Fuel Cells
[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
Ford Extends Current Fuel Cell Vehicle Fleet Program with DOE for 24 Months Prior to Next Gen System
August 21, 2008
Encouraged by the success of its fleet of 30 fuel cell vehicles, Ford recently reached an agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to extend its three-year-old hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle program for up to 24 months, until the next generation system is ready for deployment in the 2010 timeframe.
According to Ford’s global fuel cell team, the first generation Focus Fuel Cell vehicles have lasted three times longer and worked much better than originally expected with virtually no degradation in performance. In light of that success, the DOE, which shares the program’s operating cost with Ford, agreed to extend the program.
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Nissan Previews Upcoming Hybrid and New All-Electric Vehicles, New Fuel Cell Stack
August 06, 2008
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| Nissan’s new parallel hybrid system. Click to enlarge. |
At its Advanced Technology briefing in Tokyo, Nissan Motor unveiled prototypes of its original hybrid electric and new all-electric vehicles, both powered by lithium-ion batteries from the Nissan-NEC joint-venture, AESC (Automotive Energy Supply Corporation) (earlier post). Nissan plans to introduce production versions of the hybrid and the EV in 2010.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). The hybrid system employs two new Nissan technologies: a parallel-powertrain hybrid system and a high-performance rear-wheel drive hybrid system. The parallel-powertrain system uses two clutches in which one motor is directly connected to the V-6 engine and transmission via two separate clutches.
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New Superlattice Material Improves Ionic Conductivity Near Room Temperature by Factor of 100 Million; Implications for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
August 02, 2008
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| The molecular model of the ion-conducting material shows that numerous vacancies at the interface between the two layers create an open pathway through which ions can travel. Click to enlarge. Credit: ORNL |
A research team from Spain’s Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) has developed a new superlattice material that improves ionic conductivity near room temperature by a factor of almost 100 million. A paper on the work, written in collaboration with researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), appears in the 1 August issue of the journal Science.
The new material, represents “a colossal increase in ionic conduction properties,” according to Maria Varela of the ORNL Materials Science and Technology Division, who characterized the material’s structure with senior researcher Stephen Pennycook. The material could lead to more efficient and lower temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), among other applications.
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New Organic Polymer Air Electrode for Fuel Cells and Metal/Air Batteries; PEDOT on Goretex
August 01, 2008
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| (A) Schematic representation of the PEDOT/Goretex air electrode. (B) The Goretex membrane coated with gold. Scale bar, 5 µm. (C) The PEDOT/Goretex structure. Scale bar, 5 µm. (D) Cross-section of the electrode with thickness measurements of the PEDOT layer. Scale bar, 20 µm. Click to enlarge. Credit: AAAS |
Researchers at Monash University in Australia have developed a lower-cost, platinum-free flexible air electrode based on Goretex covered with a thin layer of gold and coated with an organic polymer—poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)—which acts as an oxygen reduction catalyst.
An air electrode, which reduces oxygen (O2), is a fundamental component in fuel cells and metal/air batteries. The researchers found that their new PEDOT/Goretex electrode delivered O2 conversion rates comparable to those of Pt-catalyzed electrodes of the same geometry, and that the organic polymer air electrode was not sensitive to CO, as is platinum. A paper describing their work is published in the 1 August issue of the journal Science.
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NRC Study: Supporting a Transition to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles in the US Will Require About $200B Over Next 16 Years
July 17, 2008
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| Total annual expenditures for vehicles and hydrogen supply for transition to the breakeven year for the Hydrogen Success case, excluding RD&D costs. Cumulative public-private cost totals $184 billion, of which 91% is the cost of fuel cell vehicles and 9% is the cost of hydrogen supply. An additional $16 billion in RD&D costs over the period brings the overall to $200 billion. Click to enlarge. |
While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) could alleviate US dependence on oil in transportation and significantly reduce US emissions of carbon dioxide, bringing the technology from its current state to market viability will require substantial time and additional investment, according to a new study by the National Research Council.
