Report: Fuel Cell Technology Stifled in UK

7/24. A big funder of economic research reports that development of fuel cells is being stifled in the UK because car manufacturers and power companies are scared of the long-term implications and research in hydrogen fuel cells has been neglected by both government and industry. (more)

US representatives aim to fast track "hydrogen economy"

7/31/06. Two US Congress representatives have introduced a bill designed to fast track the country's transition to a hydrogen economy. Representatives Albert Wynn and Mary Bono introduced the Hydrogen Commission Act of 2006. It l would establish an independent Commission for the Deployment of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. (more)

Ener! Inc. Obtains New Financing

7/20/06. Ener1 Inc. OTCBB: ENEI) has obtained an additional $3 million from Ener1 Group, Inc., for ongoing operations. It consists of 10% convertible subordinated notes with no principal or interest payments until maturities of the notes in 2009, plus warrants. (more)

VIASPACE Files Patent Application on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Humidity Measurement Instrument

7/25. VIASPACE Inc. (OTC: VSPC), has filed a provisional patent application on its laser based instrument to measure the humidity level in
hydrogen fuel cells. The performance of hydrogen fuel cells using a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) depends on the moisture level of the membrane. (more)

Colorado Sees Fuel Cell Future

6/28/06. Analysts at the University of California at Irvine foresee a fuel cell industry with annual revenue exceeding $10 billion by the end of the decade. With the opening of the Colorado Fuel Cell Center, several companies in Golden, Denver and other parts of the state are beginning research and development projects focused on fuel cells. Some of the companies are start-ups, but others have been researching hydrogen fuel cells and their potential for decades. (more)

European fuel cell awareness campaign launched

7/12/06. Hyundai is working with a German hydrogen refuelling company to raise the European profile of fuel cells, hoping to market the technology within ten years. Linde AG has developed a mobile hydrogen refuelling station capable of dispensing the gas in both liquid and gas form that has been used in collaboration with Hyundai to promote the benefits of hydrogen, which can power vehicles without producing any harmful emissions. (more)

ECD Subsidiary Signs Multi-Year Cooperative Agreements

7/10/06. United Solar Ovonic, subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENER) signed multi-year cooperative agreements with Spazio Energia and Sunerg Solar of Italy to supply a total of 46 MW of photovoltaic (PV) laminates. (more)

U.S. looks to hydrogen fuel cells Energy Consumption to Grow 71% by 2030

6/30/06. The U.S. Department of Energy's setting up of a Hydrogen Technical Advisory Committee is a step toward making fuel cells a viable alternative to fossil fuels. The HTAC comprises 25 members from industry, academia, professional societies, government agencies and hydrogen safety experts who meet approximately twice a year to discuss issues pivotal to the development of hydrogen fuel cells. (more)

UTC Power Fuel Cells Again on Space Shuttle

6/30/06. UTC Power will continue its long tradition of providing the fuel cells that generate all the shuttle's electrical power for the 12-day mission. UTC Power is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company. (more)

Northern Power Signs Wind Deal

6/27/06. Northern Power, a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: DESC), signed an agreement with two key Alaskan-based contracting firms for the turnkey installation, commissioning and service of Northern Power's NorthWind(R) 100 wind turbine systems in Alaska. (more)

Veridium Acquires GreenShift's Clean Technology Investments

5/25/06. Veridium Corporation (OTCBB: VRDM) today agreed with GreenShift Corporation (OTCBB: GSHF), Veridium's majority shareholder, to acquire the stock of GreenWorks Corporation and GS CleanTech Ventures, Inc.GreenWorks Corporation owns an environmental engineering business that currently generates about $4.3 million in revenues with EBITDA margins in excess of 12%. (more)

Toy Solar/Fuel Cell Car

6/23/06. Measuring only 16cm x 7cm, the H-racer is the smallest hydrogen fuel cell car in the world. It does not use any batteries. The kit includes the car, a refueling station, and a solar panel. (more).

Energy Venture Capital Up 43%

6/27/06. Venture capital investments in clean technologies in North America reached an all-time high last year of $1.6 billion, up 43 percent. The 3rd Annual Energy Tech Investor Conference is July 18-19, 2006 in San Francisco. (more)

Record oil prices fueling interest in alternative energy investments

6/19/06. Renewable energy's environmental and technological promise has prompted some investors to funnel at least a portion of their dollars into alternative energy stocks, mutual funds and index funds. Although alternative, or clean, energy companies don't receive the billions of dollars in federal subsidies afforded the fossil fuel and nuclear industries, it still represents an estimated $40 billion global market, and is projected to reach $167 billion worldwide within the next decade. (more)

Heliocentris Fuel Cells AG to Float on Frankfurt Exchange

6/16/06. The firm is will list on the Open Market with simultaneous admission to the the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Heliocentris today placed 400.000 shares with selected investors and received 1.8 million Euros gross. The basic capital of the firm has thus risen to 1.2 million Euros. The private placement was over-subscribed 2.5 fold. AG also increased the number of Heliocentris shares considerably and now holds 30.00 per cent of the basic capital. (more)

Alchemy Announces Positive Power Cell Test Results at NASA Jet Propulsion Labs

6/13/06. Alchemy Enterprises, Ltd. (OTCBB: ACHM) announced today that it has achieved important results from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratories on the development of the Electric Power Cell, in tests conducted over the last two weeks. (more)

Virent Energy Systems gets $7.5 million

6/12/06. A Madison startup company that can turn plant sugars into hydrogen, propane and other fuels is getting a big financial boost from a prestigious list of investors. Virent Energy Systems has raised $7.5 million in venture capital, with Cargill Ventures leading this investment and Honda Strategic Ventures among the participants. (more)

Biography of ECD founder Stan Ovshinsky

6/14/06."Stan Ovshinsky and the Hydrogen Economy: Creating a Better World" chronicles a 50-year mission of the founder of Energy Conversion Devices (Nasdaq: ENER) to create a total hydrogen loop -- solar cells, solid hydrogen storage, nickel metal hydride batteries and fuel cells powered by hydrogen. (more)

GM R&D chief sees fuel cell boost from ethanol

6/9/06. The United States' sudden love of ethanol fuel will boost prospects for fuel cells later, General Motors' R&D Chief Larry Burns said. Grains that can be converted into ethanol can he readily converted into generating hydrogen as well, he said.

Eden Energy Limited Debuts on Australian Stock Market

6/7/06. Eden Energy Ltd. (ASX: EDE) listed today on the Australian Stock Exchange after closing its IPO early at $8.4 million. It lists 122.3 million shares valued at $24.5 million. 42 million shares resulted from the IPO offering at $.20 a share. Eden offers a suite of hydrogen technologies designed to create the hydrogen economy. (more)

Fuel Cells Move Ahead at Ford

6/8/06. The ongoing successful road-test of a small fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles has Ford engineers optimistic about their reliability and ultimate roadworthiness. Ford is testing 30 Focus Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) in seven U.S. cities and in Canada and Germany. They are driven daily by local governmental employees and have racked up more than 180,000 miles. (more)

Energy Conversion Devices Announces the Ovonic Quantum Control

6/6/06. Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENER) has a fundamentally new device, called the Ovonic Quantum Control, which has the
potential to open a whole new field of semiconducting control devices. The Ovonic Quantum Control is based on new physics and has multifunctionality beyond that of transistors. Its nanostructure size, great speed and very high current carrying capacity together with
unusual modulation including gain, provide advantages over transistors. (more)

Energy Conversion Devices Announces the Ovonic Quantum Control

6/6/06. Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENER) has a fundamentally new device, called the Ovonic Quantum Control, which has the
potential to open a whole new field of semiconducting control devices. The Ovonic Quantum Control is based on new physics and has multifunctionality beyond that of transistors. Its nanostructure size, great speed and very high current carrying capacity together with
unusual modulation including gain, provide advantages over transistors. (more)

QuestAir Signs Agreement to Supply Hydrogen Purification Systems to Nuvera

6/2/06. QuestAir Technologies Inc. (TSX:QAR)(AIM:QAR) has signed a $700,000 agreement to supply its H-3300 hydrogen purifiers to Nuvera Fuel Cells through 2008. QuestAir's H-3300 pressure swing adsorption systems will be integrated into Nuvera's PowerTapTM branded hydrogen generators. The PowerTapTM converts widely available fuels such as natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas to hydrogen. (more)

Fuel Cell Knowledge Network Launched

6/3/06. Cenex and its KTN Partners, SMMT Foresight Vehicle, Fuel Cells Today and Fuel Cells UK, launched the new Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technology Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN). It aims to encourage the active participation of all networks currently operating in the field of low carbon and fuel cell technologies and to establish connections with industry and academic networks in other fields which have common interests. (more)

How to Build your own band aid fuel cell

6/6/06. This has got to be THE simplest way to build a fuel cell from scratch. The design is ridiculously simple, whilst being effective - it will allow you to explore the concepts of Fuel Cells in a ludicrously simple way. It might sound preposterous, it might sound absurd, but it works. (more)

Report Profiles Fuel Cell Economy

5/30/06. A report on fuel cells by Energy Business Reports examines and compares various types of fuel cells, including the technology behind them, the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and potential market applications. The report also looks at issues in the industry, such as pricing, regulation, technical challenges and competitive threats, and concludes that although breakthroughs are needed in some areas, fuel cells are a promising technology for the future. (more)

Fuel Cell Market $2.5 Billion by 2009

5/26/06. The global commercial fuel cell market could be worth $2.5 billion by 2009 according to thinktank Circuits Assembly Journal. Electric power generation is becoming a large market for fuel cells.The portable electronics market will show the strongest advances over the next decade, the report said.

