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letter of Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH (LBST) and the German Hydrogen Association
(DWV) · 3rd Quarter 2006
· 10th Year
ã Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH
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Position paper of European energy and automotive companies on "Next Steps for the Development of a Hydrogen Infrastructure for Road Transport in Europe"
HyWeb, 2006-09-29: Energy companies Shell Hydrogen B.V. and Total France as well as automotive companies BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Europe AG, MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG and Volkswagen AG have issued today a common position paper on "Next Steps for the Development of a Hydrogen Infrastructure for Road Transport in Europe".
According to the paper, special attention by governments, OEMs and the energy sector has been given over the last few years to the introduction of hydrogen as a fuel for road transport. What is needed now is a concrete near and mid term action plan to ensure that development and deployment of hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure in Europe will progress in an aligned way and more quickly in order to allow the beginning of commercialization of hydrogen vehicles around 2015 (or earlier).
The paper describes the companies' anticipation that the further roll-out of hydrogen vehicles will happen in 3 phases:
- Phase I until 2010: Technology Development and Cost Reduction: Bundling of hydrogen demand for cars to one pilot region in Europe for testing higher volumes of cars.
- Phase II from 2010 to approx. 2015: Pre-commercial Technology Refinement and Market Preparation: Hydrogen refuelling station infrastructure (700 bar CGH2 and LH2) of sufficient density for cars (publicly accessible and integrated into conventional stations) in one European pilot region and for city buses in a few selected European cities/regions.
- Phase III starting around 2015: Commercialisation: Ramp-up of production leading to mass production within at least 10 years for every OEM.
The paper describes criteria for the selection of demonstration sites, and identifies promising regions for vehicle deployment and corresponding infrastructure build-up prior to commercialization.
The paper emphasizes that contributions from additional vehicle manufacturers and infrastructure suppliers are welcome. This should happen on the assumption that the overall goals outlined in the paper are accepted and a short-term return of investment during these pre-commercial technology and
market preparation phases is not anticipated, but is the “cost-of-entry” to jointly determine the commercial viability of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Any plans are still in the development phase and no decision has been taken at present on any further specific joint initiatives. Any implementation of such initiatives, including the roll out of joint sites, will be subject to competition law compliance, the paper specifies.The full position paper is available here.
MA
SFC/Udimo offering fuel cells for balancing micro hybrid island systems
HyWeb, 2006-08-24: SFC's EFOY fuel cell now also comes as a micro hybrid island system for backing solar power installations. The system was developed by UDOMI and integrated into an aluminum outdoor box. It is designed for powering off-grid devices in the power range of 1-65 W (100 W peak) during periods of low irradiation. Higher performance systems are available on request.
Target markets are remote off-grid applications like measuring stations, traffic monitoring, video observation, security technology and telecommunication systems.
Central part of the system is the EFOY fuel cell by SFC. With a 10 liter fuel cartridge of methanol, the EFOY fuel cell will provide 9.1 kWh electrical energy (respectively 760 Ah at 12 V). EFOY fuel cells have received safety certification by TÜV SÜD just these days based on the current draft standard IEC 62282-5.
The back of the EFOY Outdoor Box is equipped with connectors for solar modules and electric consumers. Communication with the EFOY Outdoor Box is carried out via LAN/WLAN or GSM/GPRS. The fuel cell system can be remote controlled from a PC, the system automatically communicates with the user via email or SMS, for example if the fuel cartridge has to be replaced.
For additional information and pricing, see www.udomi.de and www.efoy.eu
PS
More fuel cells to go underwater
HyWeb, 2006-08-23: German companies HDW and Siemens have set a precedence when they've integrated a fuel cell into a class 212 submarine. Now Spanish shipbuilder Navantia is following. It will integrate a UTC 300 kW PEM fuel cell into its class S-80 submarine. The fuel cell system is designed to run on reformed ethanol and pure oxygen. It shall become part of the air-independent propulsion system.
Image: Navantia
PS
Hydrogen powered buses on the fast track
HyWeb, 2006-08-17: Good news are coming from the science and business sector of hydrogen buses in several ways.London
While Berlin just had announced to open a tender for 250 hydrogen powered buses in 2007 (see HyWeb article 19 July 2006), the London Hydrogen Partnership has opened a tender process beginning this August for the supply and maintenance of 70 hydrogen powered buses. The full tender document (EU tender document 2006/S 143-153948) can be downloaded from the Official Journal of the European Union, code 153948-2006-EN.CUTE Final Conference
Results from the to-date largest European hydrogen bus trial CUTE (Clean Urban Transport for Europe) are available from www.fuel-cell-bus-club.com. Since mid-2003, 27 public transport buses have covered more than 1 million km and carried more than 4 million people in 9 European cities. More than 192 tonnes of hydrogen were consumed, of which some 100 tonnes from renewable sources. The project was such a success that it will be even further expanded with next generation hydrogen powered buses. CUTE is dead, long live HyFleet:CUTE.Hydrogenics Midibus
Hydrogenics received an order for a fuel cell hybrid MidiBus from the Rheinbahn Rheinische Bahngesellschaft AG a public transit authority serving the greater Dusseldorf area in Germany. For this, Hydrogenics will integrate its HyPM fuel cell into a Tecnobus Gulliver electric MidiBus. The Fuel Cell Hybrid MidiBus is intended to be used over a 5 year period and is suited for a range of niche transit applications, primarily in urban centres. The bus will costs US$ 460,000.PS
GM Canada to test hydrogen lift truck demo fleet
HyWeb, 2006-08-17: General Motors of Canada is launching a two-year pilot project to use hydrogen-powered lift trucks at the GM plant in Oshawa. The project will consist of more than a dozen lift trucks from NACCO Materials Handling equipped with the beta version of Hydrogenics' HyPM Fuel Cell Power Packs.Funding for the project comes from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, a foundation created by the Canadian government to support environmentally friendly technologies.
