UK-based AFC Energy has signed a Project Development Agreement

with two South Korean partners, Samyoung Corporation and Changshin Chemical Co, for the deployment of an initial 50 MW of alkaline fuel cell generation capacity in the northwestern Korean port of Daesan.

The 50 MW of installed capacity will be established in two phases: the first phase (5 MW) will be operational by the end of 2016, and the second phase (45 MW) by the end of 2019 (both subject to permitting). The three partners are establishing a joint venture, with equity interests from AFC Energy (40%), Samyoung (45%), and Changshin (15%).

Assuming a gross output of 50 MW from the fuel cell park, the joint venture is expected to generate revenues of nearly US$1 billion from the sale of electricity and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) over a 10-year period.

It is expected that each party will make an upfront contribution, either in cash or in kind, and they also intend to secure project finance

for the joint venture. The partners will shortly begin development of a feasibility study, to establish the basis of design and economic analysis in support of a more detailed project engineering assessment. The partnership expects to see multiple projects developed subsequently.

AFC Energy will sell its alkaline fuel cell equipment into the joint venture, and provide technical and operational advice to the partners. Samyoung will manage the development of the project as Engineering Procurement and Construction lead as well as permitting of the 50 MW project, while Changshin will supply hydrogen, land, and logistical support onsite.

AFC Energy’s Power-Up project will demonstrate the world’s largest alkaline fuel cell system at Air Products’ industrial gas plant in Stade, Germany, with demonstration of its 240 kW KORE system fast-tracked to December 2015 [see page 5].

AFC Energy: www.afcenergy.com

Samyoung Corporation: www.samyoungco.com/eng

Chang Shin Chemical Co: www.changshinchem.co.kr

fUelCELLS BULLETIN

ISSN 1464-2859/10 © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reservedThis journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use:PhotocopyingSingle photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit edu-cational classroom use.

ISSN 1464-2859 October 2010

Contents

www.fuelcellsbulletin.com

fUelCELLS BULLETIN

ISSN 1464-2859/15 © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reservedThis journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use:PhotocopyingSingle photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit edu-cational classroom use.

ISSN 1464-2859 March 2015

NEWS

AFC Energy to deploy 50 MW in South Korea 1EFOY ProCube power in wind park construction 1

ROAD VEHICLES

Ballard closes $80m tech solutions deal with VW 2Symbio FCell range-extender for Renault truck 2Ballard modules for California and Ohio buses 3

SMALL STATIONARY

IE-CHP, Hyteon to commercialise domestic CHP 3FCO Power next-gen SOFC stack for apartments 4Cascadiant fuel cell R&D with Indonesia agency 4

LARGE STATIONARY

Stop & Shop installs Bloom Energy SOFC unit 4FCE’s university micro-grid unit for NRG Yield 5AFC operation of 101-cell stack trial at gas plant 5Nedstack China order for first 2 MW PEMFC plant 6

PORTABLE & MICRO

Intelligent Energy acquires Bic portable technology 6myFC launches JAQ charger at mobiles fair 6Protonex early access to new propane SOFC unit 7UltraCell hybrid RMFCs serial production order 7

FUELING

Air Products to fuel materials handling in Japan 7H2 Logic partners in Denmark hydrogen network 8McPhy, De Nora partner for new electrolysers 8Sandia on joint prospects for CNG, hydrogen 8

ENERGY STORAGE

ITM next-gen P2G PEM electrolyser for RWE 9McPhy links Enertrag P2G plant to gas grid 9

COMMERCIALISATION

Ballard deals for wearable power, automotive 10CFCL in administration, despite tech progress 10

RESEARCH

DOE invests $10m in 11 incubator projects 10NPL, ITM new electrode for PEM electrolysers 11

NEWS FEATURES

Aberdeen opens UK’s largest hydrogen production, fueling station for expanding bus fleet 12–13

Tubular direct carbon SOFC with ceramic separation membrane to remove CO2 14

REGULARS

Editorial 3

News In Brief 5, 11

Research Trends 15

Patents 16–19

Events Calendar 20

Contents

www.fuelcellsbulletin.com

AFC Energy to deploy 50 MW in South Korea

EFOY ProCube power in wind park construction

An EFOY ProCube direct methanol fuel cell system manufactured

by German-based SFC Energy is delivering fully automatic power to the obstruction lights during wind park construction and maintenance.

Orga Aviation in the Netherlands, which provides lighting and navigation aids to the wind and aviation industries, is using EFOY ProCube mobile off-grid power sources supplied by SFC’s Danish partner Awilco.

During construction of a wind park, aviation obstruction lights have to operate reliably even when the wind turbines are not connected to the grid. This poses severe challenges to operators, construction and maintenance teams, since conventional generators require frequent refueling and maintenance, and the runtime of standard UPS systems is often too short.

Orga Aviation offers a rental scheme for the

EFOY ProCube, whereby customers rent the power source as required – from a single day to several weeks – which keeps their investment cost low while ensuring reliable operation of their lights.

EFOY Pro fuel cells also serve as silent, reliable power sources for wind measurement systems used in wind park planning. The fuel cells are used by wind turbine manufacturers, wind park planners and operators across Europe.

SFC Energy is a leading provider of hybrid stationary and portable power solutions [see the SFC feature in FCB, January 2013], serving a range of applications in the oil & gas [FCB, July 2014, p4], security and industry [FCB, May 2014, p3], military [FCB, April 2014, p7], and consumer markets [FCB, May 2013, p3].

SFC Energy: www.sfc.com or www.efoy-pro.com

Orga Aviation: www.orga.nl/index.php?page=31&l=en

Awilco: www.awilco-multiplex.dk

NEWS

2

Ballard closes $80m technology solutions deal with Volkswagen

Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems has successfully closed its

Technology Solutions transaction with Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen and Audi), for an aggregate US$80 million for the transfer of certain automotive-related fuel cell intellectual property (IP), and a two-year extension of an engineering services contract.

Ballard has transferred the automotive-related portion of fuel cell IP assets previously acquired from United Technologies Corporation (UTC), in return for payments from Volkswagen Group totaling $50 million. The closing of the deal saw Ballard receive an initial payment of $40 million, 25% of which will be paid to UTC as a royalty payment pursuant to the agreement with UTC announced last April [FCB, May 2014, p10]. Ballard expects to receive the remaining $10 million, subject to a 9% payment to UTC, no later than Q1 of 2016.

Ballard will retain a royalty-free licence to utilise the IP transferred to Volkswagen in bus and non-automotive applications, as well as for certain limited pre-commercial purposes in automotive applications.

The transaction also includes a two-year extension, through March 2019, of the existing long-term engineering services agreement signed by Ballard and Volkswagen in early 2013 [FCB, April 2013, p2]. This extension has an incremental value of approximately $24–40 million. Over the full six-year term, the contract has an estimated value of approximately $80–112 million, and also includes a further optional two-year extension.

Ballard’s ongoing engineering services contract with Volkswagen Group involves the design and manufacture of next-generation PEM fuel cell stacks for use in the demonstration car programme. Ballard engineers are leading critical areas of fuel cell product design – including the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), plate and stack components – along with certain testing and integration work.

Audi and Volkswagen unveiled their own fuel cell electric vehicles at the Los Angeles Auto Show last autumn, introducing the VW Golf SportWagen HyMotion and Passat HyMotion, and the Audi A7 Sportback h-tron Quattro [FCB, December 2014, p2].

Ballard has also recently signed two new Technology Solutions contracts, one with

Ardica Technologies in San Francisco and one with an unnamed global automotive OEM [see page 10], to provide expertise in PEM fuel cell technology to advance customer programmes through their development stages.

Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com

Volkswagen, Fuel Cells: http://tinyurl.com/vw-fuelcells

Audi A7 Sportback h-tron quattro: http://tinyurl.com/audi-a7-htron

Symbio FCell fuel cell range-extender equips Renault Maxity truck

Renault Trucks and the French postal service La Poste are partnering

to demonstrate a Maxity Electric light commercial truck fitted with a hydrogen PEM fuel cell range-extender, developed by Symbio FCell. This year-long field test will enable Renault Trucks to explore all potential avenues of hydrogen technology under actual operating conditions.

‘Our purpose behind this project is to support European metropolitan areas in their goal of limiting air and noise pollution emissions, through testing innovative vehicles that produce zero emissions, and that in the near term should become economically viable for our customers,’ says Karine Forien, director of energy efficiency strategy for Renault Trucks. ‘200 km (124 miles) of autonomy make it the ideal choice for a daily schedule of urban and suburban routes.’

For La Poste, which already owns the world’s largest fleet of electric vehicles, this experiment is part of an ongoing effort to extend the autonomy of its fleet. Symbio FCell supplied fuel cell range-extender kits for three Renault Kangoo ZE mail delivery hybrid hydrogen-battery electric vehicles, currently on trial with La Poste in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France [FCB, December 2013, p1].

Renault Trucks has configured its 4.5 tonne Maxity Electric vehicle to accommodate a 20 kW fuel cell module, with the development and vehicle integration steps carried out in partnership with Symbio FCell. The vehicle has two 75 litre hydrogen tanks, to store 4 kg of hydrogen at 350 bar (5000 psi).

As a result, the Maxity Electric’s average range of approximately 100 km (60 miles) has been doubled through using the fuel cell. The heat released by the fuel cell is used to warm the passenger compartment, which avoids consuming energy stored in the batteries, helping to ensure longer range.

Fuel Cells Bulletin March 2015

Editorial office:Elsevier Ltd

The Boulevard, Langford LaneKidlington

Oxford OX5 1GBUnited Kingdom

Tel:+44 (0)1865 843239Website: www.fuelcellsbulletin.com

Publishing Director: Deborah Logan

Editor: Steve BarrettE-mail: s.barrett@elsevier.com

Production Support Manager:Lin Lucas

E-mail: l.lucas@elsevier.com

Subscription InformationAn annual subscription to Fuel Cells Bulletin includes 12 issues and online access for up to 5 users.Prices: �1477 for all European countries & Iran US$1655 for all countries except Europe and Japan ¥196 100 for Japan (Prices valid until 31 December 2015)Subscriptions run for 12 months, from the date payment is received. More information: http://store.elsevier.com/product.jsp?isbn=14642859

Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier Global Rights Department, PO Box 800, Oxford OX5 1DX, UK; phone: +44 1865 843830, fax: +44 1865 853333, email: permissions@elsevier.com. You may also contact Global Rights directly through Elsevier’s home page (www.elsevier.com), selecting first ‘Support & contact’, then ‘Copyright & permission’. In the USA, users may clear permissions and make payments through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA; phone: +1 978 750 8400, fax: +1 978 750 4744, and in the UK through the Copyright Licensing Agency Rapid Clearance Service (CLARCS), 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0LP, UK; phone: +44 (0)20 7631 5555; fax: +44 (0)20 7631 5500. Other countries may have a local reprographic rights agency for payments.Derivative WorksSubscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of arti-cles including abstracts for internal circulation within their institutions. Permission of the Publisher is required for resale or distribution outside the institution. Permission of the Publisher is required for all other derivative works, including compilations and translations.Electronic Storage or Usage Permission of the Publisher is required to store or use electronically any material contained in this journal, including any article or part of an article. Except as outlined above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the Publisher. Address permissions requests to: Elsevier Science Global Rights Department, at the mail, fax and email addresses noted above.NoticeNo responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any meth-ods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. Because of rapid advan ces in the medical sciences, in particular, inde-pendent verification of diagnoses and drug dosages should be made.Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical (medical) standards, inclusion in this publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the quality or value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.

12977Digitally Produced by

Mayfield Press (Oxford) LImited

ROAD VEHICLES

NEWS / EDITORIAL

March 2015 Fuel Cells Bulletin3

E D I T O R I A L

Intellectual property (IP) is very important in the fuel cell and hydrogen energy sector, where

so much research and development is still under way to bring out lower-cost and higher-efficiency materials, components, devices, systems and the necessary supporting infrastructure.

The importance of IP is particularly highlighted in a couple of news items in this issue, where IP rights have been sold on to a new owner.

In the transportation sector, Ballard Power Systems in Canada has transferred the automotive-related portion of fuel cell IP assets it had previously acquired from United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in the US, to the German automotive giant Volkswagen Group [see page 2]. This US$50 million deal gives an indication of what is at stake as the major automakers push their fuel cell electric vehicle programmes ever closer to commercial viability.

And in the portable power arena, UK-based Intelligent Energy has acquired the portable fuel cell and disposable fuel cartridge assets of Société Bic, the French ballpoint pen and cigarette lighter manufacturer [see page 6]. Bic had been working on portable fuel cell R&D in partnership with CEA-Liten, the Laboratory for Innovation in New Energy Technologies and Nanomaterials of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). Bic also later acquired the assets of Angstrom Power, a Canadian developer of portable fuel cell technology.

On the other hand, at the beginning of this year Toyota announced that it is making nearly 5700 hydrogen fuel cell patents available royalty-free, to accelerate the global development and introduction of fuel cell technologies [FCB, January 2015, p9].

We have two News Features in this issue. The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project in Scotland recently inaugurated the UK’s first hydrogen production and bus refueling station [pages 12–13]. This new hydrogen station is part of a US$28 million ‘green’ transport demonstration project in Aberdeen, which will see a fleet of 10 fuel cell buses in public service. It is the most high-profile of a range of projects designed to create a hydrogen economy in the city and surrounding region.

On the research front, scientists at Nanjing Tech University in China and Curtin University in Perth, Australia have created an anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cell that functions as a carbon fuel container as well as an electrochemical device for power generation [page 14]. Their dual-phase, ion-conducting ceramic membrane is gastight but highly permeable for CO2, allowing separation of CO2 and CO, resulting in a high power density SOFC that directly uses carbon as a fuel source.

