AdvertisingHyWeb - Gazette
The news
letter of Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH (LBST) and the German Hydrogen Association
(DWV) · 4th Quarter 2006
· 10th Year
ã Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH
Subscription Newsletter >> Newsletter Archives >> Event Calendar >>
H2moves.eu website launched – An outreach activity of transport demonstration projects in Europe
HyWeb, 2006-12-22: H2moves.eu is initiated and funded by the European Commission in its Sixth Framework Programme and complements the activities of the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform (HFP) which covers all political, industrial and strategic aspects towards a hydrogen based society in Europe.
The major task of H2moves.eu is to display the European demonstration activities in the transport sector. Demonstration projects which are funded by the European Commission are considered as well as projects funded by national governments, regions, municipalities or the private actors. All planned or ongoing projects can apply to become a member of the "project family" and benefit from cross-project information exchange, topical workshops on cross-cutting issues and enhanced visibility due to joint fair presentations on major hydrogen events.
H2moves.eu is part of the European HyLights project and is governed by the HyLights steering group.
Link: www.H2moves.eu
VB/PS
Image: LBST"It is clear from the exhibition and ride and drive that real progress has been made since I addressed this platform in March 2005. […]
The image I gave you of a car running out of gasoline is an unpleasant one – full of cost, inconvenience and even danger.
Together we can work towards a new image. One where the car is no longer dependent on gasoline. One where it no longer harms the environment. One where research has provided the answers. And to more than just transport issues. But we do not have long. As the title of this assembly indicates, we need to move from strategy to action. With clarity of purpose, clear commitment and cooperation, I think we are ready to do that."European Commissioner Janez Potočnik at the official opening of the 3rd General Assembly, Exhibition and Drive&Ride of the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform, 5-6 October 2006, Brussels, Belgium
New at H2Mobility.org since June 2006:
· Ford Explorer
· BMW Hydrogen 7
· GM Hummer O2
· Honda Acura FCX 2020
· Peugeot 207 ePURE
· GM Equinox
· Hyundai fuel cell bus during World Soccer Championship 2006 (Germany)
· BVG / MAN "Green Goal" H2-ICE buses, World Soccer Championship 2006 (Germany)
· UTAS Hydrogen Diesel passenger car, Tasmania
· LH2 PEMFC bus of BVG, Berlin (Germany)
· DoD Hyster, forklift truck with Ballard fuel cell
· Xperiance, hydrogen powered fuel cell longboat (Holland)Link: www.H2Mobility.org
PS
New at H2Stations.org since June 2006:
· Victoria (British Columbia, Canada)
· 2 filling stations Peking (China)
· 8 filling stations (Denmark)
· several filling stations (France)
· Frankfurt, Dresden, Munich Lohhof and Munich Detmoldstrasse (Germany)
· 4 filling stations (Italy)
· 4 filling stations (Japan)
· Porsgrunn and Stavanger (Norway)
· Rotterdam and Petten (Netherlands)
· 3 filling stations (South Korea)
· Selfridge, Detroit and Taylor (Michigan, USA)
· Santa Monica (California, USA)
· Burlington (Vermont, USA)Link: www.H2Stations.org
PS
Energy Watch Group publishes report on uranium resources and perspectives of nuclear energy
HyWeb, 2006-12-14: A fresh look on uranium resources and perspectives of nuclear energy in tomorrow's energy sector has been published by the Energy Watch Group in November 2006. Responsible authors of this report are Dr. Werner Zittel and Jörg Schindler of Munich based strategy and technology consultant Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH.Uranium resources
Based on analyses of data on uranium resources, the authors come to the conclusion that proved reserves – i.e. reserves reasonably assured below 40 $/kgU extraction cost – and stocks will be exhausted within the next 30 years at current annual demand. Likewise, possible resources – which contain all estimated discovered (reasonably assured and inferred) resources with extraction costs of up to 130 $/kgU – will be exhausted within 70 years.
Only if estimates of undiscovered resources from the Nuclear Energy Agency are included, the possible reserves would double or at best quadruple.
The ore grade is significantly determining extraction costs. At present only one country (Canada) is left having uranium deposits containing uranium with an ore grade of more than 1%, most of the remaining reserves in other countries have ore grades below 0.1% and two thirds of reserves have ore grades below 0.06%.
