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letter of L-B-Systemtechnik GmbH (LBST) and the German Hydrogen Association
(DWV) · 3rd Quarter 2004 – 8th Year
ã L-B-Systemtechnik GmbH
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Interesting Projects HyNet - the European Thematic Network on Hydrogen European Integrated Hydrogen Project - EIHP
www.fuelcellpark.com
Introductory information on energy, hydrogen and fuel cells (website of the Bewag Fuel Cell Innovation Park, implemented by HyWeb)www.h2guide.de
Guide of German hydrogen projects by the German Hydrogen Association (in German language)Fuel cell drive project for municipal commercial vehicles – Bavarian fuel cell bus project
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Impressum
Editor Matthias Altmann, L-B-Systemtechnik GmbH (LBST), webmaster@HyWeb.de Articles AFH - Association Française de l'Hydrogène
DWV - German Hydrogen Association (DWV)
MA - Matthias Altmann, LBST
JS - Jörg Schindler, LBST
RW - Reinhold Wurster, LBST
VB - Volker Blandow, LBST
WW - Werner Weindorf, LBST
WZ - Werner Zittel, LBST
UB - Ulrich Bünger, LBSTAddress see HyWeb Impressum
other News Letters The Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Letter Clean Fuels and Electric Vehicles Report
Monthly Technology Updates by Fuel Cells 2000
Staff buys out L-B-Systemtechnik
HyWeb, 04-09-30: The staff of L-B-Systemtechnik (LBST) of Ottobrunn/Munich, Germany, internationally renowned strategy and technology consultants for sustainable energy and transport systems, has bought out the company from the inheritors of Dr. Ludwig Bölkow.Dr. Ludwig Bölkow, founder and long time managing director of the largest German aerospace company MBB, now EADS, established LBST in 1982 with the goal of developing ideas and roadmaps for global sustainable energy systems based on hydrogen as energy carrier and storage medium. During the 1990ies, LBST has devel-oped from a non-profit think tank to a commercial consultant. After Mr. Bölkow’s death at the age of 91 on July 25th, 2003, the financial and strategic future of LBST remained unclear. Effective August 2004, the ownership of LBST has been trans-ferred to the staff.
“LBST is now in a good position to take strategic decisions adapting to the needs of the dynamically growing market of hydrogen and fuel cells world-wide. We thank all our customers for their trust in LBST, and we are determined to serve them even better now,” said Jörg Schindler, managing director and partner of LBST.
MA
Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Information Day and Brokerage Event attracts more than 380 industry and research experts from all over Europe
HyWeb, 04-09-30: On Monday, September 20, 2004, the European Commission and the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform (HFP) organized an information day and brokerage event on hydrogen and fuel cells in Brussels. The objectives were to provide information and support stakeholders to develop project proposals in this area to be submitted until December 8, 2004, in the framework of the four open calls funded under the Sixth Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration activities. Fifty-eight projects potential proposals were presented in four parallel sessions, on topics ranging from high and low temperature fuel cells, to hydrogen production, storage and demonstration projects. More than 380 participants came together from 27 countries for this information and brokerage day in Brussels, which was qualified by many as “a key event to facilitate information sharing and identification of potential research and industry partners in the Community”.The presentations given by European Commission representatives during the information session, and all presentations of project outlines given by stakeholders in the brokerage session are now available on the website of the HFP at: www.HFPeurope.org. A summary of the conclusions of the parallel sessions has also been posted on the site.
A second information day was organized by the EC, Directorate Transport&Energy (DG TREN), on September 22, 2004, specifically on the call FP6-2004-TREN-3. The presentations given there are available here.
MA
"If we want to maintain our present level of mobility, the long-term transition to hydrogen as a source of energy is an absolute necessity. This transition requires time – and that only makes it more important to start now. Our progress in the development of hydrogen engines makes us confident that the road to the market is a short one."
