|
GM and Honda Establish Fuel Cell Manufacturing Joint Venture
 General Motors and Honda announced they have established a manufacturing joint venture to mass produce an advanced fuel cell system for use in future products from each company. The two companies are making equal investments totaling $85 million in the joint venture, called Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, LLC, which will operate within GM's existing battery pack manufacturing facility in Michigan. Mass production of fuel cell systems is expected to begin around 2020 and will lead to the creation of about 100 new jobs.
Mark Reuss (GM) and Toshiaki Mikoshiba (Honda) present the jointly developed next-generation fuel cell stack on January 30, 2017 in Detroit. Source: Honda
Honda and GM have collaborated since 2013 on a next-generation fuel cell system and hydrogen storage technologies, integrating their development teams and intellectual property.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
USPS Ribbon Cutting Features Nuvera Hydrogen Fueling and Plug Power Fuel Cell Forklifts
On
February 16, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the United States
Postal Service (USPS) Washington Network Distribution Center in Capitol Heights, Maryland, to introduce the facility's new hydrogen fueling system and fuel cell-powered forklifts. Two Nuvera PowerTap
™ hydrogen dispensers will fuel 36 Plug Power GenDrive hydrogen fuel cell units for class 1 sit-down counterbalance trucks and 49 GenDrives for class-3 pallet jacks in the USPS material handling fleet.
The ceremony featured remarks from the USPS Deputy Postmaster General, the Chief Sustainability Officer, the Manager of Energy Initiatves, and the site's plant manager. Each speaker expressed excitement for the project, praised the benefits and advantages fuel cells and hydrogen bring to their operations, and hinted at potential for more deployments in the future.
Top left - USPS officials cutting ribbon; Top right - Material handling vehicles with Plug Power GenDrive fuel cells; Bottom left - Nuvera PowerTap hydrogen dispenser; Bottom right - full house at ceremony
For a link to Plug Power's release, click here.
8-MW Doosan Fuel Cell America Project Announced at Impala Platinum
Refineries
 Implats has announced a fuel cell project at its Impala Platinum Refineries Phase in South Africa, with the aim to take the plant off of the electric grid. Phase one of the project, to be operational in mid-2017, will use 20 Doosan fuel cell systems to generate 8 MW of power. The long term goal is to generate 22-30 MW of power.
For a link to the full press release, click
here
.
FuelCell Energy Commemorates Innovative Utility-Owned Fuel Cell Microgrid Project with Connecticut Dignitaries
On January 23, FuelCell Energy participated in a ribbon- cutting ceremony to celebrate the commissioning of a multi-megawatt combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell plant at Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge, Connecticut. In attendance at the event were Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Commissioner Robert Klee.
FuelCell Energy officials and local legislature officials cut ribbon at power plant Source: FuelCell Energy
The FuelCellEnergy power plant will generate 2.2 megawatts (MW) of power and heat in connection with the grid, and is able to enter a microgrid configuration in the event of grid disruption.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
20 Fuel Cell Buses Planned for California Transit Agencies
 Two California transit agencies will receive 10 fuel cell buses each through the Fuel Cell Electric Bus Commercialization Consortium (FCEBCC). The new Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) and the
Orange Cou
nty Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses
are expected to be placed in service by the end of 2018. Linde is part of the FCEBCC and is providing advanced hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
The project is funded by the California Air Resources Board's Low Carbon Transportation and Air Quality Improvement Program and is sponsored by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
CEC Adds Another Hydrogen Station in California
The California Energy Commission (CEC) welcomed a new hydrogen station in San Diego, California.
|
|
| Del Mar hydrogen station in San Diego, California |
For a current status list and map of all California hydrogen stations from the California Fuel Cell Partnership, click
here
.
Honda Releases
Clarity Fuel Cell
Videos
Honda has released three new videos in support of its recently launched Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle.
The Clarity Fuel Cell is available for lease in California at 12 Honda dealerships in the Bay Area, Southern California, and Sacramento.
For a link to the "Thinking About Tomorrow" video, click
here
.
For a link to the "Refueling Is Easy" video, click here.
For a link to the "Good Times Behind the Wheel" video, click here.
CEC and ARB Release Joint Staff Report on Assembly Bill 8
 On January 24, the California Energy Commission (CEC) and California Air Resources Board (ARB) released a joint-staff report on Assembly Bill 8,
"2016 Assessment of Time and Cost Needed to Attain 100 Hydrogen Refueling Stations in California."
The report includes highlights on hydrogen dispensed from retail stations, hydrogen station development time improvements, and a cost assessment on reaching the 100-station milestone.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
Pajarito Powder Completes 100th Customer Shipment
 Parajito Powder announced it has completed the 100th shipment of its Engineered Carbon Supports (ECS) and precious-metal-free (PMF) catalyst materials to customers. The catalysts are used in fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and other fuel cell applications.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
In addition, Pajarito Powder was invited to the 2017 CleanEquity Monaco conference, an invitation-only event
sponsored by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Monaco Economic Board and corporate sponsors.
Pajarito is one of 30 companies, chosen from among 600 applicants, to present at the invitation-only event.
