Pennsylvaniabased tubular SOFC developer Pittsburgh Electric Engines Inc (PEEI). The acquisition agreement makes PEEI a wholly owned subsidiary of WATT, and will facilitate the combination of both companies’ SOFC technologies and personnel. ‘PEEI has a long-standing reputation in the industry, most notably for its 15-plus years of testing and technology development of tubular fuel cell solutions for the transportation and mobile power markets,’ says Dr Caine Finnerty, president and CEO of WATT Fuel Cell. ‘When combined with the technology already available at WATT, the larger tubular cell format developed by PEEI will substantially widen the scope of addressable markets.’ ‘Cost and reliability have long been barriers to entry for commercially viable fuel cell systems, particularly in relation to costs associated with manufacturing at scale,’ continues Finnerty. ‘Implementing our manufacturing techniques with the PEEI technology could potentially reduce manufacturing costs by as much as 75%, and, if we observe the same trends we have seen during the scale-up of WATT’s core cell technology, we could also see up to a 30% increase in power output.’ PEEI has more than 37 000 h of technology testing, which is being combined with more than 23 000 h of testing on WATT’s balance-of-plant (BOP) technology. This will facilitate the transition to larger systems, which will be designed for applications including residential power and smaller-scale distributed generation. WATT also remains a leader in the development and use of SOFCs that operate on readily available energy sources, such as propane, natural gas, and various other liquid and renewable fuels. WATT’s newly refined method to make complete SOFCs using additive manufacturing is a prime example of the company’s leadership in low-cost manufacturing for the fuel cell industry. Last summer Parker Hannifin announced the first field installation of its combined heat and power (CHP) SOFC system, co-developed with WATT Fuel Cell, on a sailboat [FCB, August 2013, p9]. The
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Fuel Cells Bulletin
propane-fueled system will provide power independence – and optional heating and hot water – for customers in the marine and recreational vehicle (RV) markets. WATT Fuel Cell Corporation, Port Washington, NewYork, USA. Tel: +1 516 621 0047, www.wattfuelcell.com Pittsburgh Electric Engines Inc, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, USA. Tel: +1 724 547 9170, www.pghengine.com
Fraunhofer IKTS, Mayur REnergy to set up SOFC JV for India
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he Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Germany has announced the establishment of a joint venture with Indian-based Mayur REnergy Solutions, to develop and distribute cost-effective, small-scale solid oxide fuel cell power supply systems for rural areas in India and other developing countries. ‘With high-performance micro power plants we contribute to the promotion of energy independence in the Indian provinces, and thus ensure economic stability in rural areas,’ says Professor Alexander Michaelis, head of the Fraunhofer IKTS, which will hold a 49% stake in the joint venture. The joint venture builds on the initial partnership announced early last year [FCB, April 2013, p5]. The first prototypes of the SOFC system developed at Fraunhofer IKTS are currently being built and readied for operation, to be handed over this year for testing and demonstration purposes at MRE. To ensure durable, cost-effective manufacturing of SOFC stacks and systems, a laboratory facility is currently under construction in MRE’s home city of Pune. Mayur envisions combining solar, wind, biogas and fuel cell technologies. Researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS are currently testing an SOFC at the Dresden sewage works, running directly on methane extracted from municipal sewage [FCB, January 2014, p11]. The institute is already a partner in the FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH joint venture in Germany with US-based FuelCell Energy, which is focused on molten carbonate fuel cell power plants [FCB, May 2012, p1].
Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, Dresden, Germany. Tel: +49 351 2553 7232, http://tinyurl.com/ikts-energysystems Mayur REnergy Solutions, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Tel: +91 20 2605 7576, www.mayurrenergy.com
Ballard acquires UTC strategic fuel cell intellectual property
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allard Power Systems has acquired the transportation- and stationaryrelated fuel cell intellectual property (IP) assets of United Technologies Corporation in Connecticut, and formed a strategic alliance with UTC focused on IP licensing. These assets consist of approximately 800 patents and patent applications, as well as patent licences, invention disclosures, and know-how primarily related to PEM fuel cell technology. In addition to incremental IP licensing revenue opportunities, the acquired intellectual property assets will support other key elements of Ballard’s corporate strategy. Its engineering service capabilities will be expanded in both automotive and non-automotive markets, and fuel cell product sales will be accelerated through product development initiatives in areas such as durability and simplified balance-of-plant. ‘We believe that this acquisition gives Ballard a commanding position in strategic fuel cell IP, strengthening our ability to grow shareholder value,’ says John Sheridan, Ballard president and CEO. ‘Further, our new alliance with United Technologies will bolster Ballard’s execution capabilities, particularly in the generation of IP licensing revenue.’ UTC has received 5.1 million Ballard shares, US$2 million in cash, a grant-back licence to use the patent portfolio in its existing businesses, and a royalty on Ballard’s future IP licensing income generated from the combined IP portfolio. Furthermore, Ballard and United Technologies have formed a strategic alliance, led by a joint Advisory Council that will focus on licensing and other commercial market opportunities arising from the combination of the acquired UTC portfolio with Ballard’s extensive IP. ‘With over 50 years of leading-edge technology development, UTC’s fuel cell IP portfolio is widely recognised as one of the foundational and pioneering technology assets in the space,’ says Kelly Romano, VP of UTC’s Innovation Business Development group. It’s not clear how this deal relates to US Hybrid’s recent global licensing agreement to commercialise UTC’s PEM fuel cell technologies [FCB, February 2014, p10]. In late 2012, UTC decided to license its fuel cell technology, starting with offloading its UTC Power operation to ClearEdge Power [FCB, March 2013, p8, and see page 8].