Klaus Scheuerer, Representative of the BMW AG Board for Traffic and Environment, World Nuclear Association Annual Symposium, London, 8-10 September 2004
Studies
"Life Cycle Analysis results of fuel cell ships - Recommendations for improving cost effectiveness and reducing environmental impacts"
[pdf, 640 kB]
L-B-Systemtechnik GmbH, MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
July 2004Articles/Presentations
Overview of Trials and Demonstrations of Hydrogen in Transportation in Europe [pdf, 3.6 MB]
R. Wurster, L-B-Systemtechnik, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Futures – the transition to sustainable transport energy
12 –15 September 2004, Perth, Western AustraliaInternational Policies and Strategies for Sustainable Transport Energy with a Focus on Europe and on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells [pdf, 2.6 MB]
R. Wurster, L-B-Systemtechnik, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Futures – the transition to sustainable transport energy
12 –15 September 2004, Perth, Western AustraliaStudies, Presentations and Articles in the "Knowledge" section under "Articles / Abstracts".
First fuel cell vehicle hits the road on the southern hemisphere
HyWeb, 04-09-27: Along with the unveiling of the three Citaro fuel cell buses, the first fuel cell vehicle in the southern hemisphere hit the road mid September in Perth, Australia. It is a DaimlerChrysler (DC) F-Cell. The F-Cell is based on the long-wheelbase version of the A-Class model made by DC’s brand Mercedes-Benz. DC planned to deliver 60 units to fleet trials all over the world. One F-Cell went to Tokyo Gas in December 2003 and another one to Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corp. in April 2004. US logistic company UPS is operating one F-Cell for inner-city delivery since February 2004. In July 2004, the first of six fuel-cell vehicles hit the road in Singapore operated by companies and governmental departments. In the framework of the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) in Berlin, Germany, five out of eventually ten F-Cell vehicles complement the fleets of the German Chancelor Office, Telekom and Bewag/Vattenfall Europe since July 18, 2004. On August 13, 2004, the first F-Cell arrived at the Californian South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).DaimlerChrysler Southeast Asia opened a maintenance facility centre for the F-Cells in Singapore. Ditto did DaimlerChrysler in Berlin.
In the "F-Cell", the entire fuel cell system is accommodated in the sandwich floor of the long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Its compressed hydrogen (350 bar) tanks supply directly to the fuel cell system, giving the "F-Cell" a cruising range of about 150 kilometers. Hydrogen consumption is equivalent to 4.2 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers. The electric motor has an output of 65 kW and a torque of 210 Nm. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in about 16 seconds and has a top speed of around 140 km/h. In operation, the F-Cell is completely emission-free and extremely quiet. It took about 10 seconds on a cool Perth spring day for the first start-up. Subsequently, start-up was achieved in five seconds.
All F-Cells are offered on a leasing basis for 5,000 Euros a month to governments, corporations and universities.
All in all, DaimlerChrysler aims to have 100 fuel cell powered vehicles (buses and passenger cars) running by the end of 2004 worldwide.
PS
Citaro fuel cell bus launch in Perth, Western Australia
HyWeb, 04-09-27 (revised 04-11-03): At the opening ceremony on September 12, 2004, Western Australian Premier Geoff Gallop said that the WA State Government invests about AUS-$8 million in the project (Euro 4.57 million) and the Australian Federal Government contributes AUS-$2.5 million (Euro 1.43 million) to the trial, which besides the two governments also involves DaimlerChrysler and BP Australia.
Photo: LBST
The buses were bought at a cost of Euro 1.25 million each and are expected to use at least 18 kg of hydrogen every 100 km at a cost of AUS-$21 per kg (Euro 12 per kg H2).
The three buses will be demonstrated on various Perth City routes, including the central business district (CAT - Central Area Transit) routes and the city circle route. The performance of the buses will be assessed by experts at Murdoch University.
The hydrogen for the Perth bus trial is produced as by-product in the BP Oil Refinery at Kwinana, piped through a newly built pipeline to the BOC purification plant close by and shipped with 16.5 MPa tube trailer at 99.999% purity some 30 km to the Malaga bus depot in Perth. The hydrogen is supplied with booster compressor from an onsite storage pressure level of 30 MPa to the buses with an onboard storage pressure level of 35 MPa. The expected operating range of the buses with one filling is about 200 km, however, depending on the round-trip profile. For the circle line in Perth, an operating range much greater than 200 km is expected.
Photo: LBST
The Perth buses will complement the 30 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses equipped with Ballard fuel cell engines on the roads of 10 cities worldwide: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Porto, Reykjavik, Stockholm and Stuttgart. In 2005, the City of Beijing will begin demonstrating three Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses, powered by Ballard fuel cell engines, bringing the number of Citaro buses to be demonstrated and driven on regular routes in daily service to 36 buses in 11 countries.