The study estimates a total public-private investment of about $200 billion would be required from 2008 to 2023, at which point fuel cell vehicles would become competitive with gasoline-powered vehicles. The government cost to support the transition would be roughly $55 billion. This funding includes a substantial research and development program ($5 billion), support for the demonstration and deployment of the vehicles while they are more expensive than conventional vehicles ($40 billion), and support for the production of hydrogen ($10 billion).
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FCCJ Establishes Scenario for Fuel Cell Vehicle and Hydrogen Station Commercialization in Japan Beginning in 2015
July 07, 2008
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| The commercialization scenario. Click to enlarge. |
Leading automakers in and outside Japan and Japanese energy companies have agreed on a scenario which sees commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and hydrogen stations beginning in Japan in 2015.
Beginning in late 2006, the Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan (FCCJ), under the leadership of major member companies on its board of directors, held repeated consultations on scenarios for full-scale commercialization of FCVs and development of hydrogen stations. These consultations led to the agreement on a timeline and the requirements for commercialization of FCVs and hydrogen stations starting in 2015.
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Toyota Outlines Technology Strategy for Alternative Powertrains: Right Vehicle, Right Place, Right Time
July 01, 2008
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| Toyota says it is pursuing all of these energy and powertrain pathways. The brick walls in the diagram represent barriers to be overcome. Click to enlarge. |
In a presentation at the recent Toyota Environmental Forum held in June in Japan, Masatami Takimoto, Executive Vice President, outlined the company’s technology strategy for meeting the needs of a “sustainable mobility society”. (Earlier post.)
Hybrid—and plug-in hybrid—technology is core to Toyota’s plans, but Takimoto described a range of efforts across conventional powertrain development, alternative fuels, biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen pathways that Toyota believes will be required.
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Cornell Researchers Develop New Method for Self-Assembly of Metals Into Ordered, Porous Structures; Potential Benefit for Fuel Cells and Catalysts
June 28, 2008
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| Ligand-coated platinum nanoparticles (blue and gray balls) nestled amongst the block co-polymers (blue and green strands). The self-assembly of platinum nanoparticles through the use of ligands and polymers is the key first step to a new method for structuring metals developed by Cornell Researchers. Click to enlarge. Image courtesy of Scott Warren & Uli Wiesner, Cornell University |
Cornell University researchers have developed a method to self-assemble metals into complex configurations with ordered porous mesostructures with large and open pores by guiding metal particles into the desired form using soft polymers.
Applications that can exploit the ability to control the structure of metals at the mesoscale (2 to 50 nm) include making more efficient and less expensive catalysts for fuel cells and industrial processes, and creating plasmonic surface structures capable of carrying more information across microchips than conventional wires do. The researchers report on their work in the 27 June issue of the journal Science.
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Renault Introduces New Downsized Engine, Scénic Fuel Cell Prototype, New NOx Trap
June 18, 2008
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| The new TCe 130. |
In a series of announcements related to environmental performance, Renault introduced a new downsized, charged gasoline engine in its TCe line (earlier post), the TCe 130. With a low-inertia turbocharger, this 1.4-liter engine delivers the power of a 1.8-liter and the torque of a 2-liter engine for the fuel consumption of a 1.6-liter unit.
Renault also introduced the Scénic ZEV H2 fuel cell hybrid vehicle prototype, a joint project of the Nissan-Renault Alliance. Nissan supplied the fuel cell stack, the high-pressure hydrogen tank, and lithium-ion batteries. Renault repackaged the Grand Scénic to enable the underbody to incorporate the fuel cell stack, tank and batteries.
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Honda Begins Production of FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle; New US Fuel Cell Dealership Network
June 16, 2008
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| Installation of the hydrogen storage tank. Click to enlarge. |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has begun production of the new FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle (earlier post), with the first vehicle (US specification) coming off the line. In conjunction with the line-off event, Honda highlighted a number of the new production processes to the media.
Concurrent with the beginning of production, American Honda Motor Co. also announced five of the first customers for the FCX Clarity and provided details of the world’s first fuel cell vehicle dealership network in the United States.
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Progress in Developing SOFC APUs for Heavy-Duty Trucks
June 13, 2008
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| Projected system efficiency of the Delphi prototype SOFC APU compared to that of a conventional diesel APU. Click to enlarge. Source: Delphi |
Two US DOE (Department of Energy)-funded projects to develop a SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell)-based APU (auxiliary power unit) system for heavy-duty trucks reported on their progress this week during the DOE’s Hydrogen Program annual merit review in Washington, DC.
