Japan debut for mobile fuel cell Oct 24, 2009
Toshiba has been working on fuel cells since the 1990s but has held back from putting its prototypes on shop shelves before now. Fuel cells from other firms, including Medis Technologies in the US and SFC in Germany, have been available for some time. (BBC News -- Technology)
Lighter-Than-Air Transportation Oct 24, 2009
Additionally, it could be possible to engineer a system that integrates the use of hydrogen gas for lift with special hydrogen batteries known as fuel cells to generate electrical power. Indeed, the NASA space shuttle has been using the hydrogen fuel cell technology for years and the only by-product is drinkable water. (Suite101.com)
Whole Foods Market becomes Plug customer Oct 22, 2009
Funding for the hydrogen-powered fuel cells will come from a $6. 1 million award made to Genco earlier this year through the $787 billion federal stimulus program. (Albany Business Review, NY)
Electric battles hybrid Oct 22, 2009
Despite the success of the hybrid, car makers are still hedging their bets on green technology, with biofuels, clean diesel and fuel cells also seen as potential alternative power sources ... Fuel cells, which run on hydrogen and emit only water, also make an appearance as Honda and Suzuki put on display cars powered by the technology. (iAfrica.com)
New rocket fuel mixes ice and metal Oct 22, 2009
Researchers hope that the hydrogen products of that reaction might go beyond launching rockets, and also feed hydrogen fuel cells for ... New mixtures could also produce more hydrogen, and take a step closer to helping run hydrogen fuel cells. (MSNBC -- Technology)
EBay to get power boost from Bloom Energy Oct 20, 2009
The system consists of five outdoor natural gas fuel cells capable of producing 500 kilowatts of electricity. The company received final approval on the project July 1. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Shifting The World To 100 Percent Clean, Renewable Energy As Early As 2030: Here Are The Numbers Oct 20, 2009
The researchers also determined that the availability of certain materials that are needed for some of the current technologies, such as lithium for lithium-ion batteries, or platinum for fuel cells, are not currently barriers to building a large-scale renewable infrastructure. But efforts will be needed to ensure that such materials are recycled and potential alternative materials are explored. (Science Daily)
U of C chemists discover recipe to design a better type of fuel cell Oct 19, 2009
Fuel cells are often touted as one method to help decrease society's addiction to fossil fuels. But there is still a lot of work to be done before fuel cells will be ready for mass market to be used in transportation, home heating and portable power for emergencies ... This discovery is extremely important in terms of increasing the efficiency and decreasing the cost of PEM fuel cells. (EurekAlert!)
New Material Could Expand Applications And Lower Costs For Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Oct 19, 2009
18, 2009) A new ceramic material described in this week's issue of the journal Science could help expand the applications for solid oxide fuel cells devices that generate electricity directly from a wide range of liquid or gaseous fuels without the need to separate hydrogen ... Though the long-term durability of the new mixed ion conductor material must still be proven, its development could address two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells: tolerance of sulfur in fuels... (Science Daily)
EBay to get power boost from electric fuel cell system Oct 19, 2009
The system consists of five outdoor natural gas fuel cells capable of producing 500 kilowatts of electricity ... Sridhar s plan calls for making fuel cells that can run on any hydrocarbon fuel, including ethanol, biodiesel, methane or natural gas. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Hydrogen-car funds restored by Congress Oct 18, 2009
Chu said more work needs to be done to develop the fuel cells. There's also the matter of cost. (AZCentral -- News)
It pays to be green Oct 18, 2009
Federal tax credits are available at 30 percent of the cost on geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells and small wind energy systems. No upper limit. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Mr Ghosn bets the company Oct 18, 2009
Even hydrogen fuel cells still have their supporters. The German carmakers in particular, with their huge research-and-development budgets, are dabbling in all manner of different low-emission vehicles. (The Economist)
Fuel cell notice Oct 17, 2009
San Francisco State University will host two fuel cells and CSU East Bay will host one ... Each campus will use by-products generated by the fuel cells for commercial and industrial processes. (San Andreas Calaveras Enterprise, CA)
'Green' mobile light system in the works Oct 17, 2009
Altergy markets its fuel cells under the trademark Altergy Freedom Power to telecommunications companies that use the equipment as backup power sources for cell-phone towers and other operations. Most Read Stories. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Ion Tiger Fuel Cell Unmanned Air Vehicle Completes 23-hour Flight Oct 16, 2009
Fuel cells create an electrical current when they convert hydrogen and oxygen into water, with only water and heat as byproducts. The 550-Watt (0. (Science Daily)
Panasonic's Solar Power Status Symbols Turn Japan's Rich Green With Envy Oct 15, 2009