PS
Berlin to tender for 250 hydrogen buses
HyWeb, 2006-07-19: Berlin public transportation – with a fleet of 1,300 busses biggest operating company in Germany – is preparing a tender for about 250 hydrogen busses for 2007. According to BVG the development of costs as it is already foreseeable today had been the decisive factor for choosing hydrogen as a fuel. Increasing prices for diesel, natural gas and biodiesel are facing regionally reasonable conditions for purchasing hydrogen. The company Total Germany is able to offer hydrogen as a by-product from their refinery in Leuna near Berlin.The first two BVG-busses with hydrogen-internal combustion engines will be in regular service in a very short time. The bus manufacturer MAN is going to supply two additional busses within this year and 10 more in the coming year. Price for each is 360,000 Euros at present, which is about 80,000 Euros above the price of a conventional diesel bus. The price difference will be covered by funds of the European Community in the context of demonstration project HyFleet:CUTE. BVG expects additional costs to go down to 15,000 or 20,000 Euros within the next three years.
Berlin Senat for Economy wants the city to develop into a "hydrogen metropolis".
PS/SG
Spotlight: Shanghai
Shanghai plans for 10 Hydrogen filling stations – Big fuel cell vehicle demo programme announced
HyWeb, 2006-07-19: According to an article published by SinoCast, the City of Shanghai – host of the World Expo 2010 – aims to install 10 hydrogen filling stations for a fleet of 100 fuel cell buses and about 1,000 fuel cell cars. The complete fleet will be produced in China including the fuel cell technology. To achieve this goal the City of Shanghai will support the local fuel cell industry with about US$ 1 Billion for the next three years. The major fuel cell supplier of the Chinese car industry is Shen-Li High Tech, Shanghai. The FOSUN Pharmaceutical Group acquired 36% of Shen-Li to back-up the financial resources and to extend its business into the energy sector.The Shanghai Municipal Government program foresees demonstration of 100 fuel cell vehicles on the road by the end of 2007, followed by 1,000 vehicles by 2009-2010 and 10,000 by 2011-2012.
PS
First Chinese fuel cell bus to hit Shanghai road
HyWeb, 2006-07-19: The first Chinese fuel cell bus is a joint development and manufacturing of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai based fuel cell company Shenli High Tech Co. and Chinese automaker Suzhou King Long. Hydrogen is stored in 9 hydrogen storage tanks on the bus roof. Rated power of the bus will be 100 kW, with a maximum speed of 80 km/h. The prototype bus is estimated to be sold at about CNY 3 million (EUR 0.3 million). According to SinoCast, Jiang Shihuang, general manager of King Long United Automotive Industry (Xiamen), told that the company would invest CNY 500 million (EUR 50 million) to accelerate research and development in three years.PS
Jiading District to become "Detroit of China" – Chinese fuel cell car presented
HyWeb, 2006-07-19: Jiading District – through the major research center Shanghai International Automobile City – has become the "Detroit of China". The center is open to the public. Research is conducted in all fields of transportation technology, such as buses, cars, trucks, trains and even magnetic levitation trains. The cost of the center are shared between Jiading District and various auto companies operating in China. Technology transfer from research to industry is one of the major objectives.A Chinese fuel cell car dubbed "Chao Yue III" was unveiled this April at the Shanghai International Automobile City (Jiading District of China). Among others, the Tongji University's Automobile Department took part in the development. The car may store up to 2 kg of hydrogen gas, providing enough energy to run for 230 km. Maximum speed is 122 km/h.
FAW Car Co Ltd, Brilliance Jinbei Automobile Company and Chang'an Automotive Group have signed contracts to cooperate in developing environmentally friendly vehicles.
PS
Ballard Power Systems to supply fuel cells to Shanghai Fuel Cell for automotive fuel cell trials in China
HyWeb, 2006-07-19: Beginning of July this year, Ballard Power Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and fuel cell supply agreement with Shanghai Fuel Cell Vehicle Powertrain Co., Ltd. to cooperate on the development of fuel cell vehicles for demonstration and field trial programs planned in China in 2006 and 2007.The initial shipment will consist of two Mark 902 automotive fuel cells to Powertrain for integration into vehicles later this year. Ballard will also provide related applications engineering and field service support. Upon successful integration of the fuel cells into vehicles, Powertrain will purchase up to 18 additional Mark 902 fuel cells for the program in 2007.
China is seen as a potential key market by Ballard's Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Noordin Nanji.
PS
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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