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The onlinewsletter of Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH (LBST) and the German Hydrogen Association
(DWV) · 1st Quarter 2007
· 11th Year
ã Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH
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10 years HyWeb Gazette
HyWeb, 2007-03-28: For ten years, Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH has supplied hydrogen and fuel cell experts with the latest information via its HyWeb Internet platform. The HyWeb Gazette, the world’s first Internet Newsletter in this sector, went online on 24 March 1997. Its first article reported on the foundation of the German Hydrogen Association (see the first issue of the HyWeb Gazette).The idea of starting a newsletter for hydrogen and fuel cell experts more or less came up by chance, but quickly proved to be a highly attractive feature for users. The HyWeb Gazette soon became established as a standard and continues to hold a strong position in the face of increasing competition.
The HyWeb Gazette is available online for free electronic subscription at www.HyWeb.de in German and English.
Contact:
Matthias Altmann, Patrick Schmidt
Editors HyWeb
Ludwig-Bolkow-Systemtechnik GmbH (LBST)
E-mail: webmaster@HyWeb.deMA/PS
Image: LBSTHerbert Kohler, Vice-President of Group Research and Advanced Engineering Vehicle and Powertrain, DaimlerChrysler, 77th International Motor Show, 8-18 March 2007, Geneva, Switzerland
New at H2Mobility.org since December 2006:
· Design study by Giugiaro Vadhò with BMW-V8 engine and LH2 storage
· GM Volt
· Ford Edge
· JSW scooter
· ECN HydroGEM
· Jack Nicholson presented the "H2-4" Chevy back in 1978!Link: www.H2Mobility.org
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New at H2Stations.org since December 2006:
· Update CUTE fuelling stations:
London (GB), Barcelona, Madrid (ES), Porto (PT), Stockholm (SE), Amsterdam (NL), Hamburg, Stuttgart (DE), Luxembourg (LU)
· Green and White Plains (NY/USA); San Francisco, Rosemead, Los Angeles, San Carlos, Arcata (all CA/USA); Columbia (SC/USA)
· Shanghai, Nanjing (China)
· Toulouse, Dunkerque (France)
· 2. stations in Sao Paulo (Brazil)
· now open: Victoria (British Columbia/Canada)Link: www.H2Stations.org
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Plug Power to acquire Cellex Power
HyWeb, 2007-03-21: In a move to diversify its product base with near term marketable products, Latham/N.Y. based Plug Power has announced to acquire private Canadian company Cellex Power. Mid March it was signed a definitive stock purchase agreement. The acquisition is expected to be completed in April. Plug Power intends to continue Cellex Power's current operations in Richmond, near Vancouver, British Columbia. Plug Power will pay USD 45 million in cash for all of Cellex Power's outstanding shares.
Since its inception in 1998, Cellex Power has been developing Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell power units for electric lift trucks and is targeting the estimated USD 1.5 billion industrial motive battery market. In November 2006, Cellex successfully completed beta testing of its zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell power units in pallet trucks at two Ohio-based Wal-Mart distribution centres. Cellex Power has focused its initial product initiatives on class 3 electric lift trucks, often referred to as “pallet trucks”, that are the predominant equipment used to transport goods within large distribution centres. The company’s product strategy is to develop a full product portfolio addressing all three classes of electric lift trucks, thus enabling complete conversion of distribution centres.
Plug Power considers telecommunications backup (its main target market so far) and material handling applications to be attractive near-term markets for PEM fuel cell systems. In addition, the two applications use complementary fuel cell technology and have similar electrical output requirements.
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India: Tata Motors searching for hybrid and fuel cell technology partners
HyWeb, 2007-03-21: In an interview with Reuters at the Geneva Motor Show, group chairman Ratan Tata of India's third largest passenger car manufacturer Tata Motors said that they were talking with makers of hybrid engines and fuel cells about the possibility of using their technology in future car models, e.g. through licensing. Among the companies Tata was speaking to were Canadian fuel cell-maker Ballard and car manufacturers in Japan and Europe. The Indian maker was also talking with Italy's Fiat, which is already a partner in making engines, trucks and other products.Tata Motors aims at entering the European market starting with conventional vehicles. Preference is put on southern Europe. In 2006, Tata Motors had sold some 7,000 units in Italy and Spain, expecting to double this figure within three years. Tata Motors is due to debut in the UK later this year. Other markets where Tata Motors is looking to expand included Africa and Latin America. The US were not in the immediate focus as this was a very demanding market. The preferred mode of expansion is to grow internally rather than through acquisitions.