Alaskan Electric Utility Signs $1.1 Million Contract with Northern Power for Three Additional Wind Turbines

6/2/06. Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: DESC) subsidiary Northern Power has a contract for $1.14 million for three additional NorthWind 100 wind turbines for the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative. (more)

How do you make a fuel cell? Print it!

6/2/06. EoPlex Technologies has come up with a technique for producing mechanical components with industrial printers. The company builds components by piling thin, patterned layers of ceramics, metals and other materials on top of each other and curing the individual layers as the structure takes shape. "A fuel cell reformer can take two weeks on conventional manufacturing processes. It will take us three minutes on a full-scale production line. We can now do a prototype in a day," said Arthur Chait, CEO of EoPlex. "We can manufacture fully functional parts." (more)

It's not too late to invest in energy

6/2/06. Even though you can't count on crude remaining at its recent highs indefinitely, the fundamental market forces that set prices climbing are still at work. (more)

Energy Secretary Bodman says now is the time to invest in alternative energy

6/4/06. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman Friday toured the University of Connecticut's Global Fuel Cell Center, and said today's high fuel prices make it the perfect time to invest in alternative sources of energy. Gasoline prices have exceeded $3 per gallon for the last few weeks, and the cost of heating fuel has been on the rise for several years. (more)

Fuel Cells Canada Announces Name Change to Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Canada

5/17/06. Fuel Cells Canada, the national industry association for Canada's hydrogen and fuel cell sector, has changed its name to Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Canada. The new name more accurately reflects the interests of the association's membership. Founded in 2000, the association is internationally recognized as the collective voice for Canada'shydrogen and fuel cell industry. (more)

Hydrogen fuel cells become faster and greener with carbon nanotube catalyst

5/9/06. Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of Idaho have developed a highly efficient catalyst of multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with tiny particles of a platinum and ruthenium composite. Yuehe Lin will discuss the technology at NSTI Nanotechnology Conference, May 7-11, Boston. (more)

Next-Generation Energy Index Launched

5/8/06. Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. (MCF), a securities broker-dealer and investment bank, and subsidiary of MCF Corporation (AMEX:MEM), launched a tracking index Friday focused on the Next-Generation Energy (NGE) sector. This innovative index will give investors a tool to track companies defining the non-hydrocarbon-based economy. (more)

Syngas International Corp. Begins Bio Fuel Research

5/3/06. Syngas International (OTC BB: SYNI) has begun researching using gases produced from its M2 and PyStR processes to make synthetic liquid Bio fuels such as ethanol and methanol. Syngas catalytically converts synthetic gases like those produced from the M2 and PyStR to liquid fuels. (more)

Hydrogenics Receives Second Order for Fuel Cell Test Stations from Korean Energy Company

4/28/06. Hydrogenics Corporation (NASDAQ: HYGS)(TSX:HYG) received orders for three FCATS® fuel cell test stations from GS Caltex, a leading Korean energy company. The test stations will be used to advance GS Caltex's activities in new and emerging energy technologies, including small stationary fuel cell applications for residential use. (more)

CMR Fuel Cells Up on Solvay tie

4/20/06. CMR Fuel Cells soared this morning after the firm entered into a non-exclusive joint development collaboration with European chemicals group Solvay. The collaboration will develop porous electrolyte membranes that eliminate bulky, inactive components found in traditional fuel cells such as flow field plates and other balance of plant components. (more)

World Market for Fuel Cells to be $18.6 Billion By 2013

4/4/06. According to a Research and Markets report: The global fuel cell industry is expected to generate more than $18.6 billion in 2013. Fuel cell sales will come from three main market applications: automotive, stationary, and portables. Projected sales could generate nearly $35 billion if market conditions improved for automotive fuel cells. (more)

US Patent Office Approves new Electrical Current

4/4/06. Clear Energy, Inc., a small R&D company in Baltimore, Maryland has been issued a notice of allowance from the US Patent Office for a new electrical current. It has been over 100 years since the last patented electrical current was issued by the US Patent Office. Sully Direct Current (SDC) ™ is described as electrical current that flows for an interval of time in one direction and then in the opposite direction. (more)

Enzyme-based biological fuel cell is built

4/19/06. Oxford University scientists have built an enzyme based biological fuel cell to power electrical devices. The enzymes are isolated from naturally occurring bacteria that have evolved to use hydrogen in their metabolic process. The enzymes are highly selective and tolerant of gases that poison traditional fuel cell catalysts, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide. (more)

Bahrain Should Use Fuel Cells

4/12/06. Dr Shaker Mohamed Haji has written the first paper in Bahrain outlining the practicality of using the technology. In his paper, entitled Refill Your Car at Home, Dr Haji covers the practical benefits and misconceptions of the technology. (more)

UNC Scientists Dramtically Improve PEM Fuel Cell Performance

4/5/06. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that a new material used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells conducts protons almost three times better than current materials. The improved power density means that a smaller fuel cell could generate enough power for a vehicle and because the new material is easy to work with, costs could be brought down. (more)

Power Air Corp. Signs MOU with Mid States Tool and Machine Inc.

3/31/06. Power Air Corporation (OTC: PWAC) signed an MOU with Mid States Tool and Machine Inc. of Decatur, Indiana to identify cost-reduction opportunities and tooling requirements for the manufacture of PAC's exclusive patented Zinc Air Fuel Cell. (more)

Methanol Fuel Cells show promise

3/27/06. Advances in methanol synthesis, coupled with improved fuel cell technology, could make it a viable alternative to gasoline. Methanol is a far better fuel than hydrogen, argues George Olah, a chemist and Nobel laureate, in a new book, Beyond Oil and Gas: The Methanol Economy. (more)

Angstrom Power's Fuel Cell Flashlight

3/15/06. Angstrom Power announced today the release of its A2 micro hydrogen™ fuel cell flashlight. Running on hydrogen fuel stored in the handle and air from the surrounding environment, the 1 Watt LED flashlight delivers a continuous run-time of over 24 hours on a single charge of hydrogen. (more)

BASF, Tekion ink fuel cell chemical deal

3/14/06. Germany’s BASF Group and Canada’s Tekion Inc. have signed a deal for the development of formic acid technology in fuel cells. BASF (Ludwigshafen) is a leading chemical company and the largest producer of formic acid. BASF will develop and test dedicated formic acid formulations for Tekion’s fuel cells. (more)

Cerium Oxide Nanotubes Show Potential as Catalysts and Fuel Cells

3/29/06. Cerium oxide nanotubes have potential applications as catalysts in vehicle emission-control systems and even fuel cells. (more)

Syngas International Signs Agreement With Chilean Clean Energy Pioneer

3/28/06. Syngas International Corp. (OTC BB: SYNI), an emerging leader in the development and production of hydrogen enriched alternative fuels in an environmentally responsible manner, is pleased to announce that Syngas Energy Corp., its wholly owned subsidiary has entered into a Representation Agreement with Ecogestion Ltd. of Santiago, Chile. (more)

American Security Resources Corp. spend more than $500,000 on HydraStax Fuel Cells

3/13/06. American Security Resources Corp. will commit more than $500,000 to its HydraStax(TM) fuel cells by March 31. The HydraStax fuel cell is a proprietary technology that improves the performance of fuel cell membranes. It allows for mass production of fuel cells cheaper than competing technologies with much longer membrane lifespan. (more)