For a link to the full article, click
here
.
Ceres Power Announces Two New International Development Partners
 On January 26, Ceres Power announced a series of year-end updates, including two new international development partners for its fuel cell technology.
Ceres Power first announced a partnership with Cummins, a leading US developwer of power generation equipment, to develop fuel cell power applications for data center markets.
Secondly, Ceres Power partnered with a global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to develop and launch a combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell product.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
Kia Plans FCV in 2021
Kia confirmed it will bring a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) to market in 2021. The vehicle will be
a larger, dedicated model capable of housing a variety of systems, including combustion engines, hybrid, electric, and a fuel cell option.
Kia reports that its next-generation fuel cell stack will be 15% more compact and lighter will deliver around 10% more performance. Range between refuelngs is expected to be about 500 miles, and top speed around 105 mph.
For a link to the full article, click here.
Nel ASA Awarded Contract for Iceland Hydrogen Production, Fueling Stations
 Nel Hydrogen Solutions, a division of Nel ASA, will supply three H2Station® hydrogen fueling stations and a NEL C-series electrolyzer to Icelandic Hydrogen, a joint venture between retail oil company Skeljungur HF and Nel ASA.
Initially Icelandic Hydrogen will establish three hydrogen fueling stations connected to central renewable hydrogen electrolysis production in 2018. Continuous network expansion is planned.
The effort is being supported by the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking as part of the major H2ME-2 demonstration project.
For a link to the full press release, click
here
.
Black & Veatch Selected as 2017 Edison Award Finalist for Hydrogen Fueling
 Out of more than 400 nominations, Black & Veatch was selected as a finalists for the 2017 Edison Awards, conducted by Edison Universe, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering future innovators. These finalists were chosen as the "best of the best" by 3,000 of the world's top senior business executives, academics, and innovation professionals. Black & Veatch was honored for "Hydrogen Fueling Station Deployment" in the Transportation & Logistics category.
For a link to the press release, click here.
For a link to the full list of finalists, click here.
Plug Power Ships First Production ProGen Engines
 Plug Power announced that it has shipped the first production ProGen fuel cell engines for electric delivery vehicles. The ProGen engines will function as range extenders, doubling vehicle range.
ProGen shipments for delivery vans in the China market will begin in the second quarter of 2017.
For a link to the full press release, click
here
.
Daimler F-CELLs Among H2ME's First Deployment
 Hydrogen Mobility Europe (H2ME) has deployed the first 100 fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) in Germany, France and the UK. This includes 40 B-Class F-CELL FCVs from Daimler in Germany and 60 vans equipped with fuel cell range extenders from Symbio in the UK and France.
In the coming years, the H2ME project will deploy Honda's Clarity FCV and and Daimler's next-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL, totaling more than 1,400 FCVs throughout the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
London Police To Use I
ntelligent Energy Fuel Cells in Zero-Emission Scooter Trial
 Intelligent Energy has provided fuel cell stacks for Suzuki Burgman scooters that will be operated on London's roads this summer as part of a fleet trial with the city's Metropolitan Police.
London Metropolitan Police Vehicles Source: Yahoo News U.K.
The Burgman was the world's first fuel cell scooter to achieve the EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval.
For a link to the full press release, click
here
.
Toyota Deploys Fuel Cell Forklifts at Manufacturing Plant
Toyota commenced operation of two fuel cell-powered forklifts at its Motomachi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on January 31. The forklifts were
manufactured by Toyota Industries Corporation.
Toyota Industries Corp. fuel cell-powered forklift. Source: Toyota
Twenty additional units will be deployed in 2018, with plans for 170 to 180 fuel cell forklifts in operation by around 2020.
Toyota is replacing existing conventional forklifts with fuel cell forklifts as part of
an
effort to reduce carbon dioxide
emissions from its plants
.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
Nel Hydrogen Fueling Releases New Multi-Purpose Hydrogen Station
Nel Hydrogen Fueling announced the launch of its new, compact H2Station®
that
includes up to three separate dispensers connected to one fueling module. The modular, scalable station can fuel
hydrogen cars, buses, trucks and forklifts.
Nel is developing a production plant in Denmark that will be able to produce around 300 H2Stations® annually.
For a link to the full press release, click
here
.
Air Products Technology Helping Power Biomass-Based Hydrogen Demonstration Project in Japan
 On January 24, Air Products announced it took part in the inaugural ceremony of the Shikaoi Hydrogen Farm, a hydrogen supply facility that utilizes livestock biomass waste in Hokkaido, Japan.
Air Products supplied the hydrogen fueling technology for the demonstration project, as well as its membrane technology for biomass purification.
The hydrogen farm anaerobically digests agricultural waste to create biogas, which is converted to biomethane using Air Products membrane technology. The biomethane is used as feedstock to produce renewable hydrogen for heat, power, and vehicle fuel on-site.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
Plug Power Names Young's Market Company as GenKey Customer in Phoenix
On January 26, Plug Power announced Young's Market Company, a beverage distributor, as the latest GenKey fuel cell customer. Young's adopted Plug Power's GenKey hydroegn and fuel cell solution at its distribution center in Phoenix, Arizona, utilizing 32 fuel cell-powered industrial trucks.
