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The news letter of HyWeb and the German Hydrogen Association (DWV) · 3rd Quarter 2001 – 5th Year ã L-B-Systemtechnik GmbH
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Toyota to market hydrogen cars already in 2003 (01-09-18)
DWV, 2001-09-18: Already in 2003 Toyota will deliver the first hydrogen cars to the customer. According to a statement of the company on 3. September this will happen not only in Japan, as was already known, but also in North America and Europe. A serial car, however, is not expected before 2010. The sales will rather be to selected customers in limited numbers near existing hydrogen filling stations. Other manufacturers plan to do this around 2004.
The vehicle will be the FCHV-4 (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle). It has an electric motor with 80 kW. No statement was made about the price, but Japanese press reports stated about 10 M¥ (90 kEuro). The FCHV-4 makes 150 km/h. It has three hydrogen tanks and a range of up to 250 km.
DWV
Fuel cell with carbon nanostructures as electrode material (01-09-18)
DWV, 2001-09-18: Carbon nanotubes may see their first technical application in the field of energy not as hydrogen storage, but as electrode material. NEC Corporation and the Japan Science and Technology Corporation and the Institute of Research and Innovation have developed a fuel cell for mobile terminals using carbon nanotubes as electrodes. They say that the fuel cell characteristic is much improved compared with conventional type, which uses activated carbon. The type of nanostructure used is called "carbon nanohorn". This is an aggregate of a typical size of 100 nm. It has an enormous surface area and is easily permeable to gases and liquids. The effect of this catalyst substrate is based in particular on the fact that the very fine platinum catalyst particles used are dispersed much finer on the surfaces of the carbon nanohorns. The size of the platinum particle is less than half of that supported on the ordinary activated carbon (acetylene black) by the same method. The finer the size the better performance. Just why the catalyst particles are that fine on this substrate is still not clear in the case of the carbon nanohorn. Further improvements of performance by changing the form and other properties of the substrate aggregates appear to be feasible.
DWV
Ford presents new hydrogen ICE car
HyWeb, 01-09-12 : The hydrogen internal combustion engine of the P2000 H2ICE car presented on August 21 by Ford Motor Company is derived from the Zetec 2.0-liter gasoline engine of the Ford's Focus and has an efficiency improved by 25-30 %. Hydrogen is presently stored in an 87 l tank at 3600 psi (248 bar) for an operating range of 62 miles (100 km), but the storage system will be be soon improved to increase the range to 150 miles ( 240 km) or more.
Small amount of CO2 emissions resulting from the engine oil present in the cylinders are by a factor of over 300 less than total CO2 emissions of a gasoline vehicle. HC and CO regulated emissions are one-tenth of SULEV requirements. NOx regulated emissions are one-fourth that of gasoline and with moderate aftertreatment would certify at SULEV levels as well.
``While we still believe fuel cells are the best hope for a zero-emission product to replace the internal combustion engine in the future,'' says John Wallace, Executive Director of Ford's TH!NK Group, ``The P2000 H2ICE offers a great opportunity to improve hydrogen infrastructure with a vehicle that is comparatively easy to produce and seamless in customer operation.''
MA/EZ
Germany's forth hydrogen refueling station to be installed near Munich
HyWeb, 01-09-12 : A new hydrogen refueling station is going to be installed on the industry area Brunnthal-Nord near Munich; that is the forth one in Germany after those at the Munich airport (HyWeb, 99-05-05), in Hamburg and Oberstdorf. The new station will serve the refueling of a small test fleet of fuel cell buses connecting south-east localities and the east railway station of Munich. The technology will be provided by the ET (Energy Technology), a company founded in 1997 by hydrogen experts coming from the space company DASA on the adjacent area for rocket propulsion tests; ET also led the hydrogen project at the Munich airport.
Financial support is available from the district authority for the refueling station and from the state Bavaria for the fuel cell conversion of the buses. Since many years Bavaria has been supporting many hydrogen and fuel cell projects and thus contributing prominently to impulses to these technologies in Germany .
