The technology group Wärtsilä and WEC Energy Group have successfully tested the capabilities of a Wärtsilä engine running on 25 vol% hydrogen-blended fuel. The tests, which were completed in October 2022, were conducted at WEC Energy Group’s 55 MW A.J. Mihm power plant in Michigan using an unmodified Wärtsilä 18V50SG... Read more →
Ammonia-to-power company Amogy raises $139M Series B-1; led by SK Innovation
23 March 2023
Amogy Inc., a developer of emission-free, energy-dense ammonia power solutions (earlier post), announced a $139-million Series B-1 fundraising. The round was led by SK Innovation, joined by other global investors including Temasek, Korea Zinc, Aramco Ventures, AP Ventures, MOL PLUS, Yanmar Ventures, Zeon Ventures and DCVC. SK Innovation had already... Read more →
DOE reports say cumulative investment in hydrogen, nuclear and long-duration energy storage must increase to $300B by 2030
23 March 2023
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has released a set of reports—Pathways to Commercial Liftoff—that provide guidance for bringing advanced nuclear, clean hydrogen and long-duration energy storage into the commercial mainstream. The reports conclude that by 2030, cumulative investments must increase from approximately $40 billion to $300 billion across the... Read more →
EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH (EKPO), an entity fully consolidated within the Group of majority shareholder ElringKlinger AG, and operated in partnership with French automotive supplier Plastic Omnium, which holds the remaining ownership interests, secured a contract from a global automotive manufacturer to supply mass-produced bipolar plates for the carmaker’s... Read more →
Fusion Fuel awarded €3.6m in grant funding for 1MW green hydrogen mobility project in Portugal
21 March 2023
Fusion Fuel has been awarded €3.6 million in grant funding through Component 5 (‘C-5’) of Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan to develop a 1 MW decentralized green hydrogen production facility co-located with a hydrogen refueling station in Elvas, Portugal. Fusion Fuel had previously been awarded €36 million in C-5 funding... Read more →
JCB publicly unveiled its new port fuel injected, 4.8L inline-four hydrogen combustion engine (448 ABH2)—the company’s zero-carbon emissions solution for construction and agricultural equipment—at the Conexpo 2023 show in Las Vegas as part of the International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE). JCB is investing £100 million in the project to produce... Read more →
Hynfra and Amarenco MENA form strategic partnership to produce hydrogen and ammonia in MENA region
19 March 2023
Poland-based Hynfra has signed a framework cooperation agreement with Amarenco MENA, a major developer of renewable energy projects in the Middle East and North Africa and part of Amarenco Group. The strategic partnership is aimed at building infrastructure for the production of hydrogen and its derivatives, primarily ammonia, using electrolysis... Read more →
Saudi Aramco and Linde Engineering to develop new ammonia cracking technology
18 March 2023
Saudi Arabia-based Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, and Linde Engineering, a global leader in the production and processing of gases, signed an agreement jointly to develop a new ammonia cracking technology. The collaboration between the two companies will combine Linde Engineering and Aramco’s experience... Read more →
As a result of acquisitions and investment, Cummins is focusing on three key areas for hydrogen: the production of green hydrogen; the management and transportation of hydrogen; and the application of hydrogen in engines and fuel cells. At Con Expo, Accelera, the new brand for Cummins’ New Power business segment,... Read more →
Chart Industries and ZEV Stations executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) enabling the two companies to collaborate on novel deployment for US-based, multimodal hydrogen stations with Chart equipment. Working together, the companies’ goal is development of fast-fuel multiple modes for heavy-duty transportation at the same station, uniting different standards of... Read more →
Liquid hydrogen-powered Corolla suffers fire, will not race in Super Taikyu Series Suzuka
16 March 2023
Toyota’s #32 ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 Concept (hydrogen-powered Corolla) (earlier post), which was scheduled to participate in the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2023 Powered by Hankook Round 1 Suzuka to be held on 18 and 19 March 2023, will not be racing. During a private test run at Fuji... Read more →
At CONEXPO, Cummins showcased its new fuel-agnostic 15-liter engine platform with hydrogen, natural gas and advanced diesel engines offering low-to-zero carbon fuel capability. The next-generation engine is designed to accelerate the decarbonization of heavy-duty off-highway applications. Cummins’ all-new platform takes internal combustion to a new level, capable of meeting future... Read more →
DOE to award up to $750M for RD&D for clean hydrogen
16 March 2023
