Ballard Power Systems reported its second quarter results and revealed that product shipments were up by 15 per cent on the same period during 2007. John Sheridan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the firm, said that it was in a good position for the remainder of 2008.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=76046&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1180385&highlight=

In addition to the positive results, Ballard Power Systems also announced a two year agreement with Daimler AG that will see it provide a fuel service support package for fuel cell systems on six Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses. It is the third service contract awarded to Ballard for the buses which are currently being used in Hamburg.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=76046&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1180185&highlight=

As the Beijing Olympic Games draws to its conclusion, 20 hydrogen fuel-cell cars have been providing environmentally friendly transport throughout. Made by the Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Company, the cars have undergone strict tests in safety, reliability and durability. VIPs, officials and the media have been transported in the cars during the event.

http://www.h2daily.com/index.php/20080728675/Latest/-20-Fuel-Cell-Sedans-for-the-Beijing-Olympics.html

Geoff Ballard, a pioneer of the fuel cell industry, died aged 76 this month. He is well known within the industry and across the world for his development of the world's first hydrogen fuel cell transit bus. He also founded Ballard Power Systems in 1979.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h0wTQWFdAHvGus-ZTxgdLwctR1XQD92CDORO0

Jamie Lee Curtis became another American customer to take delivery of a Honda FCX Clarity at the end of the July. She is the second of about 200 customers who will be able to lease the car over the next three years. The fuel cell vehicle has a 25 per cent increase in combined fuel economy compared to the previous generation of Honda fuel cell vehicles.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS142335+05-Aug-2008+PRN20080805

Volkswagen will trial its HyMotion Tiguan on a trip from Portland in Maine to Los Angeles over 13 days. The trip comes as part of the National Hydrogen Road Tour which is being sponsored by the US Department of Transportation, the California Fuel Cell Partnership and the US Department of Energy. The National Hydrogen Association is also involved.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-11-2008/0004865439&EDATE=

Boston opened its first hydrogen refuelling station this month. The PowerTap allows drivers to refuel their hydrogen powered cars. Boston.com reported that nine cars were filled with hydrogen fuel equal to 25 gallons of gasoline on its first day. Several cars taking part in the National Hydrogen Road Tour were the first to be refuelled.

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/08/12/states_first_hydrogen_refueling_facility_powers_up/

According to the 2007 Worldwide Fuel Cell Industry Survey, released in July, global sales within the industry increased to $829 million with job opportunities growing by 22 per cent between 2005 and 2006. The increased sales were attributed to the growing contribution of fuel cells in an energy conscious world.

http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=17013

It was also announced this month that the University of Queensland will lead a partnership between Australia and China on clean energy technologies. It will focus on clean fuel cell vehicles, as well as hybrid, clean coal and hydrogen production and storage techniques. The research will cost $3.9 million and will see scientists from the University of Queensland team up with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=15664

Researchers believe they have made a significant development in platinum nanostructures. Considered the best catalysts for fuel cells, platinum nanostructures are important to the industry. Scientists from Cornell University have developed a technique to self-assemble metals into complex nanostructures enabling them to use new conductors.

http://www.semiconductor.net/article/CA6588159.html?desc=topstory

A new hydrogen mini-grid system is under construction in South Yorkshire after foundations for the site were laid, New Energy Focus reported. The new Environmental Energy Technology Centre (EETC) will be powered by a 225kw turbine. When the wind does not blow, a hydrogen fuel cell system will provide the building's power needs.

http://newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=1591&section=

APC announced its Fuel Cell Extended Run (FCXR) product that provides backup power for the InfraStruXure data centre solution. It produces free electrical backup power using a hydrogen fuel cell system.

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Apc-891063.html

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies launched the fuel cell industry's first direct ethanol product using tiny amounts of alcohol and water for power. It will be used to introduce fuel cell technology to children, scientists, teachers and engineers and uses a desktop fan running off 90 per cent water and ten per cent ethanol mix.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-19-2008/0004870118&EDATE=

Plug Power announced that it has been successful in commissioning the first backup power fuel cell for a wireless application. Reports from Fox Business revealed that T-Mobile purchased the technology that will provide backup for its mobile phone mast in Storrs in Connecticut.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/energy/plug-power-makes-sale-t-mobile-connecticut/

Tata Teleservices, Plug Power and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation announced a successful field trial involving Plug Power's GenSys prime power fuel cell product. The test took place in India and was designed to test both the performance of the fuel cell and refuelling infrastructure of rural India.

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=148993