BMW Officially Unveils Test FCEVs, Announces Plans for Commercialization
On July 2, BMW officially unveiled plans for the manufacture and commercialization of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The German automaker is developing fuel cell stack technology alongside partner Toyota, who signed a partnership in 2013 to share technology and expertise in the development of FCEVs.
BMW's Grand Turismo FCEV Test Vehicle Source: BMW
BMW unveiled two test vehicles; a Grand Turismo FCEV based on the BMW 5-series body, and a previously-built test FCEV based on BMW's new 8-series body. Both FCEVs utilize BMW's eDrive technology and features a 300 mile range. Additional specifications and pictures of the vehicles are available on BMW's press kit
here.
BMW'S i8 FCEV Test Vehicle Source: BMW
BMW premiered the vehicles at a test track in Miramas, France, where a company spokesman stated that the automaker revealed plans to make available a "technically mature, customer-ready vehicle sometime after 2020." Additionally, BMW stated that it was in talks with other automakers, governments, and utilities to help speed up hydrogen fueling infrastructure development.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Toyota Opens Customer Portal for Mirai FCEV Orders in California
On July 20, Toyota USA opened the online portal for California
residents to reserve its upcoming Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Eligible customers will be able to select from one of eight California dealerships for Mirai delivery, and will be contacted directly by Toyota to determine eligibility after filling out a questionnaire.
Toyota Mirai FCEVs arriving in California in anticipation of 2015 launch Source: Toyota
For a link to the full press release, click here.
Doosan Fuel Cell American Celebrates One Year of Operations, Brings Connecticut Plant to Full Production
On July 16, Doosan Fuel Cell America announced that within a year of purchasing the assets of ClearEdge Power, it has brought plant operations to full capacity. Doosan has leveraged five decades of fuel cell technology and patents, as well as the backing of its parent company, Doosan, in South Korea.
Doosan reported that by years end it will employ 300 people at the South Windsor plant, and secure over 50 megwatts (MW) of capacity in fuel cell contracts around the globe. Over the past year, Doosan has installed multiple PureCell 440 kW fuel cell systems at mixed-use buildings, offices, college campuses, and other sites in combined heat and power (CHP) configurations.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
IKEA Flips Switch on Bloom Energy Fuel Cells to Generate More Onsite Power at Store in Emeryville, California
On July 1, IKEA announced the fuel cell system manufactured by Bloom Energy at its facility in Emeryville, California had gone online.
Bloom Fuel Cell Installation at Ikea in Emeryville, California Source: Businesswire
The 300 kilowatt (kW) biogas fuel cell system, the first of its kind for IKEA, will reduce carbon emissions annually by 1,304 tons, and is part of IKEA's goal to be energy independent by 2020.
For a link to the full story, click here.
Bridgeport, Connecticut Mayor Provides Update on FuelCell Energy' Green Energy Park Installation
On June 27, Bridgeport, Connecticut Mayor Bill Finch provided updates on FuelCell Energy's Green Energy Park fuel cell installation. The mayor announced that the fuel cell system's foundation has been laid, as well as its major components.
The Green Energy Park is located near FuelCell Energy's 14.9 MW Bridgeport fuel cell installation, which powers 5,600 homes, and was established in 2014.
The Green Energy Park, a clean energy project in collaboration with United Illuminating, will include 9,000 solar panels and a 2.8 MW fuel cell facility on an old, unused dump site. This project will power an additional 5,000 homes and create up to 92 jobs.
FuelCell Energy anticipates the equipment needed to connect to Bridgeport's grid will be installed within the month, and expects to be operational sometime in the fall.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
Ballard Power Acquires Portable Fuel Cell Manufacturer Protonex for $30 Million
On June 29, Ballard Power announced that it had purchased Protonex Technology Corporation for $30 million. Protonex, located in Southborough, Massachusetts, manufactures proton exchange membrane (PEM) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) for portable power applications, and has deployed thousands of units to the major branches of the U.S. armed forces.
