fUelCELLS

BULLETIN

www.fuelcellsbulletin.com

ISSN 1464-2859 January

October2015
2010

Pioneering project recycles fuel cell materials

Contents
Contents

NEWS
Pioneering project recycles fuel cell materials
Tokyo plans major Olympics hydrogen boost

1
1

ROAD VEHICLES
Ballard next-gen bus modules in Hamburg trial
Taiwan fuel cell scooter, Malaysias first vehicle

2
2

MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling acquires Nuvera
Positive for Linde MH project at BMW in Leipzig
SFC German order for DMFCs in military vehicles

3
3
4

SMALL STATIONARY
Plug Power ReliOn deal with SouthernLINC
PowerCell turns olive oil toxic waste into power

4
5

LARGE STATIONARY
FuelCell Energy plant for gas pipeline application
AFC Energy on Power-Up project, stack trial

5
6

FUELING
Air Products station for Hyundai Australia FCEV
Hydrogenics stations for California, Scotland
Swedish region Vstra Gtaland hydrogen station
Linde, Sandia partner to expand hydrogen network
Fujitsu hydrogen station data management service

6
7
7
7
8

ENERGY STORAGE
ITM P2G unit for German utility, UK gas deal
DNV GL urges natural gas industry hydrogen ready

8
9

n the UK, a pioneering recycling

process to recover high-value materials
from waste fuel cells has been
developed in a collaborative project
between resource recovery specialist
Axion Consulting, Johnson Matthey Fuel
Cells, and Technical Fibre Products (TFP).
The Recover project, funded by Innovate UK
(formerly the Technology Strategy Board), aims
to establish the technical and economic feasibility
of recovery and reuse of high-value materials from
fuel cell membrane-electrode assemblies. The
ultimate objective is to establish the potential for a
new UK-based global recycling business.
After proving the initial process steps, further
research is now under way to evaluate the
viability for commercial operation, and develop
a take-back system for end-of-life fuel cells.
These might come from forklifts, cellphone base
stations, fuel cell electric vehicles, or in small
portable power packs for electronic devices.
The project involves Axion leading the
development of the primary recycling routes,
TFP leading the recovery and reuse of the
carbon fibres, and JM Fuel Cells leading the
reuse of materials in fuel cells, and the final
recovery and recycling of the precious metals.

In 10 to 15 years time, significant quantities

of fuel cells will reach the end of their lives, and
having the technological capability to recover
their valuable resources will be crucial, says
Axion consulting director Roger Morton.
To make fuel cells more cost-effective, we
need to reduce their whole-life cost and maximise
the value of the resources they contain, such as
platinum, high-value polymers, and carbon fibre,
explains Morton. Recycling them would also
improve resource efficiency and security of supply
for these expensive and critical materials.
Key challenges involve the collection of widely
distributed fuel cells, and the technical hurdles
in materials recovery. For example, a high yield is
essential for platinum, while carbon fibres need
to be separated from other components.
Experimental trials are continuing at Axions labs
in its Salford recycling facility, alongside ongoing
market investigation. An innovative feature of the
project involves design for recycling, so the products
are easier to recycle in the first place.
Axion Consulting: www.axionconsulting.co.uk
Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells: www.jmfuelcells.com
Technical Fibre Products: www.tfpglobal.com
Innovate UK: www.innovateuk.org

Tokyo plans major Olympics hydrogen boost

okyo plans to spend 45.2 billion

(US$384 million) on fuel cell electric
vehicle subsidies and hydrogen refueling
stations for the 2020 Summer Olympics,
according to a Bloomberg report. The
initiative is part of Prime Minister Shinzo
Abes plan to reduce Japanese reliance on
nuclear power, following the catastrophic
incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Power Plant in March 2011.
The city will build 35 hydrogen stations to serve
the growing number of FCEVs on the road in
Japan. Makoto Fujimoto, head of the planning team
at the Tokyo Metropolitan Governments energy
department, says that the city is in negotiations with
Toyota [see also page 5] and Honda to put 6000
hydrogen cars on its roads by 2020.

The metropolitan government plans to

have 100 000 FCEVs, 100 hydrogen buses,
and 80 refueling stations by 2025 [FCB,
December 2014, p5]. FCEV buyers in
Tokyo will be offered 1 million ($8500) in
subsidies, on top of the 2 million provided
by the national government [FCB, August
2014, p11].
More than 80% of the costs of building
hydrogen stations will be subsidised by the
Tokyo government, capping the costs for
operators at 100 million ($850 000), about
the same as building a gasoline station. The
government may cover the costs entirely for
small-business owners, according to Fujimoto.

COMMERCIALISATION
Toyota opens up patents for FCEV collaboration
DOE funds supply chain, manufacturing studies
German VariPrfBZ project on test variability

9
10
10

RESEARCH
Northwestern inks to make SOFCs by 3D printing
Korean direct hydrocarbon SOFC for natural gas

11
11

NEWS FEATURES
Sandia: Underground hydrogen storage
can aid vehicle fueling
FuelCell Energy Solutions completes largest
fuel cell power plant so far in Germany

1213
14

REGULARS
Editorial
News In Brief
Research Trends
Patents
Events Calendar

3
5, 11
15
1619
20

Tokyo Metropolitan Government:

www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH

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1464-2859/10 2015
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NEWS
ROAD VEHICLES
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Fuel Cells Bulletin

Ballard prototype
next-gen bus modules
to begin Hamburg trial

he first two buses powered by the

prototype FCvelocity-HD7 fuel cell
power module from Canadian-based
Ballard Power Systems, have been
presented to Hamburger Hochbahn, the
transit operator for the German city of
Hamburg, as part of an operational trial.
The buses are based on a new articulated
electric bus platform designed by Polish busbuilder Solaris Bus & Coach, incorporating
Ballard hydrogen PEM fuel cell modules as
range-extenders in combination with batteries.
Ballard announced the deal to provide these
next-generation modules to Solaris a year ago
[FCB, February 2014, p2].
The two Solaris buses are part of a trial and
evaluation of alternative drive technologies
being undertaken by the City of Hamburg.
Hamburger Hochbahn will deploy buses
utilising alternative drive technologies along
a single route, to compare the performance
of each technology under the same operating
conditions. Two different fuel cell hybrid bus
designs including the Solaris bus as well as
a Volvo plug-in hybrid bus platform, will be
trialed beginning this month.
The buses participating in the trial were
unveiled in mid-December at the University
of Applied Sciences in Hamburg. The City
of Hamburg has set a goal of eliminating the
purchase of diesel buses by 2020; this trial
is fully funded by the federal government,
confirming the commitment to invest in clean
transportation alternatives.
Ballards current-generation FCvelocity-HD6
fuel cell power module is delivering a high level
of performance in European buses. Adding
these two new articulated buses in Hamburg
means that a total of 42 buses operating
in Europe will be powered by Ballard fuel
cell modules, representing about 80% of all
European fuel cell buses.
The next-generation FCvelocity-HD7
module features a reduced parts count
(including fewer moving parts), an integrated
air compressor and coolant pump, along with
reduced parasitic load. This product will be
commercially available in Q1 of 2015. Last
summer Ballard received a purchase order from
New Flyer Industries in Canada for the first
FCvelocity-HD7 module for a North American
bus manufacturer, scheduled for delivery by
year-end [FCB, August 2014, p2].

Solaris was one of five major European bus

manufacturers that recently signed a joint
Letter of Understanding committing to the
commercialisation and market introduction of
fuel cell electric buses in urban public transport
[FCB, December 2014, p3].
Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com
Solaris Bus & Coach: www.solarisbus.com

Taiwan shows fuel

cell scooter, Malaysia
builds its first vehicle

he National Cheng Kung University

(NCKU) in Taiwan recently unveiled
its first hydrogen fuel cell/hybrid
electric scooter, called Pegasus One,
which completed an initial 80 km
(50 mile) journey. And Malaysia has
launched its first indigenous hydrogen
fuel cell electric vehicle, a golf buggy
designed and produced by the Fuel Cell
Institute at the National University of
Malaysia (UKM).
The Pegasus One scooter, developed by
a research team led by Dr Wei-Hsiang Lai,
professor of aeronautics and astronautics at
NCKU in collaboration with local enterprises,
completed a maiden round-trip drive of more
than 80 km between the Alian District of
Kaohsiung and the Hsinhua District of Tainan.
The Pegasus One has been upgraded from the
original electric scooter to the current hybrid
powertrain, which combines a fuel cell with a
lithium battery. Lai says that the overall vehicle
structure has been revised, especially its power
and monitoring system. Its 3 kW Ballard PEM
fuel cell enhances its range by charging the
battery.
The scooters range is more than 160 km
(100 miles), using hydrogen from two 6.8 litre
high-pressure cylinders (up to 300 bar, 4350
psi) fabricated in carbon fibre reinforced plastic,
which have received safety approval. Lai says
that if the storage pressure can be raised to 700
bar, the scooters range could be extended to
300 km (185 miles).
Meanwhile, the first hydrogen fuel cell
electric vehicle built in Malaysia has been
launched at the National University of Malaysia
(UKM). The golf buggy is powered by a hybrid
PEM fuel cellsupercapacitor powertrain
designed and produced by a team in the Fuel
Cell Process System Engineering Group, led
by Professor Wan Ramli Wan Daud, founding
director and principal research fellow in the
Fuel Cell Institute.

