4.1.2012 Worth a Thousand Words: Autonomous Systems
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4.2.2012 Apple’s green fuel cell facility to begin generating power by June
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4.2.2012 Bloom Energy to power Apple's fuel cell farm in N.C.
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4.2.2012 Butterfly wings may hold the key to hydrogen fuel cell efficiency
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4.3.2012 Ballard And IdaTech Extend Fuel Cell Stack Supply Agreement For Backup Power Thru 2013
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4.3.2012 Air Liquide to Supply Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure for Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration in Birmingham, Ala.
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4.3.2012 Federal Transit Administration Announces 5 Awards to CALSTART -- Advancing Zero Emission Bus Technology
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4.3.2012 Michigan Tech Breakthrough Could Slash R&D Time for Next Generation of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
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4.4.2012 Apple plans fuel cell project
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4.5.2012 Hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Flies ScanEagle
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4.6.2012 Columbia kids museum hosts fuel cell engineers
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4.10.2012 Tropical Introduces 5kW Natural Gas Fuel Cell Power System
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4.10.2012 Linde Hydrogen Station Begins Operating in Emeryville, California
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4.11.2012 Army lab to develop energy-saving technology
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4.11.2012 Intelligent Energy Joins British Prime Minister on International Trade Delegation to Japan
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April 1, 2012
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Worth a Thousand Words: Autonomous Systems
Drew Rodgers, a mechanical engineer at the Naval Research Laboratory, demonstrates Ion Tiger, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned aerial vehicle, for Dr. John P. Holdren, right, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Capt. Paul Stewart, commanding officer of Naval Research Laboratory, and Dr. Arun Seraphin, assistant director of defense programs at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, during a tour of the just-opened Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research (LASR). The facility will integrate science and technology components into research prototype systems and will become the nerve center for basic research that supports autonomous systems research for the Navy and Marine Corps.
(U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released)
April 2, 2012
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Apple’s green fuel cell facility to begin generating power by June
The largest private fuel cell energy project will power Apple’s Maiden data centre
Apple plans to build a 4.8-megawatt fuel cell facility in North Carolina to help power its Maiden data centre. The facility could begin generating as early as June.
Greensboro News & Record reports that on 28 March, Apple filed the plans with the North Carolina Utilities Commission. In the filing, Apple described the plant as having: "24 fuel cell systems on a single site adjacent to its data centre in Maiden, North Carolina. The Facility will be fuelled by Directed Biogas, a renewable energy source."
In the filing, Apple said that the initial fuel cell systems may begin generating electricity as early as June, and anticipates that all of the systems will be operating by the end of November.
The facility will be the largest private fuel cell energy project, a non-polluting silent power plant that will generate electricity from hydrogen, claims News & Record. Apple's filing describes that the facility will have 24 200-kilowatt alternating current (AC) all-electric fuel cell systems which will "sit on a common concrete pad out of doors" and produce "negligible air particulate emissions and significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions".
The more environmentally aware facility from Apple comes almost a year after Apple was criticised by Greenpeace for its North Carolina data centre, which was build to support iCloud and Siri. Greenpeace dubbed Apple part of 'North Carolina's dirty data triangle' alongside Google and Facebook, which also have facilities in the area.
Since then, Apple has been trying to clean up its act, and also openly published an overview of its carbon footprint for 2011 in February.
April 2, 2012
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Bloom Energy to power Apple's fuel cell farm in N.C.
A filing with North Carolina's Utilities Commission reveals that Apple's 4.8-megawatt fuel cell farm at its North Carolina data center will use Bloom Energy's "Bloom Energy Servers," and is set to be the largest of its kind outside of electric company installations.
According to the project's filing, the fuel cells will be installed within the year and will join the solar farm in the same complex that powers the company's Maiden, N.C. data center, the home of iCloud and the Siri voice assistant., reports Greensboro newspaper the News & Record.
The news confirms previous rumors that the Cupertino, Calif., company would adding a hydrogen-based energy solution to its existing 20-megawatt solar farm project, which itself is the largest private solar array in the country.
"That's a huge vote of confidence in fuel cells," said James Warner, policy director of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association in Washington.
The filing also names the company supplying Apple's fuel cells as Bloom Energy, the only firm capable of filling an order of such magnitude. The clean energy solutions company already has Bloom Energy Servers on Apple's Cupertino campus.
