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Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Connection
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Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Headlines
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Toyota Confirms 2015 Launch of its Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
On April 16, Toyota Motor Corp confirmed that it plans to launch its hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in the United States, Japan, and Europe in 2015.
In development for over 20 years, Toyota believes that incremental cost and efficiency improvements in the design and fuel cell stack have allowed it to market the car at a competitive price. Toyota is also collaborating with BMW on fuel cell stacks, storage systems, electric motors, and battery technology.
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Toyota FCEV Concept Vehicle Displayed at CES 2014 (Source: Toyota)
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This announcement comes as two other automakers, Hyundai and Honda, gear up to debut their own FCEV's in global markets.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Transportation Secretary Foxx Visits University of Alabama's New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus
 On April 16, the University of Alabama at Birmingham hosted the Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx for an unveiling and ride-along on its brand new fuel cell electric bus, which was put into service on April 18.
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Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx speaks in Birmingham about the National Fuel Cell Bus Program before boarding UAB's new fuel cell bus
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The bus, which will join the local MAX fleet of commuter buses, is fueled with hydrogen supplied by Air Liquide, and is powered by a fuel cell stack from Ballard Power Systems. The bus is part of the National Fuel Cell Bus Program, an initiative funded by the DOT's Federal Transit Administration.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Plug Power Acquires Fuel Cell Stack Manufacturer ReliOn
On April 2, Plug Power announced that it acquired ReliOn, a manufacturer of modular Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks, for $4 million in Plug Power stock.
With this deal Plug Power acquires ReliOn's assets, including their portfolio of 34 fuel cell patents. Plug Power plans to integrate ReliOn's technology into their GenDrive and GenKey fuel cell solutions later this year.
ReliOn has deployed a number of fuel cell systems as telecommunications backup power solutions for companies like Verizon, Sprint and AT&T.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
LPL Opens America's Largest Net-Zero Energy Office Building Powered by Bloom Energy
On April 5, LPL Financial, the nation's largest independent broker-dealer, announced the opening of the U.S.'s largest commercial, net-zero office building in La Jolla Commons, California.
 | | LPL Financial Building in La Jolla Commons (Source: Hines promo image) |
The 13 story, 415,000 square foot building uses three Bloom Energy fuel cells to convert natural gas into clean electricity and save on water consumption. LPL Financial is also using biogas for the units to achieve net-zero eligibility.
For the full article, click here.
Air Products Mark Completion of $1 Billion Hydrogen Pipeline Project in Louisiana
On April 4, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and executives from Air Products marked the completion of of a $1 billion hydrogen pipeline project that triples the amount of hydrogen delivery capability in the state.
The 600 mile pipeline is one of the largest of its kind in the world, running from Houston to New Orleans. In addition to this pipeline, four new hydrogen plants along the Mississippi river are planned.
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Governor Bobby Jindal gives his opening speech at the first day of the 2014 Louisiana legislative session (Brianna Paciorka, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
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More than $64 billion in hydrogen infrastructure is planned for the state of Louisiana to support existing oil refining capacity.
To read the full press release, click here.
Ballard Power Closes Fuel Cell Intellectual Property Deal with UTC
 On April 24, Ballard Power Systems announced that it acquired the transportation and stationary fuel cell related intellectual property of United Technology Corportation (UTC).
These assets number approximately 800 patents and pending patents, as well as patent licenses, invention disclosures, and other technical information. UTC's patent portfolio primarily dealt with Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology.
Ballard plans on using this intellectual property to expand into both automotive and non-automotive fuel cell markets. Additionally, Ballard and UTC have formed a joint advisory council to explore future applications of the patent portfolio.
To read the full press release, click here.
ITM Power Contracts for Three Refueling Stations in London
On April 3, ITM Power announced the award of a contract to supply three electrolyser-based refueling stations in London, provided by the EU Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (EU FCH JU).
The contract, totaling �2.8 million, will coincide with the roll-out of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) from OEM's and the HyFIVE announcement by a consortium of fuel cell and hydrogen industry leaders.
To read the full press release, click here.
Intelligent Energy Expands U.S. Presence with Silicon Valley Commercial Facility
On April 10, Intelligent Energy announced that it has strengthened its U.S. presence by establishing a commercial facility in San Jose, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley.
The fuel cell manufacturer will work with its U.S. partners to accelerate commercialization of their technology.
To read the full press release, click here.