January 2015

NEWS / EDITORIAL
Professor Wan Ramli says that the buggys
motor has a higher energy efficiency than
conventional car engines, at 50% compared
to 30%. It is small, easy to manufacture, and
weighs only 25% of the weight of the replaced
battery while using just 75% of the space.
UKM was mandated by the Malaysian
Education Ministry to lead the project to
develop a zero-emission vehicle using indigenous
fuel cells, with an RM7 million (US$2 million)
grant over three years. Wan Ramli expects that a
fuel cell car prototype will be built by 2016, with
the cooperation of other Malaysian universities
and automotive companies.
Contact: Professor Wei-Hsiang Lai, Department
of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng
Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Tel: +886 6 275 7575
ext. 63694, Email: whlai@mail.ncku.edu.tw,
Web: www.iaa.ncku.edu.tw/default.aspx?&culture=en-us
Or contact: Professor Dr Abu Bakar Muhamad,
Director Fuel Cell Institute, National University
of Malaysia UKM, Bangi Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: +60 3 8911 8030, Email: drab@ukm.edu.my,
Web: www.ukm.my/selfuel/en

MOBILE APPLICATIONS

Hyster-Yale Materials
Handling acquires
Nuvera Fuel Cells

n the US, Hyster-Yale Materials

Handling through its operating
subsidiary NACCO Materials Handling
Group (NMHG) has acquired Nuvera
Fuel Cells. Massachusetts-based Nuvera is
a technology and product development
company focused on PEM fuel cell stacks
and related systems, and onsite hydrogen
production and dispensing systems for
clean energy solutions.
Nuvera offers unique capabilities to
integrate fuel cells with lift trucks based on
its PowerEdge hybrid fuel cell power packs
[FCB, March 2011, p3], and its PowerTap
equipment provides small- and large-scale
hydrogen fuel supply for fuel cell-powered
industrial vehicles [FCB, October 2014, p8].
For several years Hyster-Yale has been
evaluating and investing in a broad range of
alternative power sources for its lift trucks.
Following this acquisition, the company
intends to commercialise Nuveras research and
technology through the rapid integration of this
fuel cell technology across large parts of its lift
truck product range. The company expects to be
able to offer its Hyster and Yale customers an
integrated, factory-fitted fuel cell solution as well
as associated hydrogen generation and delivery

January 2015

capability. It will also offer aftermarket solutions

designed to fit almost any electric powered lift
truck brand in the market today.
While Nuvera technologies have proven
capabilities, the commercialisation of products
that utilise these technologies remains in the
development stage, and the business is expected
to generate significant operating losses over
the next two to three years. The acquisition
was completed for a modest purchase price,
with certain contingency payments to be paid
to the selling shareholders based on future
deployment of certain elements of the acquired
technology. Hyster-Yale expects to expense up
to $4050 million over the next two to three
years for additional R&D to commercialise the
technology and reach breakeven.
Hyster-Yale believes it is the first major lift
truck company to commit to full deployment
of fuel cell motive power and onsite hydrogen
generation and supply solutions for the
materials handling market. The Nuvera
acquisition creates a unique capability to
integrate fuel cells with lift trucks in a
way which optimises the performance and
energy efficiency of the combined system, in
conjunction with the ability to provide full
life-cycle maintenance, service and fueling
requirements, to meet customers needs and
offer a low overall cost of ownership.
Nuvera Fuel Cells, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA.
Tel: +1 617 245 7500, www.nuvera.com
Nuvera Fuel Cells Europe, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
Tel: +39 02 5161 6701.
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling: www.hyster-yale.com

Positive results so far

for Linde MH project
at BMW in Leipzig

n Germany, Linde Material Handling

(Linde MH) has reported positive
interim conclusions regarding its
H2IntraDrive intralogistics project
for the BMW manufacturing plant in
Leipzig, which a year ago took delivery
of four tugger trains and five forklift
trucks powered by fuel cell hybrid
drivetrains [FCB, January 2014, p3].
Based on experience gained in the last few
months, effective technical adaptations have
already been made which improved truck
reliability. This trend is confirmed by ongoing
evaluations by the Institute for Materials
Handling, Material Flow, Logistics (FML) at
the Technical University of Munich, which
is providing scientific support. The project
participants were awarded a E2.9 million

EDITORIAL

lympic Games have been a mixed

blessing for the hydrogen and fuel cell
sector, so we hope that Tokyo benefits in the
long term from its plans to significantly boost
the rollout of fuel cell electric vehicles and
hydrogen refueling for its hosting of the 2020
Summer Olympics [see page 1].
Tokyo plans to spend US$384 million on
FCEV subsidies and hydrogen refueling stations
in preparation for the 2020 Olympics. The city
will build 35 hydrogen stations, with more than
80% of the construction costs subsidised by
the Tokyo metropolitan government. It is also
talking to Toyota and Honda about putting
6000 hydrogen cars on its roads by 2020. And
looking even further ahead, Tokyo plans to have
100 000 FCEVs, 100 hydrogen buses, and 80
hydrogen stations by 2025.
During the 2012 Summer Olympic and
Paralympic Games, London used five fuel
cell hybrid London taxis to transport visiting
dignitaries and VIP guests. Hydrogen fueling
was a problem, as the taxis initially had to be
transported to Swindon for refueling, before a
more convenient hydrogen station was opened
at Heathrow Airport [FCB, August 2012,
p7]. Unfortunately, prior planning restrictions
meant that Londons fleet of five fuel cell hybrid
buses had to be taken out of service for the
duration of the Games, and security restrictions
closed the existing hydrogen station close to the
Olympic Park.
The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver,
Canada also provided an excellent opportunity
to showcase its local fuel cell credentials. BC
Transit operated 20 fuel cell buses, powered by
modules supplied by Ballard Power Systems,
along with a network of hydrogen stations
[FCB, February 2010, p7]. However, four years
later the bus demonstration project came to
the end of its funding, and now the buses are
parked at the Whistler Transit facility, awaiting
their fate [FCB, June 2014, p2].
The 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China
saw 20 fuel cell cars providing transportation
services for VIPs, officials, and media staff.
The cars were manufactured by the Shanghai
Volkswagen Automotive Company joint
venture, and powered by fuel cell engines
designed and developed in China.
We havent heard much yet about the fuel
cell aspirations of Rio de Janeiro, ahead of
the 2016 Summer Olympics, but Brazil has
an established fuel cell bus programme [FCB,
February 2012, p3], so hopefully this will
make more headlines nearer the time.
But not all hosts have used the opportunity to
highlight their indigenous fuel cell or hydrogen
energy activities there was no mention of these
technologies at the 2014 Winter Olympics in
Sochi, Russia, for example.