U.S. Army Report Supports Peak Oil

3/13/06. “The days of inexpensive, convenient, abundant energy sources are quickly drawing to a close,” according to a recently released US Army strategic report. The report posits that a peak in global oil production looks likely to be imminent, with wide reaching implications for the US Army and society in general. (more)

Consortium Tackles Fuel Cell Stack Assembly

3/24/06. The Flexible Manufacturing Center has joined forces with the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems to work on the problem of automated assembly of fuel cell stacks. Together, the two partners are also recruiting additional consortium members from both government agencies and private industry as part of a 3-year to reduce stack assembly cost, and improve stack quality and consistency. (more)

Venture Capital in Cleantech funds jumps 60% in 2005

3/9/06. North American venture capitalists invested $502 million in cleantech in the fourth quarter of 2005, up 59.8 percent from the amount invested in the fourth quarter of 2004, according to Cleantech Venture Network, an industry monitor that released the report. That amount represented an 18.1 percent rise over third-quarter investments. (more)

Fuel Cell Market to grow from $1.2 Billion in 2005 to $15.1 Billion in 2015

3/23/06. According to a report from Clean Edge, markets for biofuels, photovoltaics, wind energy and fuel cells in total are poised to expand fourfold in the next decade, growing from $40 bn in global revenues in 2005 to $167 bn by 2015. Fuel cells and distributed hydrogen will grow from $1,2 bn in 2005 to $15,1 bn by 2015, it says. (more)

Former Saudi Oil Minister Sees Hydrogen Future

3/24/06. Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Yamani, the former Saudi oil minister, at a conference for the Centre for Global Energy Studies: ‘‘We have seen the future: The main source of energy will be hydrogen. It will be the end of the oil era.’’ (more)

Methanol Fuel Cell Powers Artificial Muscles

3/20/06. Methanol-powered artificial muscles have been created by researchers aiming to create battery-free robotic limbs and prosthetics. Researchers develop two types of artificial muscles that also act as fuel cells. (more)

Jordan joins world race to develop fuel cell power

3/13/06. A research team from the Centre for Applied Industrial Research successfully tested its first Jordanian-made hydrogen fuel cell last week. Fuel cell research is very important as the country depends almost entirely on imported energy. (more)

Using Natural Products to Build Fuel Cells

Agricultural Research Service scientists have found a way to replace the petroleum used in today's hydrogen fuel cell membranes with naturally occurring products. In biology, membranes surrounding cells routinely conduct hydrogen ions through the cell walls. The scientists have focused their research on bio-based, nonpetroleum membranes made from naturally occurring products to conduct the hydrogen ions moving in and out of fuel cells. (more)

Clean Energy Revenues Soar to $40 Billion in 2005

3/7/06. Markets for biofuels, photovoltaics, wind energy, and fuel cells are poised to expand four-fold in the next decade, growing from $40 billion in global revenues in 2005 to $167 billion by 2015, according to Clean Edge, Inc. The research and publishing firm has issued its annual Clean Energy Trends report since 2002. The free report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com. (more)

DPoint Technologies Signs License Agreement With Ballard Power Systems for Fuel Cell Humidification Technology

3/6/06. DPoint Technologies Inc., a developer of fuel cell humidification products today announced that they have entered into a long-term license agreement with Ballard Power Systems relating to Ballard humidification technology. Under the license agreement, DPoint has the rights to Ballard's humidification patents and humidifier designs. The Ballard technology involves an innovative planar membrane humidifier design and materials that have a significant cost and size advantage over other humidification technologies. (more)

Scientists Develop Charcoal Based Fuel Cell

2/27/06. Michael Antal, lead researcher on the project from the University of Hawaii, says that he has devised a workable fuel cell that does not need especially high temperature in order to work. Using charcoal in what is termed an "aqueous alkali biocarbon fuel cell", Professor Antal told the Honolulu Advertiser he has been able to create a renewable energy source that does not rely on hydrogen. "This is effectively a battery that uses charcoal to make electricity," he said. (more)

Energy Secretary Highlights Hydrogen Fuel Initiative In Western New York

2/24/06. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman highlighted President Bush’s $1.2 billion, five-year commitment to the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative while visiting General Motors Fuel Cell Activities in western New York today. As part of President Bush’s Advanced Energy Initiative, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 budget request for the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative is being increased by $53 million over FY 2006 to $289.5 million. (more)

Chevron Installs Solar and Fuel Cell Power at San Francisco Post Office

2/13/06. The $15 million project, spearheaded by Chevron's 51/2-year-old energy solutions division, is expected to lower electricity costs in the two buildings by $1.2 million annually. Coupled with government rebates and grants, the Postal Service expects to fully recoup its costs within seven years. The two buildings — spanning a combined 1.2 million square feet to handle 7.5 million pieces of mail daily — will draw more energy from solar panels and hydrogen fuel cell technology. The new power sources will reduce pollution by eliminating the discharge of about 6,600 tons of carbon dioxide. (more)

Progress Energy to invest $1 million in firm that develops fuel cells

2/10/06. Electric utility Progress Energy will commit $1 million to Microcell, a Raleigh-based company with 17 employees that is developing fuel cells for residential, automotive and consumer-electronic markets. Microcell is not publically traded, but does have private investors. Interested? investor@microcellcorp.com (more)

New Ballard CEO sees fuel cell industry turnaround

2/24/06. The fuel cell business is heading for a long-awaited turnaround, says John Sheridan, the new chief executive of Ballard Power Systems (Nasdaq: BLDP). "I do see an opportunity on the horizon for a potential turning point for the fuel cell sector, and I really believe that Ballard came make a significant contribution to making that happen - if we deliver." (more)

AIST Develops Low Temp Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

2/17/06. Japan: The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology has developed a micro tubular solid-oxide fuel cell which is operable at low temperatures between 500 and 600°C. Once stacking technology for the micro SOFCs is developed, this micro tubular SOFCs will be widely applied, e.g., to distributed power sources for homes and portable electronic devices, and auxiliary power sources for vehicles.

Scientists develop nano fuel cell

2/22/06. A new technique using nano-scale pieces of copper and platinum wire has enabled scientists to develop a fuel cell just 200 nanometers in width. Rearchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories have devised a fuel cell that they say can function for decades by accessing a hydrogen reservoir. By exploring the nano-composition of platinum and copper wires, Lawrence Berkeley researcher Kenneth Lux said the team had been able to make the breakthrough at the University of Wisconsin. (more)

Agni Inc. will invest 65 million Euros to establish its European manufacturing facility

1/26/06. Agni Inc. will invest 65 million Euros to establish its European manufacturing facility, which will primarily focus on the production of Clean Energy technology equipment, to include Fuel Cells, Fuel Reformers, Hydrogen Power Modules (HyPwr™), Biomass Gasifiers, Pre-processing and Post-processing of Synthetic Gas, Gas to Liquids technology, and applications thereof e.g. Agni’s REAL - hydrogen car, Micro CHP systems - Navitas and Energia and multi MW IFCE (Integrated Fuel Cell Engine) systems. (more)

Frost and Sullivan Awards Microcell Corp.

1/9/06. Microcell Corp. received Frost & Sullivan's Award for Technology Innovation for of its development of an innovative extrusion-based fuel cell technology that has significant potential for use across a wide range of applications such as automotive, stand alone power systems for homes and businesses and portable power applications. "Microcell has proverbially crossed the barriers of cost and process restraints along with facilitating repair and
maintenance." (more)

Progress Energy Investing $1 Million In Alternative Energy

12/21/05. As Progress Energy embarks on an aggressive building campaign to meet growing electricity needs in the Carolinas and Florida, the company is also focused on future energy sources. Progress Energy announced a commitment of $1 million to Microcell Corp., a Raleigh-based company working to bring commercially available fuel cell applications to industrial, commercial and consumer markets. (more)

High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells being developed

12/14/05. Scientists at the Center for Advanced Fuel Cell and Battery Technologies at Georgia Institute of Technology have pinpointed a chemical that allows PEM fuel cells to operate at higher temperatures and with enhanced efficiency. Working with Toyota, Meilin Liu and his colleagues have developed a PEM architecture in which a heterocyclic organic compound called triazole replaces water, yielding a chemistry that they say "opens a new way to practical application of PEM fuel cells". (more)

CTE Announces new funding for Sourthern Fuel Cell Coalition

12/2/05. The federal government has made a significant commitment to fuel cell research. CTE’s Southern Fuel Cell Coalition will share $1.66 million that is included in the 2006 Transportation-Treasury-Housing Appropriation legislation recently passed by Congress and use this funding to initiate five new hydrogen and fuel cell demonstration projects in the southeastern US through 2008. (more)