The US Department of Energy (DOE) will award up to $750 million for research, development, and demonstration efforts to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen. (DE-FOA-0002922) This funding launches the first tranche of implementation of two provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which authorizes $1 billion for research, development, demonstration,... Read more →
Universal Hydrogen in collaboration to study green hydrogen supply and logistics solutions for Japanese airlines
13 March 2023
Universal Hydrogen (earlier post) has formed a collaboration with three Japan-based companies to study—and ultimately to develop—a green hydrogen supply and logistics solution that will enable Japanese airlines to scale their utilization of hydrogen-powered aircraft in the very near-term. Collectively, Universal Hydrogen alongside Sojitz Corporation, Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., and... Read more →
Toyota has developed new electrolysis equipment to produce hydrogen from electrolyzing water using the fuel cell (FC) stack and other technology from the Mirai. The equipment will be put into operation this March at a DENSO Fukushima Corporation plant, which will serve as a technology implementation venue to promote its... Read more →
DOE Technology Commercialization Fund accepting applications for hydrogen leakage detection and quantification technologies
11 March 2023
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is calling for applications for the DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) Fiscal Year 2023 Technology Commercialization Fund Base Annual Appropriations National Laboratory Call for FECM Program-Led Topics. (DE-LC-000L101) This year’s topics include Hydrogen Quantification for technologies that can quantify leakage... Read more →
Early testing of the pressurized 20kW High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) stack power module in ZeroAvia’s UK R&D location has demonstrated a record 2.5 kW/kg specific power at the cell level, paving the way for 3+ kW/kg system level densities in the next 24 months. ZeroAvia is focused on... Read more →
eFuels company HIF Global (earlier post) and Siemens Energy reached an agreement under which Siemens Energy will supply electrolyzers to the HIF Matagorda eFuels Facility. HIF and Siemens Energy are engaged in front end engineering and design for 1.8 GW of Silyzer 300 polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers that will... Read more →
On 23 February, a GR Corolla fueled by liquid hydrogen was given a Super Taikyu test run at Fuji Speedway in Oyama, Shizuoka. It marked the car’s first public appearance and the first time for a manufacturer vehicle running on liquid hydrogen to hit the racetrack. Whereas the GR Corollas... Read more →
Constellation starts production at 1MW demo-scale nuclear-powered hydrogen facility
09 March 2023
Hydrogen production has commenced at the US’ first 1 MW demonstration-scale, nuclear-powered hydrogen production facility at Constellation’s Nine Mile Point Nuclear Plant in Oswego, New York. Last year, the US Department of Energy (DOE) approved moving forward with construction and installation of an electrolyzer system at Nine Mile Point with... Read more →
Westport signs third global heavy-duty OEM collaboration agreement to demonstrate H2 HPDI fuel system on IC engine platform
07 March 2023
Westport Fuel Systems is collaborating with a global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to evaluate the performance, efficiency and emissions of the OEM’s engine equipped with Westport’s H2 HPDI fuel system. This collaboration marks Westport’s third major OEM engagement evaluating its H2 HPDI fuel system to date. Funded by the OEM,... Read more →
On 27 February, the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy hosted a hydrogen summit. Fendt presented prototype of a hydrogen tractor there for the first time. I see hydrogen as a very important solution to problems in agriculture and forestry. Agriculture and forestry can supply a... Read more →
PowerCell has signed an agreement valued at €19.2 million with SEAM for deliveries of hydrogen solutions for two Norwegian state ferries. The agreement includes deliveries of hydrogen solutions to two ships that operate on Norway’s longest ferry connection. This is the world’s largest hydrogen project to date in the marine... Read more →
Westport to invest up to $10M in hydrogen fuel systems plant in Changzhou Hydrogen Valley, China
05 March 2023
Westport Fuel Systems plans to expand its global manufacturing footprint in China in support of future growth of Westport’s hydrogen componentry business and other alternative fuel system technologies. Westport is focusing on China for this manufacturing expansion as China leads the world in hydrogen investment and infrastructure development. The investment... Read more →
Honda began operation of a stationary fuel cell power station on its corporate campus in Torrance, Calif., marking the company's first step toward future commercialization of zero-emission backup power generation. The initiative leverages Honda's hydrogen fuel cell technology expertise and contributes to the company's global goal to achieve carbon neutrality... Read more →
