Connection

May 2017
Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Connection


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Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Headlines
Full House for 6th Annual FCHEA Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Policy Forum on Capitol Hill

Over 70 congressional staffers, industry representatives, and non-governmental organizations turned out for FCHEA's sixth annual Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Policy Forum, held on May 12 at the United States Capitol Visitor Center. Presentations on the fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry were given by Dr. Sunita Satyapal, Director of DOE's Fuel Cell Technologies Office; Robert Wimmer, Director of Toyota Motors North America Energy and Environmental Research Group; Ole Hoefelmann, CEO of Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S., Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power; and Paul Wilkins, Federal Government Relations Director of Bloom Energy. 

Attendees from House and Senate offices of both parties, industry representatives, and Executive Branch officials packed the room at the 2017 Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Policy Forum. Source: FCHEA
 
The presentations covered a variety of topics including transportation, material handling, stationary power, hydrogen infrastructure, and the role of government in advancing these transformational technologies. Speakers also urged attendees to support the industry's priorities in regards to the reinstatement of the federal Investment Tax Credit, and a level playing for fuel cell technologies.

For more information on the Policy Forum, and other events supported by FCHEA to get the word out on fuel cells and hydrogen energy, see the FCHEA Events page here.

Ole Hoefelmann (left), CEO of Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S., and Andy Marsh (right), CEO of Plug Power, gave presentations on hydrogen fueling infrastructure and stationary power fuel cells, respectively. Source: FCHEA

BMW and Shell Unveil Hydrogen Refueling Dispenser, BMW FCV Concept Featured at Hannover Messe  

On April 25, BMW Group subsidiary Designworks and Shell revealed a new, hi-tech hydrogen fuel dispenser for fuel cell vehicles. Named "Oasis," the dispenser concept has an "I" shaped, pillar-like design.  The dispenser concept was introduced and displayed this week at the Hannover Messe in Germany.

A large digital screen on the dispenser allows users to keep track of their  refueling  time and price, request maps to check route details, or read more about hydrogen energy. The dispenser's fueling nozzle also has a screen to help guide users through the refueling process step-by-step. 

A demonstrative rendering of the new Oasis hydrogen fuel dispenser, designed by BMW Group affiliate Designworks and Shell. Source: BMW Group

BMW also displayed a hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle based on the automaker's 5 Series GT at the Messe. According to BMW, the eDrive concept vehicle's fuel cell can generate 180 kW / 245 hp to power its electric motor. The vehicle was part of BMW's exhibit on how the automaker plans to meet the German government's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets by 2050. 

Anne Kleczka, head of BMW's hydrogen fuel cell technology project, with BMW's eDrive hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle at this week's Hannover Messe in Germany. Source: FCHEA

For a link to the full press release from BMW on the hydrogen dispenser, click 
here.   For a link to the full press release from BMW and on the hydrogen vehicle concept, click here.

FuelCell Energy Plans to Build Power Plants for Navy Submarine Base in CT

On May 8, FuelCell Energy announced that it has signed a letter of intent with the  Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC). The letter of intent declares the eventual purchase agreement of two SureSource 4000 fuel cell power plants to supply 7.4 megawatts of electricity for the Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, Connecticut. FuelCell Energy expects a contract for the power purchase agreement to be finalized this summer. 

 
Design for the SureSource 4000 fuel cell power plant, capable of generating 3.7 MW of electricity. Source: FuelCell Energy 

CMEEC is owned by six municipal utility companies in Connecticut, including Groton Utilities which provides power to the Submarine Base there. The proposed fuel cell power plants are part of a multifaceted plan by CMEEC to support the Department of Defense's desire to add resiliency and grid independence to key military installations.

For a link to the full press release from FuelCell Energy, click here.

Toyota Unveils Hybrid Fuel Cell - Micro Gas Turbine Power Generation System 

Toyota Corporation
On April 26, Toyota announced that it has begun trial operations of a hybrid power generation system that combines the use of solid oxide fuel cells with micro gas turbines. Trials are taking place at Toyota's Motomachi Plant in Toyota City, Japan. 

According to Toyota, the hybrid power system has a rated output of  250 kilowatts and an overall efficiency of 65%. Toyota's investment in the power generation system is part of the automaker's goal of reaching zero CO2 emissions in their production plants, one aspect of the  Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050.


Details on the generation process of Toyota's fuel cell - micro gas turbine hybrid power system. Source: Toyota

For a link to the full press release from Toyota, with more information on how the hybrid power generation system operates, click  here.