Fuel Cells will benefit from over burdened grid -- Frost and Sullivan

11/22/05. Fuel cell-based power generation technologies are expected to receive a huge boost due to current transmission networks' inability to handle excess demand, issues of transmission losses and the costs incurred thereby as well as the concern about power quality at the end points. The domestic requirement of additional electric power is likely to touch 1.7 trillion kilowatt hour (kWh) in 2020. This is three times the requirement during 1980 to 2000. It will be a significant challenge for any power utility to accommodate such a large incremental load using only its existing transmission and distribution network. (more)

Mass. establishes Fuel Cell Partnership

11/18/05. Massachusetts officials moved toward promoting hydrogen and fuel cell technology, passing omnibus legislation designed to provide short-term and long-term solutions to rising energy costs. Included is the establishment of the
'Massachusetts Fuel Cell Partnership.' This intends to accelerate the development and deployment of commercially viable fuel cell and related hydrogen production. The partnership calls for growth and development of a fuel cell industry cluster in the Commonwealth. (more)

ECD Ovonics President Awarded The 2005 Innovation Award for Energy and the Environment by The Economist

11/16/05. Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) today announced that Stanford R. Ovshinsky, president, chief scientist and technologist of ECD Ovonics, was awarded the 2005 Innovation Award for Energy and the Environment by The Economist for his pioneering work in and the development of the high- powered NiMH battery technology. The Economist's Innovation Award celebrates the global achievements and innovations of individuals who have positively transformed global business. (more)

India and Korea cooperating on hydrogen and fuel cells

11/25/05. India and Korea have signed a formal agreement to cooperate in hydrogen and fuel cell R&D, including: Hydrogen Storage, Fuel cell for power generation, Evaluation technology of hydrogen and fuel cells, hydrogen safety codes and standards, and fuel cells for transporation. (more)

Coal Fuel Cell has promise

11/14/05. SRI International, a nonprofit research and development organization, presented a carbon-based fuel cell technology Monday at the 2005 Fuel Cell Seminar in Palm Springs, California. Most fuel cells are seen as a potential replacement for batteries but coal-based fuel cells could have broader applications, producing general electricity for utilities. By adding oxygen to carbon in an electrochemical process, the direct carbon fuel cells convert coal into electricity without burning it or turning it into a gas. The method can also use tar, biomass, and organic waste. The result is that twice as much energy can be produced from the same amount of fuel, at 20 to 30 percent lower cost and about half the carbon dioxide emissions. (more)

QuantumSphere to Fundamentally Alter Battery, Fuel Cell Markets

11/10/05. QuantumSphere, Inc., the leading manufacturer of metallic nanopowders for applications in aerospace, defense, energy, electronics and other markets demanding advanced material applications, announced it filed two patents related to the fuel cell and battery industry allowing for customization of nanometallic-additives for increased power and efficiency. (more)

University of Texas researches cheap palladium fuel cell catalyst

11/17/05. UT researchers think palladium could boost fuel cell technology and bring down the costs. "This stuff here has the potential to replace the platinum catalyst in the fuel cells. If it does, we can bring down the costs," UT Professor Mechanical Engineering Arumugam Manthiram, Ph.D., said. It has the potential of revolutionizing fuel cell technology for years to come. (more)

Photovoltaic solar energy conversion can be cost-competitive by 2030

11/17/05. The Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems at the Australian National University will today report to the Greenhouse 2000 Conference in Melbourne that photovoltaic solar energy conversion can be cost-competitive with any low-emission electricity generation technology by 2030. (more)

American Security Resources Corp.forms fuel cell unit

11/1/05. American Security Resources Corp. (ARSC) has closed its acquisition of privately-held Ego Design Inc., a developer of a silicon-based, hydrogen fuel cell technology. Holding company ARSC has also created a wholly owned subsidiary, Hydra Fuel Cell Corp. (Hydra), to develop, manufacture and license the hydrogen fuel cell technology which it acquired in the acquisition of Ego Design. (more)

Ballard looking for new CEO with technology company experience

10/26/05. Ballard Power Systems Inc. is looking for a new chief executive with a technology background to ensure the fuel cell maker meets its development targets, the company's interim chief said Wednesday. John Sheridan said the new boss doesn't have to be an executive with specific fuel cell or automotive experience, but "we're talking about technology experience more broadly." (more)

Beijing Century Fuyuan Fuel Cell Ltd.

10/19/05. China Energy Savings Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: CESV), a leading provider of energy saving products in China, announced today it has signed a Letter of Intent for a PEMFC Project with Beijing Century Fuyuan Fuel Cell Ltd. (more)

Rensselaer Uses Robots to Assemble Fuel Cell Stacks

11/9/05. A new research project at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute aims to tackle the challenge of mass production by using robots to assemble fuel cell stacks. The project was recently supported with a major research equipment award from the Robotics Industries Association. As one of four universities selected in a nationwide competition, Rensselaer will receive three new industrial robot systems to help develop a flexible robotic process to produce fuel cell stacks. (more)

Comprehensive Report on Organizations Involved with Fuel Cells, the Hydrogen Economy and Their Enabling Technologies

Research and Markets has announced the addition of Fuel Cells: The Sourcebook to their offering. More than 3,000 organizations throughout the world are now actively involved in fuel cell development. Recent years have seen technology developers and research organizations joined by mainstream equipment manufacturers, finance companies, energy suppliers and automotive giants, together with a host of component and material specialists. All intend to be in at the start of one of the most exciting of 21st century energy businesses. More than $8bn has now been spent; a further $2-3bn has been firmly committed; and over $10bn conditionally assigned to the task of bringing fuel cells to the marketplace. This is edging ever closer - indeed, for the first time, the industry is now producing more real-world products than patents! (more)

Patent Attorneys Approve ARSC Fuel Cell Acquisition

American Security Resources Corp. (OTCBB:ARSC) announced that it's patent attorney recommended that ARSC complete its fuel cell technology transaction with the privately held firm. ARSC has created a wholly owned subsidiary, Hydra Fuel Cell Corporation, to develop, manufacture and license the exclusive rights to the Hydra hydrogen fuel cell which it is acquiring from EGO Design. ARSC expects to close the transaction this month. (more)

Organic solar cells will help spur viability of alternative energy

10/11/05. Traditional solar panels are made of silicon, which is expensive, brittle and shatters like glass, organic solar cells being developed are made of inexpensive plastic that is flexible, can be wrapped around structures or even applied like paint, said physicist Seamus Curran, head of the nanotechnology laboratory at NMSU. With this group’s research, it may be only four or five years before plastic solar cells are a reality for consumers, Curran added. (more)

Outlook bright for hydrogen biofuel cell

10/25/05. British scientists say simple, cost-effective hydrogen biofuel cells could be developed from electrodes coated with a bacterial enzyme to oxidize hydrogen. Traditional hydrogen fuel cells generate energy through chemical reactions involving oxygen and hydrogen, often using precious metals as catalysts for the reactions. Now University of Oxford scientists say they've developed fuel cells using catalysts from biological organisms, or enzymes. (more)

DOE Expected to Slash Budget for Wind, Geothermal, CSP Solar

9/28/05. Rumors have been circulating among those with an ear to energy issues in Washington, DC, that deep budget cuts are likely in a wide range of renewable energy technologies as the government seeks a way to pay for all its expenditures without increasing revenue.
For starters, an unnamed source in the capitol told RenewableEnergyAccess.com that the advanced hydro turbine program would be eliminated in FY'06. (more)

ARSC Forms Fuel Cell Marketing Corporation

9/28/05. American Security Resources Corporation (OTCBB:ARSC), announced today that its subsidiary, Hydra Fuel Cell Corporation, has formed Hydra Fuel Cell Marketing Corporation to market and license the proprietary Hydra hydrogen fuel cell. The Hydra fuel cell is an energy source with a broad array of commercial and military applications. American Security Resources is acquiring the exclusive marketing and licensing rights to the Hydra fuel cell from privately-held EGO Design, Inc., which holds the patents for the Hydra silicon-based, hydrogen fuel cells. (more)

Ballard Cuts 100 Jobs

9/23/05. In other corporate news, hydrogen fuel cell developer Ballard Power Systems is cutting about 100 jobs in a cost-cutting effort. The Vancouver-based firm said Thursday it is trying to extend the life of its cash resources by reducing annual operating expenses by 12 per cent. Its shares lost 46 cents to $6.43.

