Plug Power Announces New Collaboration Agreement with Walmart
 On July 21, Plug Power announced an expanded collaboration agreement with Walmart, building upon the companies' ongoing relationship. Plug Power expects to install its GenKey hydrogen fueling stations and provide stationary fuel cell solutions at up to thirty additional WalMart locations in North America over the next three years. According to Plug Power, ten sites are already under contract and scheduled to be completed by the end of the year; the value of these 2017 sites is estimated to be around $80 million.
The new agreement also includes revised deal terms with Walmart to access project financing at a lower cost of capital and no restricted cash.
For a link to the full press release from Plug Power, click here.
Air Products Opens California's Newest Fuel Cell Vehicle Refueling Station
On June 23, the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) announced the opening of the state's newest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle refueling station, in the city of Lawndale just south of Los Angeles.
The Lawndale station, owned and operated by Air Products, is the twenty-eighth station open in California for public use. According to the CaFCP, the Lawndale station will be accessible twenty-four hours a day.
The Air Products Lawndale Hydrogen Fueling Station (Source: CaFCP)
For a link to the full press release from the CaFCP, click
here.
Doosan Signs Agreement with Wells Fargo to Bolster American Fuel Cell Business
On June 28, Doosan Fuel Cell America signed a strategic alliance agreement with Wells Fargo's Equipment Finance Group to bolster its fuel cell business in the United States. The agreement was signed during Doosan Group Chairman Park Jung-won's visit to the United States as part of a business delegation accompanying Korean president Moon Jae-in on his first state visit.
Under the agreement, Wells Fargo will buy Doosan's fuel cells and lease them to
commercial, industrial and municipal customers through a new program called Doosan Energy Services. Customers will then be able to purchase on-site electricity generated by these fuel cells, without having to pay for any upfront or on-going costs related to fuel, installation, or service.
Doosan Group Chairman Park Jung-won and Wells Fargo's Equipment Finance Group President William Mayer shake hands after signing the strategic alliance agreement in Washington, D.C. (Source: Doosan Group)
For a link to the full press release from Doosan, click
here.
Hyundai to Unveil New Fuel Cell Vehicle in August
On July 12, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that Hyundai will unveil its next generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in August. Initially, Hyundai planned to announce the new vehicle just before the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, but the automaker has decided to move up the announcement by six months.
According to Hyundai, the as of yet unnamed vehicle will have a driving range of 580 km (about 360 miles) on a full tank of hydrogen fuel.
For a link to the full article from
Yonhap, click
here.
FuelCell Energy Completes Fuel Cell Microgrid at University of Bridgeport
On July 12, FuelCell Energy announced the completion of a 1.4 megawatt fuel cell power plant to provide power to the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. The fuel cell power plant will supply electricity to the university's electric grid under normal operation, and can switch to a grid-independent mode to continuously power critical facilities in the event of a grid disturbance.
Location of University of Bridgeport Fuel Cell Micro-Grid (Source: FuelCell Energy)
Funding for the microgrid was provided by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
For a link to the full press release from FuelCell Energy, click
here.
Toyota Begins Full-Scale Operations for Wind-Power Generated Hydrogen Project to Power Fuel Cell Forklifts in Japan
 On July 12, Toyota announced the commencement of full-scale operations for the Regional Cooperation and Low-carbon Hydrogen Technology Demonstration Project in the cities of Yokahoma and Kawasaki, Japan. The goal of the project, which first began in Fiscal Year 2015, is to implement and evaluate a low-carbon hydrogen supply chain which will utilize hydrogen produced from renewable energy in facilities along Tokyo Bay (in Yokohama and Kawasaki) to power forklifts.
Following the completion of a full-scale pilot trial from November 2016 to July 2017, the project team assessed that compared to forklifts powered by electricity, fuel cell forklifts had shorter recharging times, were used flexibly without issues, and were generally well reviewed.
Fuel Cell Forklift Operating at Kirin Brewery (Source: Toyota)
According to Toyota, the full scale operation phase of the project will continue through Fiscal Year 2018. In addition to Toyota, the other participants in the project are the municipal governments of Yokahoma and Kawasaki, the Iwatani Corporation, Toshiba, and Japan Environment Systems Co.
For a link to the full press release from Toyota, click
here.
myFC to Display Hybrid Fuel Cell-Battery Charger in Shanghai
 On June 27, Swedish fuel cell maker myFC announced that it will display its JAQ Hybrid fuel cell/electric battery mobile device charger at the at Mobile World Congress in Shanghai from June 28-30.