One team is led by Cummins Power Generation and includes Protonex LLC and International Truck and Engine. The other is led by Delphi—which is leveraging its SOFC work in the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) (earlier post)—and includes OEMs PACCAR Incorporated (producer of Kenworth, Peterbilt, DAF and Foden Trucks) and Volvo Trucks North America.
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Toyota President Outlines Action Plans for Automotive Energy Diversity and Lowering Carbon Footprint
June 11, 2008
Toyota Motor Company (TMC) President Katsuaki Watanabe outlined the company’s new action plans in the areas of research and development, manufacturing and social contribution for promoting energy diversity in automobiles and reducing its carbon footprint.
Hybrid drive technology remains a core strategic element for Toyota, but Watanabe briefly touched on a number of other powertrain and fuel initiatives that Toyota is undertaking, ranging from short-term efficiency gains in gasoline engines to the longer-term focus in areas such as hydrogen and successors to lithium-ion battery technology. These initiatives include:
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3M Fuel Cell MEA In Operation More than 7,300 Hours, Beating DOE 2015 Target
June 10, 2008
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| One of the catalyst formulations has run in the MEA for more than 7,300 hours. Click to enlarge. |
A research team led by 3M is developing high-performance fuel cell cathodes (catalyst and support) based on 3M’s nanostructured thin film (NSTF) catalyst technology platform. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) featuring one formulation of an NSTF catalyst has operated for more than 7,300 hours, significantly exceeding the Department of Energy 2015 target of 5,000 hours (equivalent to about 150,000 miles).
Mark Debe from 3M presented the status of the project at the DOE Hydrogen Program annual merit review, running this week in Washington, DC. Partners in the four-year project, which is now 30% complete, include Dalhousie University, JPL and Argonne National Laboratory.
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Delphi-Led Team Developing Next-Generation Low-Cost, Compact, High-Temperature Propulsion Inverter
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| The Delphi-led project seeks to leverage technology innovation in multiple areas to drive down the cost of future propulsion inverters. Click to enlarge. |
Delphi Corporation is leading an industry-government team to develop next-generation propulsion inverter technology to reduce the cost and size of current inverters by 50% or more. The new inverters are targeted for use used on the next generation high-efficiency hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). In the longer-term, the inverter will be used for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).
In addition to reducing the cost and size of the inverter system, the Delphi team is seeking to enable the system to operate at normal engine coolant-loop temperatures of 105-120°C to help reduce other system costs and the space needed to cool today’s inverters.
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IEA Outlines Scenarios for Global CO2 Reduction by 2050; Transportation Emissions Need to Be Cut Eightfold
June 09, 2008
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| Marginal costs increase significantly between the parity-with-today scenario (ACT Map) and the halving scenario (BLUE Map), in its technology optimistic and pessimistic variants. The cost uncertainty increases as well. Click to enlarge. |
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has outlined two scenarios delivering two different levels of reduction of energy-related CO2 emissions by 2050 in its 2008 edition of Energy Technology Perspectives (ETP 2008). One scenario is to return the emissions to the current level by 2050; the other is for a 50% reduction by 2050 from today’s levels.
If governments around the world continue with policies in place to date—the underlying premise in the ETP Baseline scenario to 2050—CO2 emissions will rise by 130% and oil demand will rise by 70%, according to the IEA. This expansion in oil equals five times today’s production of Saudi Arabia.
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Toyota Unveils Improved Version of Its Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle With More Than 2x the Range
June 06, 2008
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| The FCHV-adv. |
Toyota Motor Company (TMC) has formally introduced a new, advanced version of its highlander-based fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) equipped with a newly designed higher-performance Toyota fuel cell stack. The FCHV-adv provides a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency through improved fuel cell unit performance, enhancements to the regenerative braking system, and a reduction in energy consumed by the auxiliary systems.
Equipped with TMC-developed 70 Mpa (10,000 psi) high-pressure hydrogen tanks, the FCHV-adv has a range of approximately 830 km (516 miles) based on the Japanese 10-15 cycle on a single fueling—more than double that of the older FCHV.