The Maiden installation will consist of 24 Bloom units that will extract hydrogen from an undisclosed amount of natural gas provided by Piedmont Natural Gas. In order to be considered a renewable facility, Apple or Bloom will have to produce biogas of its own to offset the natural gas usage, though a provider has yet to be announced.
[Apple's project would be ten times larger than Bank of America's 500 kW Bloom installation in Southern California. | Source: Bloom]
A report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the cost of using fuel cells comes to about $6.7 million per megawatt, making it one of the most expensive forms of energy production available. This means that Apple's project will cost the company approximately $30 million.
The federal government offers a 30 percent tax break for fuel cell use, though North Carolina currently has no incentives in place for the technology. There is a possibility, however, that Apple may sell some of the electricity it produces to Duke University, which is required by state law to buy power generated from renewable resources. Any deals between Duke and Apple will be done outside the purview of governmental agencies.
April 2, 2012
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Butterfly wings may hold the key to hydrogen fuel cell efficiency
Researchers from the Shanghai Jiaotong University in China have been working on a way to boost hydrogen fuel production. Their efforts were spurred by the growing demand for hydrogen gas, which has been driven by the increasing popularity of fuel cells. The auto industry has been a champion of fuel cells and hydrogen energy for the past several years and most major car makers will be releasing hydrogen-powered cars in 2013 and 2015. As these vehicles become commonplace, the need for hydrogen fuel is expected to reach critical mass. Researchers believe that hydrogen production will be as important to the auto industry as fuel cells are.
Like other researchers around the world, Chinese scientists are turning to nanotechnology for answers. Unlike their compatriots, however, they believe that the solution to efficient and effective hydrogen production already exists and can be found in the wings of a butterfly. Researchers have been analyzing the winds of the Papilio helenus, a butterfly native to southern India and Southeast Asia, and have based a nanostructure on the design of these wings. According to researchers, this design, comprised platinum nanoparticles, is responsible for a 230% increase in hydrogen production in solar-powered fuel cells.
A butterfly is well-known for its ability to collect solar energy through its wings to heat its body. Researchers suggest that this concept can be applied to fuel cell technology to make hydrogen production a more efficient process.
April 3, 2012
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Ballard And IdaTech Extend Fuel Cell Stack Supply Agreement For Backup Power Thru 2013
VANCOUVER - Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD) (NASDAQ: BLDP) today announced a one-year extension of its Equipment Supply Agreement with IdaTech (www.idatech.com), through 2013. IdaTech is a system integrator focused on extended run backup power solutions for the telecommunications industry.
Ballard will support IdaTech's projected need for 2,500 fuel cell stacks through the end of 2013 with FCgen®-1020ACS fuel cell stacks, each having a power level of up to 3-kilowatts. Ballard fuel cell stacks are integrated by IdaTech into its line of ElectraGenTM ME systems, which operate using reformed methanol fuel, and its ElectraGenTM H2-I systems, which operate using direct hydrogen fuel.
IdaTech's systems are installed as an alternative to traditional power generators - such as lead-acid batteries and diesel generators - at telecom network sites, including wireless network base stations. In the event of a grid power failure, the reliability and rapid start-up of fuel cell-powered ElectraGenTM systems ensures seamless, uninterrupted service to telecom end-customers.
Larry Stapleton, Ballard's Vice President of Sales said, "This agreement is a positive reflection of demand for fuel cell backup power solutions. And, the deal helps build our competitive position in comparison to lead acid batteries and diesel gensets. We look forward to the ongoing success of our relationship with IdaTech in growing the adoption of our products for use in backup power applications."
More than 350 IdaTech ElectraGenTM systems, using Ballard fuel cell stacks, have been sold to leading telecom network and service providers in Asia, Africa, North America and Central America.
About Ballard Power Systems Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD) (NASDAQ: BLDP) provides clean energy fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of applications. Products contain proprietary esencia™ technology, ensuring incomparable performance, durability and versatility. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
April 3, 2012
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Air Liquide to Supply Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure for Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration in Birmingham, Ala.
HOUSTON -- Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP (“Air Liquide”) announced today an agreement with the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) to supply the hydrogen fueling infrastructure for a hydrogen fuel cell bus demonstration in Birmingham, Ala.
CTE, a non-profit organization that specializes in bringing clean transportation technologies to the market, will manage the hydrogen fuel cell bus demonstration over a two-year period, scheduled to begin in summer 2012. During this period, a hydrogen-powered bus will operate in regular service alongside the fleet of public buses currently operated by the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Agency (“BJCTA”).