The acquisition will help combine appliances with solar cells, fuel cells and rechargeable batteries to offer a unique service that no other rival can replicate, President said at the annual shareholder meeting on June 25 ... Sales of solar cells, fuel cells, energy-saving lighting and energy-efficient heating systems in Japan will probably more than double to 1. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
True Cost of A Solar PV Oct 15, 2009
This can also be done using the nickel electrodes for fuel cells. Hence, this would bring down the cost of fuel cells and make them available for auto makers to produce fuel cell autos. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Former Plug CEO Saillant to lead center Oct 14, 2009
Industry experts said Saillant gave Plug credibility with policymakers and improved the company s image in the industry, making it one of the major players in fuel cells. He came to Plug following a career at. (Albany Business Review, NY)
GM, Toyota's Fuel-Cell Plans Clash With U.S. Infrastructure Priorities Oct 10, 2009
Hydrogen is taking longer because fuel cells themselves are still very expensive and getting green hydrogen -- made from wind or solar, rather than natural gas -- is still not so easy, said , director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley ... Fuel cells, made up of layers of plastic film coated with platinum sandwiched between metal plates, make electricity in a chemical process combining hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapor as... (Bloomberg -- Japan)
China's electric car revolution Oct 9, 2009
While there are many different alternative fuel cars being considered (ethanol, natural gas, hydrogen fuel cells, biodiesel to name a few), electric vehicles are currently the most promising. They are simply more efficient than gasoline cars, and promise a combination of lower fuel costs, lower emissions, and lower production costs compared with most other competitive alternative fuel cars. (Asia Times Online)
New Aluminum-water Rocket Propellant Promising For Future Space Missions Oct 9, 2009
The aluminum-ice, or ALICE, propellant might be used to launch rockets into orbit and for long-distance space missions and also to generate hydrogen for fuel cells, said Steven Son, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University ... A gelled fuel also could be mixed with materials containing larger amounts of hydrogen and then used to run hydrogen fuel cells in addition to rocket motors, Son said ... (June 29, 2007) A new paper published in Journal of the American Ceramic... (Science Daily)
PC batteries to power cars! Oct 4, 2009
The newly developed batteries can also be used at home to store electricity generated by solar panels and fuel cells. Text. (India Times, India)
Coke bottler gets green forklifts Oct 3, 2009
The forklifts will run on fuel cells provided by (NASDAQ:PLUG) of Latham, N.Y.. The technology is expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions at the facility by 30 percent. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Coke to install 40 Plug Power forklifts Oct 3, 2009
Plug Power (Nasdaq: PLUG) in Latham, N.Y. makes hydrogen fuel cells used in such products as large equipment, generators and commercial and residential heating units. Plug s technology is expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions at the Charlotte warehouse by 30 percent. (Albany Business Review, NY)
Timing, financing derailed Hoku Scientific's plans Oct 3, 2009
When Dustin Shindo shifted the focus of his company in 2005 away from fuel cells and toward the polysilicon business, the timing seemed perfect. The material, a key component of solar power systems, was in tight supply as alternative energy was starting to take off, and the market for polysilicon quickly expanded beyond its use in semiconductors. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Panasonic Develops High Energy Lithium-ion Battery Module with High Reliability Oct 2, 2009
For example, multiple units can be connected in series and/or parallel to store energy generated by home-use photovoltaic (PV) systems and fuel cells, and power electric vehicles (EV). A prototype of the new module will be shown at CEATEC JAPAN 2009 (Makuhari Messe, October 6-10, 2009) and New Energy Industry Fair Osaka (Intex Osaka, October 7-9, 2009). (JCN Network, Japan)
MHI Achieves 3,000-Hour Operation, Unprecedented in Japan, for SOFC-MGT Combined-Cycle Power Generation System Oct 1, 2009
Tokyo, Oct 1, 2009 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has achieved 3,000 cumulative hours of operation - unprecedented in Japan - of a 200 kilowatt (kW) class combined-cycle power generation system incorporating solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and a micro gas turbine (MGT) ... SOFCs are ceramic-based fuel cells that operate at a high temperature above 900 degrees Celsius (1,650 degrees Fahrenheit) and produce electricity directly by chemical reaction between the hydrogen... (JCN Network, Japan)
Homeowners Get Easy Money From Green Renovations: John F. Wasik Oct 1, 2009
Even better credits are available on geothermal heat pumps, solar panels/heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells. Theres no limit on the 30 percent write-off for these items through 2016. (Bloomberg -- Columnists)
Glucose could power gadgets, cars Oct 1, 2009
The effectiveness of this cheap and abundant herbicide is a boon to carbohydrate-based fuel cells. Conversely, hydrogen-based fuel cells like those developed by General Motors require costly platinum as a catalyst. (India Times)
Chinese company to buy 60% of Hoku Oct 1, 2009