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Boeing Selects Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Company For Ultra-Long Endurance Aircraft Project
June 04, 2008
Boeing’s Integrated Defense Systems has selected Versa Power Systems, Inc., a developer of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), to develop a power system for an ultra-long endurance unmanned aircraft as part of Boeing’s contract for Phase 1 of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Vulture air vehicle program, an effort to create a new category of ultra-long-endurance aircraft.
Boeing was awarded the DARPA Vulture contract in April. The Vulture program calls for developing technologies and ultimately a vehicle that can deliver and maintain a 1,000-lb (454 kg) airborne payload drawing 5 kW of power on station for an uninterrupted period of more than five years using a fixed-wing aircraft. Boeing is teaming with UK-based QinetiQ Ltd. for the program.
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US DOE Seeks to Invest up to $130 Million in Advanced Fuel Cell Technology
May 28, 2008
The US Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for up to $130 million over three years, subject to Congressional appropriations, to advance the development and use of fuel cells for automotive, stationary, and portable power applications.
In addition to seeking proposals for R&D projects in the areas of transportation, stationary, and portable power, DOE is also seeking proposals to demonstrate fuel cells in distributed energy systems and to support market transformation that provide real-world operation data.
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DLR and Airbus Testing Hydrogen PEM Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power System in A320
May 26, 2008
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| The fuel cell system on the Airbus A320 ATRA research aircraft was built by DLR. Right: Airbus Project Leader Jens Dietrich Kurre. Click to enlarge. Credit: Airbus Deutschland. |
The Institute for Technical Thermodynamics of the German Aerospace Center (Institut für Technische Thermodynamik des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR), together with its partner Airbus, has equipped and flown its Airbus A320 ATRA (Advanced Technology Research Aircraft) testing a 20 kW Michelin PEM hydrogen fuel cell system for use in auxiliary power applications.
In July 2007, the first flight experiments were made in which the function of the fuel cells under flight conditions were tested and demonstrated. The system worked consistently below 3G, with enough in store for a standby system. Since February 2008 the same fuel cell system has been used to power a hydraulic circuit pump, with the necessary power to steer the aircraft.
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European Parliament Gives Go-ahead to €1B Fuel Cells and Hydrogen JTI; Mass-Market Transport Applications Targeted for 2020
May 25, 2008
The European Parliament has supported establishing the EU’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH) Initiative—the fifth Joint Technology Initiative (JTI)—by a vote of 590 to 619. Between 2008 and 2017, the FCH JTI will have a budget of €1 billion (US$1.58 billion).
The initial proposal for the FCH JTI from the European Commission called for establishing the program for an initial ten years period that could be extended. The European Parliament amended that to establish the program for only a 10-year period, but noted that it should be ensured that after the last call for proposals in 2013, projects still in progress are implemented, monitored and funded until 2017.
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Honda Planning on Leasing 200 FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicles in First Three Years
May 21, 2008
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| The FCX Clarity. |
Honda plans to deliver about 200 FCX Clarity hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles to customers during the first three years of production, with leasing beginning this July. Initially, the program will be based on a 3-year lease term with a price of $600 per month and will be targeted at consumers in Southern California.
The lease program marks the world’s first large-scale retail initiative for fuel cell vehicle technology, and Honda has begun the process of identifying customers from a group of more than 50,000 individuals who have expressed interest in the FCX Clarity on the company’s website.
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Collaboration Targeting Fleet of 50-100 Hydrogen Fuel Cell London Taxis by 2012
May 19, 2008
A collaboration led by hydrogen fuel cell developer Intelligent Energy, and including Lotus Engineering Ltd, LTI (London Taxis International) Ltd and TRW Conekt, will produce a fleet of classic London cabs fitted out with hydrogen fuel cell power systems.
The program is part of the UK government’s Technology Strategy Board recent allocation of funding of £23 million for 16 innovative low carbon vehicle development programs. (Earlier post.) The London TaxiNew project plans to put the hydrogen taxis on streets of London in time for the 2012 Olympics.