MA/EZ
SOFC of Siemens-Westinghouse to be installed in a new gas-to-liquid plant of BP in Alaska
HyWeb, 01-09-12 : As announced by Siemens and BP on August 17, a prototype solid oxide fuel cell developed by Siemens-Westinghouse will be installed in 2003 at the BP's gas-to-liquids (GTL) demonstration plant being built in Nikiski,Kenai, Alaska. The GTL plant is a testing ground for converting natural gas to synthetic diesel oil.
The fuel cell will be a scaled-up version of a 100 kW model tested by Siemens in Germany, with an electric power of 250 kWe, natural gas as fuel, 2,500 cell tubes each 5-foot-long and the total size of a mobile home. The fuel cell will be connected to the Kenai Peninsula's electrical grid; its technical and economical characteristics will be studied by Chugach and Homer Electric Association.
The about $6.5 million fuel cell's cost will be covered by BP with $4 million and the U.S.Department of Energy with $2 million, the rest being granted by Chugach Electric Association. The Nikiski cell is the first of three large-scale prototypes to be built by Siemens-Westinghouse, the other two going to Canada and Norway.
A/EZ
Toyota presents new fuel cell prototype
HyWeb, 01-09-12: Toyota has presented its fuel cell new sport utility vehicle, the FCHV-4 Highlander. An advancement compared to its predecessor, the FCHV-3, the FCHV-4 has four 25 MPa compressed hydrogen on-board storage tanks allowing for an autonomy of 250 km. According to Toyota the overall efficiency of the vehicle has been increased by a factor of three compared to the conventional gasoline vehicle.
VB/MA
HyWeb, 01-09-12: OMG, one of the world leaders in chemical products for the metal and ceramics industries, has taken over the Degussa subsidiary dmc2 (Degussa Metals Catalysts Cerdec). The company will be called OMG, dmc2 division. dmc2 is specialist in organic and inorganic compounds of the platinum metals group. Main appliucations are catalysts, for example for the automotive industry, for fue cells and for reformers.
VB/MA
GM presents stationary fuel cell system
HyWeb, 01-09-12: General Motors has presented a stationary fuel cell system on the basis of the technology developed for automobiles. As a spin-off from the automotive fuel cell technology, the world's largest car manufacturer has presented a 5.3 kW natural gas powered stationary fuel cell system. The systems is designed as a back-up systems and as a system for decentralized power production in homes, hospitals etc. According to Larry Burns, GM Vice President Research, the system could be sold in larger numbers starting in 2005.
VB/MA
Ballard, Shell Hydrogen and West Coast Energy create "Chrysalix"
HyWeb, 01-09-12: The "Energy Limited Partnership" Chrysalix is intended to become world market leader in supplying capital and partners to small businesses in the area of fuel cells. Chrysalix is based in Vancoucer, Canada.
VB/MA
Hermes Versand tests fuel cell "sprinter"
HyWeb, 01-09-12: Hermes Versand of Hamburg, Germany, a delivery service company belonging to the Otto mail order house, started testing a Mercedes fuel cell delivery van. The vehicle uses compressed gaseous hydrogen as fuel. The electric motor has a power of 55 kW, the van has an autonomy of more than 150 km and a top speed of 120 km/h. The useful space in the van is not reduced by the fuel cell.
VB/MA
HyWeb, 01-09-12: BMW presents its "Mini" also in a hydrogen version with internal combustion engine on the Internation Automobile Show in Frankfurt, Germany. The four cylinder engine reaches the same consumption as the gasoline version. The high efficiency is possible through the direct injection of deep-cold hydrogen into the cylinders. The liquid hydrogen tank is not a cylinder, the form has been adapted to the vehicle. Therefore, there is no intrusion into the interior space of the vehicle.
VB/MA
Solar hydrogen congress of German Green Party postponed
HyWeb, 01-09-12: Because of the events in the USA, the Green Party in the German Parliament has postponed its congress "From Oil to solar Hydrogen -- World Energy Policy for Tomorrow", which was scheduled for the coming week-end.