First revealed in April, the JAQ Hybrid can be used to charge power banks, smartphones, and tablets using myFC's patented-formula hydrogen fuel via the pocket sized PowerCard, or through a traditional electric battery.
According to myFC, the JAQ Hybrid has a output power of 10.5 W, a capacity of 4,000 mAh, and weighs about 200 g (approximately 7 ounces). A power card of 2,500 mAh will be introduced later, using the same standardized interface.
The JAQ Hybrid is fully compatible with Android and Apple iOS smartphones, tablets and USB 5V devices, and is compliant with international air safety regulations.
For a link to the full press release from myFC, click
here.
South Coast AQMD Releases 2017 Clean Car Buying Guide, Includes FCVs
 On June 26, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) released their 2017 Clean Car Buying Guide. The guide details all alternative fuel vehicles available for sale or lease in California, including three fuel cell vehicles (FCVs): the Hyundai Tuscon Fuel Cell, the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, and the Toyota Mirai.
The annual buying guide provides information on the FCVs' carbon footprint, driving range, MSRP, and other statistics, and compares them to other alternative fuel vehicles such as gas-electric hybrids and battery electric cars.
For a link to the full 2017 Guide from the SCAQMD, click
here.
First Two Fuel Cell Electric Buses Launch in Rotterdam, Will be Fueled at Air Liquide Station
On June 30, public transportation operator RET launched two fuel cell powered buses for service in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The buses are the first launched under the 3Emotion project, which is funded by the European Union's Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH-JU).
The buses will refuel at Air Liquide's hydrogen fueling station in Rotterdam, which has expanded its fuel storage capacity to accommodate the new vehicles. According to the Metropolitan Region of Rotterdam-The Hague, the government plans to have all public buses be zero-emission by 2025.
The 3Emotion project aims to bridge the gap between fuel cell bus demonstrations and larger scale deployments. In total, 3Emotion plans to deploy twenty-one new fuel cell buses, and improve the further use of eight existing buses, in six cities around Europe.
For a link to the full press release from 3Emotion, click
here.
Nel Enters Joint Venture with South Korea's Largest Hydrogen Supplier
On June 30, Nel ASA announced an agreement with Deokyang Co., South Korea's largest supplier of hydrogen gas, to establish a joint venture for the exclusive sales and marketing of Nel's H2Station hydrogen fueling stations in the country.
The South Korean government is committed to building a national hydrogen fuel cell vehicle refueling infrastructure, with plans for 100 fueling stations by 2020 and 230 stations by 2025. All hydrogen stations in the country are fully financed by the national and local governments.
For a link to the full press release from Nel, click
here.
Nebraska Public Power District to Convert Coal-Fired Power Plant to Hydrogen-Fueled Electric Power Station
On July 12, IEEE Spectrum reported that Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is advancing plans to convert a coal-fired power plant into the country's largest hydrogen-fueled electric power station.
Under an agreement that was first announced in 2015, hydrogen produced as a byproduct of Monolith Materials' carbon black facility will travel by a short distance via pipeline to the Sheldon power plant in Hallam, Nebraska. The hydrogen will be used to power a dual-fuel boiler to generate up to 125 megawatts of electricity at Sheldon's Unit 2 for NPPD's distribution customers.
Sheldon Coal-Fired Power Plant in Hallam, Nebraska (Source: NPPD)
According to NPPD, contracts are now in place to begin work on converting the coal-fired Unit 2 into a hydrogen-fueled power station by 2020.
For a link to the full article from IEEE Spectrum, click
here.
Mercedes-Benz Canada Fuel Cell Division Makes 2017 List of Best Workplaces in Manufacturing
On July 6, Mercedes-Benz Canada announced that its Fuel Cell Division (MBFC) was recognized on the 2017 List of Best Workplaces in Manufacturing for Canada. The list was compiled by an independent analysis from the Great Place to Work organization, which makes national lists recognizing the world's best workplaces across several categories.
Mercedes-Benz Canada Fuel Cell Division (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
In April 2017, Mercedes-Benz Canada was recognized by Great Place to Work as one of 2017's Best Workplaces in the country.
For a link to the full press release from Mercedes-Benz Canada, click
here.
FuelCell Energy Announces Biogas Purchase Agreement to Supply California's Electric Grid
On July 5, FuelCell Energy announced a biogas purchase agreement with the City of Tulare, California. Under the agreement, FuelCell Energy will install and operate a 2.8 megawatt SureSource 3000 fuel cell power plant at the City of Tulare's waste water treatment facility.