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Two Developments in DMFC Output: New MIT Membrane Boosts Power More Than 50% and Sharp Achieves Highest Power Density Yet
May 16, 2008
MIT engineers have developed an alternative membrane for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) that can increase power output by more than 50%. The new material is also considerably less expensive than its conventional industrial counterpart, among other advantages.
Separately, Sharp Corporation announced that it achieved the world’s highest power density for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) for mobile equipment to date—0.3W/cc, or about 7 times greater than previous Sharp technology. This new technology would enable efficient power generation from a small cell volume making it possible to develop fuel cells that have almost the same volume but a longer continuous-use lifespan than lithium-ion batteries in use in mobile equipment.
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PSA Peugeot Citroën and Intelligent Energy Unveil Electric Van with Fuel Cell Range Extender
April 22, 2008
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| The Peugeot Partner H2Origin. |
In the UK, PSA Peugeot Citroën and Intelligent Energy presented the Peugeot Partner H2Origin technology demonstrator—a battery-electric Partner Origin (earlier post) outfitted with a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack from Intelligent Energy as a range extender.
The H2Origin Partner uses a 10 kW fuel cell system combined with 700-bar hydrogen storage to support a range of 300 km (186 miles). The battery-only version of the Partner has a range of 100 km (62 miles). Compact design for both the fuel cell stack and ancillary equipment enables integration into the front engine bay in place of the internal combustion engine.
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MIT Study Compares 2030 Electric Propulsion Systems; Conventional Hybrids, Fuel Cell, Battery and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles Offer Comparable GHG Reductions
April 16, 2008
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| Overview of projected greenhouse gas and fuel consumption outcomes for different propulsion systems in 2030 vehicles. Click to enlarge. |
Electric propulsion systems, including gasoline hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), fuel cell vehicles (FCV) and battery vehicles (BEV), can, with projected evolution of the supporting technologies, “reduce or eliminate the transport sector’s reliance on petroleum,” according to a study done at MIT by Matthew Kromer and Professor John Heywood.
However, the study also concludes that continued use of fossil fuels without effective carbon capture and sequestration for producing electricity and hydrogen constrain the greenhouse gas (GHG) and energy reductions of all the different forms of electric propulsion to about 60% below that of present day technology. In other words, without cleaner power pathways, PHEVs, BEVs and FCVs are not projected to offer much of a greater reduction in GHG than an HEV, and in many cases, the GHG profile is worse.
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Ohio Awards More Than $8.9M for 12 Fuel Cell Development Projects
April 08, 2008
The state of Ohio recently awarded more than $8.9 million in grants to 12 entities for the advancement of fuel cell research and production in the state. The funds were awarded through the Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program.
The 12 companies and research collaborations received awards to assist in research, development, and commercialization projects of fuel cell technologies or were awarded grants for fuel cell and related technology market readiness demonstration projects.
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GM Calls For More Hydrogen Stations; Plans 1,000 Fuel Cell Vehicles in California by 2014
April 07, 2008
General Motors called on the energy industry and governments to build more hydrogen fueling stations to help automakers move to volume production of fuel cell-electric vehicles.
That message was delivered last week by Larry Burns, General Motors vice president, research & development and strategic planning, in a keynote address at the National Hydrogen Association’s annual conference in Sacramento, CA.
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Boeing Flies Hydrogen Fuel Cell Airplane
April 04, 2008
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| Fuel cell airplane in flight. |
Boeing has flown a manned airplane powered by a 20 kW hydrogen fuel cell stack—an aviation first. The recent milestone is the work of an engineering team at Boeing Research & Technology Europe (BR&TE) in Madrid, with assistance from industry partners in Austria, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. (Earlier post.)
A two-seat Dimona motor-glider with a 16.3 meter (53.5 foot) wingspan was used as the airframe. Built by Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria, it was modified by BR&TE to include a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system to power an electric motor coupled to a conventional propeller.