Steve Barrett

Fuel Cells Bulletin

NEWS
(US$3.4 million) grant in 2013 under the
German National Innovation Programme
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP)
[FCB, November 2013, p3].
The industrial trucks with fuel-cell hybrid
drives used for parts supply in the body shop
of the BMW plant in Leipzig assume the
same transport tasks as their lead-acid battery
counterparts in other parts of the plant,
explains Hannes Schbel, product manager for
innovative drives at Linde MH.
The Linde E25 HL and Linde E35 HL
trucks used in Leipzig with load capacities
of 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, respectively feature a
newly developed 80 V fuel cell system, says
Mark Hanke, head of the companys industrial
truck design department. Since the beginning
of the project, we have made gradual truck
optimisations with regard to the forklift trucks.
This has included, for example, updates to the
internal software of the fuel cell systems.
We continually analysed a variety of aspects,
including individual event messages and service
reports. In doing so and in conjunction with
maintenance costs we were able to determine
the technical availability of the truck, explains
Robert Micheli at Institute FML. Together
with the evaluation of the handling steps over
time during hydrogen refueling, the operational
availability of the industrial truck emerged.
Micheli continues: With the experience gained
from the project, we at the Institute for Materials
Handling, Material Flow, Logistics together
with our project partners have also developed
guidelines for use of the hydrogen-powered
industrial trucks, to help future users when it
comes to acquisition and operation, including the
required infrastructure and licences.
The project which runs to April 2016
has also resonated well with other interested
parties in Leipzig. Lots of customers have been
asking us about these trucks, and many would
like to see them in action at the BMW plant
in Leipzig, says Hannes Schbel. We will
soon be delivering three more fuel cell powered
industrial trucks to customers in the automotive
and logistics industries [see the feature on fuel
cell powered forklifts in FCB, September 2010].
Linde MH also participated in the E-LOGBiofleet project in Austria, in which 10 fuel
cell hybrid pallet trucks operated with logistics
company DB Schenker until May 2014, along
with an indoor refueling facility using hydrogen
reformed onsite from biogas [FCB, August
2013, p2].
Linde Material Handling: www.linde-mh.com
BMW Werk Leipzig: http://tinyurl.com/bmw-leipzig
TU Mnchen, Institute for Materials Handling,
Material Flow, Logistics:
www.fml.mw.tum.de/fml/index.php?Set_ID=323

Fuel Cells Bulletin

Linde Industrial Gases, Hydrogen Energy:

http://tinyurl.com/linde-h2-energy

SFC German order to

investigate DMFC use
in military vehicles

in the oil & gas [FCB, July 2014, p4], security

and industry [FCB, May 2014, p3], military
[FCB, April 2014, p7], and consumer markets
such as motorhomes and sailboats [FCB, May
2013, p3].
SFC Energy Group, Brunnthal/Munich, Germany.
Tel: +49 89 673 5920,
www.sfc.com or www.sfc-defense.com

unich-based SFC Energy has

received a study order from the
German Bundeswehr armed forces, to
investigate the application of a 500 W
direct methanol fuel cell for powering
electrical and electronic devices
onboard military vehicles. Under the
order, worth E0.5 million (US$590 000),
SFC will look to adapt its commercial
500 W unit.
High-performance modern defence systems
have significantly increased power needs.
Conventional energy solutions are limited:
batteries onboard vehicles provide power
for only a few hours, are heavy and take up
valuable space, while diesel generators require
maintenance and produce detectable signatures.
The German Bundeswehr has mandated SFC
Energy to analyse the applications of a 0.5 kW
fuel cell as a power source onboard armoured
vehicles, building on the success of the Emily
fuel cell. Emily which has a NATO supply
number was approved by the Bundeswehr
in 2012 [FCB, April 2012, p6]. The following
year SFC launched the replacement Emily 3000
generator for vehicle-based military applications
[FCB, June 2013, p4]. The new 0.5 kW fuel cell
will offer more power than Emily, opening up
new capacities and applications, e.g. in mobile
command posts or as a stationary field charger.
The use of fuel cells onboard military vehicles
offers decisive advantages. They are directly
connected to the battery, eliminating the need
for mounting and dismantling noisy, heavy
diesel generators. In operation they produce
no easily detected emissions and have a very
low acoustic signature, and enable significant
weight and fuel savings. The methanol fuel for
a DMFC also carries a NATO supply number,
and is approved by the German Bundeswehr
and available at its depots.
SFC Energy has been a reliable German
Bundeswehr supplier of portable and mobile
power supplies for many years, says CEO
Dr Peter Podesser. The study enables us to
serve additional applications with our proven
technology, and to further increase power
performance.
SFC Energy is a leading provider of hybrid
solutions to the stationary and portable power
markets [see the SFC feature in FCB, January
2013]. Its products serve a range of applications

SMALL STATIONARY

Plug Power multi-year

ReliOn fuel cell deal
with SouthernLINC

n the US, Plug Power has executed

a multi-year contract with
SouthernLINC Wireless, a subsidiary
of Atlanta-based Southern Company,
for its ReliOn integrated fuel cell
telecom backup power solution and
GenFuel hydrogen services. The ReliOn
product was successfully demonstrated
with Southern Company prior to the
contract award.
Under the $20 million programme, Plug
Power will provide ReliOn integrated backup
power fuel cell solutions to SouthernLINC
Wireless for use in its network, which supports
Southern Companys communication needs and
provides a wireless communications network for
4.4 million customers in the southeastern US.
SouthernLINC Wireless anticipates
deploying up to 500 new LTE (4G) sites
utilising the Plug Power ReliOn integrated
solution, comprising PEM fuel cell systems
and bulk refillable hydrogen storage, DC plant
rectifiers and distribution, battery technology
and space for radio equipment, in an
environmentally hardened outdoor cabinet.
Plug Powers hydrogen fuel cell-based backup
power system, branded as ReliOn [FCB,
December 2014, p6], supplements batteries
and replaces generators used for backup power
applications. The integrated system functions
as a communications equipment shelter and
a highly reliable, clean, cost-effective grid and
backup power system for 24/7 operations. The
system enables rapid deployment in a fraction
of the footprint required by previous solutions,
and at a lower total cost of ownership.
Plug Powers GenKey solution provides an allinclusive package for customers [FCB, January
2014, p1], incorporating GenFuel hydrogen
and fueling infrastructure, GenCare aftermarket
service, and either GenDrive or ReliOn fuel cell
systems. GenDrive replaces lead-acid batteries in
electric lift trucks in high-throughput materials

January 2015

NEWS / IN BRIEF
handling applications, with more than 6000
units deployed [see the Plug Power feature in
FCB, December 2011]. ReliOn is Plug Powers
modular, scalable fuel cell for critical stationary
power applications, with installations at more
than 2000 customer locations [see the ReliOn
feature in FCB, March 2014].
Plug Power, Latham, New York, USA.
Tel: +1 518 782 7700, www.plugpower.com
ReliOn a Plug Power company, Spokane, Washington,
USA. Tel: 1 877 474 1993 (tollfree in US) or
+1 509 228 6500, Email: ReliOnSales@plugpower.com,
Web: www.relion-inc.com

PowerCell turns toxic

waste from olive oil
production into power

ordic fuel cell developer PowerCell

Sweden is coordinating the
EU-funded Biogas2PEMFC project, to
develop technology to convert toxic
waste from olive oil production into
electricity. Working with partners from
Spain, Greece, Sweden and the UK, a
complete pilot plant has been built in
Andalusia, Spain.
The waste from olive oil production is
environmentally harmful and costly to dispose
of. It contains pesticides and toxic organic
compounds, and is acidic and has high salinity.
Currently the waste is turned to landfill, but
this is very costly, and is becoming a major
environmental problem.
The two-year Biogas2PEMFC project, which
concluded at the end of October, has developed
a technology to convert waste from olive oil
production into electricity. A three-part subsystem
was developed: the primary step is an anaerobic
digestion reaction to produce biogas from the
waste, in the second step a steam reformer
converts the biogas to a hydrogen-rich gas
(reformate), and finally a PEM fuel cell system
generates electric power from the reformate gas.
The complete final-stage plant has been
built, and is being tested by the Cooperativa
San Isidro de Loja. The solution converts the
toxic waste into electricity and heat that can be
used by the olive mill. The plant includes the
reprocessing of waste from olive oil production,
biogas production from waste, reforming of
biogas, as well as a fuel cell power generation
system from reformate gas.
This solution has a very high potential. It is
estimated that up to 30 million cubic metres
of wastewater is produced annually, during
a three- to four-month period, on an olive
oil plant, water that can be used in biogas
production, says project coordinator Per

January 2015

Ekdunge, VP and CTO of PowerCell Sweden.

