Issue 1101    

Content:

Market News:

Poll Result: The most innovative product

Market Figures: European FC market to be measured in billions

Hydrogen Expo: Premiere for methanol fuel cell powered camera

Pan-European Competition: The hydrogen cars of the "small ones"

Berlin I: Public transport company to introduce fuel cell buses

Berlin II: First trainbus with fuel cell

Study: Government support for FC cars necessary

California: Hydrogen race

This time: Visitors on Hydrogen Expo

Hydrogen Expo Post-Show Report: Hitting home in Hamburg

Mark your Calendar: Hydrogen Expo 2002

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Market News:

Poll Result: The most innovative product

From October 11 to 13 visitors of Hydrogen Expo in Hamburg had the opportunity to vote on the most innovative product. In view of the many innovations showcased they had a hard time doing this, which is proven by the tight result of the poll. All votes counted, the winner is the microtubular fuel cell by Fuel Cell Power Systems AG from Munich, Germany, reaching 17.7%. This development stands out because of its new material which promises a significant step towards cost-reduction in fuel cell enginneering (ref. to H2 Report 10/01). Second to this with 14.7% was Smart Fuel Cell GmbH's direct methanol fuel cell. DaimlerChrysler's FC-powered Sprinter made third place with 8.8%. All participants in the poll had the chance to win an H-TEC fuel cell. The winner is Hans-Peter Mittermeier from the University of Applied Technology Deggendorf.

Market Figures: European FC market to be measured in billions

A study by Frost & Sullivan forecasts golden times for fuel cell manufacturers, yet also for suppliers of intermediate fuels. According to the study, the FC market volume is expected to reach up to 48 million Euros by 2008, with a rapid growth in revenues to up to 18 billion Euros anticipated by 2020 and 52 billion Euros by 2040. The automotive industry is identified as a key player by the analysts and is said to have a number of challenges to master on the road to mass market: cost, storage and choice of fuel. Although everyone seems to be in unison about the latter being hydrogen in the long-run, intermediate solutions such as gasoline, natural gas and methanol are currently under evaluation. According to a spokesman of Frost & Sullivan, the industry is facing a catch 22 scenario: "Consumer demand must be present to justify the investment in infrastructure, and yet the infrastructure must be present to supply developing demand", says co-author of the study Tif Awan. Consequently, the market volume for FC fuel alternatives is expected to reach 17 billion Euros by 2040.

Hydrogen Expo: Premiere for methanol fuel cell powered camera

Munich-based enterprise Smart Fuel Cell GmbH (SFC) premiered at Hydrogen Expo with the world's first prototype of a miniature direct methanol fuel cell system. With this they were able prove that future small electronic devices can be run on this low weight SFC technology instead of with batteries or accumulators. Possible applications include camcorders, laptops, electronic tools, camping devices, telematics and traffic systems. Such devices can be run in stand-alone operation 3 to 5 times longer than conventional batteries. Performance ranges from a few watts to many kilowatts. At Hydrogen Expo SFC demonstrated a camera which took live pictures from the show. Energy supply is simple. The refill cartridges come with liquid methanol and can even be substituted during active operation. Head of Development Dr. Jens Mueller describes the SFC concept: "A fuel cell is combined with safe energy carrier methanol and is integrated into a patented complete system. In order to fit this into devices such as laptops SFC developed a technology to minimize the system in size." Commercialization depends on the outcome of negotiations with potential distributors. A first mini-series is anticipated for testing by the end of this year. If the product comes onto the market as early as next year is still open.

Pan-European Competition: The hydrogen cars of the "small ones"

The so-called small automobile manufacturers recently presented their alternative propulsion concepts side by side with the leading suppliers in Berlin. Together with global players such as DaimlerChrysler and General Motors, the French for example introduced a bright yellow fuel cell taxi made by Peugeot. The Italians demonstrated their first fuel cell vehicle, the Fiat Seicento Elettra H2 equipped with a Nuvera fuel cell. In this case, the propulsion system still occupied the whole back part of the small car. The fuel cell generates up to 7kW (48v), which is a little more than what such a vehicle consumes on average in city operation (3.3kW). The 30kW electric drive motor allows permanent speed of 60km/h at a reach of 140km. Swiss manufacturer Esoro surprised spectators with their mini truck which is also powered by a Nuvera fuel cell (8.3kW) in combination with a nickel metal hydride battery (10,8kW). The maximium speed is 120km/h, maximum reach is 360km/h with liquid hydrogen. The fuel (in total 152 l) is stored in composite tanks at 200 bar. Other vehicle manufacturers were a little more reluctant with their displays. The Ford FC car could only be reached by a shuttle service but then could be test-driven. Volkswagen was also there to demonstrate the feasibility of reengineering a car for hydrogen power with their Bora HyMotion. Yet nothing was said about potential partners or the technology used, which indicates that the company is still very sceptic about hydrogen technology.

Berlin I: Public transport company to introduce fuel cell buses

Berlin is anticipated to have its own hydrogen bus by the end of this year. This was announced by Berlin public transport company BVG. As part of a EU project the plan was to have a MAN fuel cell bus run in Berlin for 15 months before moving to Copenhagen (7 months) and then to Lisbon (8 months). A number of not yet mastered technical challenges seem to postpone the plan now. The MAN bus, which weighs 18t and is 12m long, is equipped with three Nuvera fuel cells (total performance 120kW) and is powered by two Siemens electric drive engines (2 x 75kW). The fuel is liquid hydrogen which is stored in Linde LH2 tanks (600l volume) on the roof of the bus. The maximum reach of 400km determined the use of liquid hydrogen. Previously tested busses run on natural gas only made 250km. The bus is expected to be operated between Tegel Airport and Zoologischer Garten in regular public traffic. An LH2 filling station is under construction, and two additional double-decker buses have already been ordered.

