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Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Headlines
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FuelCell Energy Completes 14.9 Megawatt Fuel Cell Park
 On December 27, FuelCell Energy announced the completion of the 14.9 megawatt (MW) Bridgeport, Connecticut fuel cell park for Dominion, one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy. The installation consists of five fuel cell power plants and an organic rankine cycle turbine on 1.5 acres of land. The installation will generate enough clean power for approximately 15,000 homes.
FuelCell Energy will operate and maintain the park for Dominion during the 15 year energy purchase agreement.
The Dominion Bridgeport Fuel Cell is part of Project 150, a program sponsored by the state and supported by the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) to increase renewable and clean energy projects in Connecticut by 150 megawatts.
The release is available here.
Air Products gets $209,000 State Grant for Work on Hydrogen Fuel Technology
 On December 16, Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection awarded nearly $2 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants to four Pennsylvania companies: EC Power, GE Transportation, FYDA Freightliner, and Air Products and Chemicals Inc. Air Products received $209,000 in the award to work on hydrogen fuel technology to deploy the next pilot phase of hydrogen refueling stations.
 | | Nazareth Area School District students get a look at Air Products and Chemicals' hydrogen fuel cell vehicle |
The purpose of these grants is to offer businesses, nonprofits and municipalities incentives to work on projects that will help reduce air emissions in Pennsylvania.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Sprint Partners with DOE for Rooftop Hydrogen Fuel Cells
 On January 1, Sprint and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) partnered to use hydrogen fuel cells as backup power for its rooftop cellular sites. Rooftop cell sites make up approximately 25 percent of Sprint's total cell site portfolio. The lightweight fuel cells can be refueled from the ground, eliminating the need for rooftop trips to refuel or using cranes to install the systems.
Sprint is one of the nation's largest wireless service providers, and has installed over 250 fuel cell systems at their facilities to date. Other industry partners on the project include Air Products and Chemicals, Altergy Systems, Burns & McDonnell Engineering, CommScope, First Element Energy, IGX Group and ReliOn.
Funding for the project is part of the $7 million in DOE awards announced in December 2013 to help commercialize hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Toyota Highlights Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
On January 6, Toyota announced new details on its Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The automaker plans a 2015 release for the vehicle which will have a 300-mile range between fill-ups and can reach zero to sixty in 10 seconds. The vehicle will have enough room for four passengers as well. Toyota has stated that the vehicle will have a 95 percent cost reduction by 2015 compared to their 2002 Highlander fuel cell vehicle.
The FCEV will produce 100 kW of power, which Toyota claims is enough to power a small home for a week in case of an emergency power outage.
 | | Toyota Fuel Cell Concept Video |
The vehicle will initially launch in California, where plans are under way to significantly expand its hydrogen refueling infrastructure. UC Irvine estimates a station should be within six minutes of consumers' home or work, and that 68 stations will be able to service 10,000 FCEVs effectively.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Upp Fuel Cell USB Charger Coming to U.S in 2014
 Also at the Consumer Electronics Show this year, Intelligent Energy announced that its hydrogen-powered fuel cell charger Upp will go on sale in the US for $199 through retailer Brookstone. Upp was first launched in sub-Saharan Africa in December 2013 with plans to enter other markets worldwide throughout 2014.
The device has a detachable cartridge able to provide 25 amp-hours of charge, more than 10 times the capacity of today's typical smartphones. The device itself weighs less than one and a half pounds.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Ballard Announces Sales Agreement with M-Field for Clean Baseload Power Systems
 On January 9, Ballard Power Systems announced the sale of nearly 400 kilowatts (kW) of their FCgen-1300 fuel cell stacks to M-Field Energy Ltd., a Taiwanese stationary fuel cell developer. Ballard's FCgen-1300 fuel cells range in size from 2 - 11 kW. Ballard has supplied M-Field with fuel cells throughout the last decade for backup power systems.
M-Field will use the system in combination with wind turbines or photovoltaic power at sites throughout Asia. Surplus solar or wind energy will be stored as hydrogen, and will produce power when needed through the fuel cell system.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
Intelligent Energy Signs $82 Million Deal to Supply Fuel Cells in India
 On January 15, Intelligent Energy signed an $82 million contract with India's Ascend Telecom Infrastructure to provide hydrogen fuel cell technology for mobile phone masts in India. Intelligent Energy's hydrogen fuel cell systems will replace traditional diesel generators, which provide back-up power for the towers.