Bloom Energy Completes Fuel Cell Microgrid in Connecticut 

Bloom Energy
On April 25, the City of Hartford, Connecticut announced the completion of a fuel cell microgrid, a joint project between the city, Bloom Energy, and Constellation, a subsidiary of Exelon. 

The 800 kilowatt microgrid system now generates 100% of the electricity for Hartford's Parkville Elementary School, Dwight Branch Library, Parkville Senior Center and Charter Oak Health Center. The microgrid can provide emergency power to these locations, plus a local gas station and grocery store, in case of an electrical grid outage. Excess power generated by the microgrid will be directed to four local schools to reduce their electricity costs.

A video explaining the Hartford microgrid project, with footage of the grid components. 
Source: Constellation 

Constellation designed and constructed the microgrid system, which it will also operate, and the city will purchase electricity generated by Bloom Energy fuel cells through a 15-year power purchase agreement. The microgrid project is Connecticut's first developed through a public-private effort, and one of the first funded through the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)'s Microgrid Grant Program.

For a link to the full press release from Bloom Energy, click  here.

myFC to Develop Hybrid Fuel Cell Product Platform for Cell Phone & Power Bank Markets

MyFC On April 28, Swedish micro fuel cell maker myFC announced that it is developing a hybrid fuel cell/electric battery product that can be used to charge power banks, smartphones, and tablets. The JAQ Hybrid product platform will be able to charge these devices using myFC's patented-formula hydrogen fuel via the pocket sized PowerCard, or through a traditional electric battery. 

 
myFC's current JAQ charger, which will be replaced by the JAQ Hybrid platform. Source: myFC

According to myFC, the JAQ Hybrid will be shown to the public for the first time at Mobile World Congress in Shanghai in June. 

For a link to the full press release from myFC, click  here.

Hydrogenics Unveils 3 Megawatt Stack for Hydrogen Energy Generation 

Hydrogenics
On April 25, Hydrogenics announced the commercial introduction of its 3 MW Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer stack. According to Hydrogenics, the new system can generate 1,350 kilograms of hydrogen per day, the equivalent of fueling 280 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles every 24 hours.   

The 3 MW PEM electrolyzer stack was displayed this week at the Hannover Messe in Germany. 

Hydrogenics' 3 MW PEM Electrolyzer stack on display at the 2017 Hannover Messe. 
Source: FCHEA

For a link to the full press release from Hydrogenics, click here.

Hyundai Tuscon Fuel Cell Drivers Accumulate Over 2 Million Miles in CA

Hyundai USA On April 21, Hyundai announced that its Tuscon Fuel Cell vehicle drivers have surpassed over 2 million miles on the road in California, just in time for Earth Day on April 22. According to the automaker, the Hyundai Tuscon has replaced approximately 760 tons of CO2 emissions since it was introduced in 2014 as the first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle for the U.S. market. 

The 2017 Hyundai Tuscon Fuel Cell vehicle. Source: Hyundai  

For a link to the full press release from Hyundai, click  here.

Ceres Power to Develop Residential Fuel Cell Power System 

Ceres Power On May 11, Ceres Power announced a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system joint development agreement with one of its global original equipment manufacturers. The two year agreement will allow Ceres Power to develop its SteelCell SOFC system for residential markets.

Innovate UK, the British government's technology investment arm, is supporting the development project with  £0.7m ($0.9 million) in funding. The project will help de-carbonize household heating systems, which the government recognizes as a key target for reducing CO emissions.   

For a link to the full press release from Ceres Power, click here.

Hydrogen Fuel & Technology for Shell Eco-Marathon Americas Supplied by Linde

LindeGroup.png Linde North America was the sole supplier of hydrogen fuel and technology expertise at this year's Shell Eco-marathon Americas, a competition where students attempt to design, build, and drive the most energy-efficient vehicle. The Americas competition took place at a four-day, festival of ideas and innovation - Make the Future Detroit - at the Cobo Center in Detroit, from April 27 - 30.

At the competition, Linde showcased their HYMERA, the world's first high-efficiency, portable hydrogen fuel cell generator, for the first time in the United States. 


The BOC HYMERA portable hydrogen fuel cell generator, which was displayed at the Shell Eco-marathon Americas in Detroit. Source: BOC (a member of The Linde Group)

For a link to the full press release from Linde North America, click  here.