The technology developed in this project can
also be used with other agricultural waste.
The Biogas2PEMFC project partners
are PowerCell and the Royal Institute of
Technology (KTH) in Sweden; modeling
and design specialist IDENER, LEITAT
Technological Center, renewable energy
company Ingenostrum, and the Andalusian
Federation of Agrarian Cooperatives (FAECA)
in Spain; fuel processor developer Helbio in
Greece; and anaerobic digestion specialist
Marches Biogas in the UK. The project has
been supported within the European Unions
SP4 Capacities programme.
In other news, PowerCell Sweden has raised
SEK108 million (US$13.4 million) in new
capital, from more than 2300 new shareholders,
in a new share issue for the companys planned
listing on First North at NASDAQ Stockholm.
PowerCell a spinout from the Volvo Group
has designed a PEM fuel cell for automotive,
transportation [see page 7] and stationary
applications, initially adapted for telecom power.
The company recently won funding to develop a
PEM fuel cell range-extender for electric vehicles,
and to develop its next-generation PowerPac
auxiliary power unit [FCB, November 2014, p4].
It is also expanding its business operations and
presence into Asia, setting up PowerCell Korea
in Seoul [FCB, December 2014, p10].
PowerCell Sweden AB, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Tel: +46 31 720 3620, www.powercell.se
Biogas2PEMFC project:
www.idener.es/?portfolio=biogas2pem-fc

IN BRIEF
Toyota to triple Mirai production capacity
as orders reach 1500 in Japan
Toyota will invest about 20 billion (US$170
million) to triple domestic production capacity
for its new Mirai fuel cell car [http://tinyurl.
com/toyota-fcevs], which is attracting strong
demand in both the corporate and public
sectors.
Ahead of the cars launch in Japan on 15
December, Toyota announced plans to sell
approximately 400 units in Japan by the end of
2015 [FCB, November 2014, p1]. But in the
first month since the launch, approximately
1500 orders have been received for the fuel
cell saloon. About 60% of the orders are from
government offices and corporate fleets, and
40% from individual consumers. The orders
are mostly from Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture,
Aichi Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture,
where there is a nascent hydrogen refueling
infrastructure.
The large volume of orders received mean
that Toyota is forecasting significantly longer
delivery times than originally expected. The
automaker will ramp up output of PEM fuel
cell stacks and hydrogen storage tanks at its
main factory in Aichi Prefecture, adding two
lines by the end of 2015. Equipment will also
be upgraded at another Aichi site that handles
vehicle assembly.
Exports to Europe and the US are also
expected to begin this summer. In Europe the
plan is to be selling 50100 cars per annum by
2016, while it aims to sell a total of 3000 cars
in the US by the end of 2017.

IDENER: www.idener.es
Helbio: www.helbio.com
Marches Biogas: www.marchesbiogas.com

LARGE STATIONARY

FuelCell Energy sells

power plant for gas
pipeline application

S-based energy utility UIL Holdings

Corporation and FuelCell Energy
will install a power generation facility
that takes advantage of unspent energy
at a natural gas pressure-reduction
facility in Glastonbury, Connecticut.
The new 3.4 MW Direct FuelCell-Energy
Recovery Generator (DFC-ERG) plant will be
manufactured and installed by FuelCell Energy
at a gate station owned by UIL subsidiary
Connecticut Natural Gas, where natural gas is
converted from high to low pressure.

Fuel cell inventor Grove in plaque honour

Sir William Grove, who invented the fuel
cell more than 170 years ago, has been
honoured in his home city of Swansea in
south Wales, with the unveiling of a blue
plaque. William Robert Grove was born in
Swansea in 1811. He demonstrated the first
fuel cell in 1842, which produced electrical
energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen.
He died in 1896.
Professors John Tucker and David Lovering
of Swansea University, and Professor David
Hart of Imperial College London, gave
speeches at the unveiling. The plaque is outside
the divisional police headquarters on Grove
Place, marking the spot where Grove lived
in a house called The Laurels during his time
in Swansea. A blue plaque commemorates a
link between a location and a famous person
or event.
Grove is also honoured through the Grove
Fuel Cell Symposium, first held in 1989 in
London to mark the 150th anniversary of his
description of the gas voltaic battery.

Fuel Cells Bulletin

NEWS / IN BRIEF
handling applications, with more than 6000
units deployed [see the Plug Power feature in
FCB, December 2011]. ReliOn is Plug Powers
modular, scalable fuel cell for critical stationary
power applications, with installations at more
than 2000 customer locations [see the ReliOn
feature in FCB, March 2014].
Plug Power, Latham, New York, USA.
Tel: +1 518 782 7700, www.plugpower.com
ReliOn a Plug Power company, Spokane, Washington,
USA. Tel: 1 877 474 1993 (tollfree in US) or
+1 509 228 6500, Email: ReliOnSales@plugpower.com,
Web: www.relion-inc.com

PowerCell turns toxic

waste from olive oil
production into power

ordic fuel cell developer PowerCell

Sweden is coordinating the
EU-funded Biogas2PEMFC project, to
develop technology to convert toxic
waste from olive oil production into
electricity. Working with partners from
Spain, Greece, Sweden and the UK, a
complete pilot plant has been built in
Andalusia, Spain.
The waste from olive oil production is
environmentally harmful and costly to dispose
of. It contains pesticides and toxic organic
compounds, and is acidic and has high salinity.
Currently the waste is turned to landfill, but
this is very costly, and is becoming a major
environmental problem.
The two-year Biogas2PEMFC project, which
concluded at the end of October, has developed
a technology to convert waste from olive oil
production into electricity. A three-part subsystem
was developed: the primary step is an anaerobic
digestion reaction to produce biogas from the
waste, in the second step a steam reformer
converts the biogas to a hydrogen-rich gas
(reformate), and finally a PEM fuel cell system
generates electric power from the reformate gas.
The complete final-stage plant has been
built, and is being tested by the Cooperativa
San Isidro de Loja. The solution converts the
toxic waste into electricity and heat that can be
used by the olive mill. The plant includes the
reprocessing of waste from olive oil production,
biogas production from waste, reforming of
biogas, as well as a fuel cell power generation
system from reformate gas.
This solution has a very high potential. It is
estimated that up to 30 million cubic metres
of wastewater is produced annually, during
a three- to four-month period, on an olive
oil plant, water that can be used in biogas
production, says project coordinator Per

January 2015

Ekdunge, VP and CTO of PowerCell Sweden.

The technology developed in this project can
also be used with other agricultural waste.
The Biogas2PEMFC project partners
are PowerCell and the Royal Institute of
Technology (KTH) in Sweden; modeling
and design specialist IDENER, LEITAT
Technological Center, renewable energy
company Ingenostrum, and the Andalusian
Federation of Agrarian Cooperatives (FAECA)
in Spain; fuel processor developer Helbio in
Greece; and anaerobic digestion specialist
Marches Biogas in the UK. The project has
been supported within the European Unions
SP4 Capacities programme.
In other news, PowerCell Sweden has raised
SEK108 million (US$13.4 million) in new
capital, from more than 2300 new shareholders,
in a new share issue for the companys planned
listing on First North at NASDAQ Stockholm.
PowerCell a spinout from the Volvo Group
has designed a PEM fuel cell for automotive,
transportation [see page 7] and stationary
applications, initially adapted for telecom power.
The company recently won funding to develop a
PEM fuel cell range-extender for electric vehicles,
and to develop its next-generation PowerPac
auxiliary power unit [FCB, November 2014, p4].
It is also expanding its business operations and
presence into Asia, setting up PowerCell Korea
in Seoul [FCB, December 2014, p10].
PowerCell Sweden AB, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Tel: +46 31 720 3620, www.powercell.se
Biogas2PEMFC project:
www.idener.es/?portfolio=biogas2pem-fc

IN BRIEF
Toyota to triple Mirai production capacity
as orders reach 1500 in Japan
Toyota will invest about 20 billion (US$170
million) to triple domestic production capacity
for its new Mirai fuel cell car [http://tinyurl.
com/toyota-fcevs], which is attracting strong
demand in both the corporate and public
sectors.
Ahead of the cars launch in Japan on 15
December, Toyota announced plans to sell
approximately 400 units in Japan by the end of
2015 [FCB, November 2014, p1]. But in the
first month since the launch, approximately
1500 orders have been received for the fuel
cell saloon. About 60% of the orders are from
government offices and corporate fleets, and
40% from individual consumers. The orders
are mostly from Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture,
Aichi Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture,
where there is a nascent hydrogen refueling
infrastructure.
The large volume of orders received mean
that Toyota is forecasting significantly longer
delivery times than originally expected. The
automaker will ramp up output of PEM fuel
cell stacks and hydrogen storage tanks at its
main factory in Aichi Prefecture, adding two
lines by the end of 2015. Equipment will also
be upgraded at another Aichi site that handles
vehicle assembly.
Exports to Europe and the US are also
expected to begin this summer. In Europe the
plan is to be selling 50100 cars per annum by
2016, while it aims to sell a total of 3000 cars
in the US by the end of 2017.

IDENER: www.idener.es
Helbio: www.helbio.com
Marches Biogas: www.marchesbiogas.com

LARGE STATIONARY

FuelCell Energy sells

power plant for gas
pipeline application

S-based energy utility UIL Holdings

Corporation and FuelCell Energy
will install a power generation facility
that takes advantage of unspent energy
at a natural gas pressure-reduction
facility in Glastonbury, Connecticut.
The new 3.4 MW Direct FuelCell-Energy
Recovery Generator (DFC-ERG) plant will be
manufactured and installed by FuelCell Energy
at a gate station owned by UIL subsidiary
Connecticut Natural Gas, where natural gas is
converted from high to low pressure.