Hoku was founded about nine years ago and initially focused on developing a membrane, or engine, that drives fuel cells. Hoku enjoyed attention as one of the state's more notable high technology companies and in August 2005 went public, selling shares for $6 each. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Once a star, Hoku ran short of cash Sep 30, 2009
But even as Hoku went public in August 2005, the company was shifting away from fuel cells and toward the polysilicon business. The startling run-up of oil prices after Hurricane Katrina made alternative energy the business to be in, and with only about a dozen companies worldwide making polysilicon -- a key ingredient in solar panels and semiconductors -- Hoku announced plans to build a plant to manufacture silicon. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Once a local startup, firm prospers in Florida Sep 26, 2009
TROY -- Dais Analytic Corp. was a startup in the Rensselaer incubator, working on developing fuel cells, when it was lured to Florida in 1998 by $1. 2 million in incentives. (Albany Times Union)
Catalytic Catamarans: Common Industrial Catalyst Sports Rafts Made Of Platinum Sep 26, 2009
29, 2007) X-ray studies at the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory are pointing the way to less costly and more efficient catalysts for improving the performance of fuel cells. The studies. (Science Daily)
Hydrogen Cars Are Still Coming Sep 23, 2009
Amid all the hype about electric cars, it was a surprise to hear Daimler Chief Executive Officer declare that hydrogen fuel cells, not batteries, are the ultimate way to move beyond oil ... By then, automakers say, there could be hundreds of thousands of vehicles on the road that use fuel cells to convert hydrogen to electrical power, with no emissions except steam ... Plenty of people still doubt that fuel cells are practical. (BusinessWeek)
Rolls-Royce Revs Ups Fuel Cell Research Sep 23, 2009
Fuel cells chemically generate electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen from the air ... Rolls-Royce envisions global production of very large fuel cells - generating hundreds of thousands or millions of watts that could be used 00004000 by electric utilities or nuclear plants. (CBS News -- Sci/Tech)
Ballard Announces Update to Supply Agreement for Telecom Backup Power Solution in India Sep 23, 2009
Atul Sabharwal, Chief Operating Officer, ACME Group said, "ACME is also disappointed with this delay, but feels as strongly as ever that a substantial market opportunity exists for fuel cells in wireless telecom backup power and other applications in India, where reliable, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solutions are greatly needed. We are excited about the potential for Ballard's low-cost, fuel cell stack.". About Ballard Power Systems. (PR Newswire)
Rolls-Royce boosting Ohio presence Sep 23, 2009
Robert Grevey, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Development, said the expansion is aimed at testing fuel cells to eliminate technical risks along the road to the commercial market. Equipment installation is set to begin before the end of the year. (Columbus Business First, OH)
State Gets $7 Million In Federal Stimulus Money For New Buses Sep 22, 2009
The money will help buy hybrid buses to replace aging CT Transit diesel models, and will also pay for fuel cells to generate power in the Stamford and New Haven bus depots. Throughout the country Monday, federal officials announced about $100 million in federal transit grants for greenhouse gas and energy reduction initiatives. (FOX61, CT)
Medis Secures Bridge Financing From Institutional Investor Sep 22, 2009
NEW YORK, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medis Technologies Ltd. (Pink Sheets: MDTL), a developer and producer of fuel cells based on its proprietary sodium borohydride technologies, announced that it has raised short-term bridge financing through the issuance of a secured convertible note to a New York-based unaffiliated institutional investor ... Chairman & CEO Jose Mejia commented, "We have cut back the burn rate at Medis, even as we are developing new, more powerful fuel cells for... (PR Newswire)
Students Navigating The Hudson River With Hydrogen Fuel Cells Sep 22, 2009
21, 2009) A group of ambitious Rensselaer students will soon sail up the Hudson River, propelled by pollution-free hydrogen fuel cells and a clear vision for a cleaner, greener future ... The fuel cells power a pair of motors mounted on the stern of the New Clermont ... Along with boosting the visibility and public awareness of hydrogen, fuel cells, and green energy, the New Clermont Project is also a celebration of American ingenuity and the rich technological history of New York state and the... (Science Daily)
Mining of boron can be done responsibly Sep 21, 2009
And at the National Boron Research Institute in Turkey, it is being studied as an element to produce fuel cells and to aid in cancer treatment. Click on the following for more information. (Westerly Sun, RI)
A recipe for controlling carbon nanotubes Sep 21, 2009
CLEVELAND Nanoscopic tubes made of a lattice of carbon just a single atom deep hold promise for delivering medicines directly to a tumor, sensors so keen they detect the arrival or departure of a single electron, a replacement for costly platinum in fuel cells or as energy saving transistors and wires. Single walled carbon nanotubes, made of a cheap and abundant material, have so much potential because their function changes when their atomic level structure, referred to as chirality, changes. (EurekAlert!)