FuelCell Energy Sees First Large-Scale Plant Deal in Europe this Year
On April 11, FuelCell Energy announced that it expects to sign its first contract for a megawatt (MW) scale fuel cell project in Europe later this year.
This announcement follows the company's placement of a 250 KW plant in central London designed to showcase its technology. FuelCell Energy is negotiating with customers in Germany and Italy as well as England.
Earlier this year, the company completed the world's largest fuel cell power plant in South Korea, totaling 59 MW.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Linde will be Exclusive Supplier of Hydrogen at Shell Eco-Marathon
 On April 25, more than 100 teams from around the country converged on Houston, Texas for Shell's annual Eco-Marathon, where ultra-fuel efficient vehicles compete for the best mileage.
Linde announced that it will be the exclusive provider of hydrogen fuel for eight teams in Houston that have built vehicles that run on the gas. Linde also provided technical expertise on-site during the Eco-Marathon.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Plug Power and Hyundai Hysco Sign MOU for Fuel Cell Joint Venture
On April 21, Plug Power announced that it had signed an MOU with Hyundai Hysco co. ltd, Hyundai's steel supplier in Asia, to form a join venture for hydrogen fuel cells in Asia.
The five-year agreement will focus on developing, manufacturing and selling fuel cells for applications in Asian markets. The full Joint Venture will be finalized by July 31, 2014.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
ITM Power Receives Funding to Design and Building Pilot Unit for Fertiliser Production from Renewable Energy
On April 9, ITM Power announced that it is leading a consortium of companies that have been awarded �1.37 million in funding to design and build a plant for de-carbonisation of fertilizer production.
ITM power will integrate an electrolyser into the pilot system, which will produce renewable hydrogen on-site at a farm house in the UK. ITM Power will receive approximately �0.6 million of the funding.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
Apple's Fuel Cell Investments Highlight in Greenpeace Green Energy Rankings
On April 3, Greenpeace released Clicking Clean, composed of rankings and a full report on how internet giants are powering their operations with clean energy like fuel cells.
At the top of their list is Apple, who in the past several years has made significant investments in clean energy and receives the highest grade from Greenpeace in transparency, efficiency, policy and advocacy for clean energy.
A big part of Apple's commitment was the installation of a 10 MW fuel cell farm from Bloom Energy alongside a 20 MW solar installation at their Maiden, North Carolina data center. The fuel cells allow Apple's data center to power their iCloud services without interruption.
Other companies using fuel cells in the rankings are eBay and Google. For the full report and interactive rankings, click here.
Lowe's Using Hydrogen-Powered Lift Trucks at Georgia Distribution Center
On April 14, Lowe's Companies Inc. reported that it has begun using hydrogen fuel cell forklifts at the company's new distribution center in Rome, GA. The retailer began using 157 lift trucks fueled by hydrogen after piloting the technology in warehouses in California and Connecticut.
The lift trucks are supplied by Plug Power, which has deployed thousands of units across the country in warehouses and distribution centers. The lift trucks take only three minutes to refuel and saves valuable warehouse storage space normally reserved for battery swapping and charging.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Sandia National Labs Developing Low-Cost, Hydrogen Fork Lifts with Rapid Refueling
 On April 15, Sandia National Laboratories announced that it is working with Hawaii Hydrogen Carriers (HHC) in a partnership to advance hydrogen fuel cell fork lift technology.
The goal of their work is to design a solid state hydrogen storage system that can refuel forklifts at low pressure four to five times faster than battery-powered forklifts. Currently, fuel cell forklifts can operate for more than eight hours between refills, and help save valuable warehouse floor space normally reserved for battery recharging.
Sandia and HHC hope to make technology that can refuel at standard industrial gas pressures, helping facilities that cannot integrate the high pressure fueling system currently used in warehouses around the country.
To read the full press release, click here.
DOE Energy Systems Integration Facility Named Lab of the Year
On March 27, the editors of R&D Magazine named the Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) located in Golden, Colorado as the 2014 Laboratory of the Year.
A brand new facility within NREL, ESIF integrates an ultra-energy efficient workplace and data center for conducting a range of energy experiments, including significant research and development on fuel cell technologies.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
Savannah River National Labs make Hydrogen Battery Breakthrough
On April 1, Researchers at Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) announced that they are a developing a new kind of hydrogen battery that could last more than four times as long as traditional batteries.
Working with Stanford University spin-off Ardica Technologies and with funding from DOE, SRNL is researching new ways of making aluminum-hydride powered aluminum batteries, which can store twice the hydrogen as the same volume of liquid H2.