MA
Novars presents compact 3 kW fuel cell
HyWeb, 01-09-12: Manhattan Scientifics and its German subsidiary NovArs have presented a very small and compact 3 kW fuel cell system for scooters and portable power. The 5.9 kg system is ideally suited for inclusion into scooters and other small vehicles like golf carts etc. The system is presently being tested. No statement were made as to the market introduction or series production.
VB/MA
H Power and Mitsui form H Power Japan
HyWeb, 01-09-12: H Power Corp. announced the formation of H Power Japan in partnership with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Mitsui and Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. Mitsui & Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, is Japan's largest general trading company with operations throughout the world. Both parties will have a 50% ownership in the newly created company, which will be a Japanese corporation headquartered in Tokyo.
MA
Sekisui Chemical develops new PEM membrane
HyWeb, 01-09-12: Sekisui Chemical Co. of Osaka, Japan, has developed a new electrolyte membrane that enables solid polymer fuel cells to operate at higher temperatures. Working with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and Chiba University, Sekisui Chemical developed a membrane that is a composite material made from a mixture of several resin compounds with about 50 per cent added silicon. The material can withstand temperatures of 200-250 C according to a news story of AsiaPulse.
MA
Honda presents improved fuel cell car
HyWeb, 01-09-12: Honda's FCX-V4 is a completely new fuel cell car. This becomes obvious in the performance: top speed 140 km/h with improved acceleration. The autonomy is increased from 180 km to 300 km. The compressed hydrogen tank, with a maximum operating pressure of 35 MPa, is integrated into the vehicle floor. The vehicle has an improved protection against accidents. Honda uses Ballard fuel cell stacks while working on an own fuel cell development in parallel. Honda announced, just as Toyota, to start marketing fuel cell vehicles in 2003.
MA/VB
Global Thermoelectric announces strategic alliance with Suburban Propane
HyWeb, 01-09-12: Global Thermoelectric Inc., Calgary, Canada, a leading developer of solid oxide fuel cell technology, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Suburban Propane L.P. of Whippany, New Jersey, USA, for the development and distribution of SOFC power products in propane markets. The alliance targets so-called early adopters of fuel cell products. Early adopters are those customers who for a variety of reasons, but most often because of remote location, have unstable or expensive electricity supply and are therefore more willing to access new technologies sooner than other customers, according to Gloabl Thermoelectric. Propane distributors are said to be the key to accessing these markets.
MA
DCH develops fuel cell water taxi
HyWeb, 01-09-12: DCH Technology, Inc., Valencia, California, USA, announced that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is funding the implementation and demonstrations of an electric water taxi powered by DCH Enable(TM) fuel cells. The fuel cell has a continuous power of 1 kW with peak power approching 2 kW. A second fuel cell of 12 watt/12 volt powers on-board instrumentation, navigation, and communications equipment. The vessel is also equipped with DCH hydrogen-specific sensors for safety.
MA
GM presents gasoline fuel cell pick-up truck
HyWeb, 01-09-12: General Motors has presented the world's first fuel cell vehicle running on hydrogen produced from gasoline in an on-board reformer. The gasoline reformer and other auxiliary systems take up about half of the cargo space in the Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck. The reformer requires sulfur free gasoline. It is rated at a hydrogen output of 70 kW, potentially supporting a 30-35 kW fuel cell; in the S-10 demonstrator, the fuel cell has a power of 25 kW.
MA
Plettac presents navigation computer with fuel cell
HyWeb, 12.09.01: plettac mobile radio GmbH, Fürth, Germany, has presented the mobile communications and navigation computer Moviline MCT powered by a fuel cell and hydrogen on the transport logistic 2001 fair in Munich, Germany. Primary applications are to localize mobile objects with long maintenance cycles like e.g. cargo rail trucks and containers. With a 15 minute per day operation, one hydrogen filling enables an operation of 6 years.
MA
"Those who still claim that global warming is not caused by the greenhouse effect through human activities are a bit like people still believing that the earth is flat."