Air Liquide will provide gaseous hydrogen and the compression and dispensing bus refueling system. The system will dispense on average about 20 kg of hydrogen per day, totaling about 12,500 kg of hydrogen during the 24-month demonstration period. The hydrogen fueling station will feature automated 350 bar hydrogen dispensing at one kg per minute, allowing operators to regularly fuel the hydrogen-powered bus quickly.
Mark Lostak, president of Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP, commented: “Air Liquide is excited to participate in the Birmingham Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration. This initiative illustrates the logical progression toward the use of hydrogen fuel cells in public transportation vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is a solution that is both economic and sustainable for mass transit systems due to the size of public bus fleets, fuel volume requirements, and the inherent ability to use a centralized fueling system. As we move towards fueling larger bus fleets, we look forward to this technology further demonstrating itself as a cost competitive and environmentally beneficial solution for public transit.”
Air Liquide has provided more than 200,000 hydrogen fills worldwide and supplied a number of filling installations in North America, including those for buses, materials handling, and light vehicles. In Whistler, Canada, Air Liquide signed a ten-year contract for 20 hydrogen-powered buses that started in February, 2010 in conjunction with the Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympics Games. This hydrogen bus fleet is the largest in the world.
“Air Liquide has a proven track record of developing hydrogen fueling stations around the world,” said Erik Bigelow, the technology development project manager at CTE who is managing the project. “We are excited to work with them to bring the first hydrogen infrastructure to Birmingham, Ala.”
“The BJCTA is proud to be a part of this fuel cell demonstration,” said Lee Jackson, Director of Maintenance at BJCTA. “This project will give Birmingham and the surrounding communities a firsthand look at the new clean technologies that are being developed and introduced to mass transit. The project will also allow the BJCTA to step forward as a leader in the Southeast as a test facility for the new technology.”
The Birmingham Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration is a part of the National Fuel Cell Bus Program (“NFCBP”), an initiative funded by the Federal Transit Administration (“FTA”). EVAmerica, an organization specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of electric and hybrid-electric medium to heavy-duty vehicles, will design and integrate the hydrogen-powered bus, and the hydrogen fuel cell is being provided by Ballard Power Systems.
Air Liquide in the U.S.
Air Liquide companies in the U.S. employ about 5,000 employees in over 200 locations, and offer industrial gases, equipment and related services to customers in the large industries, industrial merchant, electronics and healthcare markets.
Air Liquide’s Industrial Merchant business is present throughout the U.S. providing gases in bulk tankers or in cylinders to diverse sectors in automotive, manufacturing, food, pharmaceuticals, materials, energy, technology, research and to distributors.
Industrial gases optimize production processes, enhance safety and improve product quality.
Hydrogen Energy
Hydrogen can be produced from a various range of energy sources, natural gas, in particular, but also renewable energy sources. Hydrogen thus has great potential to provide clean energy and ensure reliability of supplies.
Air Liquide is present across the entire hydrogen energy chain (production, distribution, high-pressure storage, fuel cells and hydrogen filling stations).
Blue Hydrogen
With Blue Hydrogen, Air Liquide is moving towards a gradual decarbonization of its hydrogen production dedicated to energy applications.
In practical terms, Air Liquide takes a commitment to produce at least 50% of the hydrogen necessary to these applications through carbon-free processes by 2020, by combining:
* renewable energy sources, water electrolysis and biogas reforming,
* carbon capture and storage technologies during the hydrogen production process based on natural gas.
Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with 46,200 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.
Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry’s energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy... Oxygen for hospitals, homecare, fighting nosocomial infections...Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.
A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide’s teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.
Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable development approach. In 2011, the Group’s revenues amounted to EUR14.5 billion, of which more than 80% were generated outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.
April 3, 2012
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Federal Transit Administration Announces 5 Awards to CALSTART -- Advancing Zero Emission Bus Technology
PASADENA, CA -- The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced awards totaling $6.6 million to CALSTART for a variety of projects that will help to make zero emission fuel cell buses economically viable.
"We are extremely pleased with the announcement by Secretary LaHood. Matched on a 1:1 basis by other sources, these federal grants will play an important role in accelerating the market adoption of zero emission fuel cell buses. These awards are investments in better public health, energy security, and climate protection," said CALSTART President and CEO John Boesel.