Nel Receives Purchase Order for Additional Hydrogen Station in Norway 

On April 26, Nel Hydrogen Solutions, a division of Nel ASA, announced that it has received a purchase order for equipment to build a second H2Station® in Bergen, Norway. The purchase order for the hydrogen fueling station has a value of 1 million euros, and the station is planned to be installed in Bergen by the end of 2017.

The purchase order comes Uno-X Hydrogen, a joint venture between Nel, Norwegian fueling station chain Uno-X, and American industrial gas company Praxair. Uno-X Hydrogen aims to build a network of 20 hydrogen fueling stations by 2020, covering all of Norway's major cities.

For a link to the full press release from Nel, click here. 

Intelligent Energy to Lead Industry Group to Develop Automated Fuel Cell Manufacturing Process    
   
Intelligent Energy On May 8, Intelligent Energy announced that it has been designated the technical lead for a pan-European industry group to further commercialize fuel cells for the mass automotive market. Named DIGIMAN, the €3.5 million program (approximately $4.5 million) will focus on creating a robust platform for future automated fuel cell stack production for zero emission vehicles. 

The program is funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) under the European Union Horizon 2020 initiative. According to Intelligent Energy, DIGIMAN will design a blueprint for the seamless integration of digital manufacturing techniques and advanced technology optimized for automated production, in order to reduce operational and supply chain costs. Once developed, the blueprint design will enable build-to-print machine configurations with ready to scale production capacity to meet future requirements of more than 50,000 fuel cell stacks by 2020.
 
For a link to the full press release from Intelligent Energy, click  here.

Air Liquide Launches First Hydrogen Pipeline Network in the Middle East

Capture.png On May 9, TradeArabia reported that Air Liquide Arabia (Alar) has started up their hydrogen pipeline network in the city of Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The pipeline, over 21 kilometers in length (approximately 13 miles) will help supply a variety of refining, petrochemical, glass, and steel companies in Jubail with hydrogen for use in their industrial processes. According to TradeArabia, the Alar pipeline network is the first of its kind in the Middle East. 

For a link to the full article from TradeArabia, click here.

MyFC to Develop Fuel Cell Range Extender for Electric Vehicles

MyFC
On May 15, Swedish fuel cell company myFC announced that it is developing a fuel cell / battery hybrid vehicle solution, utilizing a fuel cell system as range extender for electric vehicles.  Using its Lamina fuel cell and JAQ hydrogen fuel, myFC reports the hybrid system could potentially double the range of a typical electric car. 
 
According to myFC, testing of the hybrid product with commercial car models will commence within the next twelve months. 

For a link to the full press release from myFC, click here.

Nel Signs Final Agreement to Acquire Proton OnSite

Nel Hydrogen On April 28, Norwegian hydrogen energy firm Nel ASA announced that they have signed a final agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of electrolyzer company Proton OnSite. According to Nel, the acquisition will make them the world's largest  manufacturer of water electrolysers for hydrogen production, offering both alkaline and PEM electrolysers in all relevant sizes and markets.

For a link to the full press release from Nel, click here.

TIA Fuel Cell Reference Guide Now Available 

On April 27, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) released the "TIA Fuel Cell Reference Guide: Compliance with Regulations, Codes, and Standards for the Deployment of Stationary Fuel Cells." The guide was made to help entities in the global information and communications technology industry (ICT) tap into ways to use fuel cells for backup power. 

To assist in developing the reference guide, FCHEA and several of its member companies participated in TIA's Focus Group on Fuel Cell Standards for ICT Infrastructure. 

For a link to the full press release from TIA, click here.

FCHEA Releases New Report on the Business Case for Fuel Cells 

On April 25, the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) released The Business Case for Fuel Cells 2016: Delivering Sustainable Value, a new report that provides an overview of the fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry through the end of 2016. 

FCHEA found that growing sales are helping to bring attention to the range of benefits and markets fuel cells can serve, with high profile corporations and utilities leading both new and repeat customers.

The report profiles dynamic market sectors where fuel cells are making an impact including: Retail Shopping; Grocers, Food & Logistics; Industrial & Consumer Products; Technology & Telecommunication; Entertainment & Sports; Financial Services; Real Estate; Healthcare & Biotechnology; Hotels; Transportation; and Utilities.

The report can be downloaded for free here. For a press release with more information on the report, click here.