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Study: Fuel Cell Vehicles Necessary for Long-Term Significant Reduction in GHG, Criteria Pollutants and Oil Consumption
April 01, 2008
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| Projected greenhouse gas emissions from light-duty vehicles under five of the vehicle scenarios: reference case gasoline ICE, gasoline HEV, gasoline PHEV, biofuel PHEV, and fuel cell vehicle (FCV). Click to enlarge. |
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be essential to cutting greenhouse gases by 60% below 1990 levels in the transportation sector; virtually eliminating urban air pollution; and reducing oil consumption to a point that US domestic oil production can supply all non-transportation petroleum needs, according to a paper presented at the National Hydrogen Association’s Annual Meeting by Dr. Sandy Thomas, the president of H2Gen Innovations, Inc. H2Gen Innovations is a manufacturer of hydrogen generation and gas purification systems.
The paper, Comparison of Transportation Options in a Carbon-Constrained World: Hydrogen, Plug-in Hybrids and Biofuels, modeled emissions and fuel consumption in eight types of vehicle—including combustion engine vehicles (ICEV), hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), fuel cell (FCV) and battery electric (BEV)—and five different fuels: gasoline, diesel, cellulosic ethanol, hydrogen and grid electricity.
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Hitachi Maxell Develops New Gold-Platinum Catalyst Enabling Higher Performance Fuel Cells
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| An electron microscope photograph of a gold-platinum (AuPt) catalyst deposited on a conductive carbon support. The dark grey or black areas are the gold-platinum catalysts, and the light grey areas are the carbon support. Click to enlarge |
Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. has developed a new gold-platinum (AuPt) nanoparticle catalyst 2 to 3 nanometers in size for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Used in the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode, the new AuPt catalyst generates approximately 4.8 times more oxygen reduction current per unit area than current commercial platinum catalysts.
Fuel cell developers are seeking to reduce the material cost of the devices by minimizing the utilization of platinum—generally used as a catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction—while further improving catalytic activity. Increasing surface area by reducing the size of the catalyst particles is one approach.
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California Air Resources Board Votes to Modify ZEV Program in Short-Term; Complete Overhaul to Begin for New ZEV II
March 27, 2008
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| The ARB conceives the restructuring of the current ZEV program as breaking off PZEVs and AT-PZEVs, both of which are fully commercialized, to other regulatory programs, and to focus solely on emergent ZEV technologies that require commercialization support. Click to enlarge. |
The California Air Resources Board today voted unanimously for changes in the 2012-2014 phase (Phase III) of the current Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program that lower the minimum target for full ZEVs (hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicles) but introduce plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to the mix, with added consideration for extended-range or more capable plug-in vehicles. The Board is setting the floor target for pure ZEVs at 7,500 (based on a baseline fuel cell vehicle) during the period—three times higher than the floor proposed by staff in their suggested modifications to the program (earlier post), but 70% lower than the target of 25,000 last set by the current program in 2003. The higher ZEV target did not recognize the use of plug-in hybrids.
The board also voted unanimously to begin the process of a complete overhaul of the ZEV program for the subsequent 2015+ phase in a move that is intended to result in a streamlined ZEV II program solely focused on hydrogen fuel cell, battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The span of the current program includes clean gasoline vehicles (PZEV), and hybrid electric vehicles (AT-PZEV) in addition to ZEV vehicles. ARB staff is to provide a proposal on this to the Board by the end of 2009.
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New Catalyst More Efficiently Removes CO from Hydrogen; Benefit for Fuel Cells
March 20, 2008
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| The new catalyst is a core of ruthenium surrounded by one to two layers of platinum atoms. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Maryland (UM) have designed from first principles a new type of chemical catalyst that efficiently oxidizes carbon monoxide (CO). CO is a contaminant in hydrogen produced via the reformation of hydrocarbons that poison the expensive platinum catalyst that runs the fuel cell reaction, thereby reducing the efficiency of fuel cells.
Writing in this week’s Advance Online Publication of Nature Materials, UW-Madison chemical and biological engineering Professor Manos Mavrikakis and UM chemistry and biochemistry Professor Bryan Eichhorn describe a new type of catalyst created by surrounding a nanoparticle of ruthenium (Ru) with one to two layers of platinum (Pt) atoms. The result is a robust room-temperature catalyst that improves the preferential oxidation (PROX) of CO in the presence of hydrogen.
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NRC Report Says FreedomCAR Making Significant Progress; Calls for Midcourse Shift in Strategic Planning
March 19, 2008
The FreedomCAR (Cooperative Automotive Research) and Fuel Partnership research collaboration has made significant progress in most research areas, according to a new report from the National Research Council (NRC), but should reassess its strategic priorities to account for new national and changed research priorities.