Further results of the study:
- EU-25 uranium resources are essentially exhausted at about 2% of global resources (below 3% for EU-27).
- European uranium mining is below 3% of consumption in EU-25/EU-27 nuclear reactors – Europe is more than 97% import dependent.
- Uranium resources are essentially located in nine countries world-wide representing more than 90% of global resources (in descending order of resource size): Australia, Kazaksthan, Canada, South Africa, USA, Namibia, Brazil, Niger, Russia.
- Global uranium mining is below consumption since 1990, and will remain so at least until 2020 for lack of mining capacities; at present, uranium mining is below 65% of global consumption.
- Global uranium stocks are shrinking rapidly covering the supply gap since 1990; the cumulative supply gap for supplying the existing nuclear reactors between today and 2020 is estimated at 180,000 - 260,000 tons (corresponding to 2.7 - 3.9 times global annual consumption); the continuing uranium price explosion of the last two years is market evidence of this.
- The expansion of uranium mining has received a significant setback recently in a major accident in the world-wide largest new mining project “Cigar Lake” in Canada.
Nuclear energy
About 45% of all reactors world wide are older than 25 years, 90% are now operating for more than 15 years. When these reactors reach the end of their lifetime by 2030 they must be substituted by new ones before net capacity can be increased. Just to maintain the present reactor capacity will require the completion of 15-20 new reactors per year. A development of this magnitude cannot be observed currently. Thus, in the short term until about 2015, the long lead times of new and the decommissioning of aging reactors form barriers for fast extension, and after about 2020 severe uranium supply shortages become likely which, again will limit the extension of nuclear energy.
Notably, according to the WEO 2006 report nuclear energy is considered to be the least efficient measure in combating greenhouse warming. In the “Alternative Policy Scenario” the projected reduction of GHG emissions by about 6 billion t of carbon dioxide is primarily due to improved energy efficiency (contributing 65% of the reduction), 13% are due to fuel switching, 12% are contributed by enhanced use of renewable energies and only 10% are attributed to an enhanced use of nuclear energy.
About the Energy Watch Group
The Energy Watch Group (EWG) was found in 2006 and consists of independent scientists and experts who investigate sustainable concepts for global energy supply. Members are Dr. Harry Lehmann (World Council for Renewable Energy), Stefan Peter (Institute for Sustainable Solutions and Innovations), Jörg Schindler (Managing director of Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH) and Dr. Werner Zittel (Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH).
PS
Nissan publishes 'green' mid-term action plan
HyWeb, 2006-12-14: Nissan announced its new mid-term environmental action plan, dubbed Nissan Green Program 2010. It shall address immediate challenges as well as creating the foundation towards a long-term sustainable business model. Environmental related efforts are focused on three areas – 1. Reducing CO2 emissions; 2. Reducing exhaust emissions; 3. Accelerating recycling efforts – with CO2 reduction receiving the highest priority.Two lines of technology development are followed, namely developing a "3 litre" gasoline powered car to be launched in 2010 in Japan, and all aspects of electric vehicle technology with the power derived from batteries or hydrogen fuel cells, which may ultimately replace the internal combustion engine.
In 2007, Nissan will introduce its first hybrid car – the US market Altima sedan – which utilises a hybrid system developed outside the company. Nissan's original hybrid system shall be launched in Japan and the United States with a target of fiscal year 2010.
In the early part of the next decade, Nissan will launch the next generation fuel cell vehicle with its own in-house developed stack as well as a battery-powered electric vehicle starting in Japan. In addition, it will accelerate development of plug-in hybrid vehicles. In this context, Nissan also prepares for setting up a new company focused on the development, production and marketing of lithium-ion batteries.
PS
PEMEAS bought by chemical company BASF
HyWeb, 2006-12-14: BASF Future Business GmbH, founded 2001 as a 100% daughter company of BASF Ludwigshafen/Germany, has agreed to acquire Frankfurt/Germany-based PEMEAS GmbH, founded 2004 as a spin-off of the former Hoechst Group’s fuel cell activities and a leading supplier of fuel cell components. No financial details were disclosed. Through this move BASF is strengthening its activities in the field of energy management – one of five growth clusters, in which the world’s leading chemical company is developing new technologies and materials for energy storage and energy conversion, as well as for alternative energy capture.PEMEAS has approximately 50 employees and operates manufacturing and R&D facilities in Germany and the United States. The company is currently working with clients on projects to use fuel cells, for example, in portable electronics, residential applications or backup power systems.