Biogas emitted at the facility will be treated by FuelCell Energy's SureSource biogas conditioning system, supplying power to the fuel cell plant. Power generated by the fuel cells will be sold to California's electric grid under the state's Bioenergy Market Adjustment Tariff (BioMAT) program.
For a link to the full press release from FuelCell Energy, click
here.
Air Liquide to Provide Hydrogen Fuel for International Ecological Vehicle Fair in France
On July 11, gasworld
reported that Air Liquide will supply fuel cell vehicles with a mobile hydrogen refueling station at the eighth annual International Ecological Vehicle Fair (RIVE). The exhibition of clean transportation vehicles, which began in 2010, took place at the Alès Cévennes racing track near Montpellier, France from July 11 - 12.
Air Liquide Mobile Hydrogen Fueling Station (Source: Air Liquide)
Air Liquide's hydrogen refueling truck will refuel five Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicles at RIVE.
For a link to the full article from gasworld, click here.
New Jersey Approves Funding for 13 Municipal Microgrid Feasibility Studies, Includes Fuel Cells
On June 30, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved $2 million in funding for thirteen town center microgrid feasibility studies across the state.
Galloway Township, Highland Park, and Hudson County's studies
will include looking at the feasibility of incorporating fuel cell power into microgrids, among other technologies.
For a link to the full press release from the BPU, including information on the funding recipients, click
here.
Connecticut Passes Act to Enhance Power Resiliency with Fuel Cells
On June 28, Governor Malloy of Connecticut signed Public Act 17-144 -
An Act Promoting the use of Fuel Cells for Electric Distribution System Benefits and Reliability -
into law.
The Act passed the Connecticut House of Representatives with a large, bipartisan majority, and passed the State Senate unanimously.
The Act enables Connecticut electric utilities to purchase up to 30 megawatts of fuel cell power generation. In addition, the Act includes a provision for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to issue an RFP for the procurement of clean energy, with a focus on enhancing the reliability and resiliency of energy supply in a manner that promotes in-state economic development.
For a link to the full text of Public Act 17-144, click
here.
FuelCell Energy, which is headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut, issued a press release commending the state for passing the Act; a link to the press release can be found
here.
Automotive Industry Group to Work on Developing Common Fuel Cell Stack Technology in Germany
 On June 29, Germany's National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW) announced plans to fund the development and commercialization common fuel cell stack technology with a consortium of companies in the auto industry. The participating companies in the "Autostack-Indutrie" project are FCHEA members BMW and Daimler, along with DANA, Ford, Freudenberg Performance Materials, Greenerity, NuCellSys, PowerCell Deutschland, Umicore, Volkswagen and the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg.
The consortium has received a nonbinding declaration of intent for the project from the German government.
After final approval from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the group will begin working on the first phase of the development project, which is estimated to last twenty-nine months.
Through its National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (NIP), the German federal government will contribute 21.3 million euros (about $24.3 million) to the consortium project. Germany plans to invest 250 million euros (about $283.5 million) in the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies from 2016-2019.
For a link to the full press release from NOW, click
here.
South Korea to Halve Toll Fees for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
On July 11, the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) announced that highway toll fees for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be reduced by fifty percent, beginning in September. The discount announcement was reported by South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
According to MOLIT, in order to receive the discount vehicles must install "Hi-pass," a prepaid system for expressways in South Korea. The discount will last until at least 2020, at which point MOLIT will assess the results of the program and decide whether or not to extend it.
According to MOLIT Minister Kim Hyun-mee, South Korea plans to increase the number of eco-friendly cars on the road in 2020 to 1.5 million, including 10,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The reduced toll program aims to help support that goal.
For a link to the full article from Yonhap, click
here.
Automotive World Releases Special Report on Fuel Cell Vehicles
 On June 26, Automotive World announced the release of a special report on fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). According to the publication, this special report considers the current and future role of hydrogen-powered FCVs, through interviews with OEMs, suppliers, and industry commentators.
The report features an industry overview written by Lisa Jerram of Navigant Research, as well as a number of exclusive interviews, including FCHEA members Honda, Toyota, and Linde.
For a link to the announcement about the report from
Automotive World
, click here. Please note that a subscription to Automotive World is required in order to view the report itself.