Steve Barrett

‘When the vehicle is running, the electric motor is fed by two complementary energy sources; the fuel cell is capable of delivering a maximum power of 20 kW and, once that threshold has been reached, the batteries kick in to supply whatever power is still required,’ explains project supervisor Christophe Vacquier. ‘When idle, the fuel cell is available to recharge the battery as needed.’

The Maxity Electric truck with the fuel cell range-extender was delivered in February to the city of Dole, in the Jura department of the Franche-Comté region. The test is scheduled to last 12 months, so that the vehicle’s capabilities can be fully assessed in all seasons, including the region’s especially harsh winter weather. The vehicle will be used on a mainly rural mail and package collection route that is approximately 70 km (44 miles) long.

Symbio FCell, Grenoble, France. Tel: +33 1 5679 1506, www.symbiofcell.com

Ballard modules for bus deployments in California and Ohio

Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems expects to supply 10

FCvelocity®-HD6 fuel cell modules to power buses as part of two projects recently awarded funding under the US Federal Transit Administration’s Low and No Emission (LoNo) Vehicle Deployment Program.

Ballard’s partners are BAE Systems, a system integrator and supplier of hybrid drive components, and ElDorado National, a North American bus OEM. The companies plan to supply 10 fuel cell buses – five each for SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Palms, California and Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) in Canton, Ohio.

SunLine will receive $9.8 million in FTA funding to purchase and deploy five hydrogen hybrid fuel cell buses. This will double its current fuel cell bus fleet, and allow it to offer expanded transit service in the Coachella Valley in southern California [FCB, July 2014, p2].

SARTA will receive $8.9 million in FTA funding to purchase and deploy its five fuel cell buses. They will be operated under a variety of operating conditions in congested downtown areas, on major urban roads and on rural highways throughout Stark County.

Ballard anticipates orders for these modules once agreements with the transit agencies are finalised, and expects to begin shipments in the second half of 2015. Calstart, the nonprofit consortium of clean transportation technology companies, will also be involved as a project partner.

The buses will use the previously deployed American Fuel Cell Bus (AFCB) configuration, first introduced with SunLine in 2011 [FCB, December 2011, p2]. The AFCB configuration utilises Ballard’s heavy-duty PEM fuel cell module to provide primary power, in combination with BAE Systems’ HybriDrive® propulsion and power management systems deployed in an ElDorado National 40 ft (12 m) Axess model transit bus.

Ballard has also just closed its Technology Solutions transaction with Volkswagen Group [see page 2], and signed new Technology Solutions contracts with Ardica Technologies in California and an unnamed global automotive OEM [see page 10].

Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com

SunLine Transit Agency, Clean Fuels Fleet: www.sunline.org/clean-fuels-fleet

Stark Area Regional Transit Authority: www.sartaonline.com

FTA, LoNo Program project selections: www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15926_16268.html

Calstart, National Fuel Cell Bus Program: http://tinyurl.com/calstart-fcbuses

IE-CHP, Hyteon sign deal to commercialise domestic CHP unit

Canadian PEM fuel cell manufacturer Hyteon and smart power pioneer

IE-CHP in Scotland, UK have signed a commercialisation agreement, as further trials of an innovative domestic smart power unit get under way in Scotland.

Quebec-based Hyteon and IE-CHP will combine their R&D capabilities as further field testing is undertaken on the natural gas fueled combined heat and power (CHP) unit. The prototype CHP system, smaller than a domestic fridge, was first tested at a detached home in Perth, Scotland last year. IE-CHP now plans to expand trials to other residential properties in Scotland, prior to rolling it out in a larger demonstration project across the UK in 2016.

‘The joint commercialisation agreement with Hyteon will enable us to trial their fuel cell within the prototype IE-CHP smart power unit, and accelerate our progress towards a commercial product,’ says Mark Bugler, who has subsequently retired as managing director of IE-CHP.

Established in 2003 in Montreal, Hyteon manufactures micro CHP fuel cell based systems for residential applications ranging from 0.5 to

SMALL STATIONARY

NEWS

4Fuel Cells Bulletin March 2015

2 kW power output. Hyteon has been supplying its mCHP systems to energy companies in Europe, Japan, and Canada since 2004.

IE-CHP is developing and bringing to market power and heating products for the residential sector in the UK and Ireland. It was formed in 2008 as a joint venture between SSE, the UK’s second-largest energy utility, and Intelligent Energy, the hydrogen PEM fuel cell developer [FCB, May 2008, p5]. Two years ago IE-CHP received CE certification for its 10 kW CHP unit, apparently utilising PEM fuel cell technology from parent company Intelligent Energy [FCB, April 2013, p4], so this deal with Hyteon is presumably to offer more options for systems with lower power outputs.

In other news, Calum Wilson has been appointed as MD of IE-CHP, to replace the retiring Mark Bugler. Wilson was formerly a commercial director at SSE, and led their joint venture in Forth Ports.

IE CHP (UK & Eire) Ltd, Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK. Tel: +44 1698 849090, www.ie-chp.com

Hyteon Inc, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tel: +1 450 973 2022 ext. 242, www.hyteon.com

FCO Power develops next-gen SOFC stack for apartment systems

In Japan, FCO Power has announced the further development of its next-

generation solid oxide fuel cell stack for residential fuel cell systems in apartments. The company says that the stack’s smaller size and lower cost make it realistic to install SOFCs in existing apartments.

The Printed Fuel Cell™ is an SOFC in which all single cell layers (i.e. anode, electrolyte, cathode, and ceramic separator) are laminated repeatedly before sintering, and subsequently simultaneously sintered only once as a stack. The Printed Fuel Cell does not require a cell support, because it does not need to maintain mechanical strength as a single cell unit. The total thickness of a single cell and separator is just 0.4 mm, approximately one-tenth that of conventional technology. The stack under development for the company’s residential 0.7 kW system, which comprises a number of 70 W sub-stacks, is only 3 cm thick, which gives a world-leading volumetric power density of 5 kW/litre [FCB, November 2013, p10].

The simple, thin laminated structure of the Printed Fuel Cell also requires less materials, making it suitable for low-cost, automated mass production. FCO Power expects to be able

to price it well below the target stack price of ¥50 000 (US$415) per kW for the 2020–2030 timescale, set by the Japanese New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Part of this development work was conducted with the support of a NEDO grant.

Use of this next-generation stack makes the hot module thin and compact. The all-ceramic SOFC stack has a unique cooling structure, allowing the use of thin layers and giving a uniform overall stack temperature distribution. The hot module volume, including heat insulation materials, is less than one-quarter of that of existing products.

FCO Power exhibited this next-generation SOFC stack at the recent FC EXPO in Tokyo. The company aims to expand the target market to retrofitting in existing apartments, such as wall-mounted and porch installations, in addition to detached houses and new apartments. By leveraging this high volumetric power density and low-cost stack technology, FCO Power and its alliance partners aim to commercialise the SOFC system in 2020, the year of the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

FCO Power is a startup focusing on SOFC stacks. Its predecessor, FCO Co Ltd, started joint R&D on next-generation SOFC stacks with the Japan Fine Ceramics Center (JFCC), a leading ceramics institution.

FCO Power Inc, Nagoya, Japan. Tel: +81 50 3803 4735, www.ecobyfco.com/en

Cascadiant expands fuel cell R&D with Indonesia tech agency

Singapore-based ‘green’ energy solutions company Cascadiant

Energy has expanded its agreement with the Indonesian Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT). Cascadiant and BPPT have deployed the agency’s first hydrogen fuel cell, which will serve as the commercial backup power source for the agency’s data centre, as well as priming the agency’s platform for expanding its fuel cell R&D programme.

Indonesia – the world’s fourth most populous nation – has 25 000 diesel generators in use with its communications, fibre and broadcast industries for backup power, and an additional 5000 diesel generators are replaced or added every year. This has led BPPT to recognise Indonesia’s potential to lead the world in the development, manufacture and deployment of fuel cells based on domestic demand alone, hence its partnership with Cascadiant.

‘Indonesia has remote and harsh environments with significant energy challenges,’ says Marshall Towe, founder and CEO of Cascadiant. ‘We hope to partner with the Indonesian government and local companies to leverage domestically produced green energy sources and tap into the innovative spirit and leadership of BPPT.’

‘Our MES™ (Managed Energy Service) offering eliminates the risks operators face in deploying new green technologies,’ continues Towe. ‘There is no longer any reason for operators to continue to pollute the environment using century-old, environmentally harmful diesel generators for backup power.’

Cascadiant is already deploying fuel cell power systems with telecom operators in Indonesia, including Hutchison CP Telecommunications [FCB, November 2012, p4] and XL Axiata and Telkom International [FCB, February 2013, p5]. Cascadiant’s Managed Energy Solution is built around the advanced ElectraGen™ PEM fuel cell technology originally developed by IdaTech in the US, itself now part of Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems [FCB, August 2012, p10].

Cascadiant, Singapore. Tel: +65 6220 6418, www.cascadiant.com

BPPT: www.bppt.go.id/english

Ballard Power Systems: www.ballard.com

Stop & Shop installs Bloom Energy unit in Mt Vernon, NY store

A Bloom Energy solid oxide fuel cell system will power the Stop &

Shop Supermarket Company’s store in Mount Vernon, New York. The 250 kW system will generate more than 2 GWh and reduce CO2 emissions by some 320 tonnes per annum.

This fuel cell project is the latest addition to the clean and renewable energy portfolio of Stop & Shop, a division of Ahold USA, that also includes solar panel systems on the roofs of 38 of its stores. This project will continue to deliver electricity during grid outages, like those experienced in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in autumn 2012 [FCB, May 2013, p11]. Project support was provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

‘This project in the New York metro area will contribute to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, and the environmental impact

LARGE STATIONARY

NEWS / IN BRIEF

March 2015 Fuel Cells Bulletin5

I N B R I E F

Kansai plans to become hydrogen airportKansai International Airport (KIX) near Osaka, Japan plans to transform itself into a ‘hydrogen airport’, with the conversion of its materials handling fleet to fuel cell powered forklifts, a hydrogen station to supply fuel cell electric vehicles, and the use of hydrogen-powered limousine buses connecting to other airports.

A proof-of-concept trial is under way at the airport – located on a manmade island in Osaka Bay – to use wind and solar power generation to produce hydrogen, deploying large-scale hydrogen use at the airport, and using hydrogen-powered forklifts and other measures. Also moving forward is the Hydrogen Grid Project, led by the KIX ‘Smart Ai-Land’ Hydrogen Grid Committee, a public-private partnership with members such as Iwatani, Toyota Motor, Toyota Industries, Mitsui, Toyota Tsusho, Kansai Electric Power, the Osaka prefectural government, and the New Kansai International Airport Company.

In February the airport began operational trials of hydrogen-powered infrastructure and fuel cell forklifts. ‘Forklifts are essential pieces of equipment at airports where large volumes of cargo are handled, and we currently employ [400] of them at KIX, half of them gasoline-powered and half electric,’ says Kiyotaka Nakaoka of the New Kansai Airport International Company. After the fuel cell forklifts are deployed, the airport plans to switch to hydrogen for towing tractors used to haul freight containers to aircraft.

‘We also want to power our hydrogen generators using renewable energies like solar and wind power, store the hydrogen in tanks and fuel cells, and then provide that energy to the airport terminal buildings,’ continues Nakaoka. ‘Even if the electrical grid goes down as the result of a disaster, this system will allow us to stay up and running.’

NEESC releases plans for hydrogen and fuel cells in US NortheastThe Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC, www.neesc.org) in the US has released the 2015 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Development Plans for the eight northeastern states: www.ccat.us/energy/section/Publications

The plans have been created individually for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, with support from the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and input from industry stakeholders including automakers, government agencies, gas suppliers, and hydrogen and fuel cell companies.

The plans cite cumulative goals for the Northeast states: approximately 1300 MW of stationary fuel cell capacity, 10 800 fuel cell electric vehicles, 640 fuel cell buses, and 110 hydrogen fueling stations to support FCEVs and buses.

of our operations on our communities,’ says Don Sussman, president of Stop & Shop New York Metro division. ‘It will also increase the resiliency of our stores, and enable us to serve our customers during grid interruptions.’

Last autumn Morgan Stanley unveiled a 250 kW Bloom Energy SOFC power plant installed at the financial services giant’s headquarters in Purchase, New York [FCB, December 2014, p7], and a 750 kW Bloom Energy system will power Danbury Fair Mall in Connecticut [FCB, November 2014, p7].

Bloom Energy Corporation, Sunnyvale, California, USA. Tel: +1 408 543 1500, www.bloomenergy.com

Stop & Shop: www.stopandshop.com

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority: www.nyserda.ny.gov

FuelCell Energy sells university micro-grid project to NRG Yield

In Connecticut, FuelCell Energy has completed its previously announced

deal to sell a 1.4 MW molten carbonate fuel cell power plant project at the University of Bridgeport to NRG Energy [FCB, October 2014, p4].

Concurrent with closing the deal, subsidiary NRG Yield Inc acquired the project – the first fuel cell project placed into a ‘yieldco’, which is a publicly traded company formed to own long-term operating assets that produce a predictable cash flow, such as power generation and transmission assets.

The University of Bridgeport will buy the electricity and heat produced by the fuel cell power plant under a multi-year power purchase agreement (PPA). FuelCell Energy developed the project, and is in the process of completing installation of the power plant. FuelCell Energy will perform operation and maintenance services for the installation over the multi-year term of NRG Yield’s PPA with the university. The power plant construction is mechanically complete, and commercial operation is expected by the end of March.

The MCFC power plant provides ultra-clean electricity and heat to approximately 80% of the campus including the student centre, dining hall, recreation centre, two dormitories, and the on-campus police station. It is configured as a micro-grid to operate independently of the electric grid in the event of a grid disruption. The ability to continue to provide power to these campus facilities whatever the weather, provides energy security for the university administration as well as the students.