CALSTART has been partnered with the FTA since the formation of the National Fuel Cell Bus Program in 2005. Over the period of the program, fuel cell life times (in transit operations) have more than doubled while costs have declined by 50 percent.
"On behalf of our many industry and transit partners, I want to thank Senator Boxer (D-CA), Congressman Schiff (D-CA), Congressman Ken Calvert (R-Riverside), and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Thousand Palms) for their leadership and support of the National Fuel Cell Bus Program. These members of Congress have recognized the important role of the federal government in assisting in the development of zero emission bus technology as a way to decrease our dependence on oil and improve urban air quality," said Boesel.
The FTA provided a total of $13.1 million in total for 11 projects nationwide. The agency received 26 proposals seeking a total of $52 million in federal funds.
A summary of the five awards to CALSTART are provided below:
Advanced Generation Fuel Cell Bus: Integrates a smaller, lighter, and more powerful United Technologies Corporation (UTC) fuel cell in a full-size transit bus built by New Flyer Industries, utilizing a BAE Systems hybrid electric drivetrain. CTTransit will operate the bus in Hartford, CT.
BUS 2010 Next Gen Compound Hybrid Fuel Cell Bus: The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency with BAE Systems will integrate and test an enhanced 30 kW Hydrogenics fuel cell to power the auxiliary systems in a lower cost commercial hybrid powertrain.
American Fuel Cell Bus Enhancement: Ballard will develop a more robust and affordable fuel cell for integration and testing in a bus operated by SunLine Transit Agency in the Coachella Valley. SunLine has the long history of deploying and testing fuel cell buses of any transit district in the country.
High Voltage Air Conditioning Converter: US Hybrid, a Torrance-based company, will develop and test a high-voltage, high efficiency, converter to power air conditioning systems for hybrid buses. Air conditioning systems are one of the biggest sources of energy consumption beyond the traction system.
U.S. Fuel Cell Bus Market Analysis: CALSTART will conduct an analysis to assess the current market viability of fuel cell buses and provide recommendations on actions to accelerate the growth of the segment.
CALSTART is a non-profit organization that acts as a catalyst for the growth of the national clean transportation technology industry. CALSTART has nearly 150 member companies and organizations representing a wide variety of clean and low carbon fuels, technologies, and vehicles. For further information visit www.calstart.org
April 3, 2012
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Michigan Tech Breakthrough Could Slash R&D Time for Next Generation of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
With PhD student Ezequiel Medici, Jeffrey Allen, right, has created a mathematical model that can predict the flow of water inside a hydrogen fuel cell.
It took Thomas Edison two years and over 3,000 experiments to develop a marketable light bulb. It has taken 10 times that long and who-knows-how-many experiments to develop a system that is far more complicated: the inner workings of a reliable, marketable hydrogen fuel cell.
Now a research team led by Jeffrey Allen of Michigan Technological University is nearing development of a mathematical model that will slash that R&D time and effort. It focuses on water, a fuel cell’s worst enemy.
Water vapor is the only emission coming out of the tailpipe of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle, a big reason why fuel cells are so attractive. But moving that water out of the fuel cell can be a soggy problem. Just a teaspoon can kill the reaction that drives hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles. And, considering that it can take a stack of dozens of fuel cells to power a car, and a single flooded cell can take down the entire stack, water management becomes a looming issue.
Most of that watery action happens in the fuel cell’s porous transport layer, or PTL, which is not much thicker than a coffee filter. That’s where all the byproducts of the fuel cell’s power-generating reaction meet up with a catalyst and react to form water vapor.
It’s not easy to find out exactly what’s happening in the PTL. “Everything is compressed like crazy,” says Allen, the John F. and Joan M. Calder Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering. “You have to get the gases—hydrogen and air—to the catalyst, and you have to get the water away. Figuring out how to do this has largely been a matter of trial and error.”
The latest generation of hydrogen fuel-cell engines does an excellent job of managing water, but as new materials and designs enter the arena, the industry is again faced with a long, costly experimental process to determine the best configuration.
“There’s a whole new class of catalysts coming out, and we want to make sure it doesn’t take another 20 years to optimize the materials set,” says Allen.
Optimizing those up-and-coming materials to get rid of water is especially difficult, because the movement of water in the PTL appears to be random. “But that’s what we’re trying to predict,” he says.