FCHEA Participates in  Massachusetts Clean Energy Day 2017 

On May 16, FCHEA participated in the Northeast Clean Energy Council's (NECEC) Massachusetts Clean Energy Day, held at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. 

Clean Energy Day kicked off with the Clean Energy Business Showcase, which included an FCHEA exhibit booth. Attendees then heard about clean energy initiatives throughout the state from a number of speakers, including: Massachusetts State Senator Michael J. Barrett, State Representative Thomas A. Golden Jr, and Massachusetts State Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matt Beaton.

Peter Rothstein, President of NECEC, addresses the attendees at the Massachusetts State House
Peter Rothstein, President of NECEC, addresses the attendees at the Massachusetts State House. Source: FCHEA

MA Clean Energy Day concluded with legislative meetings between NECEC participants - including FCHEA - and state legislative staff at the State House.   

Federal
Federal Program Update

FCHEA Testifies in Support of Fuel Cell Programs at House Appropriations Hearing for FY 2018

On May 3, FCHEA President Morry Markowitz testified at a public hearing held by the Energy and Water Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee for proposed Fiscal Year 2018 Department of Energy appropriations. Mr. Markowitz's testimony highlighted the energy, economic, and environmental security benefits the fuel cell industry provides to the United States. 

On behalf of FCHEA and its member companies, Mr. Markowitz requested that the Appropriations Committee allocates the same funding in Fiscal Year 2018 as it has in this fiscal year for fuel cell and hydrogen energy programs within the Department of Energy. 

To watch a clip of the testimony before the Subcommittee, click on the picture below. 



Congress Passes Omnibus Appropriations Bill for FY 2017
 
On May 1, House and Senate leaders announced agreement on a $1 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government through the end of Fiscal Year 2017, which ends on September 30. The bill was passed by the House on May 3, and by the Senate on May 4. The bill must be signed into law by the President by the end of the day on May 5 to avoid a government shutdown.   
 
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 allocates nearly $38 billion for the Department of Energy, including $101 million for EERE's Fuel Cell Technologies Office. The measure also provides about $28 million for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell activities managed by the Office of Fossil Energy.
 
For a link to the report on Department of Energy spending levels and report language, click here. 

Savannah River National Laboratory Wins DOE Award to Collaborate with Small Business on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology  

Savannah River National Labs On April 21, Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to collaborate with a small business on hydrogen fuel cell technology. 

The $300,000 award from the DOE Small Business Vouchers pilot program will fund SRNL's collaboration with Hawaii Hydrogen Carriers to  analyze the performance and design of low-pressure hydrogen storage systems to power mobile applications of polymer electrolyte membrane hydrogen fuel cells. 
 
For the full press release from DOE's Fuel Cell Technologies Office, click  here.
 
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Demonstrates Technology to Source Hydrogen from Recycled Wastewater

Image result for oak ridge national laboratory
On May 5, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) announced the development of a new process that recycles wastewater from biofuel production to generate hydrogen. The lab-scale demonstration can produce 11.7 liters of hydrogen per day, using electrogen microbes to breakdown organic compounds in liquid bio-oil from plant feedstocks. Hydrogen is generated as a byproduct of this process, and can then be used to refine bio-oils to liquid fuels like gasoline or diesel. 

A microbial electrolysis process developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory recycles wastewater from biofuel production into hydrogen  Visualization of the new hydrogen bio-refinery  process developed by ORNL. 
Source: ORNL

Funding for the project came from a three-year, $2.1 million grant from the Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office, and ORNL's Seed Money program.

For a link to the full press release from ORNL, click  here.

eventsUpcoming Events
 
2017 Fuel Cell Seminar & Energy Exposition: Call for Abstracts Due Saturday! 


The Fuel Cell Seminar 2017 Call for Abstracts closes on May 27, 2017, so submit your papers and proposals today! The full list of Topic Areas for the 2017 Fuel Cell Seminar is available online at www.fuelcellseminar.com/call-for-abstractsPlease see the Submission Guidelines here for details on how to submit your paper.
The Fuel Cell Seminar and Energy Exposition (FCS&EE) is back! Join us in Long Beach, California on November 7 - 9, 2017. 

Online registration is now open for both attendees and exhibitors at www.fuelcellseminar.com/registration.
 