BASF Future Business GmbH's aim is to open up business areas with above-average growth rates that lie outside BASF’s current activities. The company focuses on chemistry-based new materials, technologies and system solutions.
PS
2006 Fuel Cell Industry Survey shows increased sales, R&D investment, and employment
Download: "2006 Worldwide Fuel Cell Industry Survey" by Fuel Cell Europe et al., 2006 [pdf, 650 kB]
HyWeb, 2006-12-13: Major fuel cell industry associations – namely the USFCC, H2FCC (Canada), Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan, and Fuel Cell Europe – have released results of their fourth annual global survey of the fuel cell industry carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The voluntary and anonymous survey of 180 companies from the fuel cell sector revealed significant year-on-year increases in sales, research spending and employment. Reported global sales were up 7% to US$353 million (€275 million). Reported research and development spending was up 11% to US$796 million (€620 million) and reported employment specific to the fuel cell industry was up 12% to 7,074 employees. All are 2005 figures as compared to 2004.
"While the results of this survey shows again growth of the global fuel cell industry year on year, they also suggest that investments in fuel cell R&D and manufacturing has started shifting away from Europe to USA, Canada and China," concludes Patrick Maio from Fuel Cell Europe, and further adds that these signals should be taken seriously by European decision makers.
The report provides a benchmark for companies, policy makers and the public. It also proves successful cooperation among fuel cell industry associations throughout the countries Canada, Europe, Japan and the USA.
PS
Milestone project on hydrogen demonstration to end after 10 years
HyWeb, 2006-12-13: A milestone project in the history of hydrogen demonstration projects all over the world is coming to an end – The hydrogen demonstration project at Munich Airport (H2argemuc) ends on 31 December 2006, 10 years after its foundation in 1997. The phase of planning, official approval and construction alone took 2 years before the first public hydrogen refuelling station worldwide could be opended. Notably, the station is equipped with a fully automatic refuelling robot. For more than 8 years the refuelling station has securely and reliably supplied hydrogen busses and passenger cars operated in the context of H2argemuc. Different paths for producing hydrogen have been tested on this occassion: Electrolysis, reformation of natural gas and delivery of liquid hydrogen. Purpose was to develop and implement an integrated safety engineering, to analyse business environment and gain the broad public for the topic.
Image: H2argemucAt the end of the project the 12 project partners, Aral, BMW, E.ON Bayern, Munich Airport, Linde, MAN, Proton Motor, Siemens and TUV South among others, give the following positive summary:
- More than 15,000 visitors at the filling station
- More than 500,000 kilometers road performance of the cars and busses refuelled with hydrogen without any incidents
- 8,000 refuelling operations with about 115,000 kg hydrogen
H2argemuc has been a pioneer for many subsequent projects. The Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology supported the innovation project all in all with 18 million Euros. The same amount was brought in by the cooperating companies. The gained knowledge will be used in different hydrogen projects within new partner constellations and advanced technologies.
Project link: H2argemuc.de
Station specifications: H2Stations.org
PS/SG
Honda to extend leasing of fuel cell vehicles to consumers in 2008
HyWeb, 2006-12-13: In an interview with autonews.com on the occasion of this year's Los Angeles Auto Show, Honda fuel cell marketing manager, Stephen Ellis, described the FCX fuel cell vehicle concept as being close to the production model that will go on sale in Japan and the US in 2008.
Images: Honda
It will be the first time Honda will aggressively market a fuel cell vehicle to the public. Currently, 20 Honda FCX are on the road, thereof only one is leased to private hand. "Substantially more" of the new FCX shall be leased to the public.
Further information on the FCX conept vehicle through H2Mobility.org
PS
Hyundai to deploy 34 fuel cell buses in South Korea until 2008
HyWeb, 2006-12-12: According to the South Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, the success of Korea's first hydrogen fuel-cell bus could play an important role in providing environment-friendly public transportation.