EnerFuel Obtains Notice of Allowance From US Patent Office for Proprietary PEM Fuel Cell Control System Design

9/15/05. EnerFuel, Inc., subsidiary of Ener1, Inc. (ENEI) has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office for a new patent for an integrated feedback control system that is designed to improve the safety, reliability and lifetime of Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells. (more)

NASA awards contracts to Infinity Fuel Cells and Advanced Fuel Research

10/06/05. NASA has awarded contracts worth $600,000 each to Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, LLC, Suffield, Ct. for Advanced Product Water Removal and Management of Fuel Cell Systems and Advanced Fuel Research, Inc., East Hartford, Ct. for Modeling, Testing and
Deploying a Multifunctional Radiation Shielding / Hydrogen Storage Unit. (more)

Fuel Cell Sector Revenues Slipped in 2004 - Survey

10/05/05. Revenues for companies trying to develop fuel cells into a viable, environmentally friendly power source slipped last year, according to a survey released Tuesday. The PricewaterhouseCoopers survey of 20 publicly traded firms focused on developing fuel cells and related technology said the sector had a net loss of $465 million in 2004, up from $387 million in 2003. (more)

Proton-Exchange-Membrane Fuel Cell Tested at Glenn

10/05/05. A significant milestone in technology development for space exploration applications will be achieved with the testing of a Proton-Exchange-Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) engineering model power plant. The engineering model is being performance tested in a new state-of-the-art fuel cell test facility at NASA's Glenn Research Center. The facility, capable of testing various fuel cell types of 1 kW to 125 kW power, brings to NASA new and unique capabilities for the evaluation of fuel cells for future missions. (more)

3 fuel-cell firms to launch at University of South Carolina

10/04/05. Three USC startup companies focused on fuel cell research will launch Tuesday during a conference to unveil a long-term strategy for building a hydrogen economy in the state. The companies — Palmetto Fuel Cell Analysis & Design, Palmetto Fuel Cell Technologies, and DEnergy — want to capitalize on USC’s research and kick-start South Carolina’s bid to be a player in an emerging field. (more)

American Security Resources creates manufacturing unit for hydrogen fuel cell

9/20/05. American Security Resources Corp. (OTCBB:ARSC) announced Tuesday that its subsidiary, Hydra Fuel Cell Corp., has formed a manufacturing arm to produce the proprietary Hydra hydrogen fuel cell. Hydra Fuel Cell Manufacturing Corp., will produce a fuel cell with many commercial and military applications. Houston-based American Security Resources is acquiring the exclusive licensing and manufacturing rights to the Hydra fuel cell from privately held EGO Design Inc., which holds the patents for the Hydra silicon-based, hydrogen fuel cells. (more)

ECD Ovonics Subsidiary in Joint Venture in Tianjin, China

9/19/05. Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) (Nasdaq: ENER) today announced that
United Solar Ovonic, its wholly owned subsidiary, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Tianjin Jinneng Investment Company (TJIC) to form a joint venture to establish a 25-megawatt (MW) thin-film triple-junction amorphous silicon photovoltaic module manufacturing operation in Tianjin, the People's Republic of China. (more)

American Security Resources to Acquire Rights to Fuel Cell Technology on Printed Circuit Boards

9/6/05. American Security Resources Corporation (OTCBB:ARSC), announced today that it has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire an interest in EGO Design Inc., a privately-held company that holds patents for silicon-based, hydrogen fuel cells. With the acquisition, ARSC will gain the exclusive right to license and market the technology. (more)

PEM Fuel cell breakthrough enables higher temps

8/25/05. Fuel cells have problematic operating temperatures. Efficient, Ceramic fuel cells operate at around 800 degrees Celsius, way too hot for appliances like cell phones and computers. Polymer fuel cells operate at much lower temperatures but are much fussier about the quality of their fuel and consequently less efficient. A new chemical allows polymer fuel cells to run at moderate temperatures where the quality of the fuel is less critical. This discovery could lead to the widespread use of fuel cells as power sources for a whole raft of devices. (more)

Fuel Cell Robots to provide security in Japan

8/1/05. Robots could soon begin patrolling Japanese offices, shopping malls and banks to keep them safe from intruders. Equipped with a camera and sensors, the "Guardrobo D1," developed by Japanese security firm Sohgo Security Services Co., is designed to patrol along preprogrammed paths and keep an electronic eye out for signs of trouble. (more)

Teledyne Delivers 12 Kilowatt PEM Fuel Cell Power Plant to NASA

8/10/05. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated announced that Teledyne Energy Systems, Inc., delivered a 12 kW Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell power plant to NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The delivery completes Phase II of Teledyne Energy Systems' contract awarded in 2001 to develop a more reliable, powerful, and low maintenance fuel cell power plant for use in future NASA spacecraft. (more)

Fuel Cell Customers to Receive Tax Credit Under New Energy Bill

8/09/05. Plug Power Inc. (Nasdaq: PLUG), a leading provider of clean, reliable on-site energy, announced today the inclusion of a fuel cell tax credit in the Energy Bill signed by President George W. Bush yesterday. The bill includes a 30 percent tax credit up to $1,000 per kilowatt on the purchase of fuel cells used in residential or commercial applications. The tax credit will be available in January 2006 and specifically includes telecommunications carriers among the eligible end users for the tax credit. Additionally, the bill includes an authorization for $3.7 billion for hydrogen and fuel cell research and development. (more)

Saudi Arabia will keep same oil policy under new king

8/1/05. The world's top oil exporter Saudi Arabia will stand by its policy of pumping enough oil to satisfy markets and stabilise prices following the death of King Fahd, a leading Saudi diplomat said on Monday. Crown Prince Abdullah, in charge of Saudi oil since Fahd suffered a stroke in 1995, was swiftly appointed monarch of the world's largest crude exporter, ensuring a smooth transition. (more)

Mr. John Tak Appointed President and CEO of Fuel Cells Canada

7/27/05. Fuel Cells Canada, the national industry association for Canada's hydrogen and fuel cell sector, appointed John Tak as its new President and CEO. Mr. Tak brings extensive experience in the public and private sectors from his work at Magna International, The Asia Pacific Foundation, The BC Trade and Development Corporation and Mitsubishi Canada Limited. Most recently, Mr. Tak has been in charge of all aspects of Mitsubishi Canada's multi-million dollar specialty chemicals business. (more)

Titanium and Nanotubes Improve Fuel Cell Storage Capacity

7/27/05. Researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Turkey's Bilkent University discovered that titanium-crusted carbon nanotubes could meet two key requirements for efficient hydrogen storage: the abilities to latch on to hydrogen molecules in adequate numbers and to relinquish the hydrogen readily when heated. Fuel cell vehicles require a 6 percent minimum storage capacity. The carbon nanotubes, decorated with titanium or other transition metals, can amass a predicted 8 percent of the nanotubes' weight worth of hydrogen. (more)

Green technologies fuelling stock market investments

7/14/05. Stocks in companies producing alternative energy are tempting investors. One technology in particular that is drawing attention is the fuel cell. While this technology is not new, it is seen as the long-term replacement for the internal combustion engine in cars and planes - with General Motors, Ford, and Honda all working on it. The technology can also be made small enough to power laptops and even mobile phones - potentially replacing batteries. "We have invested in several companies involved with the development and manufacture of fuel cells," said Mr Crossley. He particularly highlighted Voller Energy - which manufactures portable fuel cell systems for use as battery chargers and mobile generators. (more)

GlobeTel Announces Cooperative Research Effort on Fuel Cells with Proton Energy Systems

7/13/05. GlobeTel Communications Corp. (AMEX:GTE) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Sanswire Networks, LLC has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Proton Energy Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (Nasdaq:DESC). Pursuant to the agreement, Proton will provide assistance in developing a regenerative fuel cell energy storage system for Sanswire's high altitude Remotely Operated Airship or Stratellite. (more)

Quantum Added to the Russell 2000(R) and Russell 3000(R) Indexes

6/29/05. Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. , a leading designer, manufacturer and integrator of packaged fuel systems and accessories for specialty vehicles and applications including hydrogen fuel cells, hybrids and alternative fuel applications, today announced that the company has been added to the Russell 2000(R) and Russell 3000(R) indexes. The newly reconstituted Russell indexes became effective at the close of the U.S. markets on June 24, 2005. Quantum is one of approximately 31 technology companies added to the index this year. (more)

QuantumSphere, Inc. Appoints Kimberly McGrath, Ph.D. to Director of Fuel Cell Research

