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Verizon to Invest $100M to Install ClearEdge Power Fuel Cells, Solar Panels at 19 Sites
 On April 30, Verizon announced that it will investing $100 million to install fuel cells and solar panels at 19 facilities in 7 different states. Verizon will be working with ClearEdge Power to install their PureCell Model 400 fuel cell systems at sites in California, New Jersey and New York.
 | | Verizon Fuel Cell (Rendering by ClearEdge Power) |
The fuel cells and solar units will be installed in corporate offices, call centers, data centers and central offices.
Once completed, the project will generate more than 70 million kilowatt hours of clean energy, enough to power 6,000 single-family homes a year, while also reducing Verizon's carbon dioxide emissions by 10,000 metric tons. Verizon's goal is to cut its carbon intensity in half by 2020.
ClearEdge Power's press release is available online here.
FuelCell Energy and Dominion Break Ground on 14.9 MW Fuel Cell Project in Bridgeport, Connecticut
 On May 3, Dominion and FuelCell Energy officials were joined by Governor Dannel Malloy and Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch to break ground on a 14.9 MW fuel cell power station. Dominion reports that this will be the largest fuel cell installation in North America.
The installation will generate clean energy for the city of Bridgeport and is one of 13 projects funded under Connecticut's Project 150, which will increase the states total clean energy production by 150 MWs.
FuelCell Energy will supply five Direct FuelCell stationary power plants and build, operate and maintain the facility, which is scheduled for completion in late 2013.
Dominion's press release is available online here.
Ballard Deploys 270 Fuel Cells to Caribbean and Latin American Networks
 On May 2, Ballard Power Systems announced that it had deployed over 270 ElectraGen-ME fuel cell backup power systems across 16 Caribbean and Latin American telecommunications networks. The methanol-powered fuel cells will ensure continuous power for telecommunications installations plagued by electricity disruptions from extreme weather and grid outages.
Throughout Hurricane Sandy Ballard Power's 21 fuel cell systems
deployed in the Bahamas maintained power as the power lines were downed and grid access was cut. Fuel cells are also better suited for the tropical climate, which can diminish the life expectancy of lead-acid batteries and diesel generators.
Ballard's press release is available online here.
Linde Provides Hydrogen Refueling for Aston Martin Rapide S Hydrogen-Powered Race Car at Nurburgring
 On May 19-20, the Linde Group provided hydrogen refueling at the Nurburgring 24 Hours Race for the Aston Martin Rapide S hydrogen/gasoline hybrid race car. The Aston Martin Rapdie S is the first hybrid hydrogen vehicle to compete in an international competition.
Linde provided its trailH2-gas portable refueling unit, a 14m truck and trailer unit, which refueled the Rapide S in less than a minute.
Linde's press release can be found here.
Air Products Begins Operation of CO2 Recovery Project From Steam Methane Reformation
 On May 10, Air Products celebrated the successful operation of a Department of Energy (DOE) Demonstration Project to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from steam methane reformers (SMR) located within the Valero Port Arthur Refinery in Port Arthur, Texas.
The project aims to capture approximately one million tons of CO2 annually. The DOE anticipates injection of the CO2 will enable production of an additional 1.6 - 3.1 million barrels of oil from the CO2 injection.
Air Products' press release can be found here.
Ballard Power Plans to Power 80% of all Fuel Cell Buses in Service in Europe by 2014
On May 14, Ballard announced that it plans on powering around 40 of the 50 zero emission fuel cell buses used in public transit revenue service on European roads in 2014.
The 40 buses will be using the company's latest-generation 75 & 150 kilowatt FCvelocity-HD6 modules. The European Union Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) funding program helped make this possible through earmarks for clean energy public transportation alternatives.
Ballard Power's press release can be found here.
ITM Power Sells First Products in South America and Hungary
 On May 1, ITM Power announced a successful Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Fair at the Hannover Messe in April with the sale of its first products sold to both South America and Hungary.
ITM Power reported a significant presence at the Fair and refueled the fuel cell electric vehicles at the event with its HFuel hydrogen refueling station.
ITM Power's press release is available online here.
Intelligent Energy Announces Collaboration with Etisalat on Portable Power Fuel Cells
 On May 21, Intelligent Energy announced it is collaborating with telecommunications company Etisalat Nigeria to test Intelligent Energy's portable power fuel cell technology. Etisalat will facilitate a user testing of the Intelligent Energy fuel cell systems this quarter.
Intelligent Energy's press release can be found here.
University of Delaware to Add Two More Ballard Power Fuel Cell Buses to its Fleet - Air Liquide Hydrogen Station on Campus
On April 29, The University of Delaware announced that it will be expanding its fuel cell hybrid bus fleet within the next year with two additional buses. Ballard Power has provided the fuel cells for all four buses in the fleet.
A new hydrogen refueling station will be installed by Air Liquide on the Science Technology and Research (STAR) campus to support the new buses.
The fuel cell program started in 2005, with the first bus arriving on campus in 2007 and the second in 2009.
In addition to the fuel cell bus fleet, Bloom Energy is currently building its East Coast manufacturing facility on the University of Delaware' STAR campus.
The full article can be found here.
Sandia Labs Study Finds Commercial Opportunities for Port Based Fuel Cells
 On April 9, Sandia National Laboratories released a study that found fuel cells could provide commercially attractive low-emission power to docked ships. The fuel cells would be situated on barges, eliminating the need for diesel generated power and/or expensive electrical grid modifications to power ships while docked.
In ports such as those in California, fuel cells could also help meet emissions limits more efficiently than installing costly electric grid connections.
The study found that at $4 to $5 per kilogram of hydrogen, fuel cells would be cost competitive with combustion engines at today's prices.
More on the study can be found here.
Global Automakers Push for Bills to Support California Hydrogen Infrastructure
 On May 21, the Association of Global Automakers and its members met with California lawmakers to emphasize importance of development of a California hydrogen infrastructure. The Association is pushing for passage of SB 11 and AB 8, which would provide funding to build out California hydrogen infrastructure.
Global Automakers press release can be found here.
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On May 16, Dr. Ernest Moniz was confirmed by the Senate to be Secretary of Energy by a vote of 97-0, and was officially sworn in on May 21. Dr. Moniz was previously a professor at 
