Ford Delivers Fuel Cell Cars to Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program

Five fuel cell cars powered by hydrogen instead of gasoline were delivered by Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Vice-President, Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company, and Joe Hinrichs, President and CEO of Ford of Canada, to the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program (VFCVP) on April 1st, moving Canada closer to a cleaner-energy future…

Ford of Canada handed five sets of keys to the Government of Canada, launching this first-of-its-kind demonstration program, which encompasses three years of a five-year initiative. "Using hydrogen and fuel cell technologies is a key part of bringing down greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. I'm proud that the Government of Canada is part of projects such as this and that we've supported these innovative technologies for nearly two decades," said the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada.

The partners in this program - the Government of Canada, Ford Motor Company/Ford of Canada, Fuel Cells Canada and the Government of British Columbia - will collaborate on this five-year, $9-million program. The Government of Canada has invested $4.5 million in this project. It is one of a number of hydrogen-related programs targeted for implementation before the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler.

BC Hydro, B.C. Transit, Ballard Power Systems, the City of Vancouver, Fuel Cells Canada, the National Research Council (NRC), Natural Resources Canada and the Government of British Columbia will use the state-of-the-art Ford Focus Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) in real daily driving conditions as part of a three-year hydrogen fuel technology demonstration program.

The Ford Focus FCV is a third-generation hybrid-electric vehicle that uses the Canadian-made Ballard Mark 902 series fuel cell engine and Dynetek 5,000-psi (pounds per square inch) compressed-hydrogen storage tanks. The performance of each car will be carefully monitored over the next three years, providing critical data for the continued development of fuel cell technology.

Hydrogen Generation Process Presented at NHA Conference

For the second year in a row, ChevronTexaco Technology Ventures, a ChevronTexaco subsidiary, presented a paper based on proprietary research and development on new and better ways to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost and complexity of hydrogen generation for distributed energy stations. The paper on advanced steam methane reforming (SMR) was presented by ChevronTexaco and technology collaborator Modine Manufacturing Company at the National Hydrogen Association (NHA) annual conference in Washington, DC...

ChevronTexaco is working to develop and commercialize fuel-processing technologies that leverage existing energy infrastructures and convert a variety of feedstocks such as natural gas, into hydrogen. This is a critical step to enable the practical application of hydrogen to both transportation and distributed power generation.

In producing hydrogen from natural gas for hydrogen energy stations, ChevronTexaco and Modine are applying innovative engineering to traditional SMR technology. The Advanced SMR reactor integrates multiple reactions and heat transfer functions to increase efficiency while minimizing controls and balance of plant components. This results in a technology that produces hydrogen at a lower cost.

ChevronTexaco and Modine have jointly developed the Advanced SMR to produce hydrogen from natural gas for fuel cell vehicle applications. ChevronTexaco has led the collaboration to integrate several technology and engineering innovations. Leveraging fuel processing knowledge, ChevronTexaco designed the system with safety and efficiency in mind. The Advanced SMR system is expected to produce hydrogen at a low cost and of quality suitable for fuel cell applications.

Modine's knowledge of heat exchange technology and manufacturing was employed to design and develop the thermal and mechanical design and to fabricate the fuel processor resulting in an efficient and manufacturable hydrogen generator. The integrating of multiple heat exchangers and multiple reactors reduces both the number of components and the processor's cost.

To address the challenges associated with the application of catalyst to complex heat exchanger geometry, Engelhard Corporation, a surface and materials science provider, was selected to supply the projects catalyst technology expertise.

The recently opened Chevron Hydrogen energy station in Chino, Calif., is the first of up to six demonstration stations to be built under a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) cost-sharing program. These stations will demonstrate and validate hydrogen technologies. The station reforms natural gas into hydrogen using the ATR process. Future hydrogen energy stations, including the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District station in Oakland, Calif. and the recently announced station with the State of Florida may incorporate different reforming technologies, including Advanced SMR and SSR.

Nuvera Announces Sale of New Fuel Cell System

Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., an international developer of multi-fuel reforming and proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology, has stated it begins accepting orders for its new 5 kW PowerFlow(TM) hydrogen fuel cell system. PowerFlow is being offered to OEMs for use in stationary or mobile applications or to customers who wish to test Nuvera's latest fuel cell technology...

In response to market needs, PowerFlow was designed as a complete, fully automated fuel cell system to be installed into industrial vehicles and equipment for a variety of applications, such as material handling, ground support equipment, powered access, turf care, construction, mining, forestry, and utility vehicles. It is a compact, flexible system that features proven direct water injection technology, resulting in operational simplicity, fewer balance-of-plant components than standard fuel cell systems, and high reliability. In addition, PowerFlow incorporates metallic bipolar plates to ensure low production costs and resistance to shock and vibration.

"PowerFlow is Nuvera's first commercial offering," said Gus Block, Director of Marketing and Global Market Leader of Nuvera's PowerFlow product platform. "Its design followed current industry product development practices and is based on the results of field trials of our previous generation power modules in North America, Europe, and Japan. Input from industrial end-users in our target markets was critical in establishing the core features of the product, such as high efficiency, modularity for packaging flexibility, and completely serviceable stack technology. By understanding the market drivers from all sides, we were able to design a system that meets the capital and operational cost requirements of OEMs and end-users alike."

Nuvera is working in the development and advancement of multi-fuel processing and fuelcell technology. With offices located in Italy and the USA, Nuvera is committed to advancing the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell power modules for industrial vehicles and equipment and stationary applications by 2007, natural gas fuel cell power systems for cogeneration applications by 2008, and on-board gasoline fuel processors and fuel cell stacks for automotive applications by 2010.

