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President Obama's Visit to Sweden Includes Demonstration of myFC PowerTrekk Portable Fuel Cell Charger
On September 4, during a visit to Sweden focused on the environment and clean energy technology, President Obama was showcased the myFC PowerTrekk, a portable fuel cell charger, at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm.
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President Obama (right) and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (center) speaking with Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) Professor G�ran Lindbergh (left), and KTH researchers Rakel Wreland Lindstr�m (center-left) and Carina Lagergren (center-right)(Source : KTH)
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The PowerTrekk works by reacting water with a sodium silicide Puck (developed by FCHEA member SiGNa Chemistry) to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen is then used to fuel the portable fuel cell, producing electricity for consumer electronics.
A link to myFC's press release can be found here.
Governor Brown Signs AB 8 - Approves Funding $20 Million Annually to Build At Least 100 Hydrogen Stations
 On September 28, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the signature of a number of electric vehicle bills, including Assembly Bill 8 (AB 8). In addition to extending the state's clean vehicle and fuel incentives through 2023, AB 8 also approved $20 million in annual funding through the same time period for the development of hydrogen infrastructure. This funding would provide support for the deployment of at least 100 hydrogen stations in California.
More information on AB 8 can be found here.
ClearEdge Power Fuel Cell Fleet Surpasses 1 Million Hours of Operation
 On September 5, ClearEdge Power announced that its 400kW stationary fuel cell fleet has reached a milestone of 1 million hours of field operation, the equivalent of saving more than 660,000 barrels of oil or planting more than 9,000 acres of trees.
In addition to the 400kW of electrical power, the fuel cell system also provides 1.5 million Btu/hour of heat for combined heat and power applications.
A link to ClearEdge Power's press release can be found here.
Fuel Cell Energy and NRG Energy Announce Agreement
 On September 4, Fuel Cell Energy Inc. announced a teaming and co-marketing agreement with NRG Energy for the sale of FuelCell Energy power plants. NRG energy will purchase and own power plants, and sell the electricity and heat generated to customers through power-purchase agreements. FuelCell Energy will continue to install, operate and maintain the power plants. "This new relationship helps to round out our distributed power generation portfolio, offering our customers efficient, clean, continuous on-site power," said Tom Gros, President, NRG Solutions.
FuelCell Energy's power plants are stationary plants that can operate on natural gas or renewable biogas, and can provide primary generation or electrical grid backup power.
A link to FuelCell Energy's press release can be found here.
E.ON and Swissgas Demonstrate Power-to-Gas Applications with Hydrogenics Technology
 On August 28, E.ON announced that commercial operations had begun at its Power-to-Gas (P2G) facility in Falkenhagen, Germany. The two megawatt facility uses Hydrogenics electrolysis technology to produce hydrogen gas from water, and inject it into existing natural gas transmission lines at a rate of 360 cubic meters per hour. The hydrogen/natural gas mix can be used in a variety of industrial applications, and allows German energy companies to better balance demand against energy supply.
Swissgas and E.ON will partner for a second P2G facility in Hamburg, Germany in 2014.
A link to the full press release can be found here.
ITM Power Announces Sale of First Hydrogen Refueling Station in U.S.
 On September 11, ITM Power announced that it had received its first purchase order for an electrolyser-based hydrogen refueling unit in the United States. The purchase order was received from Hydrogen Frontier, Inc. to be used as part of Hyundai's fueling station in Chino, California. The station was approved through an award by the California Energy Commission (CEC) on April 11, 2013.
When deployed, the refueling station will be capable of generating 100kg/day of hydrogen. The hydrogen generated will be 100% renewable, and will be dispensed at both 350 and 700bar.
The station will also be open for public use, as part of California's larger hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
A link to the full press release can be found here.
More information is available on the Fuel Cell Today website here.
China Partners with Ballard Power to Expand Fuel Cell Bus Fleet
 On September 19, Ballard Power Systems provided a market update announcing that China's State Council is investing 1.8 trillion yuan (US $228 billion) in renewable energy through 2015, and 2.3 trillion yuan ($368 billion) on emissions reductions and energy savings initiatives. In a joint statement, China's National Development and Reform Commission and the Finance, Science and Industry Ministries announced that fuel cell buses will now qualify for rebates up to 500,000 yuan (US $81,000).
China currently has the world's largest commercial vehicle segment - including a seven percent year-over-year growth of city buses. To address the high level of automotive emissions caused by the buses, Beijing will restrict the number of vehicles on the road while promoting the sale of new energy vehicles, including fuel cell buses.