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TÜV Süd partner in "icefuel" project developing LH2 pipeline
HyWeb, 2007-03-20: According to TÜV Süd, Munich/Germany, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies will play a key role in the advanced development of carbon-neutral energy. On the occasion of the annual flagship trade show Energy at Hannover Messe (16-20 April 2007), TÜV Süd will inform about two TÜV Süd's activities in the field:
- development of an innovative pipeline system to transport liquefied hydrogen as part of the "icefuel" project, and
- certification of portable fuel cell systems for mobile or decentralised applications.
The icefuel project was launched in summer 2006 with the objective of improving energy infrastructure and integration of renewable energies in power distribution and supply. The project centres around the development of an innovative pipeline system allowing efficient transport and easy distribution of liquefied hydrogen (LH2) to a variety of end-consumers such as private households or companies. As one of ten project partners, TÜV SÜD provides end-to-end safety support for the new concept and the planned pilot system, striving for a safety level comparable to that of natural gas supply systems, which have proven their reliability over decades.
The icefuel project is funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research.
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Call for Proposals for German-French cooperation projects
HyWeb, 17.03.2007: On 1st March 2007 the Agence National de la Recherche (ANR) published a call for proposals within the French programme "Pan-H" for binational research teams to apply within the framework of the German-French cooperation. The programme Pan-H comprises four main issues:
- Hydrogen (high and low temperature water electrolysis)
- Hydrogen storage (high pressure storage and hydrides)
- Fuel cell applications (mainly PEM fuel cells)
- Cross-cutting activities
Deadline for applications for French project partners is April 27, 2007.
According to PTJ, the research projects are financed by ANR from the French side, and by Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) from the German side. German partners should address their application (a project abstract of some 5 pages maximum written in German) to Forschungszentrum Jülich, Projektträger Jülich (PTJ), Division ERG2, Mrs Andrea Ballouk, 52425 Jülich, Germany.
Link: http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/appel-a-projet/17
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HyICE project ends – Hydrogen internal combustion engines measure up with diesel engine performance
HyWeb, 2007-03-16: The project HyICE (Optimization of the Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine) has officially finished its work with a final event on 27 February 2007 in Munich/Germany. HyICE, which was promoted by the EU Commission, has resulted in a combustion engine fueled by hydrogen that offers clear advantages over current generation engines and promise to compete with other propulsion systems in terms of performance and cost.Bringing together a team of ten industry and academic players, including partners in the US, this 3-year project has produced compelling test results, paving the way for the next generation of hydrogen-fuelled engines. Very low-polluting, yet as efficient as current diesels and with little or no penalty in terms of engine size and power (100 kW per litre displacement), this new type of engine effectively bridges the gap between today's conventional vehicles and tomorrow's fuel cell-based vehicles – a major step in the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for the near-term.
In the course of HyICE two fuel injection concepts were developed for use in passenger cars as well as for trucks and buses. The necessary key components were also developed. In addition, relevant simulation tools have been adopted to hydrogen combustion to support the development process of future production engines.
The partners in HyICE are BMW Forschung und Technik (Germany), ANSYS (Germany), Irion Management Consulting (Germany), MECEL (Sweden), Universität der Bundeswehr (Germany), Technical University of Graz (Austria), MAN Nutzfahrzeuge (Germany), Institut Français du Pétrole (France), Ford Forschungszentrum (Germany), Volvo Technology Corporation (Sweden) and Hoerbiger (Austria). Project coordinator is BMW Forschung und Technik from Munich, Germany. The project received €5 million from the 6th EU Framework Programme towards its total project costs of €7.71 million.HyICE is one of the first EU Integrated Projects to be completed in the area of Sustainable Surface Transport. Introduced under the EU 6th Framework Programme for Research (FP6) and now extended into FP7, Integrated Projects (IPs) are aimed at mobilising broad-based partnerships of research bodies, from big industrial interests to SMEs, and from academic institutions to research centres, in the EU and beyond, to deliver innovative results across several science and technology domains.