Fuel cell inventor Grove in plaque honour

Sir William Grove, who invented the fuel
cell more than 170 years ago, has been
honoured in his home city of Swansea in
south Wales, with the unveiling of a blue
plaque. William Robert Grove was born in
Swansea in 1811. He demonstrated the first
fuel cell in 1842, which produced electrical
energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen.
He died in 1896.
Professors John Tucker and David Lovering
of Swansea University, and Professor David
Hart of Imperial College London, gave
speeches at the unveiling. The plaque is outside
the divisional police headquarters on Grove
Place, marking the spot where Grove lived
in a house called The Laurels during his time
in Swansea. A blue plaque commemorates a
link between a location and a famous person
or event.
Grove is also honoured through the Grove
Fuel Cell Symposium, first held in 1989 in
London to mark the 150th anniversary of his
description of the gas voltaic battery.

Fuel Cells Bulletin

NEWS
The facility will include a 2.8 MW
DFC3000 molten carbonate fuel cell power
plant, accompanied by a turbo expander that
produces an additional 600 kW of clean,
renewable power by harnessing energy that is
otherwise unused during the stations natural
gas pressure-reduction (letdown) process. The
turbo expander uses this energy to spin a turbine
and generate electricity. Heat from the fuel cell
will support this process, improving the stations
carbon footprint and enhancing the project
economics. [See also the News Feature on page 14.]
UIL purchased the power plant through
subsidiary UIL Distributed Resources. FCE
will manufacture and install the plant and then
remotely operate it, providing maintenance
under a long-term service agreement. It expects
to begin producing power by the end of 2015,
with the electricity sold to Connecticut Light &
Power under a 20-year contract.
This DFC-ERG configuration achieves its high
electrical efficiencies by combining highly efficient
fuel cells with the turbo expander that uses
energy that would otherwise have been wasted
and has no associated fuel cost, explains Tony
Leo, VP of applications and advanced technology
development at FuelCell Energy. Depending
on the specific gas flows and application, the
DFC-ERG configuration is capable of achieving
electrical efficiencies up to 70%, which is almost
double the fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiency
of the US electric grid.
Natural gas is transmitted under high pressure,
and the pressure must be reduced prior to
distribution to homes and businesses. The DFCERG solution uses the energy released by the
letdown stations pressure-reduction process to
turn a turbine and generate electricity. Letdown
stations are located near the points-of-use for
natural gas, and a city will typically have several
stations within the urban area and suburbs.
Canadian utility Enbridge inaugurated the
first 2.2 MW Direct FuelCell-Energy Recovery
Generation power plant back in 2008,
developed in partnership with FuelCell Energy
[FCB, December 2008, p5].
FuelCell Energy, Danbury, Connecticut, USA.
Tel: +1 203 825 6000, www.fuelcellenergy.com
UIL Holdings Corporation: www.uil.com
Connecticut Light and Power: www.cl-p.com

AFC Energy updates

on Power-Up project,
25-cell stack trial

K-based AFC Energy has provided

a status update on the Power-Up
project, which will demonstrate the
6

Fuel Cells Bulletin

worlds largest alkaline fuel cell system

at the Air Products industrial gas
plant in Stade, Germany. AFC has also
reported on the latest trial of its 25-cell
cartridge at its Dunsfold facility.
Power-Up, supported by the European
Commissions Fuel Cells and Hydrogen
Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), provides an
opportunity for AFC to demonstrate the
ability of its KORE system to achieve technical
performance parameters reflective of an
operational commercial facility. The project will
be the worlds first large-scale demonstration of
an alkaline system [FCB, November 2013, p6
and September 2014, p6].
Phase 1 anticipates first power generation
from the KORE system at Stade in July, and
commercial demonstration of the KORE at its
full design specification (expected to be 240
kW) is being brought forward by 18 months,
to the end of 2015. This will be achieved by
concentrating on achieving maximum fuel cell
output. In parallel, AFC will further refine
its fuel cell technology such that once KORE
design validation is achieved, the KORE will
be operated with fuel cells designed to achieve
high power and increased longevity [FCB,
January 2014, p6]. Rapid deployment of the
companys in-line volume fuel cell fabrication
processes will enable it to produce more fuel
cells in 2015 than originally anticipated.
AFC has also executed a contract with
Artelia, a leading European engineering,
consulting and project management firm, and
their subcontractor PlantIng, a German process
engineering consultancy, to undertake all onsite
engineering and design works in Stade. This is
under way, and due to conclude with a facility
capable of accepting the KORE in May (subject
to permitting).
Meanwhile, AFCs latest in-house 25-cell
stack trial outperformed both of the earlier
trials, with a total performance improvement
of 10.8% in electrical output relative to the
first trial. AFC has accelerated the initial warmup process by applying external heat sources
to establish and maintain optimum fuel cell
operating temperature. The ability to quickly
achieve the necessary heat solely through
fuel cell reactions, as envisaged in the KORE
system, will reduce system capital cost and
improve overall system efficiency. For the first
time, the latest trial was started with a selfheating strategy. The positive results will allow
AFC to fix the electrode design and chemistry
ahead of the KORE system commissioning
planned for mid-2015.
In other news, Ian Williamson has resigned
as CEO, and has been replaced by Adam Bond,
a non-executive director since May 2012 [FCB,
October 2011, p9]. Bond joins from Linc

Energy, where he led the commercialisation of

its underground coal gasification technology
[FCB, January 2010, p5]. In addition, Gene
Lewis is leaving the AFC main board, although
he remains as technical director and continues
to lead the companys R&D work [see the AFC
Energy feature in FCB, November 2011].
AFC Energy, Cranleigh, Surrey, UK.
Tel: +44 1483 276726, www.afcenergy.com
Power-Up project: www.project-power-up.eu
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking:
www.fch-ju.eu

FUELING

Air Products hydrogen

station for Hyundai, to
fuel first Australia FCEV

S-based Air Products has sold a

hydrogen fueling station to Hyundai
Motor Company Australia (HMCA),
initially to refuel a Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell
car the first hydrogen-powered vehicle
to be imported into Australia. The
station, at HMCAs offices near Sydney,
was commissioned in early December,
just as the ix35 arrived to demonstrate
the benefits of zero-emission hydrogen
FCEV technology in Australia.
Hyundai has installed Australias first
hydrogen refueling station at its Macquarie
Park headquarters, using hydrogen provided by
gas partner Coregas. The Air Products station
has passed all planning permissions from Ryde
Council, and is expected to be fully operational
early in 2015 after testing was completed
during December.
Air Products SmartFuel hydrogen fueling
stations are proven, stand-alone compression,
storage, and dispensing units that have been
placed into operation in more than 21 countries
as a standard product offering [see the feature on
Air Products in Europe in FCB, February 2013].
The station will use compressed hydrogen
supplied in bottled form by Coregas, with the
hydrogen produced by natural gas reformation
at Port Kembla.
The refueler for HMCA is a small 350 bar
(5000 psi) compressor, offering a refill time of 37
min. Refueling at 350 bar rather than the de facto
standard of 700 bar means the vehicle will have
a reduced range of approximately 300 km (190
miles), still ample to demonstrate its capabilities.
HMCA plans to build an electrolyser in
partnership with Australian company Sefca at
its Macquarie Park site in 2015, and install a
solar photovoltaic array to power both it and