The batteries could have wide ranging applications, including use in personal electronics as they become smaller and more efficient.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Germany's NOW Industry Initiative Agree to $2 Billion Investment Over 10 Years, Including 50 Hydrogen Stations by 2015
On April 7, a consortium of industry representatives including those comprising the Clean Energy Partnership, H2Mobility and Performing Energy (PE), signed a declaration affirming their support for over €2 billion in investment over the next 10 years towards hydrogen mobility.
Included in the agreement is the confirmed locations of 50 hydrogen refueling stations in German metropolitan regions to be built by 2015.
The announcement took place at Hannover Indsutrial Fair, which took place from April 7 to April 11. To read the full announcement, click here.
Global Leaders Sign Up to �31 Million Plan to Demonstrate Viability of Hydrogen Vehicles in Europe
On April 3, the international project "HyFIVE" was launched by an international consortium in a �31 million deal to make hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) a viabile and environmental friendly choice in Europe.
Members of the consortium include the Office of the Mayor of London, automakers Honda, Toyota, BMW, and Daimler, as well as hydrogen suppliers Air Products, ITM Power, and Linde.
The automotive OEM's will jointly deploy 110 fuel cell vehicles at several European locations, and new hydrogen refueling stations will be developed in tandem at these sites. Additionally, every country involved will share the same fuel and refueling standards for infrastructure development.
To read the full announcement, click here.
European Parliament Approves €22 Billion Public-Private Partnership Investment Package for Six Sectors Including Fuel Cells
 On April 16, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Maire Geoghegan-Quinn announced that the European Parliament passed a package of public-private partnerships worth €22 billion. Included in this package are partnerships for medicine, aeronautics, bio industries, electronics, and fuel cell and hydrogen energy technology.
Over the next seven years, up to €665 million will be made available to match private funds for fuel cell and hydrogen technology. Europe's Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative (FCH JTI), a consortium of over 1000 participants, will use this funding to make affordable technologies for both automotive and power generation technologies.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
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Upcoming Events
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Fuel Cell Seminar Puts out Call for Abstracts
The 2014 Fuel Cell Seminar and Energy Exposition, whose vision is to be the premier international gathering of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy industries and their customers and stakeholders, extends an invitation to submit Extended Abstracts for the seminar.
the abstracts feature the following topic areas - Fuels and Renewable Energy, Fuel Cell Industry Status, Fuel Cell Applications, Fuel Cell Technology Development, and Fuel Cell Education and Training.
For a link to the abstract submission page, click here.
Fuel Cell Seminar & Energy Exposition
and FCHEA Present:
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DOE Announces SBIR/STTR Phase II Release 1 Award Winners, Includes Two Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Projects
On April 23, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the FY 2014 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase II Release 1 award winners.
Included among the awards are two hydrogen and fuel cell projects. The first, located in Newport New Jersey, deals with hydrogen purification methods. The second, located in Lafayette, Colorado, is for designing next-generation hydrogen storage tanks for automobiles.
For a link to the full list of awards, click here.
ARPA-E Director Plans $30 Million in Grants for Fuel Cell Research
On April 7, Dr. Cheryl Martin, speaking at the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit 2014, announced plans for $30 million in funding from ARPA-E for fuel cells by September 2014.
Martin stated that the intent of the funding was to focus on stationary fuel cell systems designed to power homes and businesses.
ARPA-E, or the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy, was created by the America COMPETES Act of 2009 to fund high risk, high reward energy technologies towards commercialization. In November of last year, ARPA-E launched REBELS, a program designed to develop resilient and efficient fuel cell technologies.
To read the full article, click here.
EERE Hosts Webinar on FY 2015 Transportation Budget Request
On April 3, DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Hosted a webinar on their Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Budget Request for Sustainable Transportation.
EERE's Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Transportation, Reuben Sarkar, presented the webinar which included a discussion on the budget request for the Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO).
To view the slides, click here.
DOE Awards More than $3 Million in FuelCell Energy to Advance U.S. Fuel Cell Competitiveness
On April 8, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the award of over $3 million to Connecticut-based FuelCell Energy as part of President Obama's "all-of-the-above" energy strategy.
The award will fund projects at FuelCell Energy to develop an innovative carbonate fuel cell electrolyte matrix, which will increase performance, lifespan, and decrease costs of stationary fuel cell technology.
To read the full press release, click here.