According to Australian Environment Minister Ian Campbell, powering all Australia's buses by hydrogen could cut greenhouse gas emissions from road transport by 2.7 percent a year.
RW
Inauguration of Utsira hybrid hydrogen system
HyWeb, 04-09-27: Since July 2004, the Norwegian island of Utsira is part of a demonstration project with a stand-alone wind hydrogen hybrid power system to provide power for ten households. The system comprises two Enercon windconverters with 600 kW each, a NorskHydro electrolyzer with 48 kW (resp. 10 Nm³/h) and an Enercon flywheel with nominal 5 kW. Electricity produced by the two windconverters is directly fed into the demonstration grid.
Excess energy is used to produce hydrogen via electrolysis. Additional excess energy is then fed into the grid of Utsira island. Hydrogen is stored in a pressure vessel at 20 MPa (200 bar). The overall hydrogen storage volume is 2,400 Nm³. In case power demand from the ten participating households exceeds the supply from the windconverters, hydrogen is re-electrified via a 10 kWe fuel cell and/or a 55 kWe hydrogen powered generator-set. The flywheel is destined for stabilizing the weak electricity grid. With a number of just 10 households connected to the demonstration grid, a single switch action of e.g. a hair-dryer would cause grid disturbances.
Project target is to demonstrate the interoperability of the latest power technologies under the stringent conditions of a stand-alone grid in daily life. Project partners are the Norwegian company NorskHydro and German Enercon, supplemented by Norwegian public funding.
Utsira is best suited for this kind of demonstration. The wind is blowing almost constantly over the year except some three or four days a year. Of the 240 inhabitants who live on an area of 6.15 km², ten households were selected to participate in the project. Their maximum power demand over one year is 40 kW. The maximum power demand of the overall island is some 900 kW with an annual energy consumption of 2.5 GWh in total. Utsira is connected to the Norwegian mainland via a 22 kV/5 MW sea-cable with 17.5 km in length. Thus, power supply is guaranteed in case of failures in the demonstration system.
The Utsira project will continue for at least two to three years.
Japan's Yakushima island also pursues the vision of an emission-free zone. These days, the first hydrogen filling station was opened to allow for the test driving of hydrogen powered vehicles.
PS
Italy: Hydrogen power stations eligible for green certificates
HyWeb, 04-09-27: The new Italian Energy Law ("Legge Marzano") was publicized on September 13, 2004 with an important reference on hydrogen in no. 71, reports H2IT: "Electric energy produced by means of hydrogen and energy produced in stationary plants by means of hydrogen, to be precise fuel cells and energy produced by cogeneration plants used for district heating limited to the thermal energy used specifically for district heating have a right to emissions of Green Certificates described in Article 11 of the decree as per March 16, 1999, no. 79, and successive modifications." The original text of the law can be found here (in Italian language).PS
Honda presents prototype of fuel cell scooter
HyWeb, 04-09-27: The biggest producer of motorbikes worldwide, Tokyo based Honda Motor Co., has unveiled their first prototype of a fuel cell powered scooter in the 125 cm³ class. This class is highly preferred with commuters in Asia. Thus, Honda succeeded in scaling-down their fuel cell know how from the passenger vehicle branch. Hydrogen and fuel cell technology in this sector has the potential to reduce local urban emissions down to virtually zero which would be a great prospect in metropolitan areas. Main competitors in the motorbike business are Suzuki Motor Corp. and Yamaha Motor Co.At the same time, Honda also unveiled a scooter powered by a hybrid drive train. This development is based on the conventional Dio Z4 platform. An electric motor is complemented by a conventional 50 cm³ internal combustion engine. According to Honda announcements, CO2 emissions can thus be reduced by 37% compared to the conventional Dio series. Efficiency is raised by a factor of 1.6. Honda successfully transferred their competence in hybrid vehicle technology to the motorbike business branch where none of its competitors possesses similar know how (Toyota leader in the field of hybrid vehicle technology is not active in the motorbike business).
Honda declines to give a statement regarding time frame and price regarding the market introduction of both scooter technologies.
