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California OKs four FCE projects at state universities

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Page 1: California OKs four FCE projects at state universities

NEWS

May 2010 Fuel Cells Bulletin7

cations at the recent Hannover Fair. SFC’s complete power solutions are con-venient all-in-one power packages, and work just like an off-grid socket.

SFC’s all-in-one hybrid systems contain everything needed for powering devices away from the grid – an EFOY Pro direct metha-nol fuel cell, fuel cartridge, battery, and the required cables and connectors. Depending on the users’ power requirements they can be com-bined with any EFOY Pro series model, any EFOY fuel cartridge type, and several different kinds of batteries. They are maintenance-free, remotely controllable, and approved for use even in nature reserves.

For stationary off-grid and stand-alone applica-tions, SFC now offers standardized installation systems for 19-inch industrial racks. This new application facilitates integration of the EFOY Pro fuel cells in standard cabinets, and ensures easy retrofitting in existing installations. The SFC cabinet power solution offers weeks or months of autonomous operation – much longer than what batteries can provide – and thereby provides decisive logistic and cost advantages, allowing for more efficient planning and operation.

On the other hand, operators of electri-cal devices in mobile off-grid applications can use the convenient EFOY ProCube. This lightweight and maintenance-free power solu-tion can be easily transported by one person, and is always ready for use without requiring adaptation or installation. The EFOY ProCube enables weatherproof outdoor operation of the EFOY Pro series fuel cells in any weather and season, and even underground if required.

‘With our new complete solutions we have taken another important step towards standard-ization of our hybrid systems,’ says Dr Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC. ‘We have solved all interface issues of our customers, and increase the easy compatibility with established installa-tion scenarios.’

SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG, Brunnthal-Nord, Germany. Tel: +49 89 673 5920, www.sfc.com or www.efoy.com

IdaTech, Cascadiant deploy fuel cells for Indonesia telecoms

The US-based fuel cell developer IdaTech, in conjunction with its

partner Cascadiant Inc and the Indonesian wireless operator PT Hutchison CP Telecommunications (HCPT), have deployed the latest generation of hydrogen fuel cell backup power systems throughout

the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Meanwhile, in Germany an IdaTech fuel cell system powered lighting on a stand at the recent Hannover Fair.

Cascadiant has been awarded the contract to install and support the ElectraGen™ H2 fuel cell systems. This order confirms the value proposition of backup power fuel cell systems, and demonstrates the growing trend of telecom service providers to support and promote more eco-friendly initiatives, including the reduction of telecom sector emissions, lowering energy consumption and the overall carbon footprint.

‘We are delighted to be working with Cascadiant to supply ElectraGen fuel cell sys-tems for the Indonesian market,’ says Harol Koyama, CEO of IdaTech. ‘Indonesia is a very attractive wireless market, because of its large population, and will undoubtedly require more solutions such as these fuel cell systems to sup-port the operations of mobile products as they become more popular.’

Telecoms networks require reliable backup power solutions that can operate for several hours or days when electricity is no longer available due to severe weather, natural disas-ters, or grid quality. The IdaTech ElectraGen fuel cell systems were developed specifically to provide critical backup power to the telecom market when grid loss occurs. These fuel cell systems are fueled directly by hydrogen or using a proprietary fuel reforming process that con-verts liquid fuel – a methanol/water mix – into hydrogen gas to power the unit.

Last fall IdaTech signed an updated agree-ment with ACME Group and Ballard Power Systems to deploy ElectraGen systems for wireless telecoms backup power in India [FCB, December 2009]. The company also has a deal with MICROM Electrónica to employ IdaTech power at cellular base stations throughout Mexico [FCB, November 2009].

US-based ReliOn is also supplying PEM fuel cell systems for telecoms backup power in Indonesia. Its units are being rebranded by PT Consistel Indonesia, for deployment with Hutchison CP Telecommunications in Java, Sumatra and Bali [FCB, December 2009, February 2010].