Through the acquisition, Ballard Power aims to expand its portfolio of fuel cell products, for both commercial and military applications. Additionally, Ballard will utilize Protonex's intellectual property (IP) to better integrate fuel cells, solar power, and energy storage technologies.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
Linde, Siemens to Open Plant to Convert Wind Energy into Hydrogen
On July 1, Linde, along with partners Siemens, Mainz Energy Utility, and Rhein-Main University of Applied Sciences, announced a project to convert wind energy to hydrogen for use as fuel or injection into natural gas pipelines at its plant in Mainz, Germany. The project will use Siemen's electrolysis plant, based on proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, to convert electricity generated from wind turbines into hydrogen gas.
The facility is able to convert approximately 6 MW of electricity, making it one of the biggest electrolysis facilities in the world. Linde will clean, compress, store, and dispense the hydrogen for a variety of applications after generation.
For a link to the full article, click here.
UK Office of Low Emission Vehicles Announces Funding for Hydrogen Infrastructure Improvements
On July 21, the United Kingdom's Office of Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV) announced a series of funding for projects under the Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) Infrastructure Grant Scheme, designed to expand hydrogen infrastructure across the country.
In total, �5.5 million in funding was awarded to seven projects, which will upgrade existing hydrogen stations, construct new stations, and provide mobile refueling capabilties. Awardees include ITM Power, Air Products, Honda of the UK Manufacturing Limited, Fuel Cell Systems Ltd., and the University of South Wales.
For a full list of awards and project specifications, click here.
Air Products Receives Government Grant to Enhance User Experience at Hydrogen Fueling Stations
On July 21, Air Products announced that two of its London-area SmartFuel hydrogen fueling stations had been awarded funding from the HRS Infrastructure Grants Scheme administered by the OLEV.
Air Products will use the funding to upgrade its Heathrow Airport and Hendon hydrogen fueling stations to enhance customer experience and encourage commercial and public adoption of hydrogen fueling station technology. Air Products stated that it planned on working with automakers Hyundai and Toyota to make the improvements.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Intelligent Energy Developing Personal Electronics Powered by Fuel Cells
On June 30, Intelligent Energy announced it was developing additional portable electronics powered by fuel cells, after launching the Upp portable fuel cell USB charger last year. On its new product page, Intelligent Energy demonstrates that small-scale, planar fuel cell prototypes fit directly into the body of a laptop, shown in the render below.
A prototype laptop shell, powered by fuel cells Source: Intelligent Energy
The company recently acquired the portable fuel cell intellectual property of BIC, which it is using to accelerate development of integrated fuel cell electronics. Intelligent energy hopes to release either a laptop or phone with integrated fuel cells by 2017 or 2018.
For a link to the full product page, click here.
McPhy Energy and CNR to Collaborate on Hydrogen-Powered Mobility and Power-to-Gas Projects
On July 1, McPhy Energy announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Compagnie Nationale du Rh�ne (CNR), France's largest renewable energy producer, to collaborate on hydrogen energy projects, including fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and power-to-gas projects.
As the first part of the agreement, the companies will collaborate on a hydrogen filling station in southeast France, in support of the government's Mobility Hydrogen France initiative. McPhy Energy will supply hydrogen production, storage, and dispensing equipment for the station, and CNR will transmit renewable electricity from its network to the station.
McPhy Energy, CNR and their common partner, Symbio FCell, a manufacturer of fuel cells, already participate in the Hyway project in the Rh�ne-Alpes region to deploy a fleet of electrical vehicles equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender.
For the McPhy press release, click here.
California Air Resources Board Release Report On Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Deployment
On July 15, the California Air Resources Board released the 2015 version of its report "Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Deployment and Hydrogen Fuel Station Network Development."