May 2014
WATT Fuel Cell buys Pittsburgh Electric Engines for SOFC tech
I
n the US, WATT Fuel Cell Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of solid oxide fuel cell components and systems based on Long Island, New York has purchased Pennsylvaniabased tubular SOFC developer Pittsburgh Electric Engines Inc (PEEI). The acquisition agreement makes PEEI a wholly owned subsidiary of WATT, and will facilitate the combination of both companies’ SOFC technologies and personnel. ‘PEEI has a long-standing reputation in the industry, most notably for its 15-plus years of testing and technology development of tubular fuel cell solutions for the transportation and mobile power markets,’ says Dr Caine Finnerty, president and CEO of WATT Fuel Cell. ‘When combined with the technology already available at WATT, the larger tubular cell format developed by PEEI will substantially widen the scope of addressable markets.’ ‘Cost and reliability have long been barriers to entry for commercially viable fuel cell systems, particularly in relation to costs associated with manufacturing at scale,’ continues Finnerty. ‘Implementing our manufacturing techniques with the PEEI technology could potentially reduce manufacturing costs by as much as 75%, and, if we observe the same trends we have seen during the scale-up of WATT’s core cell technology, we could also see up to a 30% increase in power output.’ PEEI has more than 37 000 h of technology testing, which is being combined with more than 23 000 h of testing on WATT’s balance-of-plant (BOP) technology. This will facilitate the transition to larger systems, which will be designed for applications including residential power and smaller-scale distributed generation. WATT also remains a leader in the development and use of SOFCs that operate on readily available energy sources, such as propane, natural gas, and various other liquid and renewable fuels. WATT’s newly refined method to make complete SOFCs using additive manufacturing is a prime example of the company’s leadership in low-cost manufacturing for the fuel cell industry. Last summer Parker Hannifin announced the first field installation of its combined heat and power (CHP) SOFC system, co-developed with WATT Fuel Cell, on a sailboat [FCB, August 2013, p9]. The
10
Fuel Cells Bulletin
propane-fueled system will provide power independence – and optional heating and hot water – for customers in the marine and recreational vehicle (RV) markets. WATT Fuel Cell Corporation, Port Washington, NewYork, USA. Tel: +1 516 621 0047, www.wattfuelcell.com Pittsburgh Electric Engines Inc, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, USA. Tel: +1 724 547 9170, www.pghengine.com
Fraunhofer IKTS, Mayur REnergy to set up SOFC JV for India
T
he Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Germany has announced the establishment of a joint venture with Indian-based Mayur REnergy Solutions, to develop and distribute cost-effective, small-scale solid oxide fuel cell power supply systems for rural areas in India and other developing countries. ‘With high-performance micro power plants we contribute to the promotion of energy independence in the Indian provinces, and thus ensure economic stability in rural areas,’ says Professor Alexander Michaelis, head of the Fraunhofer IKTS, which will hold a 49% stake in the joint venture. The joint venture builds on the initial partnership announced early last year [FCB, April 2013, p5]. The first prototypes of the SOFC system developed at Fraunhofer IKTS are currently being built and readied for operation, to be handed over this year for testing and demonstration purposes at MRE. To ensure durable, cost-effective manufacturing of SOFC stacks and systems, a laboratory facility is currently under construction in MRE’s home city of Pune. Mayur envisions combining solar, wind, biogas and fuel cell technologies. Researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS are currently testing an SOFC at the Dresden sewage works, running directly on methane extracted from municipal sewage [FCB, January 2014, p11]. The institute is already a partner in the FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH joint venture in Germany with US-based FuelCell Energy, which is focused on molten carbonate fuel cell power plants [FCB, May 2012, p1].
Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, Dresden, Germany. Tel: +49 351 2553 7232, http://tinyurl.com/ikts-energysystems Mayur REnergy Solutions, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Tel: +91 20 2605 7576, www.mayurrenergy.com
Ballard acquires UTC strategic fuel cell intellectual property
B
allard Power Systems has acquired the transportation- and stationaryrelated fuel cell intellectual property (IP) assets of United Technologies Corporation in Connecticut, and formed a strategic alliance with UTC focused on IP licensing. These assets consist of approximately 800 patents and patent applications, as well as patent licences, invention disclosures, and know-how primarily related to PEM fuel cell technology. In addition to incremental IP licensing revenue opportunities, the acquired intellectual property assets will support other key elements of Ballard’s corporate strategy. Its engineering service capabilities will be expanded in both automotive and non-automotive markets, and fuel cell product sales will be accelerated through product development initiatives in areas such as durability and simplified balance-of-plant. ‘We believe that this acquisition gives Ballard a commanding position in strategic fuel cell IP, strengthening our ability to grow shareholder value,’ says John Sheridan, Ballard president and CEO. ‘Further, our new alliance with United Technologies will bolster Ballard’s execution capabilities, particularly in the generation of IP licensing revenue.’ UTC has received 5.1 million Ballard shares, US$2 million in cash, a grant-back licence to use the patent portfolio in its existing businesses, and a royalty on Ballard’s future IP licensing income generated from the combined IP portfolio. Furthermore, Ballard and United Technologies have formed a strategic alliance, led by a joint Advisory Council that will focus on licensing and other commercial market opportunities arising from the combination of the acquired UTC portfolio with Ballard’s extensive IP. ‘With over 50 years of leading-edge technology development, UTC’s fuel cell IP portfolio is widely recognised as one of the foundational and pioneering technology assets in the space,’ says Kelly Romano, VP of UTC’s Innovation Business Development group. It’s not clear how this deal relates to US Hybrid’s recent global licensing agreement to commercialise UTC’s PEM fuel cell technologies [FCB, February 2014, p10]. In late 2012, UTC decided to license its fuel cell technology, starting with offloading its UTC Power operation to ClearEdge Power [FCB, March 2013, p8, and see page 8].
May 2014