‘We are working to replicate this model, where the installation hosting the fuel cell installation and using the power benefits from the multiple attributes of our clean and affordable onsite power generation solutions, utilising a pay-as-you-go model with a financial intermediary owning the power generation asset,’ explains Michael Bishop, chief financial officer of FuelCell Energy. ‘We can offer a variety of ownership and financial structures that best meet the needs of the site host that is using the power.’

FuelCell Energy, Danbury, Connecticut, USA. Tel: +1 203 825 6000, www.fuelcellenergy.com

NRG Energy: www.nrg.com

NRG Yield: www.nrgyield.com

AFC breakthrough in operation of 101-cell stack trial at gas plant

UK-based AFC Energy has successfully operated the

first 101-cell stack cartridge for its alkaline fuel cell system at the Air Products industrial gas facility in Stade, Germany. Part of the EU-supported Power-Up project, this will demonstrate the world’s largest alkaline fuel cell system.

The successful operation of AFC Energy’s first manufactured 101-cell stack marks the delivery of the fourth key milestone in the company’s 2015 Power-Up programmme [FCB, January 2015, p6 and February 2015, p6]. The success reaffirms AFC’s confidence in the deliverability of the fast track execution timetable for delivery of its 240 kW KORE alkaline fuel cell system, scheduled for the second half of 2015.

The 101-cell stack was initially tested at AFC’s UK facility in late February, then shipped to Germany, installed, and has been operating continuously since 3 March. The initial gas flow, thermal management, and consistency of individual fuel cell performance across the 101 cells are in line with expectations. The relative uniformity of fuel cell performance affirms the quality focus of AFC’s increasingly automated manufacturing and production facilities.

The first successful 101-cell stack trial demonstrates the operability of the fundamental building block of the KORE system. It also allows AFC to consider alternative products of varying capacities modularised at the size of the 101-cell cartridge, rather than a single focus on the previously scoped 240 kW KORE system.

In this context, AFC’s market offering becomes increasingly flexible to meet the

NEWS

6Fuel Cells Bulletin March 2015

needs of smaller energy requirements (in multiples of 10 kW). The company is in discussions with potential customers and partners who are assessing opportunities sized at the single cartridge size, which widens the company’s possible market potential and commercialisation potential in the short term. AFC has just signed a milestone 50 MW deal with Samyoung and Changshin for the commercial deployment of alkaline fuel cell technology in South Korea [see page 1].

‘The milestone in our technology development places AFC in a strong position to now generate robust technical data that will support our aggressive commercialisation strategy,’ says Adam Bond, CEO of AFC Energy.

AFC Energy is leading the Power-Up project, funded by the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), to demonstrate the world’s largest alkaline fuel cell system at the Air Products industrial gas plant in Stade [FCB, November 2013, p6]. The demonstration of the 240 kW KORE system at this site has been fast-tracked to December 2015. This represents the final phase of AFC’s pre-commercialisation technical development programme, and creates the platform for global commercial deployment.

AFC Energy, Cranleigh, Surrey, UK. Tel: +44 1483 276726, www.afcenergy.com

Power-Up project: www.project-power-up.eu

European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch-ju.eu

Nedstack wins China order for world’s first 2 MW PEMFC plant

The Dutch fuel cell technology company Nedstack has signed the

final contract to deliver what will be the world’s first 2 MW PEM fuel cell power plant, which will be installed at a chemical facility in China.

Arnhem-based Nedstack is to supply the 2 MW PEM fuel cell power plant for Ynnovate Sanzheng (Yingkou) Fine Chemicals Co Ltd in Yingkou, Liaoning Province, China. This chemical facility produces ‘waste’ hydrogen as a by-product in the chlor-alkali process, which will in future be utilised onsite for the generation of 2 MW of electric power. Nedstack’s PEM power plant technology means that 20% of the customer’s energy consumption can be regained.

Nedstack was the first to install a 1 MW PEM fuel cell power plant, for the Solvay chlorine plant in Antwerp-Lillo, Belgium in 2011 [FCB, August 2011, p6 and February 2012, p6], and

continues to be a leader in the market for large-scale stationary PEM fuel cell applications.

Nedstack is working with AkzoNobel Industrial Chemicals and industrial integrator MTSA Technopower in the Chinese project, with support from the European Union’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU). A delegation of all parties involved attended the signing ceremony in early January in Shanghai.

Nedstack is an independent Dutch fuel cell manufacturer of PEM fuel cells for stationary applications such as telecom backup and PEM power plants, as well as for heavy-duty transportation. The company was founded in 1998 as a spin-off from specialty chemicals giant AkzoNobel. Nedstack has deployed significant numbers of PEM fuel stacks around the world, gaining extensive experience on PEM fuel cell operation for different applications, and demonstrating very long lifetimes for its products in PEMFC power plants [see the Nedstack feature in FCB, August 2014].

Nedstack fuel cell technology BV, Arnhem, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 26 319 7600, www.nedstack.com

MTSA Technopower: www.mtsa.nl

European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch-ju.eu

Intelligent Energy acquires portable fuel cell tech from Bic

UK-based Intelligent Energy has acquired the portable fuel cell

and disposable fuel cartridge assets of Société Bic, the French ballpoint pen and cigarette lighter manufacturer. IE sees this strategically important acquisition as a significant step forward to embedding its technology in portable consumer electronic devices.

The deal is worth US$13 million (E12.2 million) at closing, expected by the end of March, with $2 million (E1.9 million) in an escrow account at closing to be paid once transition services are completed. The transaction includes all assets (patents and related technology and know-how). The agreement includes a potential cash earn-out of up to $7 million (E6.6 million).

This acquisition significantly enhances IE’s current extensive portfolio of IP relating to fuel cells and disposable fuel cartridges. It also provides the company with incremental and synergistic high-volume manufacturing and

production IP, together with pilot production line technologies relating to both disposable fuel cartridges and planar fuel cells that can be used alongside IE’s own PEM fuel cell technology. Intelligent Energy launched its hydrogen PEM fuel cell based Upp™ personal energy device at the end of 2013 [FCB, December 2013, p7 and December 2014, p8].

The additional know-how will reduce the time and cost of developing production-ready embedded fuel cells and fuel cartridges, and strengthens the company’s move to a business model based on licensing of its fuel cell and fuel cartridge to industrial partners.

‘This acquisition brings an extensive portfolio of IP and know-how which complements our own development programme, and helps us further leverage the significant IP package jointly acquired with our international consumer electronics partner in 2013,’ says Dr Henri Winand, CEO of Intelligent Energy. ‘It also brings proven manufacturing technology, which is a critical element to the development of the market for embedded fuel cells.’

Bic started portable fuel cell R&D in 2003, and has been working in partnership with CEA-Liten since 2004. Bic later acquired the assets of Angstrom Power, a Canadian developer of portable fuel cell technology, to complement Bic’s R&D on fuel cartridges [FCB, December 2011, p6].

Intelligent Energy, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 271271, www.intelligent-energy.com

Bic: www.bicworld.com

myFC launches JAQ portable fuel cell charger at mobiles fair

Swedish innovation company myFC launched its new fuel cell portable

charger, called the JAQ, at the recent GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The new charger is smaller, lighter, and offers a lower cost per charge alongside a significant improvement in capacity.

The JAQ charger represents a new way of charging, featuring a slimline card which contains ordinary water and salt (sodium chloride). Electricity is self-generated when a fresh power card is inserted into the JAQ charger. The inserted power card provides 2400 mAh, enough for a full smartphone charge. Once charging is complete, the single-use power card is removed and can be safely discarded. The new charger will be in stores in Q4 of 2015.

PORTABLE & MICRO

NEWS

March 2015 Fuel Cells Bulletin

‘Mobile accessibility is critical for everyone, and the demand for charging solutions for mobile phones, tablets, and cameras is increasing,’ says Björn Westerholm, CEO of myFC. ‘The dramatic reduction of the size of both the fuel and charger allows for the charger to be slimmer, so as to nicely fit inside a jacket pocket, for example.’

myFC is developing energy solutions using PEM fuel cell technology. Last summer the company launched its second-generation PowerTrekk 2.0 portable fuel cell charger for small electronic devices such as cell phones, cameras, and tablets [FCB, July 2014, p7]. Last autumn myFC conducted a large user test of fuel cell chargers, in association with mobile operator 3 Sweden, with selected users given the opportunity to beta-test two types of fuel cell powered charger from myFC [FCB, November 2014, p8].

myFC AB, Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: +46 8 5000 0200, www.myfcpower.com

Protonex early access to new propane SOFC remote power system

Massachusetts-based Protonex has announced early access availability

of its P200i solid oxide fuel cell based portable remote power system, operating on widely available propane. The Early Access Programme (EAP) permits early adopters and integrators to use the system in their most challenging environments, giving them an early advantage in implementing this new remote power solution.

The P200i system weighs less than 20 kg (44 lb), and offers remote start capability as well as low acoustic and exhaust emissions. This allows the portable SOFC system to effectively meet off-grid and emergency power needs outside the scope of current power generation technologies.

With its ability to idle for months or years with virtually no degradation, and with maintenance intervals in excess of 2000 operating hours, the P200i is ideal for use in remote applications where regular access is limited, and traditional generators are too costly to maintain and operate. The initial target market is industrial remote power, particularly in cold weather sites with short days, where solar panels are ineffective.

SOFCs are particularly valuable for remote power applications, because they operate on common fuels such as propane, diesel, or natural gas, which are more readily available and affordable than the compressed hydrogen or methanol-water blends required by other fuel cell types.

‘While the industry has seen penetration of solid oxide fuel cell products in the stationary grid-tied markets, a durable, reliable off-grid SOFC portable product has not been available until now,’ says Paul Osenar, CEO of Protonex.

The P200i has undergone extensive qualification testing, including vibration, drop, and extreme high- and low-temperature testing. Its advanced features include integrated internet monitoring and control to permit easy remote operation with a simple web interface; temperature-compensated battery charging to ensure safe and reliable battery performance in all weathers; and a load-following capability that permits the system to operate reliably and efficiently over a wide variety of load conditions. A sulfur filter rated at 2500 operational hours and an outdoor enclosure come as standard, with custom packaging available.

Massachusetts-based Sirius Integrator, the North American distributer of the P200i, is managing the early access programme. The unit will be available to non-EAP participants from 1 August.

Protonex is a leading supplier of rugged portable power generation and power management products. The P200i is its first SOFC product, joining its extensive family of PEM fuel cell systems for robotics [FCB, February 2010, p4], unmanned aerial systems and vehicles (UAS/UAVs) [FCB, January 2014, p4], and sea-based power.

Protonex Technology Corporation, Southborough, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 508 490 9960, www.protonex.com

Sirius Integrator: www.siriusintegrator.com or www.propane-fuelcell.com

UltraCell wins serial production order for hybrid RMFC systems

California-based UltraCell has won its first serial production order for

portable power hybrid systems based on the company’s XX55™ reformed methanol fuel cell (RMFC) and accessories. This commercial expansion, with a significant international military customer, represents a major transition of UltraCell’s RMFC technology from the lab to actual field deployment.

This new commercial development validates the continuous improvements that have been implemented in UltraCell’s technology since the company was acquired by Bren-Tronics in 2011. The package comprises third-generation XX55™ fuel cell systems along with methanol cartridges and other power and fuel accessories.

‘This order from a well respected international military customer, for serially produced systems, will result in field-deployed fuel cells,’ says UltraCell CTO Ian Kaye, ‘unlike most current military fuel cell purchases, which are for evaluation or are part of an economic stimulus package.’

The XX55 operates on widely available and environmentally friendly methanol, which simplifies logistics for international operations. The unit produces 50 W of continuous power for portable applications such as satellite communications, radios, mesh networks, sensors and other intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) applications. Compared to exotic military primary batteries, the fuel cell offers a 5–10-fold reduction in mission cost.

Last year UltraCell and its development partner SAFCell demonstrated a stand-alone solid acid fuel cell (SAFC) system running on propane, with SAFCell’s proprietary SAFC stack integrated into UltraCell’s existing micro fuel cell system [FCB, October 2014, p6].

UltraCell LLC, Livermore, California, USA. Tel: +1 925 455 9400, www.ultracell-llc.com

Air Products, Suzuki Shokan to fuel Japan materials handling

US-based Air Products and Suzuki Shokan Co Ltd in Japan have

signed an alliance agreement under which they will collaborate on the design, construction, and operation of hydrogen fueling stations to serve the materials handling vehicle market in Japan. Air Products and Suzuki Shokan, an industrial gas company based in Tokyo, will take Air Products’ hydrogen fueling technology and make any infrastructure modifications required to meet Japanese regulations.

The companies also agreed to a standard equipment, engineering and licence deal for Suzuki Shokan’s purchase and use of key equipment supplied by Air Products for the implementation of the latter’s SmartFuel® hydrogen fueling station technology.

‘We have a great deal of experience supporting the materials handling market with hydrogen fueling technology and related infrastructure,’ says Ed Kiczek, global business director for hydrogen energy systems at Air Products. ‘This alliance with Suzuki Shokan is a tremendous opportunity to work with a

7

FUELING

NEWS

8Fuel Cells Bulletin March 2015

recognised leader in the Japanese industrial gas market, to serve the materials handling industry in that region of the world.’

‘Japan’s keen interest in hydrogen fueling for the automotive market provides a natural extension to hydrogen fueling for materials handling,’ continues Kiczek, adding that the alliance is already in discussion with multiple high-profile customers for the first deployment.

Suzuki Shokan has a long history of supplying the hydrogen business, including engineering, equipment and parts design, piping construction, and knowledge of laws and safety regulations. The company expects that using this and its nationwide sales and marketing resources, in conjunction with Air Products’ technology, will see fuel cell powered forklifts make steady progress in the Japanese market.