Universal Hydrogen has flown a 40-passenger regional airliner using hydrogen fuel cell propulsion. The airplane, nicknamed Lightning McClean, took off at 8:41am PST from Grant County International Airport (KMWH) and flew for 15 minutes, reaching an altitude of 3,500 MSL. The flight, conducted under an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate, was... Read more →
Aramco signs LOI with Geely and Renault Group for new powertrain company to focus on lower emission technologies
02 March 2023
Aramco has signed a letter of intent to become a potential minority stakeholder in a new powertrain technology company (PWT), to be established by Geely Holding Group, Geely Automobile Holdings Limited—collectively referred to as “Geely”—and Renault Group. The new company will be dedicated to internal combustion and hybrid powertrain technologies.... Read more →
Ballard Power Systems and First Mode announced a purchase order for Ballard to supply First Mode with 30 hydrogen fuel cell modules—totaling 3 megawatts—to power several hybrid hydrogen and battery ultra-class mining haul trucks. This is the equivalent of approximately 4,000 horsepower. The 30 Ballard hydrogen fuel cell modules will... Read more →
The BMW Group presented the first BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles in a pilot fleet that will go into service this year. The fleet of less than 100 vehicles will then be employed internationally for demonstration and trial purposes for various target groups. This active driving experience will therefore be the... Read more →
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) officially launched China’s first methanol-to-hydrogen and hydrogen refueling service station in Dalian, China. An upgrade from the previous fueling station offering oil, gas, hydrogen, electric charging services, the integrated complex can produce 1,000 kilograms of hydrogen a day, with a purity of 99.999%. Sinopec’s... Read more →
Amogy Inc., a developer of emission-free, energy-dense ammonia power solutions (earlier post), signed a letter of intent and a lease with Sustainable Energy Catapult Center in Norway to initiate testing operations for Amogy’s 200kW ammonia-to-power platform at the recently-launched testing facility for new and sustainable energy solutions in Stord, Norway.... Read more →
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM are developing ammonia-based systems for a mobile, decentralized energy supply in the infrastructure, transportation and industry sectors. Several of the research projects were showcased for the first time at the recent Hannover Messe. An alternative to fossil fuels is power-to-X... Read more →
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners acquires majority stake in blue ammonia project in the Gulf Coast
24 February 2023
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, through its Energy Transition Fund (CI ETF I), has acquired a majority stake in a blue ammonia project, which will be developed alongside US-based Sustainable Fuels Group (SFG). The financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed. The project has entered into an agreement with International-Matex Tank... Read more →
SK Inc. Materials and ExxonMobil signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) for SK Inc. Materials to pursue the offtake of blue ammonia from ExxonMobil’s planned low-carbon hydrogen project at its integrated complex in Baytown, Texas. SK seeks to import blue ammonia produced from ExxonMobil to South Korea in support of... Read more →
French start-up Hyliko plans to integrate Toyota’s second-generation hydrogen fuel cell modules into heavy-duty trucks for their zero-emission fleet offering. This latest cooperation into the truck sector further expands Toyota’s portfolio of partnerships where it provides its fuel cell technology for hydrogen solutions across diverse sectors including trains, buses, generators... Read more →
Interest in geologic hydrogen growing
23 February 2023
Free hydrogen in nature—i.e., the natural formation and storage of molecular hydrogen—is widely thought to be rare. However, as interest in hydrogen as a needed zero-carbon fuel grows, so is interest in the potential for geologic hydrogen as a primary resource. In addition to increasing scientific interest in the field,... Read more →
Hydrogen development, given its application across various industries, is indispensable to attaining energy transition, meeting decarbonization goals, and positioning leading companies as market experts. In 2022, green hydrogen production capacity reached more than 109 kilotons per annum (ktpa) worldwide, representing 44% growth compared to 2021, according to data and analytics... Read more →
The German carrier Stadtwerke Aschaffenburg Verkehrs GmbH has opted for 12 Solaris hydrogen buses: 10 Urbino 12 hydrogen and 2 Urbino 18 hydrogen units. This is Solaris’s first order for the 18-meter hydrogen-powered buses that were launched in autumn last year. (Earlier post.) The ordered buses will roll out onto... Read more →