Berlin II: First trainbus with fuel cell

Berlin public transport company BVG is about to try another clean passanger transport concept under the name "trainbus". The new vehicle is said to capitalize on the strengths of the bus and the streetcar, while being powered by a fuel cell. The "Civis" model built by Irisbus has an electric drive, will be run on its own marked-out route but can also be operated on the street like a regular bus. Rubber tires make it possible to switch from rail to road and avoid squealing in curves. The fuel cell powertrain is designed to make energy supply completely independent from overhead cables. If everything works out as planned the European Commission will grant 10 million Euros next spring to support testing of the trainbus from 2003 on.

Study: Government support for FC cars necessary

A recently published study by the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CFCP) about the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles underlines the necessity of government support. The study states that in order to better meet the demands of the market automobile manufacturers, fuel suppliers and governments had to cooperate on all levels. The study was initiated by the CFCP participants to show the problems of FC vehicle market penetration. It is said to be clear that more public relations efforts are required to convince the public and politics about the advantages of this new technology. At the same time it should not be ignored that some of the benefits could only be realized along with increasing market acceptance, which might take a couple of decades. The largest drawback was still the lack of infrastructure. Therefore, politics had to share the financial risk of building a filling station network in order to make distribution of fuel cell powered cars possible in the first place.

California: Hydrogen race

More than 60 passenger cars, trucks and busses participated in a race to prove who has the leadership in alternative propulsion at the end of October in California, USA. The route for the "Michelin Challenge Bibendum" (Bibendum = name of the Michelin mascot) was laid out between Los Angeles and Las Vegas and served as the course for testing several environmentally friendly vehicles at a number of stations and in a race. The testing program scrutinized amount of pollutants, noise level, fuel consumption, reach, acceleration and braking performance, among others. Participants from the hydrogen and fuel cell department included companies such as Ballard, Cobra (redesigned oldtimer race car), DaimlerChrylser (Necar), Ford (P2000), General Motors (HydroGen), Honda (FCX-V), Hyundai (Santa Fe), Nissan (Xterra), Toyota (FCHV), and Xcellsis (Zebus). Last year DaimlerChrysler's Necar 4 made first place among the fuel cell vehicles. This time, the Hyundai Santa Fe headed the competition. The FC vehicle prototypes scored best in emission testing in particular, as expected. As for acceleration, all H2 cars showed weaknesses, except for the redesigned Cobra race car.

This time: Visitors on Hydrogen Expo

"The reason why I visited the show was to see the alternative propulsion concepts exhibited, in particular for busses. We have to think into the future, because fossil fuels are coming to an end. I had quite specific questions, such as what is the life cycle of a hydrogen tank, what problems have to be anticipated, etc. I was very satisfied with the exhibition and the technologies that where showcased and had the chance for detailed discussions with a number of exhibitors." B. Hoffmann, Koelner Verkehrsbetriebe AG.

"We visited Hydrogen Expo because one of the exhibitors invited us and we wanted to get a general impression of the market. For me it was the first time to visit such an event, and I was quite impressed." A. Bock. HSBC Trinkhaus & Burkhardt.

"I visited the exhibition to find out what the future has in store for us. I come from the heating and sanitary sector and have my own company. You have to see this for yourself if you want to know what is going on. Thinking about the costs for example of the heating systems exhibited it is clear that a lot has to be done before this technology has its market breakthrough. I was able to satisfy my demand for information at the show quite well. When the time comes for clean energy supply we want to be part of it." H. Janssen, Janssen GmbH.

"I went to Hamburg to meet with a specific exhibitor and see the products they had announced in advance, which was only possible at the exhibition. Further, I wanted to update myself on the state of technology. The trip was well worth its money. I stayed for a day and was able to use my time efficiently for discussions with several companies." H. Türck, Ingenieurbüro Türck.

Hydrogen Expo Post-Show Report: Hitting Home in Hamburg

From October 11 to 13, Hydrogen Expo was held in Hamburg, Germany. Almost 5000 visitors came to see visions and market-ready products revolving around the broadly applicable and environmentally benign energy carrier hydrogen (H2). Approx 80% of the attendees were trade visitors, 20% general audience. They represented all sectors from politics, research, industry, consulting, and finance to corporate and private users. Due to the current political situation the percentage of international visitors was a little lower than expected at 15%. On 4000 square meters of hall and outdoor space some 80 international exhibitors presented themselves and were highly satisfied at the closing of the event. 28 lectures on a variety of current issues in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies were held in the seminar forum in English and German language. The were attended by approx. 1.000 listeners during the three days of the event. Says Ines Freesen, Managing Director of organizer Freesen & Partner GmbH: "With Hydrogen Expo we managed to establish a unique information and networking platform for suppliers and users of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in less than twelve months. This success makes it very clear that we hit home: the hydrogen "scene" needs the exhibition so that it does not stay a scene and so that this future technology has its breakthrough soon." More information and pictures from the show: www.h2expo.com

Mark your Calendar: Hydrogen Expo 2002

Hydrogen Expo 2002 will take place on October 10 to 12 in Hamburg, Germany. The organizer expects to add another exhibition hall and to double the number of lectures in the seminar forum, which will again be free of charge for visitors. Further featured subjects will include biomass, thermal waste treatment and financing. For more information please call +49-211-687858-0.