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GM, Army Show Off ZH2 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck at California Fueling Station
 On
July 19, the Los Angeles Times reported on the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Chevy Colorado ZH2 truck being tested by the military. The prototype vehicle, developed by General Motors and the Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), was shown off at a hydrogen fueling station in La Cañada Flintridge, California last week.
The truck is currently undergoing a year of testing with the Army to evaluate its stealth and performance benefits in the field.
The ZH2 truck with its fuel cell stack on display at the refueling station in La Cañada Flintridge. (Source: The Los Angeles Times)
For a link to the full article from the Los Angeles Times, click here.
NREL Discusses Fuel Cells for Cell Towers in TIA Interview
 The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) recently published a video interview with Carl Rivkin, Manager of Safety Codes and Standards at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Rivkin discussed how fuel cells act as reliable back-up power for cell towers, focusing on the environmental, safety and connectivity benefits of fuel cell technologies.
For a link to the interview from TIA, click here.
DOE Announces Report on Maritime Fuel Cell Generator Project
The Department of Energy's (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) recently publicized a report on a maritime fuel cell generator project. The project used a 100 kW generator with 72 kg of hydrogen storage, designed and built by Hydrogenics, to power refrigerated containers in Honolulu, Hawaii for 10 months.
According to the report, written by Sandia National Laboratories and first published in May 2017, the project showed that it is possible to increase energy efficiency by up to 30% at part load and reduce emissions to zero through the use of hydrogen fuel cells. The project also identified paths forward to wider adoption of the technology in the maritime commerce sector.
Hydrogenics 100 kW maritime fuel cell generator (Source: Sandia National Laboratories
)
For a link to the full report from Sandia National Laboratories, click
here.
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 Upcoming Events
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DOE to Host H2@Scale Working Session at 2017 Fuel Cell Seminar on Tuesday, November 7th!
Join DOE in Long Beach for a Deep Dive into
Hydrogen Production and Utilization
The U.S. Department of Energy Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO), in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, will be hosting an H2@Scale working session at the Fuel Cell Seminar and Energy Exposition (FCS&EE) on Tuesday, November 7 in the afternoon.
This H2@Scale working session will provide a deep dive into the concept of wide-scale hydrogen production and utilization to enable energy security, grid resiliency, and extensive benefits across multiple sectors.
FCTO will also discuss the funding available for partnerships with national laboratories to advance the H2@Scale concept.
The Tuesday H2@Scale session is included in FCS&EE registration.
Heavy Duty Truck Sponsor: TransPower
It's not to late to book a booth in the exhibit hall or sign on to sponsor a reception, breaks, or create a custom sponsorship package that includes registrations, exhibit space, and more. Contact us at [email protected] for more information.
Book Your Hotel Room Today!
The official conference hotel is the Renaissance Long Beach, directly across the street from the FCS&EE area of the Convention Center. Be sure to secure your discounted room rate at
https://www.fuelcellseminar.com/hotel/
.
2017 Cleantech Manufacturing Forum
 The Cleantech Manufacturing Forum, hosted by the Colorado Hydrogen Coalition, will be held on August 17 at the Vehicle Vault in Parker, Colorado. This forum is tailored to manufacturers and suppliers in the Rocky Mountain Region who already participate in, or may have an interest in, the clean energy technology industry. The event will be kicked off with an opportunity for participants to drive clean technology vehicles, followed by:
- Key Note sessions led by Slade Gardner on 3D Printing and the Department of Energy's Fuel Cell Technology Office on supply chain development opportunities;
- Transportation and electric grid panel discussions convening energy business; leaders with new opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers in clean energy;
- A business to business networking session;
- Reception will follow to provide participants with an opportunity to continue the discussion.
For more information, and to register for this event, click
here.
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Additional Links
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The Telegraph | 19 July 2017
The Japan Times | 13 July 2017
Forbes | 12 July 2017
Kings County Politics | 12 July 2017
Toyota Motor Company | 12 July 2017
Hyundai | 11 July 2017
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District | 11 July 2017
Anglo American Platinum Limited, via The New Statesman | 10 July 2017
The Fast Lane Truck | 1 July 2017
NBC News | 4 July 2017
The Maritime Executive | 5 July 2017
KOAA News 5 | 28 June 2017
FuelCell Energy | 28 June 2017
Hydrogenics | 27 June 2017
Popular Mechanics | 26 June 2017
Government of South Australia | 23 June 2017
Renewable Energy Magazine | 23 June 2017
Air Liquide | 22 June 2017
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Request for Papers, Proposals, and Information
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