Dr. Gerhard Berz, Head of the research group geo-sciences at Munich Re, Wirtschaftswoche, July 12, 2001
Kongress of German Green Party: "From Oil to solar Hydrogen"
HyWeb, 01-07-27: The Green Party in the German Parliament organizes the Hydrogen Kongress 2001 under the heading "From Oil to solar Hydrogen -- World Energy Policy for Tomorrow" in Berlin on September 14/15.
During the event, possible applications, climatic, political and economic advantages, costs and introduction strategies of a solar hydrogen economy will be discussed between politics, industry and environmental organizations.
On Friday evening, the German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer, Director of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) will discuss the question of "Energies for tomorrow -- the world in transition".
Further information and enrollment: http://www.gruene-fraktion.de/aktuell/termine/index-wasserstoff.htm (in German language)
Enrollment by fax or e-mail:
Bündnis 90/ Die Grünen Bundestagsfraktion
Büro Michaele Hustedt, Büro Albert Schmidt
Platz der Republik 1
11011 Berlin
T. 030-227 51276
F. 030-227 56900
eMail: wasserstoffkongress@gruene-fraktion.deMA
Hydrogen bus at the Baltic Sea coast
DWV, 2001-07-26: A hydrogen bus will circulate by the end of next year in the small city of Barth at the coast of the Baltic Sea. A local transport utility (Wolters Ostseebus GmbH) converts a Neoplan vehicle now running on batteries to the new technology. The background is that the sewage plant of the city will expand its capacity. Beginning with 2002 it will satisfy its oxygen demand by means of electrolysis. Running the bus is an economical means to use the hydrogen which is generated automatically. The idea is based on a thesis which was made at the FH Stralsund. Located near a National Park, the city looks forward to jobs and tourists. Mayor Loettge is very proud that Barth on Barthe (inhabitance 11.000) can now compete with places like Berlin, London, or Barcelona in this respect. The project has a volume of 2,65 MEuro of which 90 % are covered from funds of the state of Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania of the Federal Republic.
DWV
Vandenborre Technologies and IMW develop hydrogen filling technology
HyWeb, 01-07-26: Vandenborre Technologies N.V., Belgium, and IMW Industries Ltd, Canada, have reached an agreement to develop hydrogen fuelling systems for the growing number of fuel cell and internal combustion engine vehicles on the world market.
IMW is a leading supplier of compressed natural gas refuelling systems with an installed base that reaches the Americas and Asia.
The companies anticipate that the integration of their respective technologies and know-how will be completed rapidly and that they will then determine the optimal manufacturing and marketing strategy for the resulting line of products and services.
Earlier this year, VDBT concluded a similar arrangement with Ballast/Nedam Petrol Stations, a leading European supplier of CNG fuelling systems.
MA
Teledyne acquires assets of Energy Partners
HyWeb, 01-07-26: According to a Teledyne press release of July 19, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has combined its Energy Systems business unit (HyWeb, 01-01-31) with assets of Florida-based Energy Partners, Inc., to create majority-owned Teledyne Energy Systems, Inc. The new company will continue focusing on Teledyne's profitable core business of supplying hydrogen gas generators and thermoelectric power systems, while expanding Energy Partners' commercialization of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks, test stands and systems. Energy Partners' intellectual property portfolio includes proprietary technologies related to the fabrication of composite graphite fuel cell collector plates and self-humidifying fuel cells.
MA
H Power opens new manufacturing and testing facility
HyWeb, 01-07-26: On July 20, H Power Corp. has opened its new fuel cell manufacturing and testing facility in Monroe, North Carolina, USA. The Company intends to use the custom-built 90,000 square foot facility to manufacture stationary, portable and mobile fuel cell products. H Power has existing facilities located in Belleville, NJ and Montreal, Canada.
MA
Dynetek establishes production plant in Germany
HyWeb, 01-07-26: Dynetek Industries, Inc. of Calgary, Canada, incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Dynetek Europe GmbH. Dynetek, a leading developer of composite-materials compressed gaseous storage tanks for vehicles is establishing a production plant in Ratingen, Northrhine-Westfalia, Germany. The plant is expected to be fully operational in the latter part of fiscal year 2001. The plant is currently being certified to ISO 9002.