Air Products’ SmartFuel technology is daily fueling more than 2500 materials handling vehicles in the US, supplying over 20 sites and dispensing hydrogen indoors at nearly 70 dispensers, some of them operating 100 times a day. The Suzuki Shokan agreement is Air Products’ second with a Japanese company relating to hydrogen fueling. A year ago it hooked up with Nippon Steel & Sumikin Pipeline & Engineering, to collaborate on Japan’s developing hydrogen fueling infrastructure market for automotive customers [FCB, March 2014, p8].

Suzuki Shokan supplies high-pressure gases to various industries, hospitals, R&D labs, and universities. In the fuel cell electric vehicle sector the company provides parts and equipment for pressures up to 1000 bar, and services that test parts in the hydrogen environment.

Air Products, Materials Handling Hydrogen Fueling: www.airproducts.com/h2forklift

Air Products, Hydrogen Energy: www.airproducts.com/h2energy

Suzuki Shokan: www.suzukishokan.co.jp/english

H2 Logic partners to grow hydrogen fueling network in Denmark

In Denmark, oil & energy supplier OK and industrial gases company

Strandmøllen A/S will establish up to five hydrogen fueling stations, in collaboration with H2 Logic, a leading hydrogen station manufacturer. The stations will ensure that half of the Danish population is within 15 km (10 miles) of the nearest hydrogen station.

The hydrogen stations will be operated by a joint venture company, Danish Hydrogen Fuel A/S (DHF), owned by the three partners. DHF

is a prime example of an optimal structure and set of competences required for the successful rollout and operation of a network of fueling stations based on hydrogen produced using sustainable energy. The DHF station network is being constructed with support from the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) and the Danish Energy Agency, with plans for additional public funding.

The partnership will expand the existing Danish network to 11 stations by 2016, covering all major cities and making it possible to reach any location in the country. The availability of hydrogen fueling in a dense network of stations is key to the successful market introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles by major automakers. Denmark has one of the world’s best incentives for FCEVs, which are exempted from normal registration taxes that go up to 180% of the vehicle price. This makes an FCEV price of E50 000 (US$53 000) fully competitive today.

Denmark plans to increase the share of wind power generation to 100% of national electricity consumption by 2035, and from 2050 it plans to achieve 100% fossil independence across all energy sectors, including transportation, which calls for the use of hydrogen.

The new hydrogen stations will be located at existing gasoline stations in OK’s nationwide network, ensuring easy market access via existing infrastructure. Strandmøllen provides DHF with experience and competence in hydrogen production and distribution; it operates Denmark’s only electrolysis production plant, and will provide hydrogen for the DHF stations.

H2 Logic is a leading manufacturer of hydrogen fueling stations, with its H2Station® product used across Europe; the DHF stations will be based on this technology [see the H2 Logic feature in FCB, May 2013]. H2 Logic is already jointly investing with Air Liquide in the Copenhagen Hydrogen Network (CHN), to build a network of four hydrogen stations [FCB, July 2014, p8].

H2 Logic, Herning, Denmark. Tel: +45 9627 5600, www.h2logic.com

OK: www.ok.dk/global/english

Strandmøllen: www.strandmollen.dk [in Danish]

European Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch-ju.eu

McPhy, De Nora sign technology partnership for new electrolysers

The French company McPhy Energy, which specialises in

hydrogen-based solutions for

industrial and energy storage, has announced a technology partnership agreement with the De Nora group in Italy, a leading global provider of electrochemical products and services.

Under the agreement, De Nora will supply McPhy Energy with activated electrodes for its range of new-generation alkaline water electrolysers. The new equipment is more compact and responsive, with an exceptional lifespan, and is expected to deliver significantly improved technical and economic performance capabilities for the industrial and energy markets.

‘The combination of our two technologies will enable us to offer increasingly competitive, flexible, and environmentally friendly hydrogen generation equipment for our industrial and energy sector customers,’ comments Pascal Mauberger, CEO of McPhy Energy.

‘De Nora is committed to boost water electrolysis technologies with its patented high-performing electrodes,’ adds Luca Buonerba, chief marketing & business development officer at De Nora. ‘We are improving the value proposition of the electrochemical route to energy storage, lowering capital and operating costs.’

McPhy Energy has developed a proprietary metal hydride-based technique for storing hydrogen in solid form, and also now has a range of electrolyser products for the energy and mobility markets [FCB, February 2013, p9 and October 2013, p7, and see page 9]. The company has production sites in France, Germany and Italy, and an R&D laboratory in France.

De Nora’s noble metal-coated electrodes are utilised in a wide variety of industries and applications such as chlorine, chlorate and hypochlorite production, alkaline water electrolysis, PEM fuel cells and water treatment, surface finishing, electronics, cathodic protection, electrogalvanising, metal winning, and metal recovery.

McPhy Energy, La Motte-Fanjas, France. Tel: +33 4 7571 1505, www.mcphy.com

Industrie De Nora SpA, Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 02 21291, www.denora.com

Sandia report on joint prospects for CNG and hydrogen FCEVs

In the US, Sandia National Laboratories – supported by the Department

of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies and Fuel Cell Technologies Offices – recently released the workshop report, Transitioning the Transportation Sector: Exploring the Intersection of Hydrogen

NEWS

8Fuel Cells Bulletin March 2015

recognised leader in the Japanese industrial gas market, to serve the materials handling industry in that region of the world.’

‘Japan’s keen interest in hydrogen fueling for the automotive market provides a natural extension to hydrogen fueling for materials handling,’ continues Kiczek, adding that the alliance is already in discussion with multiple high-profile customers for the first deployment.

Suzuki Shokan has a long history of supplying the hydrogen business, including engineering, equipment and parts design, piping construction, and knowledge of laws and safety regulations. The company expects that using this and its nationwide sales and marketing resources, in conjunction with Air Products’ technology, will see fuel cell powered forklifts make steady progress in the Japanese market.

Air Products’ SmartFuel technology is daily fueling more than 2500 materials handling vehicles in the US, supplying over 20 sites and dispensing hydrogen indoors at nearly 70 dispensers, some of them operating 100 times a day. The Suzuki Shokan agreement is Air Products’ second with a Japanese company relating to hydrogen fueling. A year ago it hooked up with Nippon Steel & Sumikin Pipeline & Engineering, to collaborate on Japan’s developing hydrogen fueling infrastructure market for automotive customers [FCB, March 2014, p8].

Suzuki Shokan supplies high-pressure gases to various industries, hospitals, R&D labs, and universities. In the fuel cell electric vehicle sector the company provides parts and equipment for pressures up to 1000 bar, and services that test parts in the hydrogen environment.

Air Products, Materials Handling Hydrogen Fueling: www.airproducts.com/h2forklift

Air Products, Hydrogen Energy: www.airproducts.com/h2energy

Suzuki Shokan: www.suzukishokan.co.jp/english

H2 Logic partners to grow hydrogen fueling network in Denmark

In Denmark, oil & energy supplier OK and industrial gases company

Strandmøllen A/S will establish up to five hydrogen fueling stations, in collaboration with H2 Logic, a leading hydrogen station manufacturer. The stations will ensure that half of the Danish population is within 15 km (10 miles) of the nearest hydrogen station.

The hydrogen stations will be operated by a joint venture company, Danish Hydrogen Fuel A/S (DHF), owned by the three partners. DHF

is a prime example of an optimal structure and set of competences required for the successful rollout and operation of a network of fueling stations based on hydrogen produced using sustainable energy. The DHF station network is being constructed with support from the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) and the Danish Energy Agency, with plans for additional public funding.

The partnership will expand the existing Danish network to 11 stations by 2016, covering all major cities and making it possible to reach any location in the country. The availability of hydrogen fueling in a dense network of stations is key to the successful market introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles by major automakers. Denmark has one of the world’s best incentives for FCEVs, which are exempted from normal registration taxes that go up to 180% of the vehicle price. This makes an FCEV price of E50 000 (US$53 000) fully competitive today.

Denmark plans to increase the share of wind power generation to 100% of national electricity consumption by 2035, and from 2050 it plans to achieve 100% fossil independence across all energy sectors, including transportation, which calls for the use of hydrogen.

The new hydrogen stations will be located at existing gasoline stations in OK’s nationwide network, ensuring easy market access via existing infrastructure. Strandmøllen provides DHF with experience and competence in hydrogen production and distribution; it operates Denmark’s only electrolysis production plant, and will provide hydrogen for the DHF stations.

H2 Logic is a leading manufacturer of hydrogen fueling stations, with its H2Station® product used across Europe; the DHF stations will be based on this technology [see the H2 Logic feature in FCB, May 2013]. H2 Logic is already jointly investing with Air Liquide in the Copenhagen Hydrogen Network (CHN), to build a network of four hydrogen stations [FCB, July 2014, p8].

H2 Logic, Herning, Denmark. Tel: +45 9627 5600, www.h2logic.com

OK: www.ok.dk/global/english

Strandmøllen: www.strandmollen.dk [in Danish]

European Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch-ju.eu

McPhy, De Nora sign technology partnership for new electrolysers

The French company McPhy Energy, which specialises in

hydrogen-based solutions for

industrial and energy storage, has announced a technology partnership agreement with the De Nora group in Italy, a leading global provider of electrochemical products and services.

Under the agreement, De Nora will supply McPhy Energy with activated electrodes for its range of new-generation alkaline water electrolysers. The new equipment is more compact and responsive, with an exceptional lifespan, and is expected to deliver significantly improved technical and economic performance capabilities for the industrial and energy markets.

‘The combination of our two technologies will enable us to offer increasingly competitive, flexible, and environmentally friendly hydrogen generation equipment for our industrial and energy sector customers,’ comments Pascal Mauberger, CEO of McPhy Energy.

‘De Nora is committed to boost water electrolysis technologies with its patented high-performing electrodes,’ adds Luca Buonerba, chief marketing & business development officer at De Nora. ‘We are improving the value proposition of the electrochemical route to energy storage, lowering capital and operating costs.’

McPhy Energy has developed a proprietary metal hydride-based technique for storing hydrogen in solid form, and also now has a range of electrolyser products for the energy and mobility markets [FCB, February 2013, p9 and October 2013, p7, and see page 9]. The company has production sites in France, Germany and Italy, and an R&D laboratory in France.

De Nora’s noble metal-coated electrodes are utilised in a wide variety of industries and applications such as chlorine, chlorate and hypochlorite production, alkaline water electrolysis, PEM fuel cells and water treatment, surface finishing, electronics, cathodic protection, electrogalvanising, metal winning, and metal recovery.

McPhy Energy, La Motte-Fanjas, France. Tel: +33 4 7571 1505, www.mcphy.com

Industrie De Nora SpA, Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 02 21291, www.denora.com

Sandia report on joint prospects for CNG and hydrogen FCEVs

In the US, Sandia National Laboratories – supported by the Department

of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies and Fuel Cell Technologies Offices – recently released the workshop report, Transitioning the Transportation Sector: Exploring the Intersection of Hydrogen

NEWS

March 2015 Fuel Cells Bulletin9

Fuel Cell and Natural Gas Vehicles. The workshop, held in September 2014, considered common opportunities and challenges in expanding the use of hydrogen and compressed natural gas (CNG) as transportation fuels.

The workshop was organised by Sandia, the American Gas Association and Toyota, and included participants from the automotive industry, freight delivery fleets, gas suppliers, gas storage developers, utilities, academia, industry associations, national laboratories, and federal and state governments. Participants identified several areas where companies can better capitalise on synergies between the two fuels.

Stakeholders identified substantial potential for co-locating natural gas and hydrogen stations, rather than building them separately. Natural gas and hydrogen fuels are unlikely to compete for the same market segments (natural gas for fleets, and hydrogen for consumers), and station operators could cater to both types of users. Because hydrogen production can use natural gas as a feedstock, selling both fuels could also take advantage of common supply chains.

The workshop report also says that if companies shift away from separate approaches and towards using common equipment, similar pressures, and the same manufacturing processes, they could enable economies of scale for storage equipment and handling. Common equipment could further improve the business case for co-locating infrastructure, driving down the costs and expanding the market for both fuels.

Other observations in the report include:

infrastructure will co-exist, and are likely to suit different niches.

unpredictable, early station development can provide lessons that aid long-term expansion.

assessments are needed to quantify the benefits of co-developing natural gas and hydrogen.

The report also says that different policies may be more effective for different fuels. For example, aggressive deployment programmes for natural gas vehicles have stimulated the development of complementary, unsubsidised fueling infrastructure. In contrast, zero-emission vehicle mandates and public investment in early hydrogen infrastructure have motivated automakers to produce hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

Download the report: http://tinyurl.com/sandia-h2-NG-report

DOE Vehicle Technologies Office: http://energy.gov/eere/vehicles

DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Office, Systems Analysis: http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/systems-analysis

ITM delivers next-gen Power-to-Gas PEM electrolyser to RWE

UK-based ITM Power has delivered the rapid-response Power-to-Gas

(P2G) PEM electrolyser system sold to RWE Deutschland in Germany, within 10 weeks of receiving the order [FCB, January 2015, p8]. This is the third rapid-response P2G energy storage system installed by ITM Power in Germany, and the first second-generation unit.

The system for RWE is a second-generation PEM electrolyser system using a higher current density, which permits a higher hydrogen output per stack [FCB, February 2015, p8]. The system efficiency is also increased by simplification of balance of plant. The system incorporates the very first deployment of AEG’s new Thyrobox advanced power conversion electronics, which offers ultrahigh power factor, rapid response time, and higher efficiency over the full operating range.

As part of ITM Power’s drive to increase productivity, and as a result of product standardisation, the company has been able to significantly reduce delivery timescales [FCB, February 2015, p9]. This allowed the assembly, factory acceptance testing, and delivery of the unit to RWE in less than 10 weeks, enabled by an ongoing production run of standard electrolyser systems.

