Oorja Protonics Introduces Methanol-Based, On-Board Battery Charger, 50 Times More Powerful Than Competition (17/02/10)

Oorja Protonics has announced the launch of a new liquid methanol fuel cell which is reportedly 50 times more powerful for on-board battery charging than its contemporaries.

The OorjaPac Model 1 offers a 4.5kW output and an operating cost of $0.18 per kW-hour, making it an "economical solution" for forklift truck drivers and fleet managers, Business Week reports.

Hydrogenics gets UN contract; shares jump (24/02/10)

Hydrogenics Corporation has revealed that it will supply fuel cells for a United Nations Development Organisation project, Reuters reports.

The Canadian firm is offering six HyPM HD8 units - plus carbon composite hydrogen storage tanks and components - for the Istanbul-based project over the next two years.

Heliocentris acquires a further order in the Gulf (01/03/10)

Heliocentris Fuel Cells has secured a deal to provide the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training with a number of clean energy storage solutions.

The Kuwaiti training centre will receive PV modules, a wind generator, an electrolyser and a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell system as part of the order.

Heliocentris Wins Order in Saudi Arabia For Off-Grid Fuel Cell Solution (12/03/10)

Heliocentris also revealed recently that it has received a further order to supply its PEM fuel cells to Kind Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

"This project from Saudi Arabia represents the third major order which we have received from the Gulf within the space of just a few months", said Chief Financial Officer Dr Andras Gosztonyi.

IdaTech's Fuel Cell System Powered the Floating Olympic Rings (02/03/10)

The floating Olympic rings seen in Vancouver harbour during the recent Winter Games were partially powered by fuel cells, it has been confirmed.

IdaTech's ElectraGen H2 system was chosen by local authorities to power the 30-ft tall rings, operating alongside a biodiesel generator.

Ballard to Power SunLine Transit Agency Buses (02/03/10)

Ballard Power Systems has clinched a deal to supply fuel cell units for two transit bus configurations at SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Oaks, California.

The FCvelocity-HD6 power modules used in the two buses - which will come into service in 2010 and 2011 respectively - are similar to those found in 20 buses currently running in the Canadian city of Whistler.

Ballard to Receive DOE Funding to Advance Non-Automotive Fuel Cell Commercialization (08/03/10)

Meanwhile, Ballard has also confirmed that it has secured a $6.2 million grant from the US Department of Energy for a four-year fuel cell research programme.

The company will focus its efforts on improving fuel cell durability and affordability, while also looking into the commercialisation of the technology of diverse applications.

The Clean Energy Partnership is growing: with new hydrogen filling stations, new regions and a new international automobile partner in Toyota (05/03/10)

Germany's Clean Energy Partnership has received a boost with the news that Toyota has been added to the fuel cell development initiative.

The world's largest automaker is set to contribute five FCHV-adv fuel cell hybrid vehicles by 2011, bringing the total number of emission-free cars in Berlin and Hamburg to 40, produced by six manufacturers.

"We firmly believe that fuel cell hybrid vehicles will play a major role in reducing emissions and in achieving sustainable mobility," said Tadashi Arashima, Chief Executive and President of Toyota Motor Europe.

SymPowerco Announces Fuel Cell Prototype Objectives (05/03/10)

SymPowerco Corporation has announced that the primary objective of its new fuel cell prototype project is to improve the reaction kinetics in its Flowing Electrolyte Direct Methanol Fuel Cell unit.

The company is aiming to reduce the excessive voltage drops, or activation polarisation, that occur during the reaction by advancing its bipolar plate designs.

Work will predominantly focus on improving the removal of gas from the reaction zone, thereby optimising both fuel flow and catalyst availability.

Raymond Named Independent Distributor of Plug Power's GenDrive(TM) Hydrogen Fuel Cells (11/03/10)

Plug Power has confirmed that the Raymond Corporation is now an independent distributor or the sale, rental and lease of its GenDrive fuel cell units in North America.

