Issue
1102 
Issue
1102
The latest from the hydrogen and fuel cell markets
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Sensistor monitors H2 level in H2 Expo air
Hydrogen under real-life conditions: 2 filling stations in Berlin
Vandenborre Hydrogen Systems receives orders for CUTE
Ford: Refueling within seconds
USA: Education activities for H2 and FC technologies
Hydrogen On The Upturn: Second H2 Expo in Hamburg again a success, agenda for the polity very well received
Book now and save money: Hydrogen Expo USA in Washington, D.C.
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Sensistor monitors H2 level in H2 Expo air
Sensistor, a Swedish manufacturer specialising in Hydrogen detection and analysis, monitored the background level of hydrogen in the exhibition air during the entire 3 days of Hydrogen Expo in Hamburg. "Interestingly enough the background concentration of hydrogen was recorded to be quite a bit higher than what is normal (0.5 ppm). The average concentration varied between 1.5 and 3.0 ppm and had a distinct increase after lunch, which receded in the late afternoon hours. One reason for this is that we exhale more hydrogen while digesting our lunch." comments Mikael Ekström, Marketing Manager for Sensistor Technologies, on the results. Apart from the "lunch-phenomenon" a number of the products exhibited which used hydrogen as an energy carrier were also contributing to the increased H2 level. Several exhibitors took the opportunity to do on-the-spot leak detection on their fuel-cell prototypes at the Sensistor stand. As all of the tested prototypes were actually leaking some hydrogen, the "Hydrogen Analyser" recorded peaks in the background concentration of H2. Even the quick passing-by of a fuel-cell propelled vehicle resulted in a peak on the graph. The monitoring was made with a brand new product from Sensistor Technologies, the "Hydrogen Analyser", consisting of a Hydrogen Detector and a Hydrogen Sampler. The sensor technology incorporated in the Hydrogen Analyser is 100% selective to hydrogen and extremely sensitive (2,1x10E-11 mole/s) and fast. Samples of the exhibition hall air were taken at 10 second intervals and displayed in a graph.
Hydrogen under real-life conditions: 2 filling stations in Berlin
During Hydrogen Expo in Hamburg, Aral (now part of BP) announced the opening of the first H2 fueling station on public roads in Berlin, Germany. The station will be designed to offer its customers gasoline, diesel, natural gas and hydrogen. "This project marks an important milestone for the introduction of the alternative energy carrier hydrogen, because it will make a significant contribution to answering a number of yet unsolved technical, economical and social issues", said Bernd Nierhauve, Head of Aral Fuel R&D, at the exhibition. The H2 filling station is expected to truly live up to customer expectations: in addition to high-quality fuels the service range includes a car wash, shop and a snackbar. One of the objectives of the new station is to test different alternatives for providing hydrogen fuel: there will be onsite gaseous H2 production through electrolysis as well as liquid H2 delivery to the station. According to Aral, customer orientation is one of the crucial points. Therefore, in addition to the technical advancement, progress had to be made in increasing the attractivity and acceptance of the new car concept, Nierhauve emphasized. "The vehicle features for the customer have to be at least as good as in gasoline or diesel vehicles." The H2 filling station is part of the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP). Together with Aral, the Berlin Transport Agency (BVG) is one of the partners. BVG recently opened a hydrogen fueling station for busses on its own site. At this station, vehicles can refuel with compressed gaseous and liquid H2.
Vandenborre Hydrogen Systems receives orders for CUTE
Vandenborre Hydrogen Systems, a Belgian manufacturer of H2 generators released news that it received two orders for its "IMET" electrolysers for the CUTE project in two European cities. CUTE (Clean Urban Transportation for Europe) will demonstrate emission free and low noise public transportation in nine European cities and Reykjavik. Each of the operators will install a hydrogen supply station to test various methods of producing and refueling the clean energy carrier. In Barcelona, Spain, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, electrolysers will supply hydrogen at the filling stations. For Spain, Vandenborre signed an agreement with BP. The "IMET" electrolyser will produce 60Nm3/hr hydrogen at the BP station. The gas will then be compressed to 350bar. The dispensing station was developed by Germany-based Linde. For Amsterdam, the Belgian company signed a contract with Hoekloos, which is part of the Linde group. There, the whole filling station will be installed inside a 40ft container and will be delivered to the local transport agency. "The signing of these two projects for CUTE represents a prestigious acknowledgement of the superiority of the 'IMET' technology", said Bart van Ouytsel, Chief Operating Officer at Vandenborre Hydrogen Systems. "We anticipate several new orders for 'IMET' fuel stations in Europe as well as abroad". The company offers products for the transportation and power generation sector.