This operation will support marketing, sales and manufacturing of Dynetek's hydrogen and natural gas storage tanks in Europe and the Middle East.
MA
Honda and BMW open hydrogen filling stations in LA
HyWeb, 01-07-26: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has opened the first Los Angeles-area hydrogen filling station at its research and development center in Torrance on July 10.
The hydrogen is being produced from solar electricity and is compressed befored being filled into the cars. The photovoltaic capacity is enough for the regular operation of one fuel cell vehicle. The station also has back-up electrical power to increase the hydrogen production capacity.
"The development of a hydrogen fuel infrastructure is as important as the development of the vehicles themselves,'' said Ben Knight, Honda R&D Americas, Inc. vice president.
In the framework of the CleanEnergy WorldTour 2001 (HyWeb, 01-03-16), BMW has opened a liquid hydrogen filling station in the BMW Engineering and Emissions Control Test Center in the Californian town of Oxnard, located outside of Los Angeles, on July 13.
Los Angeles is the last stop of the Tour after Dubai, Brussels, Milano and Tokyo, during which BMW presented its test fleet of 15 hydrogen powered cars.
LBST
FuelCell Energy cooperates with Marubeni and Capstone
HyWeb, 01-07-26: FuelCell Energy, Inc., announced on June 18 a strategic alliance with Marubeni Corporation for distributed power generation with its Direct FuelCell (DMFC) and for necessary infrastructure in Japan and Asia. After the purchase of $10 million FuelCell Energy shares and an initial order of a total power capacity of 3 MW (in addition to the 1.25 MW currently underway), Marubeni will order at least 45 MW fuel cells over the next two years. The two companies will jointly develop the balance of plant and are expected to form a joint venture to assemble DFC modules in Asia from components produced by FuelCell Energy at its manufacturing facility in Torrington, Connecticut.
Furthermore, FuelCell Energy has been working with Capstone Turbine Corp. (based in Chatsworth, California) on a $3.1 million U.S. Department of Energy-funded project for more than a year to develop a fuel cell/ microturbine power system. A prototype with 75% efficiency (to compare with 60 % of today's most capable generators) is expected to be ready this summer and commercial sales may come in three to five years. FuelCell Energy expects to produce electricity at a cost of 7 to 8.5 cents/kWh in 2002, based on a natural-gas price of $4/ MBtu (about 3,8 $/GJ), to compare with the current electricity cost of about 6 to 8 cents/kWh in the US excluding California.
Whether the collaboration of the two companies will continue in the future is uncertain. FuelCell focuses on plants of as much as 40 MW, Capstone on 30-60- kW turbines.
MA/EZ
Additional investments of GE and DTE in Plug Power after LIPA announcement
HyWeb, 01-07-26: On June 26 the New York's Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) made known that it was the U.S. public utility unnamed by Plug Power in announcing the $7 million contract on May 24 (HyWeb, 01-06-12). The 75 fuel cell systems will be connected to its electric grid at its West Babylon substation this summer.
The LIPA's announcement determined a bounce of investments in Plug Power. Affiliates of General Electric Co. and DTE Energy Co. envisage to invest another $10 million in Plug Power in the frame of extensions to current distribution agreements. These agreement changes, not yet definitively negotiated, include distribution rights extended to fuel cell generators of Plug Power of any power output for use in any stationary application. GE Fuel Cell Systems has exclusive distribution rights outside the four-state territory (Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana ) served by DTE Energy.
At the April's shareholder meeting, Plug Power said it will start commercialization of 5 kW PEM fuel cell systems in the second half of 2001, not in early 2002 as previously asserted. It will deliver 125 to 150 commercial units this year and 300 to 600 units in 2002. The company will also produce fuel cell systems with larger capacities (25 to 100 kW) designed for reliability-focused commercial markets. A 50-kW fuel cell will be demonstrated beginning in July at a hydrogen refueling station for buses in Las Vegas, Nevada, supplying electricity for the station's needs.