"This partnership enables Raymond to offer cutting-edge lift truck power solutions to the material handling industry," commented Chuck Pascarelli, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Raymond Corporation.

Japan aims its home fuel cells at Europe (12/03/10)

Japanese firms are looking to bring fuel cell units to properties in the UK and Germany after a successful domestic roll-out of the technology, the BBC reports.

Companies such as electronics giant Panasonic are in talks with EU officials after Japanese homes reported impressive heating-based results from 5,000 fuel cells distributed across the country.

Honda drives toward home solar hydrogen refueling (13/03/10)

Honda has announced plans to explore the possibility of establishing a home solar-powered hydrogen refuelling station, Reuters reports.

Poor refuelling infrastructure is one of the main barriers to using fuel cells for zero-emission cars, but the Japanese automaker believes domestic facilities could be a solution.

The company recently unveiled a prototype - using a 6kW solar array, composed of 48 panels and thin film solar cells - at its Los Angeles research base.

United Natural Foods To Adopt Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology at Its Sarasota, FL Distribution Center (12/03/10)

United Natural Foods Inc (UNFI) has announced that it intends to use fuel cell technology to power the lift truck fleet at its distribution centre in Sarasota, Florida.

Sixty-five trucks powered by GenDrive fuel cells are set to be mobilised by June 2010, while 29 new vehicles will be added and 36 existing ones will be retrofitted with fuel cells.

"This hydrogen fuel cell project is further proof of UNFI's leadership as an environmentally-conscious organisation by advancing the use and development of alternative-fuel technologies," said Steve Spinner, UNFI's President and Chief Executive.

Altergy’s Fuel Cells Supply Power and Light at the Academy Awards (11/03/10)

Altergy Freedom Power has revealed that its fuel cells were used to power a number of different applications at the recent Academy Awards ceremonies.

GM to Maintain Hydrogen Push as Plug-In Volt Readied for Sale (17/03/10)

General Motors (GM) has reaffirmed its commitment to developing fuel cell technology, despite the planned launch of its battery-powered Chevrolet Volt plug-in vehicle.

"We are not abandoning the fuel cell technology," Charles Freese, Executive Director of Global Powertrain Engineering at the Detroit-based giant, told Business Week.

"Through the worst years in this company's history we maintained the programme and maintained the forward progress."

GM's Fuel Cell System Shrinks in Size, Weight, Cost (16/03/10)

Indeed, GM confirmed earlier this month that it is testing a hydrogen fuel cell system which could be ready for commercial production in 2015.

The new system is believed to be half the size and 220lbs lighter than the one used in its Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicles as part of Project Driveway, while also requiring only a third of the platinum.

Mr Freese commented: "The 30 months we committed to the demonstration are winding down, but we will keep upgrades of these vehicles running and will continue learning from them while we focus efforts on the production-intent programme for 2015."

Project Driveway has seen 119 fuel cell electric vehicles complete a combined 1.3 million miles in everyday driving in cities around the world since late 2007.

Bristol City Council Exploring Opportunities To Use Hydrogen Passenger Ferries (19/03/10)

In the UK, Bristol City Council is eager to find technology partners to develop a hydrogen-fuelled boat for use in its harbour.

The resulting tests would run for between three and six months, with the ferry expected to be in operation for 42 hours during a six-day week.

"We want to show that Bristol is a place to try out new environmental technologies, creating new jobs while combating climate change, peak oil and other environmental concerns," said Cllr Jon Rogers.

Hydrogen power tops the bill at SB: Sustainable Business - The Event (19/03/10)

Finally, Dr Bruno Pollet, from the fuel cells group at Birmingham University, delivered a rousing speech about the benefits of the technology at the recent Sustainabilitylive! event.

"Hydrogen is naturally abundant and produces only one waste product as a fuel: water when either burnt or used in a fuel cell," he said.

"We are working to make hydrogen a cost-effective practical alternative to fossil fuels, but also to work with collaborators in business to make sure its potential is fully understood and exploited."

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