The 2017 FCS&EE will be a milestone event for the fuel cell and hydrogen community to come together and show our collective strength, celebrate progress, and discover new opportunities.
  • Novel plenary sessions from leading corporate customers, industry innovators, government champions, and more
  • Latest research, developments, and successes from the world's top scientists and companies in the lab and out in the field
  • Fuel cell and hydrogen products, services, and skills on full display in the exposition hall
  • Networking with hundreds of industry pioneers from across the spectrum providing the connections to help expand your business
Hotel Information  for the 2017 Fuel Cell Seminar is now available online at  www.fuelcellseminar.com/hotel/ .

DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Annual Merit Review & Peer Evaluation 

No automatic alt text available. Registration for the U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR) is now open. The AMR will be held June 5-9 in the Washington Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Washington, D.C. All meeting participants must register to attend this meeting, including presenters  and reviewers. 

For more information about the meeting, including the registration page, a detailed schedule, and hotel and travel details, click here.

Additional Links
addit
Environmental News Service | 21 April 2017


AutoGuide.com | 24 April 2017

Automotive News | 24 April 2017

Japan Dreams of a Hydrogen Society
Automotive News | 24 April 2017

United States Department of Energy | 24 April 2017

Automotive News | 24 April 2017

The Drive | 24 April 2017


Altergy Systems via AGL Media Group | 25 April 2017

California Energy Commission Blog | 25 April 2017

European Zero Emissions Technology & Innovation Platform | 25 April 2017

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell 2017 Review
Autocar | 26 April 2017


Gizmodo UK | 27 April 2017

The Drive | 27 April 2017 

Yahoo! News UK | 27 April 2017


Forklift Action | 27 April 2017

Reuters | 28 April 2017


CAR Magazine UK | 28 April 2017


Road / Show by CNET | 1 May 2017

Evo | 1 May 2017

Trucks.com | 2 May 2017


CSIRO Hydrogen Membrane a Gateway to Renewable Energy Exports
Ecogeneration (Australia) | 3 May 2017

Arabian Supply Chain | 3 May 2017

Consumer Reports | 3 May 2017

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | 5 May 2017

NGT News | 5 May 2017 

Nel ASA | 11 May 2017

The Tico Times | 11 May 2017

MFR Tech | 15 May 2017

Business Insider | 17 May 2017

Financial Tribune (Iran) | 18 May 2017 


ABC News | 19 May 2017

The Japan Times | 19 May 2017

rfi Request for Papers, Proposals, and Information
FTA Funding Opportunity for Clean-Energy Transit Bus Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has 
announced the opportunity  to apply for up to $55 million in competitive grant funds through FTA's Low or No Emission (Low-No) Bus Program. The Low-No program supports projects sponsored by local transit agencies to bring advanced, American-made bus technologies such as battery electric power and hydrogen fuel cells into service nationwide.

The application deadline is June 26, 2017. Project selections will be announced within 75 days of the closing of the application period, and no later than September 30, 2017.

For a link to the to Notice of Funding, including all relevant documents, click here.

California Energy Commission Grant Funding Opportunity

The California Energy Commission's (Energy Commission) Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP) announces the availability of up to $3 million in grant funds for projects that will demonstrate innovative electric vehicle mobility services in four specified areas in California.

Deadline to Submit Applications: June 30, 2017, by 5:00 p.m.

For more information on this grant opportunity, click  here.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NSERDA) Funding Opportunity

New York State's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative envisions Distributed Energy Resources, including energy storage, being an integral part of transforming the grid to one with more renewable energy and flexible consumption. 

NYSERDA is seeking field demonstration projects of commercial distributed energy storage systems that leverage the flexibility of energy storage to 'stack' two or more value streams by performing multiple functions for retail electric customers, distributed generation, utilities and the New York State Independent System Operator (NYISO). These demonstration projects should help electricity customers, storage vendors, developers, utilities, the NYISO, aggregators, etc. by tackling the operational, regulatory and business model complexities in real-world energy storage 'use cases' that can be repeatable and scalable in New York State.

Up to $15.5 million in funding is available for this opportunity. 

Projects will be awarded on an ongoing basis from now until December 31, 2019. 

For more information on this funding opportunity, including all relevant application documents, click  here.

About the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Connection
about
Administration

  

Press releases and story ideas may be forwarded to Connor Dolan and Karen Hall for consideration at cdolan@fchea.org and khall@fchea.org respectively.

 

If your company is interested in joining FCHEA, please visit fchea.org or contact Connor Dolan at cdolan@fchea.org.

 

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.

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