7/22/05. Dr. McGrath will work with QuantumSphere's research team to synthesize and characterize a highly optimized catalyst composition for PEM and DMFC fuel cell anode and cathode electrodes using the company"s highly catalytic metallic nanopowders. Dr. McGrath will also tailor catalysts for various cell types and operating temperature regimes and design new fuel cell systems for small, portable applications that will be efficient at room temperature with minimal catalyst loading. The company believes its materials will replace platinum as the catalysts in hydrogen fuel cells. (more)

UTC Power Celebrates Shuttle Launch

7/13/05. As NASA prepares for the historic Space Shuttle Discovery flight, UTC Fuel Cells (UTCFC) is proud to continue its historic role of providing fuel cells that supply all the electrical power for the mission. For four decades, all the U.S. manned space missions have used fuel cell power plants designed, developed and built exclusively by UTC Fuel Cells, a unit of United Technologies Corporation's (NYSE: UTX - News) UTC Power division. (more

Research and Markets to cover Fuel Cell Sector

7/07/06. Research and Markets has announced the addition of Fuel Cell Vehicles -- Revolutionizing Automotive Industry to their offering. The world automotive industry is about to witness a revolution--a revolution that will be ushered in by fuel cell technology. In the future, we will see light and heavy vehicles powered by eco-friendly efficient energy sources. The fuel cell technology is yet to be introduced in the mass market, but it has been predicted that, in the years to come, this technology will be the most significant long-term source of power for petroleum and emission-free, mass-produced light vehicles, as well as some of the heavy vehicles. (more)

Fuel Cell Sector Too Crowded

7/19/05. Canada's biggest fuel cell companies will find it difficult to achieve profitability so long as the sector remains crowded with small players, says Pierre Rivard, chief executive officer of Mississauga-based Hydrogenics Corp. "We believe there is a need for consolidation because right now revenues are not sufficient to sustain that many companies in the fuel cell sector," Mr. Rivard, who runs Canada's second-largest fuel cell company, said in an interview. (more)

ECD Subsidiary, United Solar Ovonic, Achieves Record Product Sales and Production

7/18/05. Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, United Solar Ovonic LLC, has achieved record product sales of approximately $18 million, representing 5.6 megawatts of solar cells for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Production levels reached 2.0 megawatts per month for the months of May and June. (more)

US steps up investment for battery driven vehicles

7/15/05. The US plans to invest $125 million over the next five years to develop new battery driven vehicles as an alternative to petroleum fuel driven ones. This is apart from the $70 million agreement initially signed in May, bringing the total joint investments in vehicle technologies to $195 million over the next five years, the official release said. (more)

Plug Power Shares Fall on Barron's Article

7/06/05. Shares of Plug Power (Nasdaq:PLUG) fell 8.1% to $6.21 tuesday morning after a negative article in Barron's said the company has not yet convinced potential customers that they offer cost savings over conventional lead-acid batteries. Sales of Plug's flagship fuel cell generator, GenCore, have been lagging. Plug says it will take sales of 6,000 to 9,000 GenCore units anually to reach profitability, but doesn't expect to achieve that level soon. Barron's predicts Plug's share price will drop to $4 unless it boosts sales phenomenally and concluded there are cheaper ways to speculate in the fuel cell sector.

DTE to unveil hydrogen energy park

7/15/05. DTE, Michigan's largest power company, has teamed with DaimlerChrysler AG, Lawrence Technological University and BP (formerly British Petroleum) to develop a cutting-edge Hydrogen Power Park, which powers 10 5-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cells, using solar power and the electric grid. The park also contains a hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicle filling station capable of refueling three prototype hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles daily. (more)

Zongshen PEM Power Systems establishes Wholly Owned Chinese Subsidiary

7/05/05. Zongshen PEM Power Systems Inc. (TSX Venture: ZPP) is pleased to announce the foundation of a wholly owned Chinese subsidiary called "Zongshen PEM Chongqing Hydrogen Energy Ltd." The purpose of this new entity is to conduct further, advanced research and development combining integrating facilities
and manufacturing with sales of proton exchange membrane fuel cells and fuel cell stacks for the Asian, North American and European markets. (more)

German Laender powering research into hydrogen and fuel cell technology

7/13/05. In Germany, central government funding of hydrogen and fuel cell technology is provided by the Ministries of Economics, Transport, Research, Environment and Agriculture. By comparison, funding in the USA is centrally managed at Federal level, basically through three Government Departments – Defense, Transport and the Environment. The German Laender saw the need to act, and eight of the sixteen Laender launched initiatives to combine skills and know-how in research and industrial companies. Following the examples of California and of the Region of Vancouver, whole clusters were established on the basis of these seedling projects. (more)

Quantum Fuel 4Q Loss Widens; Revenue Jumps On Acquisition

7/1/05. Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. said its fiscal fourth-quarter loss widened, despite a four-fold increase in revenue, which was driven by the acquisition of Starcraft Corp. Quantum Fuel said its net loss for the quarter ended April 30 widened to $4.4 million, or 10 cents a share, compared with $2 million, or 6 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $37.6 million from $9.1 million in the year-earlier period. Analysts, on average, expected the maker of fuel systems for hydrogen fuel cell and other alternative fuel applications to post a loss of 7 cents a share on $34 million in revenue, according to Thomson First Call. (more)

Ballard sells German unit to stem losses

6/28/05. Ballard Power Systems announced at its annual meeting that it has signed a deal to sell its German subsidiary, but the move didn't save the company from a tough sell to disgruntled shareholders who have lost patience with watching their stock languish. Once the darling of investors, the fuel company traded close to $180 in its heyday, but today it hovers in the single digits and chief executive officer Dennis Campbell was left Thursday trying to a put a positive spin on the pulling out of yet another unsuccessful venture. (more)

The Overall US Hydrogen Market Is Estimated at $798.1 Million in 2005 and Is Expected to Rise to $1,605.3 Million in 2010

6/13/05. This report contains an in-depth survey of hydrogen business in US and European region. The overall US hydrogen market is estimated at $798.1 million in 2005 and is expected to rise to $1,605.3 million in 2010. This report details the current hydrogen industry structure, various hydrogen pathways for hydrogen production, distribution and storage. It covers the R&D activities in Government laboratories, Universities & academic institutions and Private organizations in US. It contains a list of
commercial organizations active in hydrogen technology research in EU and US. This research details market development and scenarios for the next 15 years. (more)

Clean Tech Firms Attract Growing Share of Venture Dollars, Find Out More at 2nd Annual Energy Tech Forum

Hundreds of millions of dollars are
pouring into clean tech investments, and more venture capital firms and strategic investors are investing in startups specializing in areas like
conservation technology and alternative energy. Overall clean tech investment in 2004 totaled $1.209 billion, up 3.4% from the $1.169 billion recorded in 2003, and up 11.4% from the 2002 -- a total of $1.085 billion. The Strategic Research Institute presents the 2nd Annual Energy Tech Conference, June 29-30, in San Francisco to offer expert advice from investors who in the latest clean energy technologies. (more)

AC Transit Is First Public Transport Agency to Join California Climate Registry

AC Transit has joined the California Climate Action Registry. The registry, a nonprofit created by California statute in 2001, enables companies and other organizations to create a baseline for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions. As a registry member, AC Transit will publicly report its greenhouse emissions. It began this pollution-control process by ordering a fleet of gasoline-electric hybrid coaches, and embarking on one of the most comprehensive hydrogen fuel cell demonstration projects in the country. (more)

Pakistan develops fuel cell technology

The Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, or Pinstech, an institute of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission takes the lead in the development of fuel cell technology in Pakistan. The fuel cells are efficient and environment friendly power sources, said PAEC sources. (more)

Contango Capital raises second fund

The new fund has an initial target of $50 million and will seek to provide institutions, corporations and accredited individual investors with access to a diversified portfolio of private investments in nascent sectors including: clean energy technologies such as hydrogen, solar and wind power; portable power and energy storage solutions; and hydrocarbon production and conversion technologies. Contango Capital's first fund, Contango Capital Partners I, focused on the development of hydrogen generation technologies and fuel cell products. With its second fund, Contango Capital is seeking to provide investors with a diversified portfolio of energy technologies that will accelerate the commercialization of new sources of energy and create greater efficiencies in traditional energy production. (more)

Mayors Gather in SF for Environmental Agreement

June 2, 2005- More than 60 big-city mayors from around the world are in San Francisco to sign an agreement on environmental standards-- something the United States and some other national governments could not agree on. The Urban Environmental Accords tackle 21 specific issues, from climate change to waste reduction. The agreement will be signed as part of the UN World Environment Day conference going on all week. (more)