The RWE plant will produce hydrogen from renewable electricity, which will be injected locally into the gas network as part of its Power-to-Gas installation in Ibbenbüren in North Rhine-Westphalia. After further preparatory work and a short test, the plant is expected to go into operation by the summer.

In other news, ITM Power’s P2G electrolyser in operation with Thüga AG in Frankfurt recently completed a series of comprehensive stress tests [FCB, December 2014, p10]. Working with the European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER) and the Research Center for Water Chemistry and Water Technology at the Engler-Bunte-Institute (DVGW-EBI), the Thüga P2G Platform undertook a series of stress tests that analysed efficiency, control speed, load behaviour, and gas quality.

In its relevant load range (between 50 kW and around 325 kW), the entire system – from electrical input to gas injection into the distribution grid – recorded an efficiency of up to 77%, based on the higher heating value of hydrogen. ‘One reason for the high efficiency is

the fact that we are feeding directly into the gas distribution network, and thus have eliminated the need for a compressor,’ explains Thüga CEO Michael Riechel.

The system can react to variable loads in the network, and fulfils the requirement to participate in the market for secondary control (grid balancing). The pre-qualification process for participation in the market for secondary control is already under way.

A further focal point is how the plant can be integrated into an increasingly intelligent future energy system. ‘For the duration of the demonstration, we want to integrate the plant so that it actively contributes to compensating for the differences between renewable energy generation and power consumption,’ says Riechel. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is developing software for real-time control.

ITM Power, Sheffield, UK. Tel: +44 114 244 5111, www.itm-power.com

Thüga Group: www.thuega.de [in German]

McPhy links Enertrag hydrogen P2G plant in Prenzlau to gas grid

French company McPhy Energy has given an update on the operation

and performance of the Enertrag hybrid power plant in Prenzlau, Germany. Since the hydrogen injection system came online in November, more than 100 MWh of surplus wind energy has been converted into hydrogen and injected into the gas supply network.

The Prenzlau hybrid power plant was built by Enertrag, with support from the European Union, Deutsche Bahn (German Railways), the French oil & gas company Total, and Swedish power company Vattenfall [see the News Feature in FCB, May 2012]. McPhy Energy has modified and adapted the existing hybrid power plant, and built the interface to the gas injection system. Since then, Enertrag, one of the largest independent European renewable energy suppliers, has been able to convert more than 100 MWh of surplus wind energy into hydrogen and safeguard its energy utilisation through injection into the gas grid. This provides an industrial-scale demonstration of the economic potential of Power-to-Gas (P2G).

The heart of the Prenzlau power plant technology is a 500 kW alkaline electrolyser, which was built by an Enertrag division, Enertrag HyTec GmbH, which was subsequently acquired by McPhy Energy in September 2013 [FCB, October 2013, p7]. McPhy’s German

ENERGY STORAGE

NEWS

10Fuel Cells Bulletin March 2015

subsidiary further optimised this technology, now known as ‘Alcaline 2.0’ electrolysis, and has developed in-depth experience in integrating it into energy infrastructures such as electrical or natural gas networks.

McPhy recently announced a technology partnership agreement with the De Nora group in Italy, under which McPhy will launch a range of new-generation alkaline water electrolysers using De Nora’s activated electrodes [see page 8].

McPhy Energy, La Motte-Fanjas, France. Tel: +33 4 7571 1505, www.mcphy.com

Enertrag, Hybrid Power Plant: http://ow.ly/b5UY0

Ballard signs deals for wearable power, automotive solutions

Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems has signed two new

Technology Solutions contracts, one with Ardica Technologies in San Francisco, California and one with an unnamed global automotive OEM. Under each contract Ballard will provide expertise in PEM fuel cell technology to advance customer programmes through their development stages.

‘These latest contracts are indicative of the growing interest we are seeing in fuel cell development programmes,’ says Dr Kevin Colbow, Ballard’s VP of technology solutions. ‘In addition to the automotive sector, exciting opportunities are also emerging in aerospace, railway, and military application areas. For all these, Ballard is uniquely positioned to help customers by means of compelling bundled technology solutions that leverage our deep expertise, and also offer the potential for component supply in the longer term.’

The new contract with Ardica encompasses a next phase of work in the continuing development programme for a wearable fuel cell power system to be used by soldiers. This next work phase will focus on cost reduction along with development of additional manufacturing capabilities, as the Ardica system – with a compact Ballard fuel cell stack – advances towards the prototype stage and ultimately towards certification for full-scale production and purchase.

It is envisioned that the Ardica wearable fuel cell power system will provide similar or better operating performance than today’s wearable

lithium-ion batteries, while halving weight and volume during typical 72-hour missions. This would enable soldiers to power a variety of devices and carry more mission-specific equipment, without limiting mobility.

Ballard’s work with Volkswagen Group and two other global automotive OEMs is continuing, augmented by a recent Technology Solutions transaction with Volkswagen Group [see page 2] that includes a two-year extension to the engineering services programme. This latest contract with a new global automotive OEM customer will involve activities focused on fundamental fuel cell technology development.

Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com

Ardica Technologies, San Francisco, California, USA. Tel: +1 415 568 9270, www.ardica.com

Ceramic Fuel Cells now in administration, despite tech progress

Australian-based Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd has appointed voluntary

administrators, following a board resolution that the company was either insolvent, or was likely to become insolvent. The announcement came just a few weeks after CFCL reported that its BlueGen solid oxide fuel cell product has demonstrated world-leading electrical efficiencies across an extremely wide operating range.

Adam Nikitins and Justin Walsh, partners at Ernst & Young Australia, were appointed as administrators of CFCL on 1 March, and are conducting an urgent review of the options available to them. Trading in CFCL shares has been suspended on the Australian Securities Exchange and the AIM sub-market of the London Stock Exchange.

Before the decision to enter administration, CFCL reported that the BlueGen product has demonstrated excellent electrical efficiencies across an extremely wide operating range. The optimised 1.5 kW BlueGen product has now demonstrated an electrical efficiency of at least 60% from 800°C to 1500°C, and above 50% from about 450°C. With its optimised operating regime the BlueGen demonstrated >60% electrical efficiency from 1.5 kW through to a reduced power output of nearly 0.8 kW. Electrical efficiencies of greater than 50% have been demonstrated down to 0.5 kW or about 30% of its power output.

Maintaining such excellent efficiency over such an extreme range enables BlueGen to be

readily controlled at reduced power outputs without detriment, making the product even more attractive and flexible for integration with renewable energy sources, such as in a Virtual Power Plant. The optimised performance comes through a change in the operating conditions that has no negative impact on the life of the product.

In between these two announcements, Ceramic Fuel Cells reported that its March 2014 share purchase and convertible security agreement with Bergen Global Opportunity Fund has been terminated by the parties in accordance with its terms [FCB, April 2014, p4]. Bergen has provided substantial funds to CFCL, assisting technology development and bridging CFCL to utilising the increased German federal government support system, and the first third-party fully funded BlueGen programme in the UK [FCB, December 2014, p6].

Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd, Noble Park, Victoria, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9554 2300, www.cfcl.com.au or www.bluegen.info

DOE invests $10m in 11 projects through tech incubator funding

The Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) of the US Department

of Energy has selected 11 projects to receive up to $10 million in total funding in support of innovations in fuel cell and hydrogen fuel technologies. The project selections aim to identify high-impact technologies that are not already addressed in FCTO’s strategic plan or mainstream project portfolio.

The selected projects will support R&D efforts to address critical challenges and barriers for hydrogen and fuel cell technology development. The projects have the potential to dramatically lower the cost or improve the performance, durability, or efficiency of fuel cells or hydrogen fuel production.

The following projects have been selected:

Advent Technologies (www.advent-energy.com) in Connecticut will advance liquid-fueled and higher-temperature fuel cell technology at the catalyst, gas diffusion electrode, and MEA levels for stationary and auxiliary power unit applications.

Center for Transportation and the Environment (www.cte.tv) in Atlanta will develop 700 bar conformable hydrogen storage systems based on novel pressure vessel

COMMERCIALISATION

RESEARCH

NEWS / IN BRIEF

March 2015 Fuel Cells Bulletin11

I N B R I E F

DOE launches emergency response hydrogen training resourceThe Fuel Cell Technologies Office of the US Department of Energy has launched a free online national hydrogen safety training resource for emergency responders (http://h2tools.org/fr/nt). Developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the California Fuel Cell Partnership, the resource provides a single up-to-date repository of credible and reliable information related to hydrogen and fuel cells, and eliminates duplicate work. This approach will enable government and private training organisations in the US to develop their own training programmes with consistent content and standards relating to hydrogen and fuel cells.

A properly trained first-responder community is critical to the successful introduction of hydrogen fuel cell applications such as fuel cell electric vehicles, fuel cell powered materials handling equipment, and emergency backup power. Using this national emergency response hydrogen training resource, hydrogen and fuel cell-related training can be delivered locally by first-responder trainers to protect life and preserve property. These free training materials are adaptable to the specific needs of first-responders and training organisations, and are meant to complement the extensive training programmes already in place.

Ricardo-AEA, E4tech run UK hydrogen fueling station funding competitionThe UK government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has launched a grant scheme for hydrogen refueling station infrastructure, under which grant funding of up to £5.5 million (US$8.2 million) will be made available to support a UK hydrogen fueling network capable of servicing fuel cell electric vehicles by 2016/2017. Grant funding of £3.5 million will be provided to develop up to seven new, fully functional, hydrogen stations, with a further £2 million available to upgrade up to eight existing ‘demonstration’ stations.

Automotive consultancy Ricardo-AEA (www.ricardo-aea.com) and sustainable energy consultancy E4tech (www.e4tech.com) have been appointed as delivery partners for the funding competition. Ricardo-AEA will oversee submission of infrastructure proposals, before technical review of the applications and making formal recommendations to OLEV. Technical experts within Ricardo-AEA and E4tech will judge applications on how well they meet a range of criteria, including the role they will play in an early hydrogen network. Ricardo-AEA will then work with government to deliver the grant payments to successful infrastructure candidates, and monitor and report on the installation of new hydrogen refueling stations.

designs developed by the founder of High Energy Coil Reservoirs.

Gas Technology Institute (www.gastechnology.org) in Des Plaines, Illinois will assess the technical and economic feasibility of thermal compression for cost-effective pressurisation of hydrogen to 700 bar for hydrogen fueling stations, and demonstrate the concept in a small-scale test system.Giner (www.ginerinc.com) in Massachusetts will develop reversible fuel cells for energy storage applications based on alkaline exchange membrane technology.Northeastern University (www.northeastern.edu) in Boston will develop non-PGM, anion poisoning-resistant, oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts to replace high platinum loadings in phosphoric acid-based fuel cells for combined heat and power stationary applications.Proton OnSite (www.ProtonOnSite.com) in Connecticut will advance alkaline exchange membrane-based electrolysis technology by developing durable and efficient PGM-free electrolysis cells.

University of California, Irvine (www.uci.edu) will develop a novel photocatalyst particle-based slurry reactor with the potential for low-cost renewable hydrogen production via solar water splitting.

University of Delaware (www.udel.edu) will develop a new class of anion exchange membranes with high oxidative stability for use in cerium redox-flow batteries, and with potential for use in fuel cells.

University of New Mexico in Albuquerque (www.unm.edu) will address a major challenge for anion exchange membrane fuel cells, i.e. the absence of a reliable anode catalyst for the hydrogen oxidation reaction.Versa Power Systems (www.versa-power.com) in Colorado will develop hydrogen production technologies using high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis capable of operating at high current densities (i.e. high hydrogen production rates) and high efficiencies.Virginia Tech (www.vt.edu) will develop biological hydrogen production technology based on an in vitro synthetic biosystem.

DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Office: http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel-cell-technologies-office

NPL, ITM Power develop new electrode for PEM electrolysers

Scientists from the National Physical Laboratory in the UK have developed

a novel reference electrode for polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysers (PEMWEs), and are working with ITM Power to aid the development of hydrogen production technologies for renewable energy storage.

PEMWEs are more efficient than currently used alkaline electrolysis technologies, but they require relatively expensive catalyst materials such as iridium/ruthenium oxide (for oxygen evolution at the anode) and platinum (for hydrogen evolution at the cathode). Cost-effective design and extended lifetime are needed to boost PEMWE competitiveness, but development is being held back by poor understanding of catalyst degradation.

Edward Brightman and Gareth Hinds from NPL’s Centre for Carbon Measurement have adapted their innovative fuel cell reference electrode for use in PEMWEs, allowing in situ measurement of the electrochemical processes at the anode and the cathode [see the NPL feature in FCB, August 2013].

Conventional reference electrodes either connect to the edge of the cell under test, leading to significant measurement errors arising from edge effects, or require special modifications to the PEMWE design, making them difficult to incorporate. NPL’s reference electrode avoids these problems, by connecting directly to the cell active region through holes drilled into the end plates. This allows the reference electrode to determine the anode and cathode contributions to the cell voltage, without affecting cell performance.

Commercial PEMWE systems commonly show a decay in open-circuit potential (the voltage at zero current) after the current is switched off. This has conventionally been attributed to changes in the redox state of the anode catalyst which can lead to degradation. But in new work published in Electrochemistry Communications, the NPL reference electrode has demonstrated that the decay in potential is entirely due to the cathode. This is caused by oxidation of the Pt surface following shutdown, and large changes in potential were found to significantly reduce the electrochemical surface area of the Pt catalyst.

NPL is working with ITM Power, the UK’s leading manufacturer of commercial PEMWE systems, to apply the technique to the study of catalyst durability and the development of accelerated test protocols for new catalyst materials. While internationally recognised accelerated stress tests exist for PEM fuel cells, there are no equivalent protocols for PEM electrolysers.

‘This work has disrupted the conventional thinking in PEM electrolyser degradation, and has paved the way toward the development of internationally recognised accelerated stress tests,’ comments paper co-author Nicholas van Dijk, research director at ITM Power.