In fiscal year 2003, Honda sold 9.2 million units of conventional motorcycles and scooters. That is almost 14% more compared to the preceding fiscal year. Honda predicts an ever increasing demand from Europe and China.
The US American manufacturer Vectrix aims to bring to the market a fuel cell scooter by the year 2006. The propulsion system comprises a 800 W fuel cell and a battery. It is assumed, that the overall driving performance will be equivalent to conventional state-of-the-art scooters. According to Vectrix, the maximum speed is 100 km/h.
The Italian manufacturer Aprilia presented a fuel cell scooter already at the beginning of 2002 (HyWeb, 02-05-02).
Prototype Honda fuel cell scooter (Photo: Honda Motor Co.)PS
US-DoE stops on-board fuel processor R&D for fuel cell vehicles
HyWeb, 04-08-18: Over the past ten years, the US Department of Energy has funded R&D for on-board fuel processing as one option to bridge the transition to a hydrogen economy. A go/no-go decision was set for June 2004 to decide whether to continue research for on-board fuel processing.DoE conducted a review of on-board fuel processing activities and concluded that, based on the current state of the technology, it is unlikely that on-board fuel processing will improve sufficiently to support the transition to a hydrogen economy. The decision is based on several key conclusions:
- Current fuel processing technologies do not meet the technical and economic targets.
- There is no clear path forward to meet the more difficult criteria necessary for full implementation/ integration in fuel cell vehicles.
- There is no interest from the U.S. Auto industry.
- Competing technologies are available today, and only marginal improvement is expected in efficiency and emissions between a gasoline, hybrid-electric vehicle and a fuel cell vehicle operating on gasoline that is reformed on-board the vehicle.
A detailed explanation of the decision and the process by which the decision was made are included in the DoE Decision Team Committee Report, On-board Fuel Processing Go/No-Go Decision available here (275 kB, pdf).
MA
Renault gets 10% stake in Nuvera for collaboration on gasoline reforming for fuel cell vehicles
HyWeb, 04-08-18: On May 19, Renault and Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., signed an agreement to strengthen their partnership and continue their collaborative efforts in fuel cell research and development. The deal gives Renault a 10% equity stake in Nuvera by contributing to Nuvera’s capital increase, sets out the terms of a new research contract, and licenses Renault to use technology developed by Nuvera.Renault and Nuvera agreed to terms on a new four-year R&D contract whereby Nuvera grants Renault a license to use its technology for automobiles and light-duty vehicles. This contract extends a prior deal signed in 2002 for developing a hydrocarbon reformer adapted for automobile use. The on-board reformer converts gasoline to hydrogen, which is used to power the fuel cell that drives the vehicle. The initial contract is due to terminate later this year when Nuvera supplies Renault with a prototype of the unit.
“The agreement will enable us to play an active role in the development of fuel cells powered by reformed hydrogen,” said Pierre-Alain de Smedt, Renault’s Executive Vice President for Industry and Technology.
MA
Studies
"Potential of hydrogen as a fuel for transport in the long term (2020 to 2030)"
Study carried out by L-B-Systemtechnik on behalf of the EC-Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological, Seville, Spain
March 2004Articles/Presentations
"FCSHIP: Environmental Impacts and Costs of Hydrogen, Natural Gas and Conventional Fuels for Fuel Cell Ships", 15th World Hydrogen Energy Conference, Yokohama / Japan, June 27 – July 2, 2004,
M. Altmann, W. Weindorf, R. Wurster [LBST], Dr. Helle Brit Mostad [Norsk Hydro], Martin Weinberger, Dr. Gerhard Filip [MTU Friedrichshafen]
Manuscript (150 kB)
Transparencies (420 kB)
"AcceptH2: Public Acceptance and Economic Preferences Related to Hydrogen Transport Technologies in Five Countries", at the 15th World Hydrogen Energy Conference, Yokohama, Japan, June 27 - July 2, 2004
Matthias Altmann, Patrick Schmidt, Reinhold Wurster [LBST], Tanya O’Garra, Dr. Susana Mourato [Imperial College London], Lisa Garrity [Murdoch University], Simon Whitehouse [Gov. Western Australia], Dr. Cornelia Graesel, Anne Beerenwinkel [Universität des Saarlandes]
Manuscript (55 kB)
Transparencies (540 kB)"Well-to-Wheel Analysis of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Advanced Fuel/Vehicle Systems - A European Study - Results" [pdf, 275 kB], June 28, 2004 at the 15th World Hydrtogen Energy Conference, Yokohama, Japan
Raj Choudhury, Trudy Weber [General Motors], Jörg Schindler, Werner Weindorf, Reinhold Wurster [LBST]"Towards a European Hydrogen Roadmap" [pdf, 2 MB]
at the Conference Hydrogen in Europe - Towards a consistent Policy Framework for Sustainable Energy and Mobility, Bruges, Belgium, June23/24, 2004
Matthias Altmann, L-B-Systemtechnik GmbHPresentations and Articles in the "Knowledge" section under "Articles / Abstracts".