The report specifically details progress towards achieving goals laid out in California's Assembly Bill 8 (AB8), which establishes a framework for the expansion of hydrogen fueling stations in California. Also provided are updates on FCEV deployment in the state, projections drawn from the 2015 automaker survey regarding demand for FCEVs, and the effectiveness of California's Alternative and Renewable Fuel Vehicle and Technology Program (ARFVTP).
Recommendations are included in the report as well, highlighting the need to prioritize station locations to provide a more continuous network of hydrogen fueling stations, as well as the need for standardization and reliability across all stations to ensure a consistent customer experience.
For a link to the full report pdf, click
here.
West Sacramento Hydrogen Fueling Station Officially Commissioned
On July 8, the Ramos Oil Hydrogen Fueling Station in West Sacramento, California was officially commissioned and is now open to the public for fueling FCEVs.
While the station was dedicated in December of 2014 and has been providing fuel, station commissioning required a final inspection by a state official, as well as inspection by hydrogen supplier Linde to determine compliance with SAE J2719, and international standard that ensures hydrogen fuel quality and purity.
Lessons learned from this commissioning process will help expedite future hydrogen station openings in California.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Toyota, Honda, Nissan Announce Support for Hydrogen Fueling Stations in Japan
On July 1, automakers Honda, Nissan, and Toyota announced plans to support the construction and operation of hydrogen fueling stations in Japan to support the commercialization of FCEVs. The automakers will cover a third of a station's operating costs, up to 11 million Yen ($90,000) a year, for each station constructed through 2020.
Executives from Toyota, Nissan, and Honda Shake Hands During Announcement Source: Toyota
Japan's government recently announced that it would subsidize the cost of hydrogen fueling stations in the country as well. Toyota has already introduced its Mirai FCEV in Japan, with Honda expected to follow in 2016.
For a link to the full article, click here.
BMW Group and TOTAL Announce New Hydrogen Refueling Capability in Munich, Germany
On July 16, BMW Group announced that it had opened a new hydrogen fueling station in partnership with Linde and TOTAL in Munich's Detmoldestrass region. TOTAL is an international energy producer and provider, and operates seven other public hydrogen fueling stations in Germany.
Officials from Linde, Clean Energy Partnership, TOTAL and BMW inaugurate the new station Source: BMW
The station completes the European HyFIVE project's southern hydrogen station cluster, which includes stations in Germany, Austria, and Italy. HyFIVE is an industry-led European partnership comprised of automakers, industrial gas suppliers and station operators to expand hydrogen fueling infrastructure in Europe.
The station is also unique in that it includes new cryo-compressed hydrogen storage capability, in addition to the industry-standard 700 bar compressed gas hydrogen storage for fueling FCEVs.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
FuelCell Energy Announces Progress in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Projects
On July 16, FuelCell Energy announced progress updates regarding the commercialization of its solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, identifying three projects selected by the DOE for funding.
FuelCell Energy was awarded two contracts through the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Program. In addition, FuelCell Energy was awarded a third project for $1.3 million from DOE's Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) to adapt SOFC stack technology to achieve electrolysis for the production of hydrogen fuel at high efficiencies.
For a link to the full press release, click here.
Bloom Energy Begins Rolling Out More Powerful Fuel Cell Servers
On July 22, Bloom Energy announced it would begin rolling out a 500 kilowatt (kW) version of its ES-5 fuel cell, an increase from the previous 250 kW model in the same physical footprint, while using less natural gas.
Bloom Energy Manufacturing Plant in Newark, Delaware Source: Delaware Online
Bloom revealed the new configuration during a news briefing at its manufacturing plant in Newark, Delaware.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Doosan Renews Sponsorship of British Open, Showcases Fuel Cells
On July 15, Doosan announced it had signed a five-year agreement with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club to continue its sponsorship of the British Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf.