The agreement covers 4,000 towers serving 10 million mobile phone users, and will last more than five years. If successful, the contract has the potential to grow to approximately $200 million as Ascend's coverage expands in India.
For a link to the full story, click here.
Plug Power Launches GenKey, a Turnkey Hydrogen Solution GenKey to Smooth Transition to Hydrogen Fuel Cells
On January 16, Plug Power Inc. announced GenKey, the first all-inclusive turnkey hydrogen solution for material handling sites, which has been added to the company's collection of hydrogen fuel cell offerings centered on the GenDrive product suite.
Genkey consists of GenDrive fuel cell units, GenFuel hydrogen fuel and infrastructure, and GenCare maintenance service. The GenDrive cell units can replace batteries on all major OEM material handling equipment. The GenFuel will supply the GenDrive fuel cell units with hydrogen from an onsite source, and the Gencare provides maintenance and rapid-response technicians.
For a link to Plug Power's full press release, click here.
Hydrogenics Awarded CAD $3.8 Million Energy Storage Contract
On January 16, Hydrogenics Corporation announced it has been awarded a CAD $3.8 million contract to supply a micro-grid energy storage application in Canada.
This project will use a HySTAT60 ™ electrolyzer to store excess wind energy as hydrogen, and a HyPM-R2000 ™ fuel cell system to generate 200 kilowatts (kW) of energy. Hydrogenics expects to start the project in 2014, replacing diesel generators currently used.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
ClearEdge Power Named 2013 North American Stationary Fuel Cell Company of the Year
On January 14, Frost & Sullivan recognized ClearEdge Power as the 2013 North American Company of the Year Award in stationary fuel cells. The award is based on superiority in growth strategy and implementation, innovation with products and technologies, and leadership in customer value and market penetration. Frost & Sullivan determined ClearEdge's products offer operational characteristics at affordable prices that can best meet the challenges of the industry.
Frost & Sullivan is a global business consulting firm that offers market research, analysis and reports across a variety of agencies.
For a link to ClearEdge Power's full press release, click here.
Fuel Cell Today to Cease Reporting Activities
On January 15, Fuel Cell Today, part of the Johnson Matthey Plc. Group, announced it will cease its reporting activities from January 2014. Since September 2001, Fuel Cell Today has worked to illustrate the potential of the fuel cell industry by providing a breadth of objective information supporting the commercial development of fuel cell technology.
The Fuel Cell Today website will continue to operate as an archive for its Industry Reviews, surveys, Analyst Views, case studies, and educational information.
For a link to their full press release, click here.
ITM Power Signs Contract with AMEC and National Grid
On January 24, ITM Power announced a commercial contract with AMEC and National Grid to evaluate the distribution of Power-to-Gas Energy Storage technology, reducing the energy losses in National Grid's gas network.
The project will examine the costs and benefits of placing Power-to-Gas systems at certain locations along their pipeline network to increase overall efficiency. AMEC will conduct a third party assessment of the analysis.
National Grid is a British multinational electricity and gas supply company, headquartered in London. AMEC is a British consultancy, engineering and project management firm focused on energy and infrastructure markets, with headquarters in London.
For a link to ITM Power's full press release, click here.
Hyundai Receives Strong Customer Interest in Tucson FCEV
On January 22, the day before the Washington Auto Show was set to begin, Hyundai USA announced that there is strong customer interest in its next-generation fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), the Hyundai Tucson. Hyundai cited over 88,000 visitors to its Tucson micro-site since its introduction in November.
The Tucson is set to launch in Spring 2014 in California, which includes free maintenance and an unlimited supply of hydrogen fuel with leasing.
For a link to Hyundai's full press release, click here.
Japan Proposes Installing Fuel Cells in 5 Million Homes by 2020
On January 21, the government of Japan proposed the installation of fuel cells to 5.3 million homes by early 2030 as part of its United Nations carbon emission reduction plans.
Included in the submission is an aggressive research plan to lower the cost of fuel cell technology by the Ministry of Environment.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Hydrogenics Awarded Contracts for Fueling Stations in the UK
On January 29, Hydrogenics Corporation announced that it had been awarded two contracts for fueling stations in the United Kingdom.
The first contract includes three HySTAT 60 electrolyzers for Linde Group member BOC as part of a fueling station planned for Aberdeen County's Kittybrewster depot in Scotland. The second contract is for a HySTAT 30 electrolyzer for a fueling station in Swindon, England for Honda, which will provide 65 kg of hydrogen fuel per day.