Ford: Refueling within seconds
With its Focus FCEV Hybrid Ford made the headlines during Hydrogen Expo in Hamburg. Refueling the hybrid vehicle will also be easier and quicker than ever before, says Dr. Philip Chizek, manager of the car manufacturer's FC program. Together with Air Products Ford claims to have developed an almost completely automated hydrogen refuelling system, allowing drivers to fill their cars' tanks with the minimum of difficulty. The system is based around gaseous H2 because it was easier to handle than liquid hydrogen. This is how it is said to work: using a hydrogen 'quick connect fuelling point", the driver flips open the fuel filler, pushes the nozzle on, and turns it to lock and to open a valve. He then presses the "fill" button. The automated unit monitors pressure and temperature in the tank electronically, working out how much fuel is needed. According to Ford, the whole operation takes only 10 seconds. Studies by Ford engineers indicate that H2 filling stations capable of fueling 100 vehicles a day could produce the clean fuel on the spot for sale at a price comparable with current petrol prices. The car company is collaborating with the California Fuel Cell Partnership, the U.S. Department of Energy and industry partners such as BP to establish a hydrogen infrastructure and to develop common standards.
USA: Education program for H2 and FC technologies
As part of the U.S. "Hydrogen, Fuell Cells and Infrastructure Technology Program" an education plan is to lay the groundworks for successful commercialization. This was proposed by a strategic paper presented by Christy Cooper of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) during a meeting hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) at the end of October. Cooper sees stakeholder education as critical to achieving the DOE's hydrogen vision. This resulted in a clear role for the federal government. A five-year plan shall serve as the basis for the initiative, which is to capitalize on what is already available and to move forward to "fill in the holes". The major challenges were: 1. general lack of awareness, 2. a "fuel cell euphoria", 3. safety concerns, 4. few structured education programs, 5. inconsistent policies, codes and standards issues, and 6. insufficient demonstration and too few success stories. The key target audiences according to Cooper are the educational sector, professional, labor and trade organizations, national regulatory agencies, policy makers, the finance sector, fleet operators and the interested public. One of action steps suggested in the paper is to build a stockpile of collateral materials to support education and training programs. Another objective is to establish a network of support to raise awareness for H2 and FC technologies. One of the core messages of the paper is the need for collaborative effort. Funding for DOE hydrogen program for the coming fiscal year is currently being discussed in the US.
Hydrogen On The Upturn: Second H2 Expo in Hamburg again a success, agenda for the polity very well received
The second Hydrogen Expo closed its doors on October 12 on the Hamburg fairgrounds. During the three days of the event 118 exhibitors from Europe, Japan and North America showcased the latest in hydrogen and fuell cell technologies on 4200 square meters exhibit space. 5600 visitors from all over the world came to see the exhibition and the bilingual seminar program, which provided hands-on information on new methods and projects in 36 sessions. The youth conference organized by trade show producer H2 Expo GmbH and the Stiftung Jugend forscht e.V. was among the highlights. The percentage of general public visiting Hydrogen Expo increased, which proves that the exhibition was also successful in promoting the clean energy carrier hydrogen to a wide audience. "We are very pleased because our exhibitors are very pleased", said Ines Freesen, Managing Director at H2 Expo GmbH, at the closing of the event. "Despite the recession the exhibition grew and is now recognized as the most important marketplace for the industry. Another positive factor is that after a slow phase in the past months hydrogen is on the upturn again, and this is also due to the great amount of publicity Hydrogen Expo generated." This was underlined by the presence of several guests from politics, among them the State Environment Minister from Hamburg, Peter Rehaag, who expressed great interest in the technology during an expo tour. During the opening ceremony Freesen introduced the "agenda for the polity". The agenda is a game plan for the government to pave the way for the hydrogen economy. It was put together by the Hydrogen Expo advisory board and calls for financial support from the government for education, infrastructure and commercialization initiatives.
Book now and save money: Hydrogen Expo USA in Washington, D.C.
After Hydrogen Expo has been successfully established in Europe, H2 Expo GmbH now targets the North American market. At the show Ines Freesen and Jeffrey A. Serfass, President of the National Hydrogen Association (NHA), signed an agreement for "Hydrogen Expo USA". The exhibition will partner with the highly recognized NHA Annual Meeting on March 4 to 6, 2003 in Washington, D.C. and will be supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. One of the highlights will be the "Congressional Day" during which government representatives have the opportunity to learn more about the latest developments. Exhibitors now booking space for Hydrogen Expo USA 2003 in Washington and Hydrogen Expo 2003 in Hamburg, Germany, can save 10% on their booth for both events. For more information call Ines Freesen at tel. +49-211-687858-11 or send an email to: info@h2expo.com