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Request for Papers, Proposals, and Information
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DOE Issues Request for Information on Hydrogen Contamination Detectors
On April 22, the Department of Energy's Fuel Cell Technologies Office (DOE FCTO) issued a request for information (RFI) regarding new and existing hydrogen contamination detectors (HCDs).
The RFI relates to the performance, system requirements, costs, deployment needs and R&D regarding HCDs. The HCD RFI comes as several major automakers plan to introduce fuel cell electric vehicles to the market, and DOE is considering strategies to mitigate risk of fuel contamination.
For a link to the full RFI, click here.
EERE Extends Notice of Intent for Fuel Cell Technology Incubator FOA
On April 15, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) stated that they were extending the notice of intent for the upcoming funding opportunity announcement (FOA) "Innovations in Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Fuels Technologies."
The Incubator referenced in the FOA, managed by the Fuel Cells Technologies Office (FCTO), intends to identify impactful technologies not already addressed by their portfolio of projects.
The new issue date for the FOA is on or about May 7, 2014
For a link to the full notice of intent, click here.
EERE Announces Notice of Intent for Clean Energy Supply Chain and Manufacturing Competitiveness Analysis FOA
On April 16, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced that it intends do issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), titled " Clean Energy Supply Chain and Manufacturing Competitiveness Analysis for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies."
The FOA targets the challenges present to fuel cell and hydrogen production scaling, which are currently built using laboratory fabrication techniques. The Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO), who manages the project, aims to reduce costs, improve process and develop better systems for fuel cell production and hydrogen production, delivery, and storage.
EERE Plans to issue the FOA in May of 2014, and will be available through the EERE Exchange website here.
NHSTA Proposed Rule on Alternative Fuel Vehicle Badging
 On February 20, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) proposed requiring badges, labels, and owner's manual information for new passenger cars, low speed vehicles and light-duty trucks in order to increase consumer awareness regarding the use and benefits of alternative fuels.
The proposed rule would implement specific statutory mandates that manufacturers be required to add information on capabilities and benefits to owner's manuals, identify that vehicles are capable of running on alternative fuels by labeling fuel filler compartments appropriately, and more.
Comments on the proposal must be received on or before April 21, 2014.
For more information, click here.
DOE announces $7 Million in Funding to Improve Grid Resiliency
On February 7, the Department of Energy announced up to $7 million available for grants to advance the design of technologies to strengthen and modernize the electric grid. The Microgrid Research, Development, and System Design funding opportunity specifically targets teams of communities, technology developers and providers, and utilities to help the grid become more adaptive and prepared for power outages caused by severe weather and other events.
Applicants must work with an entity or community to design microgrid systems of less than or equal to 10 MW, enough to power a small community. The deadline for submitting applications is April 28, 2014.
Full proposals are due by April 28, 2014.
For a link to the full Funding Opportunity Announcement, click here.
CSA Seeking Experts for Fuel Cell Standards Development
 CSA Group, an accredited standards development organization, is seeking industry experts (a minimum of three years industry experience) to volunteer to work on the development of safety standards for fuel cells and fuel cell applications. If you are interested in becoming a voting or a non-voting member of a standards committee in the areas mentioned below, please contact us.
Experts needed to write the following standards:
FC 1 Technical Subcommittee on Standards for Stationary Fuel Cell Power Systems
SCOPE: The Technical Advisory Group shall be responsible for developing and maintaining standards related to the design, installation, alteration to, and maintenance of stationary fuel cell power systems, which through electrochemical reactions generate electricity.
FC 3 Technical Subcommittee on Standards for Portable Fuel Cell Power Systems
SCOPE: The Technical Advisory Group shall be responsible for developing and maintaining standards related to the design, installation, alteration to, and maintenance of portable fuel cell power systems.
Technical Committee on Fuel Cells
SCOPE: The Technical Committee shall be responsible for developing and maintaining standards related to fuel cell power system technologies for all fuel cell applications. This Committee exercises general supervision of the preparation and revision of such standards for fuel cell power system technologies by direction of activities of technical advisory groups, covering initiation of assignments, supervision of operations and final disposition of all standards developed.
Contact Us
If you are interested in learning more about writing safety standards on any of the listed committees, please contact Debbie Chesnik, Manager, U.S. Membership Community at [email protected] or toll free at 1-877-235-9791.
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Click here for an archive of previous issues of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Connection.
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association
(202) 261-1331
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1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington D.C.20036 | 202-261-1331
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