Earlier this year, Ballard Power signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Azure Hydrogen Corporation of Beijing providing a manufacturing license agreement, engineering services, and fuel cell stacks and components to Azure for fuel cell bus development.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
LG Fuel Cell Systems Awarded $5.1 Million Grant to Advance SOFC Technology
 On September 20, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), announced the LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc. (LGFCS) at Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio, received a $5.1 million grant through the Department of Energy (DOE) to advance its fuel cell technology that focuses on making vehicles cleaner and more energy efficient. The grant will further develop the laboratory and improve the affordability and reliability of its solid oxide fuel cells.
Senator Brown's press release is available here.
Michigan State Professor Awarded NSF CAREER Award for SOFC Research
On September 19, Michigan State University Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science announced that Jason D. Nicholas, an assistant professor, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award. Nicholas was awarded for his research on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), and the 5 year, $400,000 grant will support his work on reducing operating temperatures, improving performance, and lowering overall costs of the fuel cell technology.
Nicholas is the 13th member of the MSU College of Engineering faculty to receive an NSF CAREER Award in the past four years.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
Lilliputian's Nectar Power System Receives Award from Mass Technology Leadership Gala
 On September 12, Lilliputian System's Nectar Power System was awarded the 2013 Innovative Technology: Mobile Award at Mass Technology Leaderhip Council's (MassTLC) annual awards gala in Boston, Massachusetts. Lilliputian Systems developed the Nectar device for consumer electronic devices, using solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) wafer fabrication methods to function as a battery replacement with 5 to 10 times the average run-time compared to similar-sized battery products.
The Nectar Mobile Power System has won several awards since its launch, including multiple awards at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show.
For more information on Nectar, visit its website here. Lilliputian's press release can be found here.
Air Products Ranks Among Top 10 Percent on Climate Disclose Leadership Index
 On September 17, Air Products, a world leader in hydrogen supply, announced that it had again achieved a position on the CDP Global 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI). Air Products ranked among the top 10 percent on the index for demonstrating commitment to the disclosure of climate change data.
CDP is a nonprofit working to measure and share environmental
information, and CDP holds the largest collection globally of primary corporate climate change and water data. Compiled by
PricewaterhouseCoopers, the CDLI scores companies that have displayed a strong approach to the disclosure of climate change information.
The full CDP Climate Index can be found here. Air Products' press release can be found here.
$1 Million Fund Established for Fuel Cell, Renewable Natural Gas Innovations
 On September 13, Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) announced that the establishment of a $1 million innovation fund in partnership with Los Angeles CleanTech Incubator (LACI). The fund aims to speed development of fuel cell technology, renewable natural gas, and distributed natural gas products such as liquid transportation fuels.
LACI will work to help incubate and develop technologies best suited for deployment into SoCalGas's territory and other markets.
A link to the SoCalGas press release can be found here.
UK Department for Transport Announces New Strategy for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles Through 2020
 On September 4, The Department of Transport Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) presented its Strategy document, "Driving the Future Today," during a visit to the annual low carbon exhibition in Bedfordshire. Transport Minister Norman Baker reaffirmed the governments support for ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV), establishing the UK as a premier market. The ministry guaranteed �500 million in funding for ULEV's from 2015 to 2020, in addition to the �400 million already authorized through 2013. The government's long-term strategy will include infrastructure and regulatory support, as well as fiscal assistance, which includes tax incentives.
Included in the plan is a mandate for "exploring options for a new network of hydrogen refueling stations to support introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles in the UK."
A link to the full press release can be found here, and a link to the full strategy document can be found here.
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On September 12, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new app as part of the Obama Administration's open data initiative called Hydrogen Tools. The app, available for iPhone and iPad, provides best practices and procedures for safely handling and using hydrogen for fuel cells. Developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory with support from the DOE, the app incorporates a of variety content focused on safe usage and handling of hydrogen, including information on ventilation, safe distances and storage pressures. 
On Tuesday, September 10, the Energy Department held a bilateral webinar highlighting important safety event database tools that have been developed to bring lessons learned and related information to the forefront of the hydrogen community. Held in conjunction with the 5th International Conference on Hydrogen Safety (ICHS2013), the webinar included an overview of Europe's Hydrogen Incident and Accident Database (HIAD) and the U.S.'s Hydrogen Incident Reporting and Lessons Learned Database (
The US Department of Labor's Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is seeking assistance from expert fuel cell technicians, with at least five years experience, to complete a series of occupational questionnaires for a national database. This database is a service to employers, human resource professionals, job counselors, and labor market analysts across the country, providing information about the skills, abilities, activities, and work context for about 900 occupations nationwide. 