Image: South Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry and EnergyThe prototype bus at a cost of 3 billion won each (approx. 2.5 million EUR) was developed by Hyundai-Kia. It will undergo a series of road and efficiency tests for the next three years. With a single filling of 40 kg of hydrogen the bus can service some 300 km. Its cold-start-capabilities go down to -20°C. Durability of the fuel cell and system costs are challenges to be tackled through further research and development. For this, Hyundai Motors will deploy buses to service commuters between its Seoul headquarters and one of its research centres in Gyeonggi Province. The number of buses in demonstration will be increased to 34 by 2008. A first Hyundai bus serviced in Munich during the 2006 World Soccer Championship.
According to the Korea Harald, Hyundai-Kia and the Korean Government are planning to spend some 48 billion won (approx. 40 million EUR) on the development of fuel cell buses and cars by 2008. Thereof, some 13.6 billion won (approx. 11.3 million EUR) will be spend in 2007 alone for a test trial of 14 fuel cell cars with the ultimate aim of launching eco-friendly automobiles commercially by 2015.
PS
Germany: Frankfurt Airport to use four DaimlerChrysler fuel cell vehicles
HyWeb, 2006-11-21: These days a first batch of two out of four DaimlerChrysler fuel cell vehicles "F-Cell" have been handed over to the Frankfurt Airport (well-know as "FRA" to frequent flyers). The vehicles will serve in the Airport's fleet in and outside the Airport premises. The fuel cell vehicles are refuelled at the nearby hydrogen filling station of Infraserv Höchst (see H2stations.org). Demonstration execution is planned until 2009. It is part of a long-term test program co-financed by the European Union.
Bild: Fraport AG, Stefan RebscherPS
HEC and ITM Power join forces
HyWeb, 2006-11-17: Iowa/ USA-based Hydrogen Engine Center (HEC) – developer and system integrator of hydrogen powered internal combustion engines – and Great Chesterford/ UK-based ITM Power – developer of PEM electrolysers – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The joint objective is to develop products for a non polluting grid independent energy system which can undergo early field trial testing.PS
Volkswagen developed high-temperature PEM fuel cell
HyWeb, 2006-11-07: The Research group of Volkswagen last week announced that they have developed a high temperature PEM fuel cell for automotive applications. According to VW this will make the overall propulsion system in the car lighter, 30% more compact, stable and cheaper compared with low temperature PEM fuel cells. “We no longer give much chance to low temperature fuel cells going into series production”, says head of Volkswagen corporate research Jürgen Leohold.The high temperature fuel cell is the result of seven years of research work. In detail, Volkswagen Research specially developed a new membrane and new electrodes for the fuel cell. The latter consists of carbon fibre which is coated on a special screen printing machine with a new type of paste.
VW expects to power the first research vehicles in 2010. In about 2020 the first Volkswagens with a fuel cell drive that is affordable and suitable for everyday use could appear.
PS
US partnership to develop battery hybrid fuel cell bus
HyWeb, 2006-10-25: The US Federal Transit Administration through the Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium, General Electric (GE) Global Research, Ballard Power Systems and A123 Systems have formed a research partnership to develop a battery hybrid fuel cell bus. Together they plan to invest 13 million US$, from which some 50% is public funded. Design, build and demonstration will take place at GE’s Global Research Center in Niskayuna, New York/USA. The proposed fuel cell bus is expected to have an operating range of 200 miles (~320 km) with accessories operating, and an improved fuel cell life and cost. The focus of the research partnership will be to reduce fuel cell power requirements and improve energy storage technologies with the aim of increasing the commercial viability of the technology.PS
Linde opens public hydrogen filling station in Munich
HyWeb, 2006-10-24: With the presence of German Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee the Linde Hydrogen Center was opened October 9 this year in Munich-Unterschleissheim (Germany). The hydrogen filling station will supply a test fleet of hydrogen powered cars and buses with both liquefied and compressed gas hydrogen. The Hydrogen Center is used as test facility for the latest developments in the field of hydrogen technology. Furthermore, it will be used as conference venue, information and presentation platform as well as for education and training purposes of engineers and clients.