In other news, IdaTech displayed an ElectraGen XTi extended-run backup power fuel cell system at the recent Hannover Fair 2010 in Germany. Operating on its HydroPlus methanol/water liquid fuel, the fuel cell sys-tem powered the lighting on the Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW) region’s stand throughout the event.

IdaTech LLC, Bend, Oregon, USA. Tel: +1 541 383 3390, www.idatech.com

Cascadiant Inc: www.cascadiant.com

Hannover Messe 2010, Group Exhibit Hydrogen + Fuel Cells: www.h2fc-fair.com

California OKs four FCE projects at state universities

Connecticut-based FuelCell Energy reports that the California Public

Utilities Commission (CPUC) has autho-rized Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison to under-take fuel cell projects to install utility-owned fuel cells on several University of California and California State University (CSU) campuses.

CPUC approval is part of a program to sup-port ultra-clean distributed power generation in California. The molten carbonate fuel cell power plants are expected to be configured to generate baseload electricity for the facilities, in addition to recovering the byproduct heat for heating needs. This configuration can achieve up to 80% efficiency.

The CPUC approval includes the installa-tion of a Direct FuelCell® 1.4 MW fuel cell power plant at each of four state universities in California. FuelCell Energy is currently work-ing with the utilities to finalize contracts.

PG&E’s fuel cell project will include the installation and operation of 1.4 MW facilities at California State University-East Bay and San Francisco State. The fuel cells will utilize the byproducts of the energy conversion process, including exhaust heat and water, to meet the campus needs – including thermal demand for heating the swimming pool at CSU-East Bay, and using excess water for landscape irrigation.

Southern California Edison’s fuel cell project will see 1.4 MW units located at CSU-San Bernardino and CSU-Long Beach. The fuel cells will interconnect and operate in parallel with Edison’s distribution system, and utilize the byproduct heat.

In conjunction with the installation of the fuel cell power plants, the state universities are expected to incorporate fuel cell technology into their respective curricula, to teach students and the public about the benefits of fuel cell systems.

The California Air Resources Board’s CARB07 standard strictly regulates distributed generation power plants, specifying limits for emissions of nitrous oxides, CO and volatile organic com-pounds. FuelCell Energy products meet all of these stringent emission requirements.

LARGE STATIONARY

Page 2: California OKs four FCE projects at state universities

NEWS

8Fuel Cells Bulletin May 2010

FuelCell Energy has partnerships with major power plant developers and power companies around the world; its DFC® systems are generat-ing power at more than 50 locations worldwide.

FuelCell Energy Inc, Danbury, Connecticut, USA. Tel: +1 203 825 6000, www.fuelcellenergy.com

UltraCell 3-Up battery charger for military portables

California-based UltraCell has announced the availability of its

3-Up battery charging system for mili-tary devices and electronic equipment. The technology combines the compa-ny’s existing XX25™ and XX55™ fuel cells with a novel power manager to create a multifunctional system.

The 3-Up, which has already started shipping to the US military, operates as an integrated soldier-portable power generator and battery charger, making it an ideal multifunctional military solution for remote, off-grid environ-ments where powering electronic devices is crucial. The system combines UltraCell’s exist-ing reformed methanol fuel cell (RMFC) tech-nology and extended-runtime fuel tanks with a flexible nylon bundling system and the innova-tive Director power manager.

The 3-Up is designed to deliver a modular, scalable portable power solution by combin-ing various fuel cell platforms to operate as a customizable system based on the user’s needs. Mobility is enhanced by the nylon bundling system, providing convenient personal carriage, as well as fast reconfiguration of the system for higher or lower power outputs. This approach is ideal for soldiers in the field, who are required to power and charge a range of electronic equipment such as ruggedized laptops, satellite communications devices, and military radios.

At the heart of the modular capability is the Director, which enables up to four UltraCell XX25 or XX55 fuel cells to be linked together as a single device. The Director provides precise power management and system level control with a single user interface.