No comments posted. Sep 20, 2009
The Community Redevelopment Agency is working on a plan to develop a 1 million-square-foot industrial center east of Santa Fe Avenue, near 15th Street and Washington Boulevard, for companies that manufacture green technologies such as wind turbines or hydrogen fuel cells. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is looking to tap Italian railcar company AnsaldoBreda to develop a manufacturing plant at the site and serve as an anchor tenant for the project. (Los Angeles Downtown News, CA)
Creating epicenter of education Sep 19, 2009
Once derided as a cheap and inferior alternative to four-year schools, community colleges have become the first stop in the transformation of America's work force, where students will be learning how to install the solar panels that will heat our homes and manufacture the fuel cells that will run our cars. The President will tour the school's automotive lab with Jill Biden, the vice president's wife, who teaches at a community college not far from the White House. (Albany Times Union)
Lineage Power Opens Doors of Plano, Texas Global Center of Innovation and R&D Sep 19, 2009
TE architecture products will prioritize sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, water and fuel cells over traditional utility grid or diesel generator energy sources. TE will also intelligently respond to smart grid information to reduce energy consumption during peak demand periods. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Another plug Sep 18, 2009
"But in the 1990s, lots of vehicle manufacturers launched electric vehicles, and Toyota did too. "And if the question is if there have been any major technological developments since then, the answer is no." Toyota believes current battery technology, though vital to its petrol-electric hybrid solutions, is merely good enough to power small cars for city driving, just as it was 15 years ago. Better batteriesRenault-Nissan's Mr Ghosn disagrees. "There are some differences compared with the past,"... (BBC News -- Technology)
Smaller isn't always better: Catalyst simulations could lower fuel cell cost Sep 18, 2009
D. student Edward (Ted) Holby have developed a computational model that could optimize an important component of fuel cells, making it possible for the technology to have a more widespread use ... Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that facilitate a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing electrical power and forming water ... In the type of fuel cells Morgan is researching, called proton exchange membrane fuel cells, or PEMFCs, hydrogen is split into a proton and electron at one... (EurekAlert!)
House Considers Green Vehicle Research Sep 17, 2009
The bill would push the government to team up with companies and universities to research technologies such as batteries for hybrid vehicles, electric cars, hydrogen fuel cells and infrastructure for the electric grid. Congress is expected to provide funding for the program later. (KWTX.com, TX)
Power on: SU professor and team work on solar energy technology Sep 17, 2009
These small pieces of metals - nanomaterials - can be used in things like solar cell technology, fuel cells and other energy-related devices. If the team is successful, their research could potentially play a large role in the pursuit for the nation's energy independence. (Daily Orange, NY)
State pension fund turning green Sep 15, 2009
"And with the two index funds, these are companies that are doing business today in fuel cells, solar panels and wind turbines.". While a half billion dollars is a lot of cash, it is less than a half of 1 percent of the state's $116. (Albany Times Union)
Water quality in orbit Sep 14, 2009
Water for astronauts is carried into orbit and also produced on the space station as a byproduct of hydrogen and oxygen reacting in fuel cells. Disinfectants or biocides are added during flight, but actual levels in drinking water cannot be tested until samples are brought back to Earth. (EurekAlert!)