At high flow rates, water spreads out evenly. But when the flow rate is low, as it is in an operating fuel cell, it spreads out in irregular shapes like an amoeba, a process called “fingering.” Other factors come into play as well, including how saturated the PTL is.
Allen’s team incorporated those variables into a mathematical model with the aim of forecasting the movement of water. Then they tested it using four different types of PTL and found that they could predict how water would behave with a high degree of accuracy.
“We were really excited,” Allen says. “This is the first time anyone has validated a model in a real sample. We’re at the point where, by adjusting just one parameter, we are able to duplicate experimental results exactly.”
Now, the group has incorporated temperature and evaporation into their model to make it an even better tool for fuel cell designers.
Allen and Ezequiel Medici, a Michigan Tech PhD graduate and postdoctoral research fellow, have published an article on their work, “Scaling Percolation in Thin Porous Layers,” in the journal Physics of Fluids, which was published online Dec. 23, 2011. Allen presented a paper on their most recent work, “Pore-Level Simulation of Multiphase Water and Thermal Transport in Low Temperature Fuel Cells,” at the Paul Scherrer Institute, in Switzerland.
Their work was supported by the US Department of Energy with additional funds from the John F. and Joan M. Calder Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Michigan Tech’s Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics.
Michigan Technological University (www.mtu.edu) is a leading public research university developing new technologies and preparing students to create the future for a prosperous and sustainable world. Michigan Tech offers more than 130 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering; forest resources; computing; technology; business; economics; natural, physical and environmental sciences; arts; humanities; and social sciences.
April 4, 2012
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Apple plans fuel cell project
Nation’s largest such private plant to make electricity
RALEIGH — North Carolina will be home to the nation’s largest private fuel cell energy project, a nonpolluting, silent power plant that will generate electricity from hydrogen.
Apple Inc. filed its plans with the N.C. Utilities Commission last week to build the 4.8-megawatt project in Maiden, about 40 miles northwest of Charlotte. That’s where Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple has built a data center to support the company’s iCloud online data storage system and its Siri voice-recognition software.
The fuel cell project, the nation’s largest such project not built by an electric utility company, will be developed this year. It will be located on the same data complex that will host a planned 20-megawatt solar farm — the biggest ever proposed in this state.
But it’s the fuel cell project that’s generating buzz, eclipsing anything ever dreamed of in California, the nation’s epicenter for fuel cell projects.
“That’s a huge vote of confidence in fuel cells,” said James Warner, policy director of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association.
Fuel cells generate electricity through an electro-chemical process and are compared to batteries that give out power as long as they have a source of hydrogen.
They are exorbitantly expensive and in the past have been used only in experimental realms, such as NASA moon launches. The federal government offers a 30 percent tax credit, but no state incentive is available for fuel cells in North Carolina, making Apple’s project all the more intriguing. Apple is also developing miniature fuel cells to power laptop computers.
According to a recent report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, fuel cells are among the world’s most expensive forms of electricity, costing $6.7 million per megawatt, which would put Apple’s project in the $30 million range.
North Carolina’s fuel cell exposure is limited to demonstration projects that are a tiny fraction of the size of Apple’s fuel cells. Microcell Corp. is the Raleigh company behind the demos.
According to information on Apple’s website, the fuel cell facility could be in operation toward the end of the year. Beyond that information, Apple officials would not comment on the project. Nor would Bloom Energy, the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company that will build it.
Bloom Energy last year looked briefly at a site in Lexington County for an undisclosed project before losing interest.
The fuel cell modules, called Bloom Boxes, also are used by Walmart, Google, Staples, eBay, Cox Enterprises, FedEx, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, AT&T and Adobe, according to Bloom’s website.
Charlotte-based Duke Energy, which is likely to buy the electricity output from Apple, referred all questions to Apple.
Apple currently has a 500,000-square-foot data center on the 11.5-acre site. Construction recently began on a second building on the campus, but whether it will be another data center or a building related to the fuel cell investment is unclear.
April 5, 2012
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Hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Flies ScanEagle
Alternative power makes way for future capability, improves reliability and reduces customer logistics
BINGEN, Wash -- Insitu Inc. announced today that its ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS) successfully completed its first hydrogen-powered fuel cell flight during a two-and-a-half-hour flight test. The hydrogen-powered fuel cell solution was implemented as a modular upgrade to the runway-independent, expeditionary Group 2 ScanEagle UAS.