NPL Centre for Carbon Measurement: www.npl.co.uk/carbon-measurement

ITM Power: www.itm-power.com

Research paper: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2015.01.005

NEWS FEATURE

Fuel Cells Bulletin March 201512

The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project has backing from Europe, the UK government and the Scottish government, as well as a broad range of private sector partners. During 2015 it will deliver a hydrogen infrastructure in Aberdeen, including the production of hydrogen at the UK’s first commercial-scale hydrogen production and bus refueling station, as well as a purpose-built hydrogen fuel cell bus maintenance facility.

The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project partners are Aberdeen City Council, the Scottish government, Scottish Enterprise, the national innovation agency Innovate UK, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution, industrial gases company BOC, Belgian bus-builder Van Hool, bus operators First and Stagecoach, Scotia Gas Networks (SGN), and low-carbon energy consultancy Element Energy.

Hydrogen station for refueling fleet of busesThe hydrogen fueling station, at Aberdeen City Council’s Kittybrewster depot to the north of the city centre, is owned and operated by BOC, a member of the Linde Group. The station has been delivered as part of the Council-led project, which is testing the economic and environmental benefits of hydrogen transportation technologies, and aims to drive the further development of hydrogen technologies.

It will refuel 10 hydrogen fuel cell buses, manufactured by Van Hool and powered by 150 kW FCvelocity®-HD6 PEM fuel cell modules supplied by Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems. First is operating four buses on the X40 Kingswells to Bridge of Don park-and-ride route, with the other six operated by Stagecoach on the X17 Aberdeen city centre to

Westhill route. The buses will reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, and be quieter and smoother to run than diesel engine vehicles.

‘We are delighted to be a partner in this exciting and ground-breaking project for Aberdeen,’ says David Phillips, managing director of First Aberdeen. ‘Our four hydrogen-powered vehicles are already out in service, and proving really popular with customers.’

‘The Scottish government is supporting the introduction of cleaner and greener transport options across Scotland,’ says Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay. ‘Aberdeen’s new fleet of zero-emission hydrogen buses is one of the most exciting of these. The public will welcome the smoother and quieter journeys these buses bring, which will undoubtedly add to the attractiveness of this mode as a travel choice.’

Mackay continues: ‘This means the project isn’t just good news for transport – it also demonstrates how we can use hydrogen as energy from renewables, which integrates our energy and transport sectors, as well as making the most of Scotland’s vast renewable energy resources.’

‘As a leading world energy city determined to anchor the renewables industry in the north-east of Scotland, the success of the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project is a real coup,’ says Councillor Jenny Laing, Leader of Aberdeen City Council. ‘We not only have Europe’s largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses running on the streets of Aberdeen, but we also have the UK’s first and largest hydrogen production and bus refueling station, with plans in place for further hydrogen stations which will be capable of fueling other vehicles, including cars.’

FCB reported last summer that the city council is considering the purchase of additional hydrogen vehicles, in the form of Renault vans with fuel cell range-extenders

as well as Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell cars [FCB, September 2014, p8].

‘We have a very clear hydrogen strategy for the future, and are on the cusp of realising our aspiration of becoming a world-leading city for low-carbon technology, while maintaining our position as a leading world energy city,’ continues Jenny Laing. ‘The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project is a very important demonstration project, which will help to inform the growth and development of hydrogen technologies and the hydrogen industry, as well as a strong hydrogen economy in Aberdeen. The benefits of this project will be felt locally, nationally, and internationally.’

BOC station technologyThe hydrogen refueling station, built by BOC, features a 1 MW electrolyser system supplied by Canadian-based Hydrogenics through its European electrolyser business in Belgium. Comprising three HySTAT™ 60 electrolysers, the station will provide up to 400 kg/day of hydrogen, and be capable of refueling two buses back-to-back within 30 minutes. Further stations are planned across the city.

‘BOC is extremely proud to be part of the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project, a ground-breaking demonstration of low-carbon public transport in which Aberdeen is setting the standards, not just for Scotland, but also for Europe,’ says Nathan Palmer, Director of Bulk and Packaged Gases for BOC. ‘BOC is now ready for its next project on the hydrogen highway. We want to work with other committed partners delivering a step-change in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.’

BOC has previously supplied the UK’s first commercial-scale, solar-powered ‘green’ hydrogen production and refueling facility, located at the Honda car manufacturing site

Aberdeen opens UK’s largest hydrogen production, fueling station for expanding bus fleetThe UK’s first hydrogen production and bus refueling station was officially opened on 11 March, as part of a £19 million (US$28 million, E27 million) ‘green’ transport demonstration project in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project, which will see a fleet of 10 fuel cell buses in public revenue service, is the most high-profile of a range of projects designed to create a hydrogen economy in the city and surrounding region.

NEWS FEATURE

March 201513

Fuel Cells Bulletin

in Swindon [FCB, November 2014, p8]. This publicly accessible station serves the world’s first hybrid vans running on a mix of sustainable biodiesel and hydrogen, the UK’s first fuel cell powered forklift trucks, and a fuel cell powered Education Centre on the site.

National and European fundingThe project has been co-funded by Scottish, UK, and European partners. These include Innovate UK (£2.4 million), the Scottish Government (£1.7 million), Scottish Enterprise (£1.7 million), the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) through the High V.LO-City and HyTransit projects (£8.3 million), Aberdeen City Council (£2 million), bus operators First (£1 million) and Stagecoach (£1 million), Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (£750 000), and Scotia Gas Networks (SGN, £200 000). In addition, BOC has invested £1 million in the hydrogen production and refueling station.

‘As the European funding instrument for fuel cells and hydrogen technologies, the FCH JU is very proud to welcome the opening of Scotland’s first hydrogen production and bus refueling station,’ says Bert De Colvenaer, Executive Director of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. ‘This event highlights an important milestone in the implementation of Europe’s largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses in Aberdeen, co-financed through two projects funded by the FCH JU: High V.LO-City and HyTransit.’

The EU-funded High V.LO-City project – coordinated by Van Hool – aims to accelerate the integration of a new generation of hydrogen fuel cell buses, with a total of 14 fuel cell buses operating in public transport fleets in Scotland, Liguria in northwestern Italy, and Flanders in northern Belgium. They will demonstrate the buses’ technical and operational quality, and their value in both creating a clean and highly attractive public transport service and in facilitating the modular shift envisioned by

local transport policies.The HyTransit (European Hydrogen Transit

Buses in Scotland) project aims to prove that a hybrid fuel cell bus can meet the operational performance of an equivalent diesel bus on demanding intercity UK routes, and reduce refueling times for hydrogen buses through the use of a state-of-the-art hydrogen refueling station using ionic compression and fast-flow dispensing technology. The E16.3 million project (with E7 million from the FCH JU) is coordinated by BOC, and will run to the end of June 2017.

‘As the coordinator of the High V.LO-City fuel cell bus project, a partner in HyTransit, and the supplier of the fuel cell buses, Van Hool is very proud to be an intrinsic part of the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project, the largest fuel cell bus deployment in all of Europe,’ comments Filip Van Hool, CEO of the Belgian bus-builder Van Hool NV. ‘Operated by First and Stagecoach in a very demanding service in Scotland, it will show the degree of readiness of the technology, and constitute a benchmark for projects to come. We are all looking forward to the benefits of zero-emission buses in real-life operation.’

The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project is also part of the HyTrEc (Hydrogen Transport Economy) transnational project, which involves working with EU partners around the North Sea to facilitate transnational cooperation and learning. The HyTrEc project also aims to enhance the competitiveness of the North Sea region in hydrogen development, and provide a platform for joined-up working towards a hydrogen strategy across the North Sea region.

The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) is a unique-public private partnership to support research, technological development and demonstration activities in fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in Europe. It aims to accelerate the market introduction of these technologies, realising their potential as an instrument in achieving a carbon-lean energy system. The three members of the FCH JU are the European Commission, the fuel cell and hydrogen industries represented by the New Energy World Industry Grouping (NEW-IG), and the research community represented by the N.ERGHY Research Grouping.

Hydrogen energy in the Aberdeen regionThe project is part of the H2 Aberdeen initiative, which provides the opportunity to create a new industry and greater choice in energy production and usage, as well as enabling the development of a hydrogen strategy for the Energetica Development Corridor and the city as a whole. The proposed Energetica

global technology corridor from Aberdeen to Peterhead aims to position the Aberdeen City Region as a global energy hub, which will attract dynamic organisations that stimulate synergies, innovation, research and development.

Building on Aberdeen’s worldwide reputation in the energy industry, the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project will enable the development and deployment of hydrogen infrastructure. This work will open the way for new and innovative hydrogen technology projects and accelerate the commercial use of hydrogen as a fuel, offering green transport solutions.

‘As part of creating a sustainable gas network for the future, SGN is interested in decarbonising the gas network,’ explains SGN network director Paul Denniff. ‘Hydrogen is part of our strategy, which is why we are supporting it, and can utilise any learning from, this innovative project.’

Previous news items1. Aberdeen gets green light for Scottish hydrogen

hub, Fuel Cells Bulletin (September 2012) 10.2. Next stages under way for fuel cell buses

in Aberdeen, Flanders, Fuel Cells Bulletin (March 2013) 2–3.

3. Hydrogenics wins two contracts for hydro-gen fueling stations in UK, Fuel Cells Bulletin (February 2014) 9.

4. First hydrogen buses delivered to Aberdeen fleet project, Fuel Cells Bulletin (April 2014) 2.

5. Aberdeen plans extra hydrogen station, plus fuel cell vans and cars, Fuel Cells Bulletin (September 2014) 8–9.

6. Hydrogenics hydrogen fueling stations for California, Scotland, Fuel Cells Bulletin (January 2015) 7.

More informationH2 Aberdeen: http://tinyurl.com/h2-aberdeen

High V.LO-City project: www.highvlocity.eu

HyTransit project: http://tinyurl.com/hytransit-scot-buses (FCH JU)

Hydrogen Transport Economy for the North Sea Region project: www.hytrec.eu

European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch-ju.eu

BOC, Hydrogen Refueling: http://tinyurl.com/boc-h2-refueling

The Linde Group, Hydrogen Energy: http://tinyurl.com/linde-hydrogen-energy

Van Hool, Hydrogen Buses: http://tinyurl.com/vanhool-h2

Ballard Power Systems: www.ballard.com

Element Energy: www.element-energy.co.uk

Hydrogenics: www.hydrogenics.com

Innovate UK: www.innovateuk.org

The UK’s largest hydrogen production & bus refueling station has been opened in Aberdeen, Scotland, to serve the city fleet of 10 fuel cell buses.

Fuel Cells Bulletin March 201514

NEWS FEATURE

Tubular direct carbon SOFC with ceramic separation membrane to remove CO2A Chinese/Australian research team has created an anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cell that functions as a carbon fuel container as well as an electrochemical device for power generation. The tubular SOFC uses an integrated ceramic membrane to separate CO2 and CO, facilitating the development of a high power density SOFC that directly uses carbon as a fuel source.

The CO2 problemOne of the major drawbacks of carbon-fueled fuel cells is the intrinsic presence of CO2, which impedes CO oxidation and therefore lowers the energy density of the cell. Researchers at Nanjing Tech University in China and Curtin University in Perth, Australia recently reported in the journal Angewandte Chemie[1] on a novel dual-phase, ion-conducting ceramic membrane that is absolutely gastight but highly permeable for CO2. Integrated in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with solid carbon as an energy carrier, it enables efficient removal of CO2, resulting in enhanced power density of the electrochemical cell.

Integrated ceramic separation membraneAlthough batteries are ubiquitously used in portable electronic devices, they are still far from being highly efficient power supplies. Recurrent issues are poor energy densities and safety, both of which particularly concern the widely used lithium-ion batteries. A team led by Professor Zongping Shao – based in the College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering at Nanjing Tech University, and with the Department of Chemical Engineering at Curtin University – chose a different approach, by developing electrochemical power supplies on the basis of solid oxide fuel cells using solid carbon as a fuel.

Their novel carbon–air ‘battery’ has its fuel container – catalytically activated carbon – integrated with the anode support [Figure 1]. Its most prominent feature, however, is the addition of a ceramic membrane that has been specially designed to allow efficient CO2 separation and thus increase the fuel utilisation efficiency.

CO2 separation is keyIn the device, CO2 is formed at the electrode and then reacts with the carbon fuel to form gaseous

CO, which can diffuse quickly to the electrodes and thus enhance the reaction rates. However, to obtain high energy densities, CO2 has to be separated from CO. Ceramic membranes can provide CO2 permeability through high carbonate conductivity, but it is the oxygen ion-conducting phase, not the carbonate conductivity, which is critical for efficient CO2 permeation.

Therefore, the researchers selected a samarium-containing cerium oxide material (Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9, SDC), which is characterised

by its high ionic conductivity. Sintering formed a porous SDC scaffold with fused particles to provide efficient oxygen ion (O2−) conducting paths. The void spaces were then completely filled with molten carbonate (CO3

2−), to form a densified SDC–carbonate dual-phase membrane [Figure 2]. This novel membrane not only proved to be perfectly gastight, but also provided a temperature-dependent excellent CO2 permeation flux that is much higher than the values reported for similar membranes.

High performance at high temperatures‘Such an improvement is likely due to the much improved densification of the membrane fabricated by using the technique reported here,’ the researchers explain. Moreover, at the operating temperatures for SOFC applications, which are as high as 850°C, attractive power densities and open-circuit voltages can be obtained. Applications may include portable energy supplies that have to be run at high temperatures.