January 2015

NEWS
the refueler. This will make its station fully selfsustainable, with hydrogen made onsite. (Sefca
is the Australian distributor for Actas telecom
backup power systems [FCB, August 2014, p3],
although that might be affected by the latters
ongoing problems [FCB, December 2014, p5].)
The Hyundai ix35 FCEV is already
available to industry and private customers in a
number of countries, including Canada [FCB,
December 2014, p2], the UK [FCB, November
2014, p2], France [FCB, January 2014, p2], the
US [FCB, December 2013, p2], and Denmark
[FCB, June 2013, p2]. The Australian delivery
is the first element in Hyundais plan to operate
a test fleet of ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles there, and
marks a significant step in developing a national
hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
We have seen in other countries that
governments play a crucial role in developing
hydrogen refueling infrastructure, says Charlie
Kim, CEO of HMCA. One of our proposals
was the Hume by Hydrogen, which could
link Australias two largest cities via the nations
capital. It would require refueling stations in
Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and in between,
and could see hydrogen vehicles, including
buses, running on the hydrogen highway.
HMCA has begun discussions with a number
of interested local partners to advance its
thinking and seek support for its proposals.
Hyundai Motor Company Australia: www.hyundai.com.au
Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell:
http://tinyurl.com/hyundai-ix35FC
Air Products, Hydrogen Energy:
www.airproducts.com/h2energy

p7]. The station will produce hydrogen without

any carbon footprint by using a Hydrogenics
electrolyser and certified renewable electricity.
In the UK, Hydrogenics will supply a
turnkey 350/700 bar hydrogen station for
Aberdeen City Council in Scotland. The new
station is part of the Aberdeen City Hydrogen
Energy Storage (ACHES) project, and also
includes a HyPM 10 kW PEM fuel cell. Up
to 130 kg/day of hydrogen will be produced
onsite using a Hydrogenics HySTAT
electrolyser; the company will also maintain the
equipment for the first four years of operation.
The ACHES project is partly funded by the
European Regional Development Fund and the
INTERREG North Sea Region Programme, with
matched funding provided by Aberdeen City
Council. The citys H2 Aberdeen initiative aims
to encourage a hydrogen economy and stimulate
innovative projects to position the region as a
centre of excellence for hydrogen technology.
Aberdeen will soon be operating 10 fuel cell
buses the largest such fleet in Europe that
will use the new hydrogen station, as well as an
existing hydrogen station at the Kittybrewster bus
depot [FCB, April 2014, p2]. The bus project
is part of the HyTrEc (Hydrogen Transport
Economy) project, working with EU partners
in the North Sea region. The city council is also
considering the purchase of additional hydrogen
vehicles, in the form of Renault vans with fuel cell
range-extenders as well as Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell
cars [FCB, September 2014, p8].
Hydrogenics Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario,
Canada. Tel: +1 905 361 3660, www.hydrogenics.com
H2 Aberdeen: http://tinyurl.com/h2-aberdeen

Coregas: www.coregas.com.au
HyTrEc project: www.hytrec.eu
Sefca: www.sefca.com.au

Hydrogenics hydrogen
fueling stations for
California, Scotland

anadian-based Hydrogenics has

won contracts to supply two 700
bar (10 000 psi) hydrogen fueling
stations one for Ontario in California,
and another for Aberdeen in Scotland.
These awards make a total of nine
hydrogen station contracts secured
by Hydrogenics during 2014, most of
which will be shipped during 2015.
In California, Hydrogenics is partnering
with station owner Ontario CNG, which has
been awarded a contract by the California
Energy Commission to supply hydrogen
fueling capability at an existing 76 fuel and
electric charging location [FCB, May 2014,

January 2015

Swedish region Vstra

Gtaland gets its first
hydrogen fuel station

refueling station for hydrogen

vehicles will be built this year
in the Vstra Gtaland region of
southern Sweden. Hydrogen Sweden is
working with leading Nordic cleantech
companies including fuel cell developer
PowerCell Sweden and the Finnish gas
company Oy Woikoski in a project
co-funded by Region Vstra Gtaland
and the European Union. The hydrogen
station will be open to the public, and
located next to PowerCells premises in
Gothenburg.
The aim of the project is to invest in a basic
infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles, that makes
it possible to create development in hydrogen

vehicles and fuel cell technology in the Vstra

Gtaland region, says regional development
chair Birgitta Losman.
The filling station in Gothenburg makes
it possible to link the route between Oslo,
Norway and Malm, southern Sweden, where
stations already exist, adds Bjrn Aronsson,
executive director of Hydrogen Sweden.
The HIT-2-Corridors project was initiated
and is being coordinated by engineering and
environmental technology consultancy Sweco,
with partners in Finland, Latvia, Poland,
the Netherlands, and Belgium [see page 11].
Hydrogen Sweden manages the project
in western Sweden, and is responsible for
coordinating station construction. Oy Woikoski
built and co-financed the station, supported
by PowerCells operational expertise with fuel
cells [see also page 5]. The station is financed by
Region Vstra Gtaland, the Trans European
Transport Network (TEN-T) programme to
create alternative fuel transportation corridors,
and Oy Woikoski for fueling station equipment
[FCB, January 2012, p6].
A central resource in the project will be
PowerCells laboratory for fuel cells, which we
use for demonstration of hydrogen cars and for
testing of fuel cell technology in vehicles, says
CEO Magnus Henell.
The station will support fuel cell electric
vehicle testing in the Vstra Gtaland
region, and motivate companies and public
organisations near the station to start using
such vehicles. The station can be used to
evaluate the efficiency and development of
vehicles as they now start to reach the market,
and will also act as a hub for new hydrogenbased collaborations. The station is expected
to be used for development and testing by
Chalmers University of Technology, the SP
Technical Research Institute of Sweden,
PowerCell Sweden, and vehicle manufacturers.
Possible future local users of hydrogen vehicles
are Gatubolaget, SDN Vstra Hisingen, as well
as taxi companies and logistics companies.
HIT-2-Corridors project: www.hit-2-corridors.eu
Hydrogen Sweden: www.vatgas.se/in-english
PowerCell Sweden AB: www.powercell.se
Sweco: www.swecogroup.com
Region Vstra Gtaland: www.vgregion.se/en

Linde, Sandia partner

to expand hydrogen
fueling network

n the US, a new agreement between

Sandia National Laboratories and

Fuel Cells Bulletin

NEWS
industrial gases giant Linde LLC will focus
on performance-based design approaches
to commercial hydrogen fueling stations.
Linde has also recently opened its first
fully certified US hydrogen station in
West Sacramento, California.
The Cooperative Research & Development
Agreement (CRADA) between Sandia and
Linde should boost the development of lowcarbon energy and industrial technologies,
beginning with hydrogen and fuel cells. It kicks
off with two new projects to accelerate the
expansion of hydrogen stations supporting the
market growth of fuel cell electric vehicles.
A recent Sandia study determined that 18%
of fueling station sites in high-priority areas of
California can readily accept hydrogen fueling
systems using existing building codes [FCB, August
2014, p7]. Focusing on scientific, risk-informed
approaches to fire codes can reduce uncertainty
and help avoid overly conservative restrictions to
commercial hydrogen fueling installations. [See also
the News Feature on pages 1213.]
To this end, the first SandiaLinde project
will demonstrate a hydrogen station using a
performance-based design approach allowable
under the National Fire Protection Association
hydrogen technologies code (NFPA 2).
NFPA 2 provides fundamental safeguards for
the generation, installation, storage, piping, use,
and handling of hydrogen in compressed gas
or cryogenic liquid form, and is referenced by
many fire officials in the permitting process for
hydrogen fueling stations.
The second project focuses on safety aspects
of the NFPA code, and involves modeling of a
liquid hydrogen release. Sandias Combustion
Research Facility is a key element of the
research team. Previous work only examined
separation distances for gaseous hydrogen, so
validation experiments will now be done on
the liquid model. This focus on improving
the understanding of liquid hydrogen storage
systems will result in more meaningful,
science-based codes that ensure the continued
expansion of safe and available hydrogen
fueling to meet FCEV demands.
Meanwhile, Linde has inaugurated its first
US retail hydrogen fueling station, within
the Ramos Oil multi-fuel station in West
Sacramento, California [FCB, November 2014,
p9]. The station features the first hydrogen
dispensing system that measures hydrogen
mass with connectivity to the retail interface
and user-friendly payment features, developed
by Quantum Technologies in partnership with
Linde. The system has received conditional
approval for commercial service in California
by the states Division of Measurement
Standards. At the heart of the hydrogen fueling
system is the Linde IC 90 ionic compressor,
8

Fuel Cells Bulletin

which enables higher throughput and enhanced

back-to-back fueling [see the Linde feature in
FCB, September 2014].
The California Energy Commission is
providing funding for a significant number of
additional retail stations throughout the state
[FCB, May 2014, p7], with Linde receiving
funding for six stations in addition to the one in
West Sacramento. In the summer the company
inaugurated the worlds first small-series
production facility for hydrogen fueling stations
in Vienna, Austria [FCB, July 2014, p1].
Sandia: Hydrogen Safety, Codes and Standards:
http://energy.sandia.gov/?page_id=3725
Sandia, Combustion Research Facility:
http://crf.sandia.gov

Hydrogen Station List, for the Mirai navigation

system included in its T-Connect Data
Communication Module package, as well as a
Pocket Mirai smartphone application.
The new service uses the SPATIOWL
platform to integrate information on the
location of hydrogen stations and operating
hours provided by registered hydrogen
suppliers. Information on the hydrogen
stations is then transmitted in real time by
car companies, through their data centres, to
the car navigation systems and smartphones
of FCEV users. Fujitsu plans to continue
developing the service in line with the plans of
car makers and hydrogen suppliers, to make
driving FCEVs and using hydrogen stations
more convenient and widespread.