Among other recommendations, the review committee called for the Partnership to “significantly intensify” its efforts to develop high-energy batteries; and to “move forward aggressively” with completing and executing its R&D plan for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
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New Ceramic Fuel Cell Membrane Could Improve Fuel Cell Efficiency
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| Proton conductivity measured at room temperature and at various relative humidities for ceramic ferroxane-derived membranes and Nafion (polymer) membrane. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering are developing a new ceramic membrane that allows fuel cells to operate at low humidity and theoretically at higher temperatures. They reported their most recent findings online in the Journal of Membrane Science.
Most PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cells use a polymer membrane, such as Nafion. To operate efficiently, the membrane requires humidity and a low operating temperature. As the temperature rises, the polymer becomes unstable and the membrane dehydrates, leading to a loss of performance. However, operation of PEM fuel cells at higher temperatures would be more desirable, as the reaction rates at the catalysts are increased while potential poisoning of the catalysts is reduced.
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Project to Start Trials on Ship-Board Methanol SOFC APU
March 18, 2008
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| The Wallenius MV Undine will host the methanol SOFC trial. |
After nearly one and a half years of research and development, the EU-funded METHAPU (Validation of renewable methanol based auxiliary power systems for commercial vessels) project is about to start trials on a prototype of a methanol-based solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) auxiliary power unit (APU). The prototype will be tried and tested for performance and emissions under real-life conditions onboard a vessel—the MV Undine, a Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC)—involved in trading between Asia, Europe and the USA.
The one-year METHAPU trial will help to assess the maturity of methanol-based technology and its suitability for daily use in the shipping sector. At the same time, the test will make it possible to quantify the short-term and long-term environmental impact of such a system in comparison with conventional systems. These systems still tend to rely on battery power or generators to provide power independent of the ship’s propulsion source or main electric system.
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Winter Testing Moves Mercedes Closer to Limited Series Production of Fuel Cell B-Class in 2010
March 17, 2008
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| The B-Class undergoing comprehensive low-temperature testing in Sweden on its road to production in 2010. |
Mercedes continues to move closer to its planned launch of limited series production of the B-Class F-Cell fuel cell drive vehicle in early 2010. The B-Class with fuel cell drive just passed its winter testing in northern Sweden, under double-digit, below-zero temperatures.
Cold start behavior was subjected to thorough scrutiny. Although Daimler Research had already found a technical solution to the fuel cell’s start capability at -25 degrees Celsius, the engineers’ focus here was on the interaction between the different components under real-life winter conditions.
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Oorja Protonics Launches Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Technology; Targeting Material Handling Market
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| Schematic of working principle of a direct methanol fuel cell. Click to enlarge. Source: LTNT |
Oorja Protonics has publicly launched its patented direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology. Funded by venture capital firms Sequoia Capital and DAG Ventures, and led by fuel cell pioneer Sanjiv Malhotra, Oorja has been operating in stealth mode since 2005 and has been engaged in commercial testing and deployments of its technology through pilot programs with leading Fortune 50 customers.
A type of proton exchange membrane fuel cell, the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) uses liquid methanol rather than hydrogen (either stored on-board or reformed on-board from a different fuel) as the feed. Methanol (CH3OH) is mixed with water and fed directly to the fuel cell anode, where it is oxidized on a catalyst layer to form carbon dioxide, hydrogen ions (H+) and the electrons that travel through the external circuit as the electric output of the fuel cell.
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ACAL Energy Announces Successful Operation of Novel Fuel Cell With Recirculating Liquid Cathode Technology
March 13, 2008
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| ACAL replaces the cathode in a conventional PEM fuel cell (left) with a liquid, non-precious metal catalyst system (right). Click to enlarge. |
UK-based ACAL Energy Ltd. has announced the successful operation of a new type of fuel cell system based on its proprietary recirculating liquid cathode technology, known as FlowCath. A 50W fully integrated multi-cell system incorporating the Flowcath technology was operated for the first time last week and produced higher power levels than expected, according to the company.