Acta’s breakthrough fuel cell technology wins summit media-chem contract

6/1/05 - Acta proprietary nanotechnology has enabled it to develop a new, unique family of catalysts called HYPERMEC™ catalysts which breakdown the barriers to the commercialisation of the fuel cells for mass market applications. HYPERMEC™ catalysts use low cost materials, work at low temperatures, enable use of cheap, safe and environmentally friendly fuels and solve other technical issues, thereby creating the possibility of producing fuel cells for consumer products. (more)

New Electronic Technology Advances Fuel Cell Development

Researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University developed a highly efficient converter that can boost low DC voltage produced by solid oxide fuel cell stacks to the higher voltage required for conversion to AC for household and commercial applications. The boost is significant because it provides another technological step in reducing the efficiency, size, and cost of fuel cells. The net effect is that fuel consumption, the size of fuel cell systems, and costs are reduced, thereby taking a significant step toward SECA’s goal of 40–60 percent overall fuel cell efficiency at a cost of $400 per kilowatt by 2010. (more)

Ballard Power Systems Announces Significant Advances in Fuel Cell Stack Technology

Ballard Power Systems announces significant progress in three areas crucial to the commercialization of automotive fuel cell stack technology- freeze start capability, durability and cost reduction - without compromising performance. Ballard scientists and engineers have demonstrated a stack design that can start repeatedly from -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F) and operate for more than 2,000 hours at a substantially reduced cost with no performance trade-off. (more

High Power Supercapacitors From Carbon Nanotubes

Supercapacitors that can deliver a strong surge of electrical power could be manufactured from carbon nanotubes using a technique developed by researchers at UC Davis. Supercapacitors are electrical storage devices that can deliver a huge amount of energy in a short time. Hybrid-electric and fuel-cell powered vehicles need such a surge of energy to start, more than can be provided by regular batteries. Supercapacitors are also needed in a wide range of electronic and engineering applications, wherever a large, rapid pulse of energy is required. (more)

Automakers, environmentalists like California's $53 million hydrogen car plan

Automakers and clean-air advocates Thursday introduced an ambitious plan to add 2,000 experimental vehicles to the modest fleet and open dozens of refueling stations from Sacramento to San Diego by the end of the decade. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has embraced the $53.5 million, five-year blueprint, although it is substantially more modest than his aggressive hydrogen highways initiative. (more)

Ballard Power Systems gets US$30M investment from Japanese partner Ebara

Hydrogen fuel-cell company Ballard Power Systems Inc. (TSX:BLD)says it will receive $30 million US from an investment by Japanese partner Ebara Corp. and jointly owned Ebara Ballard Corp. to help finance development of cogeneration fuel-cell stack and system technology. Cogeneration systems are installed directly at consumers' homes and simultaneously generate electricity and hot water. (more)

Schwarzenegger seeks $54 Million for Hydrogen Stations

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will advocate that California invest $54 million in public money to help build a network of up to 100 hydrogen fueling stations statewide within five years, according to new details of his ``Hydrogen Highway'' plan. A team of more than 200 scientists, automakers and environmentalists spent a year drafting the 144-page document, which the governor requested last year, calling hydrogen-powered cars a way to reduce smog, slow global warming and wean the nation from oil. (more)

Siemens Advances Development of Tubular Fuel Cells

Siemens is now targeting the end of the current decade for a market launch of stationary fuel cell systems featuring an output in excess of 100 kilowatts. Fired by natural gas, these small-scale power stations will be suitable for supplying electricity to apartment blocks and small industrial plants. Siemens engineers are currently focusing on the surface geometry of SOFC systems as an area with major potential for further development. (more)

Ballard Power Systems chief says Wall Street's wrong about fuel cells

Ballard Power Systems Inc. is on track to create a hydrogen fuel cell stack for production vehicles in as few as five years - the same time frame as General Motors. CEO Dennis Campbell: "We are going to hit the DOE targets, which are very clear: $30 per kilowatt hour, 5,000 hours of durability and the ability to start up at minus-20 degrees. Once we meet those targets, it will probably be two to four years before we have that powertrain in a car. We'll be ready." (more)

Ballard Power Systems gets US$30M investment from Japanese partner Ebara

Hydrogen fuel-cell company Ballard Power Systems Inc. (TSX:BLD)says it will receive $30 million US from an investment by Japanese partner Ebara Corp. and jointly owned Ebara Ballard Corp. to help finance development of cogeneration fuel-cell stack and system technology. Cogeneration systems are installed directly at consumers' homes and simultaneously generate electricity and hot water. (more)

Universtiy of Tennesee joins race to make fuel cell

5/16/05 - Researchers at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are using a $2.5 million federal grant to create a fuel cell that runs on natural gas and produces electricity and hydrogen. (more)

Taft Announces Extensionj of Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative

Governor Bob Taft today announced a three-year extension of the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative. Created in 2002, the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative is a $103 million program that aims to position Ohio as a national leader in the growing fuel cell industry and help spur economic growth and job creation in Ohio. To date, more than $38 million in Fuel Cell Initiative funds has been awarded to fuel cell projects across the state. The Initiative is an integral part of Governor Taft’s Third Frontier Project, a $1.1 billion job creation program designed to create jobs and bring new products to market. (more)

AEC Announces Completion of $1.5 Million Private Financing

Alternate Energy Corporation (OTCBB:ARGY) announced the completion of a $1.5 million private placement with a group of institutional investors. The financing consists of $1.5 million USD on a convertible note to 5 accredited investors, with warrants to purchase up to another $1.5 million within 90 days of the effective date of a registration statement, to be filed by AEC. The investors will also retain 1,762,570 warrants with an exercise price of $.40 per share, which will provide additional equity upon their exercise. The proceeds will be used for the pre-commercial stage of operations, development of alpha stage units for initial customer prospects, and to support the Company's patent initiatives. (more)

Quantum Adjourns Special Stockholders’ Meeting Until March 3, 2005 to Vote on Merger With StarcraftStarcraft

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. today announced that it adjourned its special meeting of stockholders that took place today in order for Quantum to obtain sufficient votes to reach a quorum. The special meeting had been convened to vote on approval of the merger transaction with Starcraft Corporation . The Quantum special meeting was adjourned and the vote postponed until March 3, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time at its offices at 17872 Cartwright Road, Irvine, California. Starcraft shareholders approved the merger agreement with Quantum. (more)

As gas prices rise, heady days for alt-fuel advocates

5/16/05 -SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Peek under the hood of Ken Wells' pickup and you'll see 24 golf cart batteries stacked where the V6 engine usually sits. The bed of his bright yellow Ford Ranger 4X4 is bridged with solar panels. The truck, modified by the high school physics teacher and his students, is part of a fleet of vehicles powered by the likes of vegetable matter, natural gas and the sun rolling through this resort town this weekend. The cars are converging for the 17th annual Tour de Sol, a competition and car show that brings together green-minded grease monkeys and corporate types interested in creating cars that run cleaner and better than gasoline-only models. (more)

CD Announces $87.8 Million Private Placement of Common Stock

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENER) announced today that it has entered into definitive agreements with investors relating to a private
placement of $87.8 million through the sale of 5,090,000 shares of common stock. The shares of common stock will be issued at a price of $17.25 per share, subject to customary closing conditions. The closing of the private placement is expected to occur on February 15, 2005. (more)

IdaTech Receives CE Certification

BEND, Oregon, January 29 -- IdaTech, fuel cell solutions provider, announced today that it has received CE (European Conformity) certification for its 5-kW natural gas, combined heat and power, proton exchange membrane fuel cell system. This is the first of IdaTech's new line of fuel cell systems named EtaGen(TM). (more)

Platinum supplies sufficient to meet fuel cell demand

A new study commissioned by the US Department of Environment has confirmed there are sufficient supplies and resources in the ground to meet the long-term demand for platinum from all applications, including fuel cells.