DaimlerChrysler and Ford to buy Ballard Power Systems AG
HyWeb, 04-07-23: In a joint venture between Ford and DaimlerChrysler the german Ballard Power Systems AG is aquired by the two automotive companies. Up to now the canadian Ballard Power Systems Inc., Vancouver, held 50,1% of the shares Of the Ballard Power Systems AG. In the course of a exchange of shares the Ballard Power Systems AG is now wholly owned by the two car companies who share the company by 50%.Ballard Vancouver will concentrate on the development of fuel cell stacks and components for the electric propulsion systems. The system integration and finally the implementation of the system into the vehicle is now in charge of the automotive companies themselves. In view of a targeted serial production a logical step as the core competence of a future fuel cell car will be widely determined by the implementation of the system. This may be seen in the lines of todays relationship between the combustion engine and the car company, It is a matter of identity.
A further part of the deal was the financial guarantee for the development of the two next generations of fuel cell stacks. DC and Ford comitted themselves to buy shares of Ballard Power Sytems Inc. worth 30 Million Euro. By now this part of the deal is a memorandum of understanding.
vb
Information and Brokerage Seminar in Brussels
HyWeb, 04-07-23: On behalf of the European Commission the secretariate of the "European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform" (HFP) invites to an information and brokerage seminar in Brussels on September 23rd and 24th.The aims of the event are:
- To inform on the content of the different joint and coordinated calls and work programmes on hydrogen and fuel cells, clarify possible doubts on scope, structure, content, evaluation criteria and process relevant to the different instruments available.
- To invite potential proposers to present openly the objectives, scope and possible structure of consortia anticipated for those actions.
- To better involve new potential participants in the preparation of proposals, facilitate contacts between the planned initiatives to indicate possible overlaps, synergies and combination of initiatives, etc.
All calls will be closed on December 8th , the registration for the seminar ends on August 27th the number of participants will be limited to 400.
Further details for the registration: www.HFPeurope.org
Further details on the existing calls for proposals: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/calls.cfm
Info event about the Shanghai Industrial Fair 2004
HyWeb, 04-07-23: At the Shanghai Industrial Fair, SIF 2004, from November 4th to 9th 2004 a joint exhibit for "Renewable Energies including Hydrogen and Fuel Cells" in cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Sience and Technology, MOST, will take place for the first time.To inform all interested parties about opportunities to participate Arno A. Evers FAIR-PR invites to a information day in the “Le Meridien” Hotel Munich on August 18th. Please vistit the Fair-PR website for further details.
The joint exhibit in Shanghai is mainly addressed to small and medium enterprises to get an easy first step into the chinese market. In this context the partnership with MOST provides a noticeable additional value.
Further details at: http://www.fair-pr.com/china2004/index.php
"Fuel Cell Box" scholar contest
HyWeb, 04-07-23: "And the winners are ..." the decision about the winners of the scholar fuel cell contest of North Rhine Westfalia have been made. The minister of science Hannelore Kraft presented five scholar teams as the final winners out of 500 applications.The contest was carried out under the state's initiative for future energies in cooperation with h-tec in Luebeck and Fuel Cell Europe. It was the task to develop a power supply for a mobile phone with the help of a construction set provided by h-tec.
The contest was under the patronage of minister Kraft. While calling the winner she stated: "Who wants to be fit for future must have a paramount knowledge, think innovative and act creative. That was exactly what the students in the contest did and I'm pleased to see how they enjoyed their participation and how brilliant they finally dealed with the fuel cell technology."
Further details and all the winners can be found at the Fuel Cell Box website: www.fuelcellbox.de