The FlowCath system replaces the standard—and expensive—platinum cathode found in conventional fuel cells with a liquid, non-precious metal catalyst system. This not only reduces the cost of the cell, but also humidifies the membrane naturally, eliminating the need for additional hydration systems, and better manages the heat which is generated.
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Pininfarina Unveils Sintesi Concept Featuring On-Board Hydrogen Generation and Distributed Fuel Cell Power Modules
March 07, 2008
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| The Quadrivium drive features an on-board fuel reformer to produce hydrogen and four distributed fuel-cell battery power modules. Click to enlarge. Source: Nuvera |
Pininfarina unveiled its hydrogen fuel cell concept car, the Sintesi, featuring Nuvera’s Quadrivium drive, at the Geneva Motor Show.
The Quadrivium drive is based on Nuvera’s Andromeda fuel cell and STAR (Substrate Transportation Autothermal Reformer) on-board hydrogen generator technologies. The drive system uses the centralized hydrogen generator to feed four distributed fuel cell / Lithium-ion battery wheel power modules.
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Morgan to Introduce Hydrogen Fuel Cell LIFECar at Geneva
February 28, 2008
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| Sketch of the LIFECar. |
Morgan Motor will stage the world debut of its hydrogen fuel cell powered LIFECar at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show (6-16 March).
The LIFECar is powered by a 22 kW fuel cell sized to meet the constant load requirement of cruising (about 20% of peakpower) and as a result significant weight and cost reductions have been made over other designs. The fuel cell, from QinetiQ, operates at 45% efficiency.
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Transit Agency Finds Total Operating Cost of Its Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses 32X That of Diesel
February 26, 2008
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| The significant increase in operating cost for hydrogen buses is largely, but not entirely, due to parts cost. Click to enlarge. |
A memo prepared by the Santa Clara Valley (California) Transportation Authority (VTA) for the Transportation and Planning Committee of its Board of Directors reports that the average total operating cost per mile of the agency’s three hydrogen fuel cell buses is $51.66—32 times the average total cost per mile for the conventional diesel fleet.
In addition, the memo states, the fuel cell buses—part of the Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) demonstration program required by the California Air Resources Board (ARB)—exhibit a limited service life compared to diesel buses, while the reliability and availability remain significantly lower.
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Proposed Changes to California ZEV Program Emphasize Plug-in Hybrids at the Expense of Full ZEVs in the Near- and Medium-Term
February 15, 2008
Changes proposed by the ARB staff to the California Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program would encourage the production and deployment of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) by allowing a new class of vehicle (which includes PHEVs and hydrogen ICE) to meet up to 90% of the ZEV requirement in the near term and up to 50% in the medium term. However, this will result in lower near- and medium-term production of pure Zero Emission Vehicles—battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles—according to the staff.
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will meet on 27 March in Sacramento to consider adopting the proposals. Adoption would conclude a process begun in 2006 to examine the need for modification to the current ZEV program. (Earlier post.)
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Hyundai Introduces i-Blue Fuel Cell Concept at Chicago Auto Show; New, Purpose-Built Fuel Cell Architecture
February 06, 2008
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| The i-Blue concept chassis. Click to enlarge. |
Hyundai’s new hydrogen fuel cell concept, the i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), made its North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show (6-17 February). Developed at Hyundai’s Design and Technical Center in Chiba, Japan, the i-Blue concept illustrates the design direction for a future FCEV production model.
The i-Blue is powered by a 100 kW electric motor and fuel cell stack—Hyundai’s third-generation fuel cell technology, currently being developed at its Eco-Technology Research Institute in Mabuk, Korea. .
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Five New Major CALSTART Fuel Cell Bus Projects in California Now Underway
January 30, 2008
CALSTART, the California operating division of WestStart, a North American advanced transportation technologies consortium, has secured and launched contracts for five major fuel cell bus technology development projects in California with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The projects represent an important component of CALSTART’s overall hydrogen pathways strategy.
The newest $24-million effort involves multiple fuel cell and drive system leaders, three transit districts and three major bus makers and is focused on speeding key improvements in fuel cell reliability, system design and component design. The FTA is providing $12-million in funding; the private companies involved are providing the balance.