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Danish Government free hydrogen cars of all taxes and boost energy R/D/D support
HyWeb, 2007-03-16: The Danish Government has released a National Energy Plan onwards 2025 where hydrogen cars are freed of all taxes and public support for energy R/D/D (biofuels, wind, low energy buildings, hydrogen and fuel cells) is doubled from $83 million annually to $166 million.Car taxes in Denmark are exceptionally high compared to Germany and most other countries in the world. For example, a standard VW Golf or Honda Civic at a sales price of 20,000 - 22,000 EUR in Germany ends up costing between 58,800 and 64,700 EUR in Denmark (180% registration tax and 25% VAT). This makes Denmark an interesting entry market for hydrogen powered cars.
Back in 2005 the Danish Energy Authority launched a National Hydrogen & Fuel Cell R/D/D Strategy with an ambition of doubling the annually public support for H2 FC from $18 million (2006) to $33 million. It is expected that the Energy Plan 2025 can secure this increase in support for hydrogen and fuel cells.
Link: www.hydrogenlink.net
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Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited takes a step forward with fuel cell manufacturing facility in NRW/Germany
HyWeb 2007-03-16: Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL), an Australian-headquartered manufacturer of solid oxide fuel cells for micro-combined heat and power (m-CHP) units, announces that it is to develop a large-scale manufacturing facility at the Oberbruch Industrial Park in Heinsberg/NRW, Germany. The Industrial Park is owned and managed by Nuon, a major Dutch energy company. The government of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia is supporting the project by providing funding worth €3.2 million.Work on the volume manufacturing plant for planar high-temperature solid-oxide fuel cell stacks will start in January 2007 and will proceed in two phases. The first phase is scheduled to be completed in the course of 2009 and will involve the installation of a semi-automated production line in an existing building in the Nuon Industrial Park. The production line is designed to produce up to 50,000 1kW fuel cell stacks per year in a continuous 24/7 operation. The second phase will involve the installation of three additional fully automated production lines designed to produce up to 150,000 units per year in a new purpose-built factory adjacent to the existing building. Ceramic Fuel Cells intends to fund the project through a combination of debt and equity, and is in discussion with local financiers.
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Toro to demonstrate three fuel cell utility vehicles in Niagara Falls State Park
HyWeb, 2007-03-16: The Toro Company announced a partnership with the State of New York to provide the next generation of turf maintenance equipment powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Toro will provide Niagara Falls State Park (NFSP) with three hydrogen-powered utility vehicles based on the Toro® Workman® chassis by mid-2007. It's expected that the utility vehicles will be used to shuttle workers and grounds equipment, drag infields, haul turf materials, and assist with refuse and snow removal.
Image: Toro e2050The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) has an aggressive green parks initiative to support the advancement of hydrogen technology in New York. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is contributing $380,025 toward the project.
Toro is a major manufacturer of "outdoor beautification products" – such as lawn-mowers, community cleaning vehicles and the like – and based in Minnesota/USA.
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European Commission: Information and brokerage event on hydrogen and fuel cells research
HyWeb, 19.02.2007: Following the Information and Brokerage Event on hydrogen and fuel cell research in the 7th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technology (2007-2013) on February 1, 2007 in Prague, the European Commission has made available all presentations.Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/gp/gp_events/article_1568_en.htm
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Siemens VDO to acquire Ballard Power Systems' Electric Drive Business
HyWeb, 2007-02-05: Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. has signed an agreement to acquire Ballard Power Systems Inc.'s Electric Drive Business located in Dearborn/USA. Ballard Power Systems Corp., a subsidiary of Ballard Power Systems Inc., develops and manufactures electric drive technology for fuel cell vehicles. With this acquisition Siemens VDO's elevates its hybrid business to a new dimension. The Dearborn location will serve as the organizations' North American Center of Expertise for the advancement of power electronics, motor design and systems for electrical drives for customer hybrid and fuel cell vehicle applications.With sales of over EUR 10 billion in the 2006 business year, Siemens VDO is one of the world’s major suppliers of electronics and mechatronics for the automotive industry.