Reference1. Binbin Yang, Ran Ran, Yijun Zhong, Chao Su, Moses O. Tadé, and Zongping Shao: A carbon–air battery for high power generation, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 54 (23 January 2015) 3722–3725, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.201411039

For more information, contact: Professor Zongping Shao, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China. Tel: +86 25 8317 2256, Email: shaozp@njtech.edu.cn

Nanjing Tech University: http://en.njtech.edu.cn

Curtin University, Department of Chemical Engineering: http://chem.eng.curtin.edu.au

Figure 1. (a) Diagram and (b) photograph of the carbon–air battery, and SEM images of (c) surface morphology of the YSZ electro-lyte, and (d) the cross-sectional view of the tubular SOFC with the lanthanum strontium manganite-yttria-stabilised zirconia (LSM-YSZ) cathode. [Image courtesy of Wiley-VCH]

Figure 2. Schematic diagram showing the working principle of the mixed CO3

2− and O2− conducting membrane for CO2 separation.

March 2015 Fuel Cells Bulletin15

RESEARCH TRENDS

Research TrendsElectrochemical gas–electricity cogeneration through direct carbon SOFCsY. Xie et al.: J. Power Sources 277 (1 March 2015) 1–8.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.12.016

Carbon-supported Ag@Pt core–shell nanoparticles with enhanced electrochemical activity in DMFCJ. Cao et al.: J. Power Sources 277 (1 March 2015) 155–160.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.12.017

In situ quantification of SOFC electrode microstructure by EISY. Zhang et al.: J. Power Sources 277 (1 March 2015) 277–285.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.11.123

Long-term testing of start–stop cycles on HT-PEMFC stackA. Kannan et al.: J. Power Sources 277 (1 March 2015) 312–316.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.11.115

Carbon deposition thresholds on Ni-based SOFC anodes [in 2 parts]J. Kuhn et al.: J. Power Sources 277 (1 March 2015) 443–454, 455–463.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.07.085http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.07.084

Effect of interaction between A-site deficient LST and ScSZ on SOFC performanceG. Chen et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(3) (March 2015) F223–228.http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0131503jes

Promoting effect of Sn in Pt electrocatalysts for DMFCsN.S. Veizaga et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(3) (March 2015) F243–249.http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0181503jes

60 s microwave-assisted synthesis of Ni foam, for impregnation of porous scaffolds for SOFC/SOECE. Ruiz-Trejo et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(3) (March 2015) F273–279. [Open Access]http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0531503jes

Degradation of HT-PEMFCs containing tungsten oxide catalyst anode support materialC. Heinzl et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(3) (March 2015) F280–290.http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0541503jes

Carbon corrosion mitigation strategy in HT-PEMFC: rapid aging studyT. Engl et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(3) (March 2015) F291–297. [Open Access]http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0681503jes

Dynamic HT-PEMFC operation: in operando imaging of H3PO4 profiles and (re)distributionS.H. Eberhardt et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(3) (March 2015) F310–316. [Open Access]http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0751503jes

Catalytic enhancement of carbon black and coal-fueled hybrid direct carbon fuel cellsL. Deleebeeck et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(3) (March 2015) F327–339.http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0761503jes

Ionic conduction in Mg2+ and Sr2+ co-doped ceria/carbonate nanocomposite electrolytes for IT-SOFCsN. Jaiswal et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40(8) (2 March 2015) 3313–3320.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.01.002

High-performance SOFCs with Co1.5Mn1.5O4 infiltrated (La,Sr)MnO3-YSZ cathodesX. Zhang et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40(8) (2 March 2015) 3332–3337.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.01.040

Effects of La2O3, Nd2O3, NiO and CoO additions on characteristics of SiO2–Al2O3–Y2O3–ZnO glass seals for IT-SOFCsS.-F. Wang et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40(8) (2 March 2015) 3338–3347.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.01.045

Effect of nitrides on corrosion behaviour of 316L stainless steel bipolar plates for PEMFCs

S. Pugal Mani et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40(8) (2 March 2015) 3359–3369.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.12.108

Functional nanostructure engineering of SOFC cathode by solution infiltrationS. Lee: ECS Electrochemistry Letters 4(3) (March 2015) F17–20.http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0051503eel

Preparation of graphene-based PVA/chitosan nanocomposite membrane for alkaline DMFCJ.-M. Yang et al.: J. Membrane Science 477 (1 March 2015) 49–57.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.12.028

Pt nanoparticles supported on nitrobenzene-functionalised MWNT as efficient methanol oxidation catalysts in DMFCsL. Tao et al.: Electrochimica Acta 157 (1 March 2015) 46–53.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2015.01.054

Effect of N and S co-doping of MWNTs for oxygen reduction in PEMFCsC. Domínguez et al.: Electrochimica Acta 157 (1 March 2015) 158–165.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2015.01.031

Co/CeO2-decorated carbon nanofibres as non-precious electrocatalyst for DMFC application in alkaline mediumZ.K. Ghouri et al.: Ceramics International 41(2) Pt. A (March 2015) 2271–2278.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.10.031

Temperature-controlled growth of single-crystal Pt nanowire arrays for catalyst electrodes in PEMFCsY. Lu et al.: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 164 (March 2015) 389–395.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.09.040

Hollow raspberry-like PdAg alloy nanospheres with high electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation in alkaline mediaC. Peng et al.: J. Power Sources 278 (15 March 2015) 69–75.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.12.056

Fuel Cells Bulletin March 201516

PATENTS

PatentsPEMFC separator comprising lamellar graphite foil with etched flow-field channel and impregnated hydrophobic layerAssignee: FuelCellPower Inc, Korea [Doosan Fuel Cell]Inventors: H.-S. Kim et al.Patent number: US 8865372Published: 21 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 3 Aug. 2004)

SOFC cathode coating with spinel oxide comprising two metal oxides, to minimise Cr poisoning and resist deterioration due to Cr depletionAssignee: Osaka Gas, JapanInventors: S. Inoue et al.Patent number: US 8865373Published: 21 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 23 Apr. 2009)

Method of coating substrate (e.g. bipolar plate) with organometallic nanoparticles with metal oxide, to mitigate water accumulationAssignee: General Motors, USAInventors: M.H. Abd Elhamid et al.Patent number: US 8871294Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 16 Dec. 2008)

Regenerative fuel cell with PEM for partial oxidation of alcohol fuel, and lower-cost hydrogen storageAssignee: HRL Laboratories, USAInventors: P. Liu et al.Patent number: US 8871393Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 13 Mar. 2009)

CO2 separator for DMFC laptop power source, whereby water condensing within membrane is transported outside, cuts cloggingAssignee: Samsung SDI Co, KoreaInventors: M. Bronold et al.Patent number: US 8871396Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 9 Jan. 2008)

Zero-emission fuel system handles CO2 evolution, for use with SOFC in unmanned underwater vehicleAssignee: Secretary of the Navy, USA [Naval Undersea Warfare Center]Inventors: A.A. Burke et al.Patent number: US 8871397Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 1 Apr. 2011)

SOFC portable generator with hydrogen produced by contacting water vapour with alkali metal or hydride materialsAssignee: Honeywell International, USAInventors: S.J. Eickhoff et al.Patent number: US 8871398Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 19 Nov. 2013)

Method and device to extend PEMFC lifetime, by supplying CO or CO2 to ‘trap’ oxygen at anodeAssignee: CEA, FranceInventors: A. Franco et al.Patent number: US 8871399Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 18 Dec. 2008)

Operation of residential PEMFC system for improved long-term sterilisation of product water with reduced water purifier maintenanceAssignee: Panasonic, JapanInventors: J. Oe et al.Patent number: US 8871400Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 3 Mar. 2011)

Control of cooling water circulation in automotive PEMFC system according to temperature rise from frozen startup, to suppress electrolyte membrane deteriorationAssignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, JapanInventors: Y. Naganuma et al.Patent number: US 8871401Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 27 Apr. 2010)

DMFC stack structure for uniform fluid flow through parallel channels, and improved integration in mobile electronic devicesAssignee: Sony, JapanInventors: K. Makita et al.Patent number: US 8871403Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 30 July 2008)

MCFC system manifold seal for gap between manifold and endplateAssignee: FuelCell Energy, USAInventors: G. DiCostanzo et al.Patent number: US 8871404Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 1 July 2013)

Compact PEMFC stack with adjustable fastening load, improves power generation and durabilityAssignee: Panasonic, Japan

Inventor: Y. YamamotoPatent number: US 8871405Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 3 Feb. 2010)

Highly proton-conductive crosslinked vinylsulfonic acid composite electrolyte membranes, and preparation method for DMFCsAssignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research, KoreaInventors: Y.W. Choi et al.Patent number: US 8871406Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 23 Dec. 2008)

Core (Ru)-shell (Pt) type catalyst for reduced Pt content with high activity and stability, production method and use in DMFC electrodeAssignee: Sony, JapanInventors: S. Goto et al.Patent number: US 8871672Published: 28 Oct. 2014 (Filed: 29 Oct. 2009)

Low-cost fabrication of Ni/YSZ porous SOFC anodes with uniform pore size and reduction productsAssignee: Korea Institute of Science & Technology, KoreaInventors: C.-S. Kim et al.Patent number: US 8877118Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 2 Dec. 2011)

PEMFC stack inlet water regulation system, to regulate water entrained in reactant supply streamAssignee: General Motors, USAInventors: J.P. Owejan et al.Patent number: US 8877392Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 1 Sep. 2009)

PEMFC with higher water vapour transfer resistance in midstream power generation region, to prevent drying-induced power degradationAssignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, JapanInventors: H. Takeuchi et al.Patent number: US 8877393Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 21 May 2010)

Direct oxidation fuel cell (DMFC) with moisture exchange layer to simply humidify oxidant supplyAssignee: Samsung SDI Co, KoreaInventors: S.-J. An et al.Patent number: US 8877394Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 24 Nov. 2010)

PATENTS

March 2015 Fuel Cells Bulletin17

Improved efficiency and stability of PEMFC system by pulsed supply of stack offgas to heating unit that heats reformerAssignee: Samsung SDI Co, KoreaInventor: W.-C. ShinPatent number: US 8877395Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 27 May 2010)

Method to thaw frozen coolant in automotive PEMFC system, preventing excessive power draw to limit stack waste heat and activate heater to heat coolantAssignee: General Motors, USAInventors: J.D. Rainville et al.Patent number: US 8877397Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 30 Sep. 2010)

Automotive PEMFC stack with guides in coolant inlet and outlet manifold for improved temperature uniformity and subzero startupAssignee: Hyundai Motor Company, KoreaInventor: S.H. LeePatent number: US 8877398Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 22 Nov. 2010)

SOFC hot box components, including cathode recuperator, heat-exchangers, steam generatorAssignee: Bloom Energy Corporation, USAInventors: D. Weingaertner et al.Patent number: US 8877399Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 5 Jan. 2012)

Integrated SOFC design with heat-exchanger wrapped around cell core, to optimise thermal exchange to maintain core chemical reactionsAssignees: CEA, France and Snecma SA, FranceInventor: J.-F. FourmiguéPatent number: US 8877400Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 24 Aug. 2007)

Optimising supply of fuel with carbonyl-containing compound to anode in PEMFC stack, to minimise CO poisoningAssignee: CEA, FranceInventors: S. Passot et al.Patent number: US 8877401Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 22 May 2013)

Method for automotive PEMFC air system leakage diagnostic, to identify cathode subsystem leaksAssignee: General Motors, USAInventor: M. BeckerPatent number: US 8877402Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 13 Sep. 2012)

Drainage system with gas-liquid separator for automotive PEMFC system, for faster subzero startupAssignee: Nissan Motor Co, JapanInventors: S. Takemoto et al.Patent number: US 8877403Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 1 Oct. 2008)

PEMFC manufacture to suppress, release stresses from expansion and contraction of electrolyte membrane, enhances durabilityAssignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, JapanInventor: T. OdaPatent number: US 8877404Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 5 July 2011)

DMFC MEA maintains optimum humidification with reduced pump noise, parasitic power consumptionAssignee: Toshiba, JapanInventors: Y. Sato et al.Patent number: US 8877405Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 10 Sep. 2008)

PEMFC featuring electrolyte membrane with integral convex part that expands due to absorption of product water, improves sealingAssignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, JapanInventors: H. Yoshikawa et al.Patent number: US 8877406Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 15 June 2010)

More efficient DMFC electrode structure, with reduced amount of catalyst but increased output power density and efficiencyAssignee: Panasonic, JapanInventor: T. AkiyamaPatent number: US 8877407Published: 4 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 23 May 2012)

Manufacture of PEMFC metal separator with improved sealing, use in portable electronic devicesAssignee: Hyundai Motor Company, Korea

Inventor: D.G. BaePatent number: US 8882859Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 10 Aug. 2007)

Micro PEMFC integrated with two-layer methanol reformer, for portable electronic devicesAssignee: Sony, JapanInventor: K. KatoriPatent number: US 8882864Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 26 Feb. 2010)

Flexible, multi-cartridge, reconfigurable/selectable ambient air contaminant control system and method to supply PEMFC cathodesAssignee/Inventor: Jonathan Cross, USAPatent number: US 8882874Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 13 Oct. 2005)

Operation of reformer/fuel cell system with water transfer pump to discharge water and prevent it freezing inside reformerAssignee: Samsung SDI Co, KoreaInventors: W.-H. Cho et al.Patent number: US 8883359Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 3 Nov. 2010)

Automotive SOFC system with components arranged according to operating temperature range, and minimised heat and fluids diffusion Assignee: Honda Motor Co, JapanInventors: B. Saito et al.Patent number: US 8883362Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 30 July 2009)

Fuel gas supply device with electromagnetic injector for automotive PEMFC system, no need for pressure reduction valveAssignee: Nissan Motor Co, JapanInventors: M. Odashima et al.Patent number: US 8883363Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 22 June 2010)

Manifold insert with distribution guides for reduced output voltage deviation and flow instability, and use in automotive PEMFC stackAssignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Korea and Kia Motors, KoreaInventors: H.J. Ko et al.Patent number: US 8883364Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 9 May 2011)