Conducted by TIAX, formerly Arthur D Little's Technology & Innovation business, to specifically examine the availability of platinum for use in fuel cells, the report concludes that platinum supplies will not be a barrier to fuel cell commercialisation. (more)

Pacific Fuel Cell Corp. has New Microwave Plasma Enhanced CVD System for Nano-Technology Research

Pacific Fuel Cell Corp. has a new microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system, manufactured by Seki Technotron, www.sekicvdsolutions.com, for nanotechnology research at it's new laboratory at the University of California Riverside Research Park. The system is intended for developing carbon nanotube and other nanostructures for basic research as well as commercial prototyping. (more)

D.C. Reps. Call for Renewable Energy Budget Increases

Sixty-seven Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are calling upon congressional appropriators to significantly increase funding for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE/RE) programs above the Fiscal Year 2006 levels being proposed by the White House. The letter calls for the "restoration of funding to last year's enacted levels for the DOE's EE/RE budget, while supporting the President's recommended levels for wind, fuel cells, and renewably based hydrogen." (more)

Hydrogen Bill Passes Unanimously in Florida House

The Florida Hydrogen Energy Technologies Act (FHETA), the legislative proposal focusing on hydrogen energy technologies and incentives, passed unanimously in the Florida House of Representatives today. With 114 representatives approving the bill, it now awaits approval from the Florida Senate. (more)

Bush Endorses Refineries, Nuclear Plants to Boost Energy Supply

The ``fundamental problem'' facing the U.S. and its power needs is ``our supply of energy is not growing fast enough to meet the demand of our growing economy,'' Bush told a Small Business Administration conference in Washington today. ``It's time for American to start building (Nuclear Power Plants) again,'' he said. In addition, more oil refineries need to be built to handle the demand, including ways to develop such facilities on closed military facilities, he said. Bush endorsed more ethanol use and said the U.S. needs a modern electricity grid, funding for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, use of more coal power and faster reviews of natural gas projects. (more)

Power+Energy Presents Data On High Efficiency Hydrogen Separation Membranes For Fuel Cells

Power + Energy made a joint presentation with the Office of Naval Research and the US Navy Surface Warfare Center at the National Hydrogen Association 2005 meeting in Washington DC. It described progress made on P+E's Phase II SBIR contract to develop a compact, high efficiency sulfur-tolerant 50 kilowatt hydrogen separator for ship-service fuel cell power, noting breakthroughs made in both reduction of separator size and increased separation efficiency. (more)

Hoku Scientific Looks To Sell $57M In Stock

Hoku Scientific announced Thursday it has filed to become a publicly-traded company. Hoku develops fuel cell technology. It is seeking permission to sell $57 million worth of stock to build a manufacturing facility in the Kapolei Business Park, where it can produce fuel cell membranes. The price of the stock to be sold has not been determined. Hoku Scientific's director is Dustin Shindo, of Hilo.

QuestAir announces credit facility from Comerica Bank

QuestAir Technologies Inc. (AIM: QAR; TSX: QAR), a developer and supplier of advanced gas purification systems for refinery, industrial and fuel cell markets, announced securing a US$3 million credit facility from Comerica Bank--a US$1 million accounts receivable credit line and a US$2 million term loan. The credit is for working capitalto expand the sales of its commercial gas purification systems. The term loan is to finance capital investments, including manufacturing equipment required to commercialize the large capacity hydrogen purification system that QuestAir is developing in conjunction with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company. (more)

House OKs energy bill with refuge drilling

The House yesterday passed a bill to reshape the country's production and consumption of energy, by opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling and increasing the amount of renewable energy sources. Republican leaders said a long-term and comprehensive energy policy for the nation is long overdue, and dismissed Democratic opponents who criticized the bill for not doing enough to lower gas prices, increase production of renewable fuel sources and fuel efficiency standards. (more)

Trends in Low Temperature Fuel Cells

The latest developments and innovations were revealed by the industry leaders in a survey commissioned by H2Expo, International Conference and Trade Fair for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies, to be held at the CCH Congress Center Hamburg from 31 August to 1 September 2005. The findings show a trend towards more flexible operating temperatures in low-temperature cells, progress in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells and more economic use of platinum. The increase in operating temperature of PEM cells from the conventional 80°C to between 100°C and 200°C has led to the definition of new categories, with experts now talking about medium-temperature and high-temperature PEM. (more)

Air Products Hydrogen project still delayed

Air Products and Chemicals is still trying to get a $91 million hydrogen demonstration project up and running, almost a year after the U.S. Department of Energy made a high-profile commitment to it, to design a prototype fueling system and build up to two dozen hydrogen stations in California, partnered with Toyota, Honda, Nissan, BMW, ConocoPhillips, researchers at two University of California campuses and a California state agency. (more)

California, New York, Florida spending millions on fuel cells

California, Florida, and New York plan to spend millions of dollars in the next five years to test electric automobiles powered by hydrogen fuel cells and to build a network of hydrogen fueling stations. The goal is for fuel-cell vehicles, which emit little more than water vapor, to someday replace gas-powered cars and trucks. (more)

1st European Fuel Cell Tech & Applications Conference

The conference intends to bring together fuel cell developers, scientists, academics, policy deciders, as well as end-users and industry representatives, giving particular emphasis to operational experiences and applications. The conference will address technical, scientific and market issues related to successfully bring fuel cells to the market. It will be held in the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Rome, Italy, December 14-16, 2005 (more)

Goldman Sachs: Oil could hit $105 a barrel

Goldman Sachs reported that oil may reach $105 per barrel. ``We believe oil markets may have entered the early stages of what we have referred to as a 'super spike'' period. Based on our analysis of gasoline spending and the economy noted above, we estimate that U.S. gasoline prices may need to exceed $4 per gallon.'' Goldman sees the current oil market as much like the 1970's when oil prices spiked after the Arab oil embargo and Iranian revolution. Goldman Sachs is the world's largest trader of energy derivatives. Its Commodities Index is a respected barometer of energy and commodities prices. (more)

Jadoo Power Systems targeting fuel cell market: the evening news

Jadoo Power Systems, based in Folsom, Calif., has developed hydrogen fuel cells for portable, professional video cameras that it claims are cheaper and last longer than conventional batteries. Camera operators also can swap fuel cell cartridges without powering down the camera, said Jadoo CEO Larry Bawden, something that is not possible in all cameras with regular batteries. (more)

PolyFuel Breakthrough Makes High Performance Portable Fuel Cells Easier to Manufacture

PolyFuel announced a new version of its hydrocarbon membrane for portable applications that provides fuel cell manufacturers with performance and significantly greater manufacturing flexibility. This is the first hydrocarbon fuel cell membrane that is a "drop-in" replacement for fluorocarbon membranes such as DuPont's Nafion(R) in existing fuel cell membrane electrode assembly manufacturing processes. (more)

IdaTech Unveils Portable Fuel Cell at Hannover Fair 2005

IdaTech is now taking advanced inquiries for the first test and evaluation units. The portable power
system provides 250 Watt AC and DC current.
The system operates on a methanol-water fuel that can be derived from renewable sources, with an onboard reformer in a compact and lightweight
package that can be hand-carried. The entire system weighs about 9 kg (20 lbs) and is smaller than a small desktop computer. (more)

UK Scientists Meet on Hydrogen Economy

The UK Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium (UK-SHEC), which brings together some of the greatest scientific minds from universities across the country, is meeting at the University of Glamorgan to discuss progress made in the last 12 months. The Consortium, which was established in 2003, is a collaboration between 8 UK Universities, including the University of Glamorgan, and aims to tackle the research issues of production, usage, storage and utilisation of hydrogen. (more)

SDK Develops Molded Carbon/Resin Separator for Fuel Cell

Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) has developed a high-performance molded carbon/resin separator for polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) to be used as a power source for homes, cars and mobile devices. This development is part of the PEFC system project of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which commissioned Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to carry out the project. (more)

Voller Energy buys KAT-Chem Hydrogen Reforming Lab

UK manufacturer of portable PEMFCs Voller Energy (LSE:VLR) bought the German research labortatory of KAT-Chem, a developer of hydrogen reformer technology for £250,000. KAT-Chem was founded by academics from the University of Bremen in 2001 and was a subsidiary of MIR-Chem. The KAT-Chem hydrogen technology will be used in Voller's portable fuel cell systems for use as mobile generators and battery chargers.

MTU abandons the marine fuel cell due to lack of interest

MTU-Friederichshafen has pulled the plug on its two-year research and development programme into fuel cell technology for marine applications.
The backtrack follows extensive market research that suggested to the German engine builder that the marine industry is not yet ready for fuel cell technology. Elsewhere, development of fuel cells for the marine market will continue. In April this year, HDW-Fuel Cell Systems, a subsidiary of German shipbuilder Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, will put into service its fuel cell plant for maritime applications demonstrator. The demonstration plant has been integrated into a 20 ft standard shipping container for easy installation on board ships for testing purposes. (more)

Colorado Finalizes Fuel Cell Research Center Plans

The Colorado Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation selected a proposal for the Colorado Fuel Cell Center . The proposal will be a partnership between the Colorado School of Mines,