The collaboration between Insitu, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and United Technologies (UTC) took UTC's 1500 Watt (2 HP) fuel cell and integrated it with NRL's hydrogen fueling solution into a ScanEagle propulsion module. Then, in just three days, that propulsion module was fully integrated into the ScanEagle UAS at Insitu's facilities in Bingen, Wash.
"Fuel cell technology contributes to Insitu's goal of increasing reliability and reducing operating costs. Additional benefits of the technology are an increase in ScanEagle's payload capacity and a simplification in support logistics," said Insitu President and CEO Steve Morrow.
"We hit all expected performance targets, and data from the flight test will drive further system improvements," added Insitu Chief Technology Officer Charlie Guthrie.
Weight reduction will increase payload capacity and lower cost
The approach used in the hydrogen-powered fuel cell solution costs a fraction of the cost of today's gas and heavy fuel solutions in UAS. The solution also weighs less than traditional engines. Reducing aircraft weight increases payload capacity, so propulsion approaches like this will enable ScanEagle to carry more payload while reducing costs.
"Fuel cell technology will improve significantly in the future," said Insitu Chief Engineer Jeff Knapp. "Today's internal combustion engines, especially two-stroke technology, are well optimized. Fuel cell technology has room for growth, and that will provide an opportunity for continued efficiency improvements and weight reduction."
Keeping apace with DOD's vision
The Department of Defense recently laid out its vision for the role that fuel cells will play in improving mission capability. The fuel-cell powered flight of ScanEagle, demonstrates Insitu's continuing commitment to respond to the needs of its customers by introducing new technology into a modular system designed for expansion and growth.
Looking forward, Insitu is collaborating with the Air Force Research Lab to flight test a fuel cell on the Integrator UAS later this year.
Insitu Inc., located in Bingen, Wash., is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. Insitu designs, develops and manufactures UAS and provides associated services for commercial, civil and defense applications. With a small footprint and expeditionary focus for both land and sea operations, the company's family of UAS solutions and global mission support serves the needs of worldwide customers. To date, these systems have accumulated more than 590,000 combat flight hours and 65,000 sorties. For more information, visit www.insitu.com .
April 6, 2012
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Columbia kids museum hosts fuel cell engineers
COLUMBIA -- EdVenture Children's Museum in Columbia is hosting a series of displays and talks about fuel cell energy production and consumption.
University of South Carolina professor Jason Hattrick-Simpers and USC students are celebrating Engineering Day on Friday by teaching youngsters about how fuel cells work.
They will discuss how fuel cells generate electricity from a variety of sources, such as hydrogen, jet fuel and methanol. Hattrick-Simpers and his students are discussing how fuel cells are becoming an integral part of many energy production methods for the future.
April 10, 2012
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Tropical Introduces 5kW Natural Gas Fuel Cell Power System
ATHENS, Greece -- Tropical announced today that it will introduce GreenGen NG-5, its new 5kW natural gas fuel cell distributed power system at the upcoming H2+F Tradeshow in Hannover (23-27 April, 2012, stand D60).
"GreenGen NG-5 is a natural evolution of our existing hydrogen fuel cell power generation system" said George Lagios, Chairman and CEO of Tropical. "Our goal is to offer to our clients a "green", emission-free solution that will provide them with energy independence and will take advantage of the constantly growing natural gas infrastructure and distribution directly to the home and business".
"With the GreenGen NG-5, Tropical shows confidence in the prospects of distributed power systems and determination in leading the emerging market. As governments experience an increasing pressure to shift resources towards cleaner, emission-free energy solutions, we expect to see a synchronized significant shift of European state support in the next few years. As a result, Tropical is found before a significant market opportunity" said George Kaplanis, Tropical's Director of Products.
Fuel cell applications have been under development for well over a decade now but the cost and market perception prohibited their widespread adoption. Over the past few years we are seeing costs decline as well as criticism of distributed fuel cell power systems. According to a recent study by Pike Research, the stationary fuel-cell sector is becoming the trail blazer for the entire fuel cell industry, experiencing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27% between 2008 and 2010 with annual unit shipments soon expected to be in the order of tens of thousands.