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European Commission: First call in FP7 for hydrogen and fuel cells basic research / Two EC events announced
HyWeb, 2007-01-10: The European Commission has issued the first calls in the framework of the new 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7) on December 22, 2007. Among other energy-related topics, the COOPERATION theme comprises a call on basic research, new/advanced materials and pre-normative research for hydrogen and fuel cells (call identifier FP7-ENERGY-2007-1-RTD). In detail, these are:
ACTIVITY ENERGY.1: HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELLS
AREA ENERGY.1.1: FUEL CELLS
Topic ENERGY.2007.1.1.1: Basic research for materials and processes for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) - Collaborative Project (small or medium scale focused project)
Topic ENERGY.2007.1.1.2: Basic research on materials and processes for High Temperature Fuel Cells (SOFC & MCFC)- Collaborative Project (small or medium scale focused project)
Topic ENERGY.2007.1.1.3: Innovative concepts for fuel cells (Future and Emerging Technologies topic) - Collaborative Project (small or medium scale focused project)AREA ENERGY.1.2: HYDROGEN SUPPLY
Topic ENERGY.2007.1.2.1: New materials and processes for advanced electrolysers - Collaborative Project (small or medium scale focused project)
Topic ENERGY.2007.1.2.2: New materials and processes for advanced multi-fuel processors - Collaborative Project (small or medium scale focused project)
Topic ENERGY.2007.1.2.3: Advanced Materials for High Temperature thermo-chemical processes - Collaborative Project (small or medium scale focused project)
Topic ENERGY.2007.1.2.4: Novel nanostructured materials for hydrogen storage - Collaborative Project (small or medium scale focused project)AREA ENERGY.1.3: CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND HORIZONTAL ACTIVITIES
Topic ENERGY.2007.1.3.1: Pre-normative research to support EU and international regulatory activities - Collaborative Project (small or medium scale focused project)
Deadline for feedback is 3 May 2007, 17h00 Brussels time.
Initial budget for the 1st FP7 call is EUR 109.3 million. Once the necessary budgetary procedures are completed, an amount of EUR 35 million from the 2008 budget is expected to be added to the call, giving a total budget for this call of EUR 144.3 million.
Link: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.CooperationDetailsCallPage&call_id=4
FP7 Information Days for Energy and Transport are scheduled for 13-14 February 2007 in Brussels, Belgium. Participants will be informed about FP7 and the research areas open in the First Calls for Proposals in the themes Energy and Transport within the Cooperation Programme, and details will be given about the main legal and procedural conditions and to clarify possible questions.
Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/transport/events/infodays_en.html
An Information & Brokerage Day dedicated to Hydrogen and Fuel Cells is organised by the Energy Directorate of the European Commission, Directorate General RTD. It will take place on 1 February 2007 in Prague, Czech Republic. This event will provide information about the first EC call on hydrogen and fuel cells. Participants may network and exchange on future project proposals, especially with potential partners from the new European member states.
Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/gp/gp_events/article_1567_en.htm
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IAHE submitted Centennial Memorandum on Hydrogen Energy to G8 and UN members
HyWeb, 2007-01-10: The International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE) has submitted a "Centennial Memorandum on Hydrogen Energy" to the G8 heads of state and the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) as well as to the Directors of UN subdivision on November 13, 2006. The memorandum is signed by hydrogen proponents from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK and the USA.Download: Centennial Memorandum on Hydrogen Energy [pdf, 350 kB]
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Interesting Websites www.H2Mobility.org
All hydrogen/fuel cell vehicles, trains, ships, aircrafts, ...www.H2Stations.org
All hydrogen filling stations world-widewww.Infotools.HFPeurope.org
Database information tools on hydrogen and fuel cell projects, centres of excellence, introductory information on energy, hydrogen and fuel cellswww.H2Data.de
Fact sheet on hydrogenwww.EnergyShortage.com
Information and facts about fossil energy resources
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