During this year's British Open, Doosan promoted its brand in a variety of venues, including providing cell phone charging stations that utilize Doosan fuel cell technology.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Ballard Power to Provide Megawatt-Scale Fuel Cell Generation in Bordeaux, France
On July 22, Ballard Power announced that it had signed an agreement to provide 1 megawatt (MW) of fuel cell power for
Hydrog�ne de France (HDF) which will be deployed at an AkzoNobel, a chemical plant in the Bordeaux region of France.
Using Ballard's ClearGen technology, HDF will generate electricity and supply the local grid with power by utilizing the hydrogen created as a by-product of the chemical processes at the plant. The installation is partially funded by the European Union Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH-JU).
For a link to the full press release, click here.
Toyota Sets Record Range of 312 Miles with Mirai FCEV
On June 30, Toyota announced that its Mirai FCEV had achieved a rated range of 312 miles on a single tank of hydrogen by the EPA test cycle, beating the range of the Tesla Model S. The Mirai averaged a 67 miles per gallon of gas equivalent (MPGe) using hydrogen fuel.
Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz announced the findings at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colorado. The Mirai FCEV will go on sale in California markets this fall for $58,325, before incentives.
For a link to the full article, click here.
New York Governor Cuomo Announces Awards to 83 Communities to Support Microgrid Projects - Six Include Fuel Cells
On July 8, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), announced awards of approximately $100,000 each to 83 communities across the state to support development of microgrid projects. The awards will support feasibility studies for the communities and is the first step of a three stage process.
Six of the communities have identified fuel cells as part of their proposed technology mix, including the Village of Babylon, Town of Brookhaven, City of Long Beach, Town of Hempstead, Village of Freeport, and Eighth Avenue Microgrid in Manhattan.
The next stage of the project will be identifying approximately ten projects to develop detailed project designs, with awards of up to $1 million each. The final stage will approve up to $7 million each for approximately five projects for final build and construction.
For the full list of awarded projects, click here. For the press release from NYSERDA, click here.
International Energy Agency Publishes Technology Roadmap for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
On June 30, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published the Technology Roadmap: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, a report on the state of the industry and its economic and technological outlook through 2050.
The report details the steps governments, industry and researchers need to take to foster and track deployment of hydrogen energy technology, if it is to be a significant energy carrier by 2050.
For a link to the full report, click here.
Toyota and Hino Motors to Test New Fuel Cell Electric Bus on Public Route in Tokyo
On July 21, Toyota and Hino Motors Ltd. announced that in the next step of their jointly developed fuel cell electric bus (FCEB), the two companies will carry out field tests in Tokyo from July 24-30.
FCEB Render Source: Toyota
The bus, based on a Hino hybrid model, utilizes Toyota's fuel cell system developed for the Mirai FCEV. The test runs, carried out in partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, aim to accelerate commercial adoption of the technology in Japan.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Hawaii Names First Hydrogen Implementation Coordinator
On July 13, the Director of the Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies, Stanley Osserman, was named the new Hydrogen Implementation Coordinator by the state.
The Hawaii legislature recently created the position to facilitate the implementation of hydrogen infrastructure across the state, and to promote the expansion of a hydrogen-based energy economy in Hawaii.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Headlines
On July 10, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) published a blog post detailing its progress on a hydrogen fuel cell deployment project at the Port of Honolulu. The project, in collaboration with the DOE and Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (DOT MARAD), aims to help reduce emissions at ports by replacing diesel generators with fuel cells. 
Registration is now open for the 2015 Fuel Cell Seminar & Energy Exposition, which will take on November 16-19, 2015, in Los A
REFF-West, taking place November 5-6, 2015, is the premier West Coast renewable energy finance event, uniting senior financiers, investors and renewable energy executives from across the country since 2008. 
August 5 marks the next deadline for industries to submit their Part I application for the DOE's $4 billion in available loan guarantees for EERE Projects. As a part of the President's Climate Action Plan, the DOE has allocated $4 billion in loan guarantees to promote EERE projects that avoid or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