Today, Tropical's Fuel Cell Power Systems product portfolio consists of hydrogen, methanol, propane, natural gas powered solutions for both stationary and portable applications in the range of 100W to 20kW. Tropical has also been the first European company to deploy Hydrogen Fuel Cells to power electric cars, scooters and boats, while currently it is working on fuel cell deployment for minibuses.
About TROPICAL S.A.
Tropical S.A. is a developer of distributed power generation products and solutions. The company designs, manufactures and sells a broad range of Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technology solutions for residential, commercial, institutional, fixed and portable applications. Its product portfolio includes Fuel Cell Power Systems, Electric & Fuel Cell Vehicles and Commercial Vehicle A/C & Refrigeration Systems. A longtime leader of the A/C & Refrigeration Systems market with its innovative Inverter Technology, over the past decade Tropical has made significant investments in the development of fuel cell technologies. For more information about the company and products, you may visit http://www.tropical.gr .
Contact: Tel: +30-210-5785455-56 George Kaplanis (Products& Engineering), gkaplanis [@] tropical.gr Konstantinos Giantsios (Business Development), kgiant [@] tropical.gr http://www.tropical.gr
April 10, 2012
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Linde Hydrogen Station Begins Operating in Emeryville, California
MURRAY HILL, N.J. -- Linde’s newest hydrogen fueling station has officially begun operating at AC Transit’s Emeryville, California, municipal bus operating division, fueling 12 fuel cell buses and up to 20 passenger cars a day.
Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a leader in the design, construction and operation of the most efficient and reliable hydrogen vehicle fueling systems. AC Transit is the transit bus operator for 13 cities in the East Bay Area, including Emeryville, Oakland and Berkeley, and also operates trans-bay service to San Francisco.
The Emeryville hydrogen fueling station, which began operating in late 2011, is one of two Linde is supplying to AC Transit. The second, located at the Oakland operating division, is expected to begin operating in 2013. Both stations are part of AC Transit’s HyRoad project, which seeks to demonstrate the commercial viability of hydrogen fuel cell technology for the public transport industry.
Replacing diesel with hydrogen fuel completely eliminates vehicle tailpipe emissions. The California Air Resources Board estimates that fuel cell buses will deliver a net reduction of 2.7 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile using hydrogen reformed from methane, and 6.3 pounds per mile using hydrogen derived from solar, wind, or other renewable sources. Each bus is projected to travel 36,000 miles per year, reducing carbon emissions by 44 metric tons per year when using methane as a source of fuel, or 103 metric tons using renewables.
Pat Murphy, president, Linde North America, said, “We believe you are judged by the company you keep, and Linde is proud to partner with a leader in municipal transit, AC Transit. We are confident this partnership and project will prove to be a watershed for clean fuel.”
David Armijo, AC Transit’s general manager, noted the significance of its new Emeryville hydrogen station and fleet of fuel cell buses, saying, “We are working with companies like Linde to demonstrate alternative energy technologies in real-world operating conditions that will make our transportation systems more energy efficient and cleaner, our cities healthier, and our planet environmentally sustainable. We are impressed with Linde’s technology and the capability of our new station to provide our fleet with clean, green hydrogen fuel.”
Murphy said, “Linde has designed, built and delivered the newest, most efficient hydrogen fueling system, which moves from demonstration project to providing a real commercial solution for a real market and real customers. This station is proving the viability of the hydrogen fuel cell market, for both buses and cars, while offering AC Transit the easiest, fastest and most reliable hydrogen fueling experience available anywhere,” Murphy said.
This is the first public hydrogen fueling station in the San Francisco Bay area. It meets industry needs for fast fueling and includes both 700 and 350 bar fueling. Daimler, which has tested fuel cell cars at the station on several occasions, described the station as “the best we have filled at in the United States. Performance-wise, it meets the Daimler requirement of a three-to-four minute complete fill with a delivered gas temperature of -40o C, the best available today. In addition to fill performance, the station reliably demonstrated the capability to fill four fuel cell vehicles back-to-back,” said Rosario Beretta, general manager, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc., who is responsible for Mercedes-Benz fuel cell vehicle operations in North America.
Murphy acknowledged the crucial funding the stations received from both the California Air Resources Board and the California Energy Commission, saying, “We applaud the efforts of Governor Brown’s Administration to encourage additional investment in hydrogen fuel. This public support is necessary to spur additional private investment so California can achieve its aggressive tailpipe emissions reduction goals by 2020 and beyond.”