By utilizing a ‘building block’ approach, the 3-Up creates a portable and highly flex-ible power supply delivering a maximum peak power of 250 W and continuous output from 50 to 225 W. In addition, the 3-Up delivers smart battery charging capabilities to safely charge military batteries such as the BB-2590 and Li-80/145.

UltraCell is a leading producer of fuel cell systems for mobile devices. The company has developed new micro fuel cell technologies and intellectual property in the field of methanol-based fuel cells. Its patented, award-winning portable fuel cell, the XX25, has achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 status, a significant US Army milestone and certification for military use and commercial production.

UltraCell Corporation, Livermore, California, USA. Tel: +1 925 455 9400, www.ultracellpower.com

Praxair, Powertech ally on hydrogen fueling for fuel cell forklifts

Connecticut-based Praxair and Praxair Canada have signed a stra-

tegic alliance with Powertech Labs in British Columbia, to jointly market and sell Praxair’s hydrogen and Powertech’s hydrogen fueling equipment to materi-als handling customers, specifically to distribution centers for hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts.

The alliance between Praxair and Powertech combines North America’s largest liquid hydrogen producer with a leader in innova-tive hydrogen fueling systems, to provide reli-able, cost-effective hydrogen fueling to fill a growing need. In 2002, Powertech designed and built the world’s first 700 bar (10 000 psi) fast-fill hydrogen fueling station, and has since designed, built, and installed a number of increasingly innovative and technically advanced mobile and permanent high-pressure vehicle fueling systems.

‘Praxair and Powertech bring many years of combined experience and expertise in both hydrogen supply and fueling equipment to successfully meet the growing needs of these leading-edge customers,’ comments Scott Sanderude, VP for marketing & business devel-opment at Praxair’s North American Industrial Gases business unit.

‘Distribution centers with large materi-als handling fleets are realizing the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts,’ adds Eamonn Percy, president/COO of Powertech Labs. ‘This alliance will help increase their productivity while potentially decreasing costs associated with operating traditional battery-powered forklifts.’

Powertech Labs – a subsidiary of BC Hydro – specializes in clean energy consulting, test-ing, and power solutions. As one of the world’s

premier hydrogen fueling equipment testing facilities, Powertech has played a key role in the development of hydrogen delivery infrastruc-ture in North America.

Powertech Labs Inc, Surrey, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 590 7500, www.powertechlabs.com

Praxair Inc: www.praxair.com

Acta hydrogen generation in wind turbine system

Italian-based Acta has received a E780 000 (US$988 000) grant

for the development of a domestic power generation, storage and recov-ery system, which will link a micro-generation wind turbine to Acta’s hydrogen generator and fuel cell system.

The award is part of total funding of E1.3 million ($1.65m) for the 18-month project, granted by the Tuscany regional gov-ernment and involving Acta, the University of Pisa, and Aequalis Srl, a specialist local wind turbine developer.

The combined system is being developed for use in homes that are not connected to the electricity grid, and for remote renewable energy storage applications. It will also act as a demonstrator for larger-scale peak energy shav-ing applications. Energy generated from a wind turbine will be used to produce hydrogen from water using Acta’s unique electrolysis technol-ogy. The pure, dry, compressed hydrogen can be stored and then used, on demand, to pro-duce electricity through a mid-sized fuel cell. The company believes that future applications will include distributed power microgeneration and storage, and ultimately that the system can be scaled up to utility-sized installations for use with commercial wind farms.

Acta’s products are based on its propri-etary, inexpensive environmental catalyst and hydrogen conversion technologies. Its prod-uct line includes a range of compact hydro-gen generators as well as various portable, mobile, and backup fuel cell devices that can make use of locally generated hydrogen in uninterruptible power supply (UPS), marine, automotive, electric cycle, scooter, camping, and domestic applications. The company is marketing its product range to early adopters through its energy products division, Acta Energy.

Acta SpA, Crespina, Pisa, Italy. Tel: +39 050 644281, www.actagroup.it

PORTABLE & MICRO

FUELING