ULEMCo has been awarded a major fleet-wide contract by Aberdeen City Council (ACC) for its hydrogen dual-fuel utility vehicle conversions. (Earlier post.) The contract, initially for 35 vehicles, is a strong signal of commitment to a hydrogen-based strategy, and will see the Council operating the largest fleet of hydrogen vehicles... Read more →
NJ initiating process to adopt California Advanced Clean Cars II
16 February 2023
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that the state will initiate the process to adopt Advanced Clean Cars II. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will begin considering the potential adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation implemented by the California Air Resources Board. If adopted,... Read more →
DOE awarding $7.4M to 7 projects for medium-and heavy-duty EV and hydrogen corridor infrastructure plans
16 February 2023
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $7.4 million to seven projects to develop medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen corridor infrastructure plans across 23 states. Additionally, in coordination with the US Department of Transportation through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, DOE announced its... Read more →
European TranSensus LCA project kicks off in Brussels; common LCA approach for ZEVs
16 February 2023
The TranSensus LCA project has kicked-off in Brussels, gathering 60 representatives from the project partners. The goal is to develop a standardized and transparent LCA approach to support the transition towards a climate-neutral transport system. For that to happen, the project will define and harmonize a commonly accepted and applied... Read more →
European Parliament approves zero CO2 for new cars and vans in 2035
16 February 2023
The European Parliament approved the new CO2 emissions reduction targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, part of the “Fit for 55” package. With 340 votes in favor, 279 against and 21 abstentions, MEPs endorsed the deal reached with the Council on revised CO2 emission performance standards for... Read more →
European Commission proposes 2030 ZEV target for new city buses, 90% CO2 reductions for new heavy trucks by 2040
15 February 2023
The European Commission has proposed new CO2 emissions targets for new heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) from 2030 onwards. The Commission proposes phasing in stronger CO2 emissions standards for almost all new HDVs with certified CO2 emissions, compared to 2019 levels, specifically: 45% emissions reductions from 2030; 65% emission reductions from 2035;... Read more →
TECO 2030 and AVL to conduct feasibility study for fuel cell system for heavy-duty trucks
12 February 2023
TECO 2030 and AVL List have signed a contract for a feasibility study of developing and industrializing a Fuel Cell System for heavy-duty (HD) trucks. The feasibility study starts immediately and is expected to be completed in 2 months. After successful completion, TECO 2030 plans to industrialize this heavy-duty fuel... Read more →
Proton Motors receives two orders for total of 33 HyModule S8 units
12 February 2023
Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH has received two new orders for the HyModule S8 hydrogen fuel cell system. The emission-free product is designed for the autonomous provision of energy and heat. GKN Hydrogen Italy placed an order for an additional 15 HyModule S8 hydrogen fuel cell systems. Taking into account... Read more →
Researchers from the University of North Carolina have synthesized high-photovoltage multijunction Si nanowires (SiNWs) that are co-functionalized to split water catalytically. When integrated with the co-catalysts and suspended in water, these light-activated nanoreactors produced hydrogen gas under visible and infrared light. Although initial energy conversion efficiencies are low, the multijunction... Read more →
Researchers create ultrathin nanosheets of MgB2 metal hydride that increase hydrogen storage capacity
09 February 2023
A collaboration including scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Sandia National Laboratories, the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has created 3-4 nanometer ultrathin nanosheets of a MgB2metal hydride that increase hydrogen storage capacity significantly. The research appears in the journal Small. Metal boride nanostructures... Read more →
Nidec Leroy-Somer has signed an agreement with Airbus to develop an electric motor for Airbus’ hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine prototype, as part of Airbus’ ambition to bring the first zero-emission commercial aircraft to market by 2035. (Earlier post.) Image of the AIrbus fuel cell demonstrator engine Leroy-Somer, part of the... Read more →
Universal Hydrogen was granted a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to proceed with the first flight of its hydrogen-powered regional aircraft. The company also released video footage of successful first taxi tests of the aircraft, designed to evaluate ground handling qualities and... Read more →