Linde US Industrial Gases, Hydrogen Energy:

http://tinyurl.com/linde-us-h2energy

Fujitsu Ltd: www.fujitsu.com

Linde, Hydrogen Energy:

http://tinyurl.com/linde-hydrogen-energy

Toyota, Fuel Cell Vehicle:

http://tinyurl.com/toyota-fcevs

NFPA 2, Hydrogen Technologies Code:

http://tinyurl.com/nfpa-2

ENERGY STORAGE

Quantum Technologies: www.qtww.com

ITM sells second P2G

Fujitsu hydrogen station unit to German utility,
UK gas network deal
data management
K-based ITM Power has sold a
service to boost FCEVs

okyo-based IT giant Fujitsu has

launched a hydrogen station data
management service, the first in Japan,
providing access to real-time information
on the locations and opening hours of
hydrogen stations for refueling fuel cell
electric vehicles. The service kicked off
with the newly launched Toyota Mirai
fuel cell car, and is now available to
other FCEV manufacturers.
This new service provides a system for the
integrated management of hydrogen station
information based on the platform of Fujitsus
SPATIOWL cloud service, which employs
location data gathered from vehicles and a
variety of sensors. With the cooperation of
registered hydrogen suppliers, FCEV users
can be provided with useful information
about the locations and hours of operation of
both fixed and mobile hydrogen stations via
their car navigation systems, smartphones,
or other devices. This service will give FCEV
drivers greater peace of mind and contribute
to a greater level of convenience with these
vehicles.
Fujitsu is initially offering this service in
tandem with the launch of the Toyota Mirai
fuel cell car [FCB, November 2014, p1].
Toyota is providing a special application, called

Power-to-Gas (P2G) electrolyser

system to RWE Deutschland, its second
major P2G customer in Germany. The
company has also secured a follow-up
contract from AMEC Foster Wheeler
and National Grid in the UK, to boost
widespread deployment of P2G energy
storage technology in the natural gas
network.
The rapid-response electrolyser system for
RWE is one of ITM Powers HGas platforms,
which has been successfully demonstrated
in a P2G installation with Thga AG in
Frankfurt am Main [FCB, December 2014,
p10]. The RWE deployment will use a higher
current density than the Frankfurt system,
permitting a higher hydrogen output per
stack. The system efficiency is also increased,
through simplification of the balance of
plant. As part of ITMs drive to increase
productivity, delivery timescales have also
been significantly reduced.
The system incorporates proton-exchange
membrane (PEM) electrolyser stacks operating
under differential pressure. As with all ITM
Power HGas units, the system has the ability
to self-pressurise, operate via remote control,
and modulate rapidly in response to demand.
The system is packaged in a 20 ft (6 m) ISO
container for use outdoors. ITM will supply

January 2015

NEWS
the plant with a two-year warranty, and with
three years of after-sales support.
In other news, ITM has secured a second
commercial contract from AMEC Foster
Wheeler and National Grid in the UK,
to create the business case for widespread
deployment of P2G energy storage technology
to reduce energy losses in the gas network.
This follow-on project will build on the
technical feasibility first phase, and identify
specific sites on the gas network where Powerto-Gas can be most advantageously deployed
[FCB, February 2014, p10]. This will reduce
energy losses and increase system efficiency
for the UK gas network. AMEC will lead the
project and continue to provide a third-party
assessment of the benefits.
We are all very encouraged by the project
findings so far, and the objective now is to identify
the sites best suited to installing Power-to-Gas
equipment, says Dr Graham Cooley, CEO of
ITM Power. We are solving a problem common
with all gas networks, and there is very significant
market potential in the UK and worldwide.
ITM Power, Sheffield, UK. Tel: +44 114 244 5111,
www.itm-power.com
RWE Deutschland: www.rwe.com/web/cms/de/499916/
rwe-deutschland-ag [in German]
AMEC Foster Wheeler: www.amecfw.com
National Grid UK: www.nationalgrid.com

DNV GL project urges

natural gas industry to
be ready for hydrogen

he international classification
society DNV GL has initiated a
global joint industry project (JIP) that
will develop guidelines to prepare
natural gas networks for the injection
of hydrogen produced from renewable
sources. The HYREADY initiative will
encourage the industry to be ready
for hydrogen by developing practical
processes and procedures for the
introduction of hydrogen to the grid.
Transmission and distribution system
operators (TSOs and DSOs) in the natural
gas sector are under increasing pressure to
reduce CO2 emissions and increase access to
the natural gas infrastructure for renewably
sourced gases. To successfully introduce pure
hydrogen (e.g. from Power-to-Gas, P2G) and
hydrogen-containing mixtures (e.g. syngas) into
natural gas grids, the impact and acceptability
need to be assessed, to evaluate factors such as
performance and safety of end-user appliances,

January 2015

system integrity and integrity management,

energy transport capacity, and compression
efficiency.
We have seen an increasing number
of projects needing access to natural gas
infrastructure for renewable gases, says DNV
GL project manager Onno Florisson. With
multiple organisations having the same
objective, our industry guidelines will address
the how-to questions for gas system operators,
so that they can be confident both in preparing
their natural gas grids for the accommodation
of hydrogen, and in the consequences related to
hydrogen injection.
The project partners will work together to
deliver a broadly accepted methodological
description of the steps and aspects to be
considered by TSOs and DSOs worldwide on
the measures they could take to prepare natural
gas grids for hydrogen injection with acceptable
consequences. Stakeholders from the natural
gas value chain, including natural gas TSOs
and DSOs, have already signed up, as well as
technology providers. The project remains open
for other participants to join.
The two-year project is split into four work
packages: transmission systems, distribution
systems, end-user infrastructure and appliances
(both domestic and industrial), and the design
of a hydrogen injection facility. The impact
of hydrogen on the natural gas system will
be addressed at both component and system
level. HYREADY will be based on existing
knowledge; no experimental work is anticipated
in the framework of this project. The project
will take on board the outcomes of European
projects like NaturalHY, Hydrogen in Pipeline
Systems (HIPS), and many others.
Contact: Onno Florisson, JIP Project Manager,
DNV GL Oil & Gas, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Tel: +31 50 700 9723,
Email: onno.florisson@dnvgl.com,
Web: www.dnvgl.com/oilgas

COMMERCIALISATION

Toyota opens up its

patents to boost FCEV
industry collaboration

oyota is making nearly 5700

hydrogen fuel cell patents available
royalty-free, to accelerate the global
development and introduction of fuel
cell technologies. The patents include
critical technologies developed for
the new Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric
vehicle [FCB, November 2014, p1].

Toyota will invite royalty-free use of

approximately 5680 fuel cell related patents
it holds globally. The list includes 1970
patents related to fuel cell stacks, 290
associated with high-pressure hydrogen
tanks, 3350 related to fuel cell system
software control, and 70 related to hydrogen
production and supply. Toyota announced
the initiative at the recent Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The first-generation hydrogen fuel cell
vehicles, launched between 2015 and 2020,
will be critical, requiring a concerted effort
and unconventional collaboration between
automakers, government regulators, academia,
and energy providers, says Bob Carter,
senior VP of automotive operations at Toyota
Motor Sales USA. By eliminating traditional
corporate boundaries, we can speed the
development of new technologies and move
into the future of mobility more quickly,
effectively, and economically.
Toyota has previously opened up its
intellectual property through collaboration,
facilitating the widespread adoption of hybrid
vehicles by licensing related patents. But this
announcement represents the first time that
Toyota has made its patents available free
of charge, and reflects its keen support for
developing a hydrogen-based society. Honda
previously had a partnership deal with General
Motors to share FCEV patents, but that was
only between the two automakers.
This Toyota initiative builds on previous
commitments, including financial support
to develop a hydrogen fueling infrastructure
in California and the northeastern US. Last
May, Toyota announced a $7.3 million
loan to FirstElement Fuel to support the
operation and maintenance of 19 hydrogen
stations across California [FCB, June 2014,
p6]. In November, Toyota announced a
collaboration with Air Liquide to develop
and supply a network of 12 state-of-the-art
hydrogen stations for New York, New Jersey,
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
[FCB, December 2014, p8].
The hydrogen fuel cell patents will be
made available to automakers who will
produce and sell FCEVs, as well as to fuel
cell parts suppliers and energy companies
who establish and operate fueling stations,
through the initial market introduction
period, anticipated to last until 2020.
Companies working to develop and introduce
fuel cell buses and industrial equipment,
such as forklifts, are also covered. Requests
from parts suppliers and companies looking
to adapt fuel cell technology outside of the
transportation sector will be evaluated on a
case-by-case basis.