MA/EZ
Greenvolt Power to deliver a 200kW Fuel Cell Power Plant in July
HyWeb, 01-07-26: Greenvolt Power Corp. announced on June 21 in Orillia, Ontario, the delivery of a 200kW Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell Power Plant (GVLT/PAFC-200), in July 2001 to one of three parties, who have expressed interest.
The 30-ton unit, fuelled by natural gas, can supply electricity and heat on a 50/50 basis with an overall efficiency of approximately 80% to about 20 homes, 3,000 sq. ft. (about 280 sq.m) each, at ambient temperatures of -20 to 110 degrees Farenheit ( about -17 to 43 oC) at up to 500 ft. (150 m) above sea level. The GVLT/PAFC-200 is fully automated, self-contained, and housed for outdoor installation. It runs for approximately 30,000 continuous hours (about 7 to 10 years) before a stack replacement. Compared to average fossil fuel power plants, emissions are reduced by a factor 550 and carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2.5.
Greenvolt Power's focus is on commercialization of modular Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC) systems and products; however, the company envisages exploring other alternative systems including solid polymer fuel cells and magnesium air water fuel cells.
MA/EZ
New Fuel Cell Center for Ulm announced
DWV, 2001-07-26: Walter Doering, minister for economy of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg (SW Germany), announced that the state will invest 3.25 MEuro for a fuel cell center located in the city of Ulm. It will operate jointly with the ZSW (Center for Solar and Hydrogen Energy Baden-Wuerttemberg). The state government has not yet finally decided, but the minister said that this were just a matter of some time. Another amount of 1.5 MEuro will be provided from federal funds. The new center will be a demonstration project for small and medium enterprises and is hoped to trigger the creation of new companies and jobs in this field.
DWV
Viessmann develops fuel cell systems
DWV, 2001-07-26: Another important manufacturer of heating systems enters the fuel cell field, namely the German company Viessmann (more than 6000 employees, more than 1 GEuro annual turnover). The company will develop a system together with Sachsenring Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH. Further Partners are: SGL Carbon (fuel cell components), Siemens Landis & Staefa Division (control engineering), ZSW Ulm and Fraunhofer ISE (R&D accompanyment). So far Vaillant and Buderus are active in this field in Germany; both cooperate with US companies as far as the stacks are concerned. The task for the months to come will be do develop a smaller device with about 2 kW for normal homes.
DWV
Competence Network Fuel Cell celebrates its 1st birthday
DWV, 2001-07-26: One year ago the "Competence Network Fuel Cell" was created in the framework of the initiative for future energies of the state of North Rhine-Westfalia (Germany). The jubilee was celebrated on 16. July at Herne in the presence of the state ministers for economy, Ernst Schwanhold, and science and research, Gabriele Behler. Schwanhold said that the state is to become a leader in fuel cell technology. The state government has until now funded 17 projects with 15 MEuro, triggering investments of 40 MEuro. The activities will be extended with the objective to make the state a producer of fuel cell stacks. The connection with important research activities will support this. Minister Behler called the funding of fuel cell research a key field of energy research.
DWV
"The fuels to be deployed first are likely to be methanol and/or compressed hydrogen for fleets, and reformed gasoline in the near term, altough reforming gasoline is not easy and this option is moving rapidly to pure hydrogen-fueled vehicles"
Kan Ogata, WE-NET Center, Hydrogen & Fuel Cell letter, July 2001
EU aims at 22% renewable electricity by 2010
HyWeb, 01-07-13: On July 4, the European Parliament approved a law that aims to double the share of renewable power in European Union's energy mix by 2010, forming a cornerstone of the EU's climate change policy. The directive aims to double the proportion of the EU's total energy consumption that comes from renewables to 12% by 2010 and increase the proportion of renewables in electricity production to 22.1% from around 14% now. "The promotion of renewable energies is an absolute priority for the European Commission - the Kyoto targets for fighting greenhouse gas emissions cannot be attained without a rebalancing in their favour," EU Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio said in a statement. The law still has to be approved by EU governments, but this is considered a formality as they had already agreed in principle. Although it only sets indicative targets for each of the 15 EU countries to increase their share of renewables, the law allows the European Commission to propose more mandatory legislation if it judges countries are not making sufficient progress. It also protects systems in place in some countries to support renewables, such as the German "feed-in" system that makes electricity distributors buy output from renewable power generators at a fixed price.