The Swindon fueling station is part of a public-private partnership between Honda, BOC and the economic development organization Forward Swindon, generating renewable hydrogen through solar energy.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Additional Headlines
Move Over Electric Car, Auto Companies To Make Hydrogen Vehicles
NPR All Things Considered | January 3, 2014
Bank Data Center Selects Fuel Cells from ClearEdge Power
Data Center Knowledge | December 31, 2013
How Technology Can Halt Climate Change
USA Today | December 30, 2013
Hyundai Tells Tucson Fuel Cell Story, Calls it 'Next Generation Electric Vehicle'
Green Auto Blog | December 27, 2013
Water Vapor Will Be the Only Emission from Toyota's New Fuel Cell Car
Gizmodo | January 6, 2014
Washington Post | January 6, 2014
CNET | January 6, 2014
Toyota Sees Hydrogen Car Fill-Ups at Dealers to Trash Dumps
Bloomberg Business Week | January 6, 2014
ABC News | January 7, 2014
Fox News | January 7, 2014
Reuters | January 16, 2014
Toyota Gears Up for More Fuel Cell Vehicles
Automotive News | January 13, 2014
Can Hydrogen Fuel Cells Drive Cleaner Vehicles in New Jersey
NJ Spotlight | January 21, 2014
Fuel Cell Vehicles and Their Free Energy Make Their Own Power
Metro News Canada | January 21, 2014
Toyota's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Moves East to Washington Auto Show
Wall Street Journal | January 22, 2014
Is 2014 the Year of the Fuel Cell Car?
Scientific American | January 23, 2014
Fuel Cell Fever - Hyundai Fuel Cell Vehicle Sparking Strong Consumer Interest
AutoWeek | January 23, 2014
Sprint Takes Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology to Rooftops With Help from DOE
Wall Street Journal | January 28, 2014
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| Upcoming Events |
Register for the 2013 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit
 Register to attend the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit , February 24-26, at Gaylord National Harbor right outside of Washington, D.C. This event brings together leaders from academia, business, and government to discuss cutting-edge energy issues and facilitate relationships to help move technologies into the marketplace.
The Summit offers invaluable networking opportunities including a Government Networking event where attendees can meet with U.S. Government leaders to discuss energy opportunities. The Summit's Technology Showcase displays 300+ breakthrough energy technologies.
Visit www.ARPAE-Summit.com for more information and to register.
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| Federal Program Updates | |
DOT Announces $24.9 Million in Funding for Zero-Emission Buses
On January 6, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $24.9 million through its new Low or No Emission Vehicle Deployment Program (LoNo).
This program was created under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), and builds on the FTA's National Fuel Cell Bus Program, which successfully committed $90 million over seven years for innovative research, demonstration, and deployment projects to reduce the cost of fuel cells for transit use.
Similar to the National Fuel Cell Bus Program, the focus of the LoNo program is to spread the adoption of reliable green energy buses into transit fleets. The grant will move the initiative forward by allocating $21.6 million for non-polluting transit buses and $3.3 million to
support facilities and related equipment.
For a link to the full press release, click here. For a link to the notice for Request for Proposals (RFP), click here.
DOE Hosts Live Fuel Cells 101 Google+ Hangout
On January 16, the Department of Energy took to Google+ to answer audience questions live about fuel cell and hydrogen energy technology.
The Hangout covered a wide range of questions, answered by a panel consisting of Dr. Sunita Satyapal from DOE's Fuel Cell Technologies Office, Daniel Dedrick, Manager at Sandia National Labs, Anthony Eggert, Executive Director at UC Davis, and Charlie Freese, GM's Executive Director of Global Fuel Cell Activities.
DOE also posted a blog answering questions about fuel cells that didn't get covered in the Hangout, which can be found here.
National Science Foundation SOFC-PPP Workshop Highlights Published
On January 16, The Electrochemical Society published highlights from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Solid Oxide Fuel Cell - Promise, Progress and Priorities Workshop 2013.
The highlights focus on how solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) for stationary power can benefit a variety of sectors for use in power generation, storage, and carbon capture systems.
For a link to the full PDF of highlights, click here.
Energy Secretary Moniz Tours Washington Auto Show, Fuel Cell Vehicles
On January 22, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz toured the Washington Auto Show, which showcased a variety of alternative fuel vehicles, including fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) from automakers Toyota and Hyundai.
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Energy Secretary Moniz (center), Assistant Secretary for EERE Dave Danielson left), and Toyota's Robert Wimmer (right) viewing Toyota's FCEV
Source: FCHEA
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The Department of Energy has contributed significantly to the development of fuel cell vehicles, and several automakers are poised to commercially launch a FCEV to global markets in the next five years.