Stricter home-lending rulesreceive mixed appraisals Sep 14, 2009
A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for existing homes and new construction upgrades of geothermal heat pumps, solar panels, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells. Requirements to access the credits are listed at the s Web site, www. (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction acquires Leading Turbine Manufacturer Skoda Power Sep 14, 2009
The company is fast becoming an EPC contractor as a result of continuous investments and R&D, while also developing wind power systems, fuel cells and environmentally friendly next-generation energy. About Skoda Power a.s.. (PR Newswire)
Cars powered by water are not the best choice Sep 14, 2009
Researchers today put more focus on hydrogen fuel cells, which can replace internal combustion engines to power cars and emit only water from the tailpipe ... The potential benefits of fuel cells are significant, say researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy s National Renewable Energy Laboratory ... Cars powered by fuel cells are in prototype stages now, nearing production. (Westerly Sun, RI)
Running Hot and Cold (Part II) Sep 13, 2009
The Community Redevelopment Agency in September announced a plan to develop a 1 million-square-foot industrial center east of Santa Fe Avenue, near 15th Street and Washington Boulevard, for companies that manufacture green technologies such as wind turbines or hydrogen fuel cells. The Italian railcar company AnsaldoBreda, which is angling to renew a contract with Metro to build light rail cars, is in talks with the agency about developing a manufacturing plant at the site, said Sharon Gi, a CRA... (Los Angeles Downtown News, CA)
Cruising Into the Future on Hydrogen Sep 12, 2009
Future Cars Fueled by Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, Batteries - ABC News. Hot Topics. (ABC News)
Can the Future Be Built in America? Sep 12, 2009
At a time when the U.S. is desperate for new sources of growth, Bridgelux and hundreds of other startups that represent the best hope for a manufacturing renaissance find it almost impossible to achieve scale in the U.S. It's troublesome because these companies are launching a blizzard of innovative products that promise to disrupt entire industries, including tiny diodes that could reshape the $100 billion global lighting business, fuel cells to power electric cars, and thin, flexible TV... (BusinessWeek)
GM Convinced the Future Is in Fuel Cells Sep 12, 2009
"They get in the car and drive it like they've always driven their cars, and that really tells me that fuel cells are closer than most people would believe," he said ... I realize hydrogen fuel cells generate the electricity for a pure electric motor. (CBS News -- Sci/Tech)
GM rolls past 1 million miles in fuel cell demo Sep 12, 2009
"They get in the car and drive it like they've always driven their cars, and that really tells me that fuel cells are closer than most people would believe," he said. Supporters see the fuel cell becoming a mainstream, eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-powered cars within the next decade. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Not-so-stupid microbe tricks Sep 9, 2009
Hairy bacteria for fuel cellsTiny filaments appear to enhance the flow of electricity generated by a strain of sulfur-eating bacteria known as Geobacter sulfurreducens KN400, according to Derek Lovley, a professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst ... Geobacter, which can convert marine waste products into electricity, has long been considered a potential source of power for fuel cells ... Lovley and his colleagues are developing such fuel cells to power monitoring devices in... (MSNBC -- Technology)
FuelCell Energy Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results and Latest Accomplishments Sep 9, 2009
"During the third quarter, we produced our latest cost-reduced fuel cell modules -- an important milestone on the path to profitability. These fuel cells generate more power and reduce our cost for each unit," said R. Daniel Brdar, Chairman and CEO of FuelCell Energy ... California continues to be a strong market for clean energy generation including wind, solar and fuel cells ... With natural gas supplying the fuel for 55 percent of the electric grid, customers like Sonoma County benefit from... (Primezone Releases)
Bacteria can help convert waste to power Sep 8, 2009
WASHINGTON: Bacteria that generate power could be used in microbial fuel cells to convert waste into electricity, according to the latest research. University of Massachusetts researchers isolated bacteria with large numbers of tiny projections called pili which transfer electrons to generate power in fuel cells, more efficiently than counterparts with a smooth surface ... The researchers isolated a strain of Geobacter sulfurreducens which they called KN400 that grew prolifically on the graphite... (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Making more efficient fuel cells Sep 7, 2009
Bacteria that generate significant amounts of electricity could be used in microbial fuel cells to provide power in remote environments or to convert waste to electricity. Professor Derek Lovley from the University of Massachusetts, USA isolated bacteria with large numbers of tiny projections called pili which were more efficient at transferring electrons to generate power in fuel cells than bacteria with a smooth surface ... The researchers isolated a strain of Geobacter sulfurreducens which... (EurekAlert!)
Tata Motors: Think electric for survival Sep 6, 2009
Six years ago, the world auto industry talked of hydrogen-powered cars, using fuel cells, as vehicles of the future. That turned out to be a passing fad. (India Times)