As part of GenKey, Young's began operating a GenFuel hydrogen fueling infrastructure to fuel the truck fleet.
For a link to the full press release, click
here.
Anaheim Hydrogen Fueling Station Joins California Retail Refueling Network
On January 26, the California Energy Commission (CEC) published a blog post highlighting the newest hydrogen fueling station in California's fueling network, located at 3731 East La Palma in Anaheim.
Anaheim hydrogen fueling station Source: CEC
The CEC has funded a total of 48 hydrogen fueling stations to date.
For a map and status of all hydrogen fueling stations in California, click
here
.
For a link to the full blog post, click
here.
Massachusetts Governor Baker Signs Bill Promoting Zero Emission Vehicles
On Jaunary 17, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed Senate Bill 2505, An Act Promoting Zero Emission Vehicle Adoption. The bill promotes the sale and use of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), including fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), by increasing access to ZEV refueling infrastructure.
For a link to the full article, click
here.
New European Commission Report on Energy Storage
The European Commission published a new report,
Working Document on Energy Storage - the Role of Electricity
, which includes discussions on hydrogen energy storage, sectorial integration of hydrogen, green hydrogen for industry and refineries, and electromobility.
For a link to the full report, click here.
|
 Upcoming Events
|
2017 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit
The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy's (ARPA-E) 8th annual Energy Innovation Summit is February 27 - March 1, 2017 at the Gaylord Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, to join the best and the brightest in energy innovation.
The ARPA-E Summit is the preeminent event of the year for energy professionals, addressing America's top energy challenges by bringing the latest energy technologies out of the lab and into the marketplace.
The Summit gathers more than 2,000 experts from government, academia, and business for a 3-day program offering informative seminars, practical solutions for breakthrough technologies, and critical networking opportunities.
For a link to register, click
here.
|
Additional Links
|
|
Altergy Systems | February 15, 2017
Automotive News | February 14, 2017
Yahoo! Finance | February 16, 2017
Reuters | February 16, 2017
Nasdaq.com | February 14, 2017
The Star | February 13, 2017
BOE Report | February 13 2017
NewsTimes | February 13, 2017
Los Angeles Times | February 10, 2017
Bloomberg | February 9, 2017
Journal-Inquirer | February 6, 2017
KPCC Southern California Radio | February 9, 2017
E.ON | February 8, 2017
Autoweek | February 1, 2017
The San Diego Union-Tribune |February 3, 2017
Hybrid Cars News | January 31, 2017
Euronews | February 1, 2017
NGT News | January 30, 2017
Riverhead News Review | January 27, 2017
motor1.com | February 2, 2017
Houston Chronicle | January 22, 2017
|
Request for Papers, Proposals, and Information
|
Energy Department Announces Funding to Support Breakthrough Technologies for Advanced Manufacturing Including Hydrogen
On December 21, DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced up to $35 million in available funding to support early-stage, innovative technologies and solutions in advanced manufacturing that are not significantly represented in EERE's current portfolio, including hydrogen energy technology.
This funding opportunity addresses three topic areas that consist of multiple subtopics.
Topic Area 1: Advanced Materials - This topic area focuses on advancing innovative materials and the devices and systems that incorporate them for energy-saving opportunities and improved functionality.
Topic Area 2: Advanced Processes - This topic area focuses on advancing transformational, next-generation process technologies with the potential to significantly exceed the current state of the art.
Topic Area 3: Modeling and Analysis Tools for Materials and Manufacturing - This topic area focuses on optimizing how manufacturers use energy and materials across the lifecycle of their products through information technology and knowledge systems.
For a link to the full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), click
here.
|
About the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Connection
|
Administration
Press releases and story ideas may be forwarded to Connor Dolan and Karen Hall for consideration at [email protected] and [email protected] respectively.
If your company is interested in joining FCHEA, please visit fchea.org or contact Connor Dolan at [email protected].
The Sponsors
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association --
The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) is the trade association for the fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry, and is dedicated to the commercialization of fuel cells and hydrogen energy technologies. Fuel cells and hydrogen energy technologies deliver clean, reliable power to leading edge corporate, academic and public sector users, and FCHEA members are helping to transform the our energy future. FCHEA represents the full global supply chain, including universities, government laboratories and agencies, trade associations, fuel cell materials, components and systems manufacturers, hydrogen producers and fuel distributors, utilities and other end users.
National Energy Technology Laboratory --
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory system is owned and operated by the DOE. Its mission is "advancing energy options to fuel our economy, strengthen our security, and improve our environment." NETL performs, procures, and partners with universities and the private sector. Together, these efforts focus a wealth of scientific and engineering talent on creating commercially viable solutions to national energy and environmental problems. NETL has expertise in coal, natural gas, and oil technologies, contract and project management, analysis of energy systems, and international energy issues. NETL supports the DOE's mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.
|
Click here for an archive of previous issues of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Connection.
|
|