PATENTS

18Fuel Cells Bulletin March 2015

Automotive PEMFC stack discrete header manifolds with durable alignment mechanism, providing integration flexibilityAssignee: General Motors, USAInventors: T.D. Bogumil et al.Patent number: US 8883365Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 22 Feb. 2010)

SOFC with metal thin plate supporting ceramic thin plate, for consistent performance even when device temperature changesAssignee: NGK Insulators Ltd, JapanInventors: M. Ohmori et al.Patent number: US 8883366Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 21 Sep. 2007)

Well dispersed Pt-based DMFC nanocatalyst, and use in MEAAssignee: Samsung SDI Co, KoreaInventors: M.-K. Min et al.Patent number: US 8883367Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 26 July 2010)

SOFC with rigidised foil support including Ni-based alloy for long life and resistance to oxidationAssignee: Ballard Power Systems, CanadaInventors: M.R. Jaworowski et al.Patent number: US 8883368Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 21 Nov. 2008)

SOFC interconnects with high connection strength and highly reliable electrical connectionAssignee: NGK Insulators Ltd, JapanInventors: M. Ohmori et al.Patent number: US 8883369Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 9 Dec. 2011)

HT-PEMFC system operated with LPG, mixed with water vapour and directly fed to anode chamber without complex reformingAssignee: Truma Gerätetechnik GmbH, GermanyInventors: A. Schiegl et al.Patent number: US 8883370Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 25 May 2007)

Mesoporous electrically conductive metal oxide (TiO2) catalyst support for PEMFC electrodes, optionally doped with transition metal

Assignee: General Motors, USAInventors: T.B. Do et al.Patent number: US 8883674Published: 11 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 27 Mar. 2009)

Cassette-less SOFC stack with electrically isolated stack current path for welded interconnection between stack frame partsAssignee: Battelle Memorial Institute, USA [Pacific Northwest National Lab]Inventor: K.D. MeinhardtPatent number: US 8889303Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 17 Dec. 2009)

Modular regenerative PEM fuel cell/electrolyser with substacks configured for series fluid flowAssignee: Boeing, USAInventors: M. Mata et al.Patent number: US 8889306Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 16 Feb. 2010)

Micro PEMFC assembly with feedback sensor to provide voltage signal indicating operating status, use as cellphone chargerAssignee: myFC, SwedenInventors: A. Lundblad et al.Patent number: US 8889307Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 20 Aug. 2008)

PEM or DMFC with reduced oxide film formation on cathode catalyst surface in OCV state, driving modeAssignee: Samsung SDI Co, KoreaInventors: C.-S. Lee et al.Patent number: US 8889308Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 21 Dec. 2010)

Improved technique for precisely measuring AC impedance to detect PEMFC operating conditionAssignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, JapanInventors: K. Manabe et al.Patent number: US 8889309Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 4 July 2006)

PEM or DMFC driving method to prevent deterioration and improve life by varying stack activation timeAssignee: Samsung SDI Co, KoreaInventors: H. Kim et al.Patent number: US 8889310Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 3 Jan. 2011)

PEMFC cathode pressure control utilising backpressure valve and capacitance modelAssignee: General Motors, USAInventors: Y. Zhang et al.Patent number: US 8889311Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 25 Oct. 2012)

Electrolyte plate with linear parallel ribs for increased rigidity without increasing thickness, and use in SOFC or SOECAssignee: CEA, FranceInventors: S. Di Iorio et al.Patent number: US 8889313Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 28 Oct. 2009)

PEMFC bipolar plate comprising separator between pair of unipolar plates, one of which is porous to minimise cathode transport resistance at high current densityAssignee: General Motors, USAInventors: E.J. Connor et al.Patent number: US 8889314Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 13 Jan. 2009)

Niobium oxycarbonitride based catalyst which is not corroded in acidic electrolyte or at high voltage, for PEMFC cathodeAssignee: Showa Denko KK, JapanInventors: R. Monden et al.Patent number: US 8889315Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 8 Aug. 2008)

Organic/inorganic composite blend membrane compositions of polyelectrolyte blends with Zr-based nanoparticle fillers, for HT-PEMFCs (100–200°C)Assignee: Arkema Inc, USAInventors: J.C. Meredith et al.Patent number: US 8889316Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 14 June 2010)

Novel structural relationship between active regions of (PEM) fuel cell array and transport barrier regions integrated in a cover that improves performanceAssignee: Société Bic, France [Intelligent Energy, see page 6]Inventors: G.F. McLean et al.Patent number: US 8889317Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 10 Nov. 2011)

PATENTS

March 2015 Fuel Cells Bulletin19

Uniform gas flow velocity in active area of PEMFC stack, with bipolar plate inlet feed channels smaller and/or fewer than on non-inlet sideAssignee: Ford, USAInventors: T.A. Wagner et al.Patent number: US 8889318Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 11 May 2010)

Method and apparatus for PEMFC catalyst layer production with water removal, polyelectrolyte solution and its production processAssignee: Equos Research, JapanInventor: H. KatoPatent number: US 8889584Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 7 Jan. 2011)

Sulfonated triazine polymer for electrolyte membrane in PEMFC, has high chemical and dimensional stability and high ion conductivityAssignees: Michelin, France and Michelin Recherche et Technique SA, SwitzerlandInventors: M. Fedurco et al.Patent number: US 8889817Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 6 July 2011)

SOFC device and method for feeding parallel electrical current to network, using phase reference signal to resolve malfunctionsAssignee: Convion Oy, Finland [Wärtsilä]Inventor: K. ÅströmPatent number: US 8890365Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 7 June 2011)

Hybrid molten salt electrolyte supercapacitor/SOFC/battery system for vehicular propulsionAssignee: Oerlikon Advanced Technologies AG, LiechtensteinInventors: W.O. Martienssen et al.Patent number: US 8890476Published: 18 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 3 Aug. 2010)

Heat treatment configuration for porous carbon-carbon composites, to minimise variation in average

pressure of PEMFC substratesAssignee: Ballard Power Systems, CanadaInventor: R.D. BreaultPatent number: US 8894905Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 19 Nov. 2012)

Methods and apparatus for casting flexible ceramic electrolyte sheets for SOFC electrocatalystsAssignee: Corning, USAInventors: L. Kester et al.Patent number: US 8894920Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 29 Oct. 2009)

Activation of automotive PEMFC system, to protect it in operation and subzero startup, highly durableAssignee: Honda Motor Co, JapanInventors: H. Yoshida et al.Patent number: US 8895166Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 31 Jan. 2007)

CO-tolerant fuel cell stack based on multiple junction ionic conductive (anion and cation exchange) membranes, limited self-dischargeAssignee: Georgia Tech, USAInventors: M. Unlu et al.Patent number: US 8895196Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 24 Sep. 2010)

Filtration systems and methods for securing immunity to air CO2 in alkaline fuel cellsAssignee: CellEra Inc, USAInventor: S. GottesfeldPatent number: US 8895198Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 24 Aug. 2010)

PEMFC system using hydrogen from electrolysis of Cl-containing sea water used as cooling water in nuclear power generation plantAssignee: XFC Inc, KoreaInventors: J.-H. Lee et al.Patent number: US 8895199Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 5 Oct. 2011)

Indirect derivation of anode morphology variation and anode

voltage increase when automotive PEMFC system is stoppedAssignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, JapanInventors: M. Kato et al.Patent number: US 8895200Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 2 Aug. 2010)

High-temperature fuel cell (SOFC) system with startup burner to heat it before operation commencesAssignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Germany [Fraunhofer IKTS, Dresden]Inventors: S. Reuber et al.Patent number: US 8895201Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 9 July 2010)

PEMFC MEA with reactant gas prevented from entering PEM end, to suppress membrane degradationAssignee: Honda Motor Co, JapanInventors: Y. Tanaka et al.Patent number: US 8895202Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 3 Jan. 2013)

Powder containing elongated grains (e.g. LSM perovskite), production of highly porous SOFC electrodesAssignee: Saint-Gobain, FranceInventors: S. Marlin et al.Patent number: US 8895203Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 12 Sep. 2008)

Devices and methods to combine reactant fuels, aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen for PEMFC in portable electronic deviceAssignee: Intelligent Energy, UKInventors: A.P. Wallace et al.Patent number: US 8895204Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 7 Feb. 2013)

SOFC with multilayer coated wire current collector for improved current collection efficiencyAssignee: Samsung SDI Co, KoreaInventor: Y.-K. KimPatent number: US 8895205Published: 25 Nov. 2014 (Filed: 8 Dec. 2010)

13–17 April 201521st Group Exhibit Hydrogen + Fuel Cells + Batteries, within Hannover Messe 2015Hannover, GermanyMore information: www.h2fc-fair.com

19–22 April 20154th Zing Electrochemistry ConferenceCarvoeiro, Algarve, PortugalMore information: www.zingconferences.com/conferences/4th-zing-electrochemistry-conference

21–23 April 2015SAE 2015 World CongressDetroit, Michigan, USAMore information: www.sae.org/congress

22–23 April 2015Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) First Smart Specialisation Workshop on Fuel Cells and HydrogenLyon, FranceMore information: http://tinyurl.com/smart-spec-fch2

27–28 April 2015HFC 2015, Hydrogen + Fuel Cells: Vancouver Hydrogen + Fuel Cells SummitVancouver, BC, CanadaMore information: www.hfc2015.com

27–30 April 20158th Energy Storage World ForumRome, ItalyMore information: www.energystorageforum.com

3–6 May 20156th International Conference on Hydrogen Production, ICH2P-2015Oshawa, Ontario, CanadaMore information: www.ich2p.org/ich2p14

3–6 May 2015EVS 28, 28th International Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exhibition, including Fuel Cells & Fuel Cell SystemsGoyang, KoreaMore information: www.evs28.org

6–7 May 2015All-Energy 2015 Exhibition & ConferenceGlasgow, Scotland, UKMore information: www.all-energy.co.uk

20–21 May 20155th Israeli Power Sources Conference: Batteries, Fuel Cells, Storage for the Grid and EVsHerzliya, IsraelMore information: www.sdle.co.il/default.asp?stype=0&pageid=70657

24–28 May 2015227th Meeting of The Electrochemical Society, including Symposia on Crosscutting Metrics and Benchmarking of Transformational Low-Carbon Energy-Conversion Technologies, Electrochemical Synthesis of Fuels, Materials for Low Temperature Electrochemical Systems, Solid-Gas

Electrochemical Interfaces, and a State of the Art Tutorial on Diagnostics in Low Temperature Fuel CellsChicago, Illinois, USAMore information: www.electrochem.org/meetings/biannual/227

30 May–3 June 201525th Annual Meeting of the North American Membrane Society, NAMS 2015Boston, Massachusetts, USAMore information: www.membranes.org/2015

31 May–3 June 201517th Topical Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry: Multiscale Analysis of Electrochemical SystemsSaint-Malo, FranceMore information: http://topical17.ise-online.org

8–12 June 20152015 DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program, Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation MeetingArlington, Virginia, USAMore information: www.annualmeritreview.energy.gov

10–11 June 2015Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium 2015Elyria, Ohio, USAMore information: www.fuelcellcorridor.com

14–19 June 201511th International Symposium on Ceramic Materials & Components for Energy & Environmental Applications (11CMCEE), including Symposium on High-temperature Fuel Cells & ElectrolysisVancouver, BC, CanadaMore information: www.ceramics.org/11cmcee

14–19 June 201520th International Conference on Solid State Ionics, SSI-20Keystone, Colorado, USAMore information: www.mrs.org/ssi-20

22–24 June 2015Workshop on Ion Exchange Membranes for Energy Applications, EMEA 2015Bad Zwischenahn, GermanyMore information: www.next-energy.de/EMEA2015.html

22–26 June 2015European Technical School on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2015 Heraklion, Crete, GreeceMore information: www./h2fc.eu/technicalschool

30 June–3 July 20155th European PEFC & H2 Forum, with Exhibition & DemonstrationLucerne, SwitzerlandMore information: www.efcf.com

26–31 July 201514th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC-XIV), within ECS Conference on Electrochemical Energy Conversion & Storage

Glasgow, Scotland, UKMore information: www.electrochem.org/meetings/satellite/glasgow

6–9 September 2015H2YPOTHESIS XI Conference, Hydrogen Power Theoretical and Engineering Solutions International Symposium 2015Toledo, SpainMore information: www.hypothesis.ws

6–10 September 2015Euromembrane 2015 ConferenceRWTH, Aachen, GermanyMore information: www.euromembrane2015.com

9–10 September 20158th Annual Low Carbon Vehicle Event (LCV2015), organised by UK Cenex Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell TechnologiesMillbrook, Bedfordshire, UKMore information: www.cenex-lcv.co.uk

30 September–2 October 2015PlugBoat 2015, 2nd World Electric & Hybrid Boat Summit (including fuel cells)Amsterdam & Friesland, The NetherlandsMore information: www.plugboat.comCall for papers deadline: 15 May 2015

4–9 October 201566th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry: Green Electrochemistry for Tomorrow’s SocietyTaipei, TaiwanMore information: http://annual66.ise-online.org

11–14 October 20156th World Hydrogen Technologies Convention, WHTC 2015Sydney, NSW, AustraliaMore information: www.whtc2015.com

12–14 October 2015World of Energy Solutions 2015, including 15th f-cell Forum for Producers & Users (alongside Battery+Storage and e-mobil BW Technologietag)Stuttgart, GermanyMore information: www.world-of-energy-solutions.de

19–21 October 2015International Conference on Hydrogen Safety, ICHS 2015Yokohama, JapanMore information: www.ichs2015.com

10–11 November 20153rd Dresden Conference on Energy in Future: Materials for EnergyDresden, GermanyMore information: www.zukunftenergie-dresden.de/en.html

16–18 December 2015Piero Lunghi European Fuel Cell Conference & Exhibition, EFC15Naples, ItalyMore information: www.europeanfuelcell.itAbstract deadline: 27 March 2015

EVENTS CALENDAR

CALENDAR

20Fuel Cells Bulletin March 2015