The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 50,500 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2011 financial year, it achieved sales of EUR 13.787 bn (USD 18.1 billion). The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment -- in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The Group is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
April 11, 2012
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Army lab to develop energy-saving technology
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A new Army laboratory will develop technology such as fuel cells and hybrid systems for combat vehicles as the Pentagon steps up its push for cleaner and more reliable energy, federal officials said Wednesday.
The complex near Detroit was opening as the Obama administration prepared to announce a series of initiatives to create a greener U.S. military, which officials said is intended not to just benefit the environment but also to improve fighting capabilities.
Among the initiatives is a competition to spur discoveries and a goal of generating enough renewable energy on military bases by 2025 to equal the output of three nuclear plants, according to administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment ahead of the announcement. The Pentagon previously has said it intends to meet one-quarter of its energy needs from renewable sources by then.
Officials were scheduled to discuss the projects during an opening ceremony at the Army's Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory in the Detroit suburb of Warren. The facility includes eight separate labs where research and testing will be conducted on electrical systems, heating and cooling components, fuel cells, hybrid electric powertrains and advanced batteries.
The labs will enable researchers to create a variety of environmental conditions for testing, including temperatures ranging from 60 degrees below zero to 160 degrees and winds up to 60 mph.
The military uses 90 percent of the energy consumed by the federal government, which accounts for about 2 percent of all U.S. energy consumption. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels will make the military more efficient and save lives, officials said, noting that many casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan involve convoys hauling fuel to battle areas.
Some of the technology developed in the labs might spur innovations for passenger and commercial vehicles, officials said. Industry and university experts will team up with military researchers on some projects.
Producing more energy on military bases will serve their national security mission by making them less dependent on the commercial power grid, officials said. They planned to announce a goal of generating 3 gigawatts of electricity - enough to power 750,000 homes - from renewable sources such as solar and wind on Army, Navy and Air Force bases.
Acknowledging the need to control federal spending, officials said meeting the goal would require billions in private sector financing.
Officials said the Energy Department would fund a $30 million research competition to develop new types of batteries and other energy storage devices to reduce the need for refueling during combat, cut operation and maintenance costs and make Navy ships more efficient.
April 11, 2012
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Intelligent Energy Joins British Prime Minister on International Trade Delegation to Japan
Tokyo, Japan – Intelligent Energy, the global power technology company, has today announced a further commitment to expanding its international trade ties with the formation of IE Japan Ltd, an undertaking which has been acknowledged by the Japanese Government and JETRO initiative. The announcement was made at the British Embassy in Tokyo, where Intelligent Energy has joined David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, and a UKTI VVIP trade delegation, to promote closer trading relationships between the UK and Japan.
Intelligent Energy is one of just ten global companies to have met strict JETRO funding criteria. This is part of the ‘New Growth Strategy’, a Japanese Government initiative aimed at promoting the establishment of high value-added businesses by global companies within Japan. JETRO has strategically identified Intelligent Energy as having the proven technology and business attributes that will bring significant and sustained positive impact to the Japanese economy. This recognition follows the recent creation of Intelligent Energy’s Joint Venture with the Suzuki Motor Corporation to develop power technology for a range of mass-manufacture products.
Making the announcement to the Prime Minister and UKTI delegation at the British Embassy in Tokyo, Phil Caldwell, Intelligent Energy’s Director of Corporate Development, commented, “This latest stage in Intelligent Energy’s expansion shows our continued rate of development from a British fuel cell technology company to a global power business. We’re proud to have received recognition from both UK and Japanese Governments, underlining our ability to be a highly valuable technology partner to the world’s leading companies. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of our technology development as a major stimulant for growth in both the Japanese and UK economies.”
IE Japan will be led by Masataka Yamakawa, who assumes the position of Representative Director. Yamakawa is also a Director of Smile FC System Corporation, the 50:50 joint venture company formed with Suzuki Motor Corporation. Intelligent Energy has a proven track record of successfully partnering with Japanese firms over the past 10 years, in particular with The Suzuki Motor Corporation, with whom it has co-developed the Crosscage motorcycle and whole vehicle type-approved Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter.
“The formation of IE Japan enables us to further increase the pace of commercialisation of our core power technology across motive, stationary power and consumer electronics markets,” explained Yamakawa. “Our aim is to build on the solid foundations we have already established, such as our ongoing successes with Suzuki, and to repeat these achievements with other partners and customers in Japan.”