MA
Ethanol fuel cell system by Caterpillar
HyWeb, 01-07-13: Caterpillar and Williams Bio-Energy, both of Illinois, USA, have teamed up for the development of a stationary ethanol fuel cell system. The project is financed by the Department of Energy (US-$800,000), the state of Illinois ($550,000), Nuvera Fuel Cells ($670,000), Caterpillar ($390,000) and Williams ($100,000). "We're very excited about the project. It's clean power and it's renewable," said Caterpillar spokesman Carl Volz. "We're a leader in the distribution of power generation and fuel cells fit very well with that." Caterpillar is North America's leading truck engine manufacturer, and the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. "Ethanol is renewable, domestically produced, easy to reform into hydrogen and can utilize the existing fuel distribution network. No other potential fuel source can claim that," said Bob Dinneen, vicepresident of Washington-based Renewable Fuels Association.
MA
Scandinavian Wind-Hydrogen hybrid power plant
DWV, 01-07-13: Norway's state utility Statkraft, Swedish utility Sydkraft and Swiss-Swedish industrial group ABB have teamed up to build an emission-free plant for production and distribution of hydrogen by 2002, according to a press release of 27. June 2001. The demonstration plant, which will be situated in Norway at a not yet determined site, is to be powered by wind turbines, Statkraft said in a statement. "It is only a matter of time before hydrogen as an energy source will be a competitive alternative to fossil fuels and batteries," Statkraft's technology director Jon Brandsar said in the statement. Brandsar said the hydrogen plant is part of a large-scale project aimed to develop the expertise and technology needed to make hydrogen a commercially viable power source.
DWV
DWV, 01-07-13: Californian Quantum Technologies WorldWide has demonstrated an all-composite hydrogen gas pressure storage tank with a nominal operating pressure of almost 700 bar (10.000 psi in internationally not recognized units). It fits 80 % more gas than under half of the pressure; tanks for 350 bar are meanwhile state of the art. It is expected that the increased storage capacity will give a boost to the development of fuel cell cars. One of their disadvantages at this time is that a hydrogen tank fits less energy per unit volume than a hydrocarbon tank, which makes more frequent refilling necessary. The new tank underwent a hydrostatic burst test at which it failed under 1620 bar (23.500 psi). This test was already done along the lines given in the regulations drafts by the European Integrated Hydrogen Project (EIHP). The tank has an in-tank regulator which provides a gas supply under not more than 10 bar (150 psi).
DWV
German government supports fuel cell based cogeneration units
DWV, 01-07-13: On 4. July the German federal government has decided about the basic elements of a new Cogeneration Act. It is foreseen that fuel cell based cogeneration units with an output of less than 2 MW will be supported with 0.05 Euro/kWh for electrical power fed into the public grid. Other small units are supported with half of this amount. The funds will be provided by a general rise of the power price. The aim is to have the draft approved by the two chambers of the federal parliament early enough to give it legal power with the beginning of next year. Numerous countries support research and development in the fields of hydrogen and fuel cells, and the USA subsidize also the investment costs. A comparable support for operation, however, is unparalleled as far as we know. It will certainly facilitate the entry of the fuel cell in the stationary energy market as long as the costs are still above those for competing technologies due to the development efforts. The German Hydrogen Association (DWV) is very pleased about the development and urged politicians in a press release to care for suitable boundary conditions in the mobile domain as well. The new law is part of the efforts of the federal government to decrease Germany's CO2 emissions. Promotion of cogeneration should provide at least 20 Mt until 2010 and 25 Mt by other means. The forecasts for the cogeneration part are mainly based on an agreement with the power industry. The federal association for cogeneration issued a press statement expressing severe doubts about the effectivity of this procedure.
DWV