Image: LindePS
Three LBST co-ordinated projects now IPHE recognised
HyWeb, 2006-10-23: Three European projects co-ordinated by Munich/Germany based strategy and technology consultant Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik (LBST) have been recognised by the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE) this October. The projects are:
Handbook for the approval of hydrogen refuelling stations
www.HyApproval.org
www.HyLights.org
www.HyWays.deAmong other objectives, the prestigious IPHE recognition of international collaborative research projects is designed to encourage the leveraging of financial resources and reduce duplication of research activities.
Established in 2003, the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy provides a mechanism for partners to organise, co-ordinate and implement effective, efficient, and focused international research, development and demonstration activities related to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Members include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Commission, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, and the United States.
PS/RW
3rd HFP General Assembly: Hydrogen and fuel cell market moves up one gear with 5 billion Euro industrial investment announced
HyWeb, 2006-10-13: On the opening of the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform (HFP) third General Assembly and Exhibition in Brussels 48 leading industrial stakeholders* made a declaration for the creation of a Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) on hydrogen and fuel cells last week. In addition, the efforts of more than 100 experts were presented in the form of an ambitious and convincing Implementation Plan which is suggested as the basis for a European Programme on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for the 2007-2015 period.This industrial backing could result in more than 5 billion € being invested in the next 10 years as specified in the industry declaration. The partners anticipate that the level of investment from industry will probably continue and increase beyond 2016. Subject to on-going negotiations, and the expected overall increase in FP7 budgets, the EC will increase the FP6 investment of 75 M€/year.
The Implementation Plan identifies the total private-public budget for the proposed programme to be 6.7 billion € for the 2007-2015 period, which is consistent with ongoing public funding and private investments on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. This considers current member state spending (200 M€/year), new additional programmes (e.g. Germany 50 M€/year), and many regional initiatives (e.g. Amsterdam, Aragon, Berlin, Lombardia, London, Northrhine-Westfalia, Teeside and others).
The Implementation Plan is an operational document, assimilating and consolidating previous strategic documents, comprising recommendations for concrete, implementable and measurable actions for research, technology development and projected financial needs. Examples of innovation and development actions detailed in the report include:
- Hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure: developing vehicle and infrastructure technologies to kick-start commercialisation by 2015 or earlier with special emphasis on cost reductions and infrastructure build-up
- Sustainable hydrogen supply: supplying 10-20% of hydrogen energy demand with CO2 free or lean technologies by 2015
- Fuel cells for combined heat and power generation: having more than 1 GW capacity in operation by 2015
- Fuel cells for Portable and Early Markets: bringing “thousands” of fuel cell products in the market by 2010
In its proposal for the 7th Framework Programme (FP7), the European Commission has introduced the concept of Joint Technology Initiatives (JTI) as a new way of realising public private partnerships at European level. The JTI shall be more business focussed, more efficient, less bureaucratic and more effective than current RTD programmes, ensuring an accelerated development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. In short, a better and faster way to market.
During three days, some 60 exhibitors – among which European Regions, research centres, multinational companies and SMEs – showcased the latest developments and current state of the art in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in all fields of applications (transport, stationary, portable).
The General Assembly brought together more than 500 experts and high ranking political leaders including the European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potočnik and the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport Jacques Barrot.
Speeches, presentations, posters and images of the GA'06 are available at https://www.hfpeurope.org/hfp/general-assembly-2006
*The full declaration can be downloaded from the HFP website at https://www.hfpeurope.org/hfp/ga06-documents
PS/MA
Ballard: Follow-on supply agreement with General Hydrogen
HyWeb, 2006-10-13: Ballard Power Systems recently has signed an agreement valued at approximately US$22 Million with General Hydrogen Corporation to supply 2,900 Mark 9 SSL fuel cells. These fuel cells are for integration into General Hydrogen’s products that are being sold to customers converting from conventional lead-acid batteries in their materials handling fleets. Under the agreement, Ballard expects to ship fuel cells ranging in size from 4 to 20 kilowatts, with some 700 of these units to ship in 2007, and the balance to ship in 2008.General Hydrogen was started in 1999 by Dr. Geoffrey Ballard and Paul Howard. It is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia.
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
Receive the latest headlines for free by submitting your name, company and e-mail address to webmaster@HyWeb.de!
![Uranium Demand and Supply [EWG Paper No. 1/06]](../images/EWG_NOV2006_UraniumDemandAn.gif)