Combined Fuel Cell & Solar Power System Installation

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) has dedicated the first combined use of solar power and fuel cell systems on Long Island. The unique combination of alternative energy technology systems are located at the Local 25 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) headquarters in Hauppauge. The 15 kilowatt (kW) solar power system and 5 k fuel cell unit will provide electric power and domestic hot water to the facility…

The 5k fuel cell system is part of LIPA's on-going Clean Energy Initiative (CEI) research and development program and will operate as part of LIPA's electric grid. The fuel cell, manufactured by Plug Power of Latham, NY, converts the energy of natural gas and an oxidant (air or oxygen) into useable electricity.

The fuel cell will generate electricity while also providing supplemental domestic hot water to the IBEW facility. In the event of an electrical outage, the fuel cell is capable of operating independent of the electric grid delivering 110 volts at 50amps, to supply electricity to critical loads and emergency lighting throughout the facility.

"It's becoming increasing apparent that Long Island must decrease its dependency on fossil fuels and expand the use of renewable non-polluting sources of energy," said LIPA Chairman Richard M Kessel. "The use of solar energy, fuel cells, wind power and other renewable technologies will help bring Long Island a little closer to achieving that goal."

Kessel was also honored with the Pathfinder Award presented by the U.S. Fuel Cell Council (USFCC) for his efforts in promoting and encouraging the use of clean and renewable technologies such as fuel cells. "I applaud Richard Kessel for having the foresight to promote the advancement of both solar and fuel cell technology," said Donald J. Fiore, Business Manager IBEW Local 25. "The growing use of this type of environmentally friendly power is necessary for us to advance our independence from the growing pollution of fossil fuels."

"This installation is an example of a great partnership and collaborative effort between LIPA, IBEW and Plug Power," said Dr. Roger B. Saillant, Plug Power President and Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to appreciate Chairman Kessel's commitment to helping to advance the commercialization of fuel cells in the State of New York. This commitment will further the movement toward energy independence while promoting economic development on Long Island."

The 15 kW roof-top solar power system consists of 81 photovoltaic panels in a three array configuration that converts sunlight into electricity. The electricity created by the solar panels will help protect Long Island's environment by avoiding the emissions resulting from the burning of fossil fuels through traditional generating methods. Over the expected life of the solar panels, the electricity generated will displace 563,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, 749 pounds of nitrous oxide and 2,458 pounds of sulfur dioxide. The solar system was installed by electrician volunteers at the IBEW Local 25.

DaimlerChrysler Unveils New Fuel Cell Vehicle in Geneva

At the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, DaimlerChrysler has presented the next generation of its fuel cell vehicles. The new F-Cell, built on the Mercedes- Benz B-Class, is extending the family of fuel cell vehicles to the segment of sports tourers. The new F-Cell continues with the unique sandwich concept developed by Mercedes-Benz that makes it predestined for this type of drive unit…


Thanks to a reduction in fuel consumption and a further enhanced storage capacity, the operating range has been increased to almost 250 miles (400 km). The high-torque electric motor offers more than 100 kW - 35 kW more power than its predecessor generation.

"With this car, we are continuing our highly successful practical tests on an even larger scale," said Dr. Thomas Weber, member of DaimlerChrysler's Board of Management with responsibility for Research and Technology and for the development of the Mercedes Car Group.

The DaimlerChrysler researchers and engineers have been working since 1990 towards automotive application of this technology. Since late 2004, 60 Mercedes-Benz F-Cell's have been in operation with customers in the United States, Germany, Japan and Singapore. In this first test phase, approximately 190,000 miles (300,000 km) have already been covered under highly diverse conditions and documented with these vehicles.

Voller Energy Acquires KAT-Chem and Starts Reformer Activities

Voller Energy Group PLC, a manufacturer of portable fuel cell systems for use as battery chargers and mobile generators, confirms the acquisition of the assets of KAT-Chem GmbH a developer of hydrogen reformer technology. Voller Energy is paying a maximum consideration of £ 250,000 in cash for the acquisition…


KAT-Chem is a subsidiary of MIR-Chem GmbH which was founded in 2001 by academics from the University of Bremen in northern Germany. KAT-Chem focuses on the reforming of hydrocarbons and the developing of mini-reformers with high selectivity and yield for the application in fuel cells.

Reformers are used to extract hydrogen from hydrocarbons such as propane, butane, LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) or Calor Gas. This means that Voller Energy portable fuel cell systems can use existing fuel infrastructures without having to wait for a hydrogen infrastructure to emerge. This is particularly important for Voller Energy’s target markets of building services and leisure (camping and boating).

During the next two years the company plans to develop low-cost reformer technology that will be incorporated into the VE100 system design. It is anticipated that the propane units will be available in 2006 and the JP-8 units by 2008.

Voller Energy is also working on ways to reduce the size and weight of its units. Systems can be designed with special outputs, for example a unit has recently been produced with a 16.8v DC output using a 62GB Amphenol 2 way chassis socket.

Voller Energy is acquiring two patent applications, two employees, analytical equipment and a number of fixed assets from KAT-Chem. KAT-Chem has an existing laboratory in Bremen that Voller Energy will take over.

In addition the Company confirms the appointment of Dr Mark Turpin as Chief Technology Officer. Dr Turpin’s role at Voller Energy is to lead the development of the Company’s new technology, to further strengthen the Voller Energy intellectual property portfolio and to manage the Company’s laboratory acquired with the KAT-Chem acquisition. Dr Turpin has considerable experience in the integration of fuel cell energy systems and in the generation of hydrogen from hydrocarbon sources.