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Toyota displays the fuel cell drive train and chassis of their upcoming FCEV
Source: DOE
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For a link to the DOE's slideshow of Secretary Moniz's visit, click
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Request for Papers, Proposals, and Information
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Energy Department Announces $4 Million in Funding for Hydrogen Production Advancement
 On November 13, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $4 million in funding targeted specifically to address critical challenges in low-carbon, low-cost carbon production.
The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits innovative materials, projects and systems that can make hydrogen production cheaper and cleaner, with the long term goal of being a $2-$4 per gallon gas equivalent (GGE) for hydrogen.
Specific topic areas in the FOA include hybrid approaches to production, production from bio-derived liquids, and solar-water splitting technologies.
Final submissions for this FOA are due by January 31, 2014.
For a link to the DOE FOA, click here. To read the press release, click here.
DOE Issues Request for Information Regarding Hydrogen Infrastructure and FCEVs
 On December 18, the Department of Energy issued a request for information (RFI) seeking feedback from interested stakeholders on strategies for the market introduction of hydrogen supply, infrastructure and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Input will be used to improve financing strategies for public deployment of hydrogen infrastructure.
All responses are due by January 31, 2014.
For more details, see the full RFI announcement here.
DOE Issues Loan Guarantee Solicitation for Advanced Fossil Energy Projects
On December 2, the Department of Energy announced part I of a solicitation for applications for loan guarantees to finance projects and facilities in the United States that employ advanced fossil energy technologies.
The solicitation comes as part of the President's Climate Action Plan, making up to $8 billion in loan guarantees available to reduce, avoid or
sequester anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases. Hydrogen based fuel cells are included under the scope of eligible projects.
Applications for eligible projects are due by February 28, 2014.
To read the full solicitation, click here.
DOE Announces Topics for Grants to Small Businesses in Clean Energy Technologies - Including Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Applications
On October 31, The Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced new topics for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The department is soliciting applications beginning with letters on intent on a range of topics and subtopics, including the development of a prototype fuel cell electric hybrid truck for waste transportation, and advanced membranes and catalysts for fuel cells.
The letters of intent are due on December 16, with final applications due on February 04, 2014.
For more information on the SBIR/STTR topics, click here.
Long Island Power Authority Issues RFP for Renewables, Distributed Generation
On October 21, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), a non-profit municipal power provider, issued two requests for proposals (RFPs). The first RFP seeks the procurement of new renewable capacity from a variety of technologies, including fuel cells, for up to 280 megawatts (MW) by 2018.
The second RFP is for as much as 1,630 MW of distributed
generation, energy storage and demand response resources to replace current generation by 2019.
The RFP's are part of LIPA's long range renewable energy plan, expected to increase renewable generation by 1,000 MW by 2022.
Proposal deadlines for both RFPs is March 31, 2014.
For a link to the RFP's, click here and here.
Department of Labor Seeking Input on Fuel Cell Technicians
 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.
Technicians will be asked to complete several O*NET questionnaires to provide information on their field of expertise. These take about 90 minutes to complete.
Interested applicants should contact Jim Rose Business Liaison O*NET Operations Center, RTI International at 877-233-7348, Ext. 121 or by email jrose@onet.rti.org.
Further information about this initiative can be found at www.doleta.gov/programs/onet.
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About the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Connection
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Administration
Press releases and story ideas may be forwarded to Connor Dolan and Karen Hall for consideration at cdolan@fchea.org and khall@fchea.org respectively.
The Sponsors
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association -- The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) is the trade association for the fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry, and is dedicated to the commercialization of fuel cells and hydrogen energy technologies. Fuel cells and hydrogen energy technologies deliver clean, reliable power to leading edge corporate, academic and public sector users, and FCHEA members are helping to transform the our energy future. FCHEA represents the full global supply chain, including universities, government laboratories and agencies, trade associations, fuel cell materials, components and systems manufacturers, hydrogen producers and fuel distributors, utilities and other end users.
National Energy Technology Laboratory -- The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory system is owned and operated by the DOE. Its mission is "Advancing energy options to fuel our economy, strengthen our security, and improve our environment". NETL performs, procures, and partners with universities and the private sector. Together, these efforts focus a wealth of scientific and engineering talent on creating commercially viable solutions to national energy and environmental problems. NETL has expertise in coal, natural gas, and oil technologies, contract and project management, analysis of energy systems, and international energy issues. NETL supports DOE's mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.
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