Fuel Cells Bulletin

NEWS
The announcement covers only fuel cellrelated patents wholly owned by Toyota; it
excludes patents belonging to Toyota Group
parts makers. Patents related to FCEVs will
be available for royalty-free licenses until
the end of 2020, while patents for hydrogen
production and supply will remain open for
an unlimited duration. As part of the licensing
agreements, Toyota will request (but not
require) that other companies share their fuel
cell-related patents with Toyota for similar
royalty-free use.
Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle: www.toyota.com/fuelcell
CES 2015: www.cesweb.org

DOE funds hydrogen,

fuel cell supply chain,
manufacturing studies

he US Department of Energy has

selected three projects to receive
up to $2 million in new funding for
analysis of the hydrogen and fuel
cells domestic supply chain and
manufacturing competitiveness.
Funded in part by the Clean
Energy Manufacturing Initiative,
this supports DOEs broader
effort to boost manufacturing
competitiveness.
The projects selected support activities that
facilitate the development and expansion of
the domestic supply chain of components and
systems necessary for the manufacturing and
scale-up of hydrogen and fuel cell systems
in the US. The awardees will also conduct
competitive analysis of global hydrogen and
fuel cell manufacturing, to quantify trade
patterns and identify key drivers of US
competitiveness.
GLWN part of the Westside Industrial
Retention & Expansion Network (WIRENet) in Cleveland, Ohio will receive
$695 000 to complete detailed manufacturing
analysis of fuel cell systems (automotive and
stationary), high-pressure hydrogen storage
systems, and key high-value subsystems and
components. The analysis will span systems
and components manufactured in the US,
Europe, and Asia to determine the global cost
leaders, best current manufacturing processes,
key competitiveness factors, and potential for
cost reduction. GLWN will work closely with
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
to ensure that its analysis is aligned with prior
competitive analyses in other renewable energy
sectors such as solar, photovoltaic, wind, and
electric vehicle batteries.
10

Fuel Cells Bulletin

Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison

University in Harrisonburg, Virginia will
receive $450 000 to develop a nationwide
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Opportunity
Center, consisting of an innovative internetbased resource to grow the domestic fuel
cell and hydrogen industry. The project
will develop a communications database
with a comprehensive national supplier
list, and which identifies new suppliers
and encourages them to engage with the
hydrogen and fuel cell industry. The database
will allow for the release and maintenance of
a directory tool for public interaction with
the data.
The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition (OFCC)
in Elyria, Ohio will receive $450 000 to
develop a robust supply chain for fuel cell
and hydrogen systems that will accelerate
mass production, reduce cost, and improve
performance and durability. OFCC plans
to establish an integrated network of four
Regional Technical Exchange Centers, to
increase communication between OEMs and
hydrogen and fuel cell component suppliers. It
will also establish a nationwide, web-accessible
database containing inputs from suppliers
and OEMs, along with a supplier contact
list. OFCC will also assemble a working
group to tackle component and subsystem
standardisation.
DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Hydrogen & Fuel Cells:
http://energy.gov/eere/transportation/hydrogen-andfuel-cells
DOE, Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative:
http://energy.gov/eere/cemi/clean-energymanufacturing-initiative
GLWN: www.glwn.org
Virginia Clean Cities: www.vacleancities.org
Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition: www.fuelcellcorridor.com

German VariPrfBZ
project to compare
fuel cell test variability

he VariPrfBZ project in Germany

will assess the observed variability in
the interpretation and implementation
of fuel cell test standards, in particular
comparing performance testing of
fuel cell modules. The project is being
coordinated by the Centre for Fuel Cell
Technology ZBT GmbH, working with
EWE Research NEXT ENERGY and the
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy
Systems ISE.

To determine fuel cell module properties,

manufacturers can currently examine their
products according to DIN EN IEC 622822. But the question of comparability of test
methods led to the launch of the VariPrfBZ
project last September, to investigate the
variability of test methods and boundary
conditions for the comparability of results
from fuel cell tests according to DIN EN IEC
62282-2. The two-year project is funded by the
federal ministry of economics and technology
(BMWi) under the funding measure R&D
transfer through standardisation.
In the current DIN test method, the key
safety requirements for fuel cell modules are
first defined. However, the description of
the verification is kept relatively open, so the
results allow some room for interpretation.
The VariPrfBZ project will therefore develop
a test matrix within which commercially
available fuel cell modules will be tested in the
coming months.
We will repeat this analysis in a round
robin test as far as possible on the test stands
of all the project partners, so that we can then
compare the results directly with each other,
explains Dr Corinna Harms, VariPrfBZ
project manager at NEXT ENERGY. This
allows us to determine the reproducibility
of the procedure. At the same time, we will
obtain evidence of dependencies between
parameters [see the NEXT ENERGY feature in
FCB, April 2014].
The researchers will collect data on various
influencing factors, such as measurement
inaccuracies, laboratory conditions,
transportation, air and hydrogen quality,
and the measurement environment. Thus
we not only achieve more transparency and
comparability in the field of standardised
testing of fuel cells, says project coordinator
Joachim Jungsbluth, but also give an impetus
to the development of a new draft standard,
specifically aligned to performance testing of
fuel cell modules.
An appropriate recommendation for
extending the DIN EN IEC 62282 series to
performance testing would be in accordance
with DIN EN IEC 62282-3-200 for stationary
fuel cell systems.
The results from the final phase of the
project will be discussed in a series of ZBT
workshops on AdmissionCertification
Standardisation in early 2016.
ZBT GmbH, Quality Assurance & Testing:
http://tinyurl.com/zbt-qa-testing
NEXT ENERGY, Fuel Cells:
www.next-energy.de/fuelcells.html
Fraunhofer ISE, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology:
http://tinyurl.com/ise-h2fuelcell

January 2015

NEWS / IN BRIEF
RESEARCH

Northwestern group
invent inks to make
SOFCs by 3D printing

aterials scientists at Chicago's

Northwestern University have
developed new inks that can be used
in a single 3D printer to create the
individual components of a solid oxide
fuel cell: cathode, anode, electrolyte,
and interconnects. The team say
that making ceramic fuel cells with
a 3D printer offers quick and easy
manufacturing, and could lead to more
efficient fuel cell designs, according to
a report in IEEE Spectrum.
The work was conducted in the lab of Dr
Ramille Shah, assistant professor of materials
science and engineering. The inks are a mixture
of ceramic particles that make up 7090% of
the mix, plus a binder and a cocktail of solvents
that evaporate at different rates. The ink for the
electrolyte, for example, is made of yttriumstabilised zirconia (YSZ) particles, while the
anode is YSZ plus nickel oxide.
When the machine prints a line with one
of these inks, a highly volatile solvent in the
mix evaporates immediately, so the printed
piece instantly turns solid. The other solvents
evaporate more slowly, leaving the printed line
hard enough to maintain its shape, but soft
enough that the next layer melds with it to
form a single piece. The printing is performed
at room temperature, but the printed piece
has to be fired at 1250C to make it denser
and smoother. To ensure the different parts of
the printed fuel cell all shrink at the same rate
during firing, the team tweak the composition
of the individual inks, and add Fe3O4 as a
sintering aid in some layers.
We can get really densely packed particles in
the printed structure, says PhD student Adam
Jakus, who described the work at the Materials
Research Societys Fall Meeting in Boston in
early December. The coauthors were Dr Zhan
Gao, Professor Scott Barnett, and Ramille Shah.
Jakus says that using 3D printing to build
SOFCs of a standard design could be an easier
manufacturing process than having to join the
separate parts together. But the real promise
could come from the ability of 3D printing
to create shapes that are beyond standard
manufacturing processes. For example, the team
have printed flat sheets of ceramic materials,
which can be rolled or folded into different
shapes before firing. Instead of the standard

January 2015

stack of cells, they could be built in concentric

circles, or interwoven, creating more surface
area and therefore easier charge transport.
Contact: Dr Ramille Shah, Materials Science &
Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois,
USA. Tel: +1 312 503 3931, Email: ramille-shah@
northwestern.edu, Web: www.shahlab.northwestern.
edu or www.matsci.northwestern.edu

Korean team design

direct hydrocarbon
SOFC for natural gas

ngineers at the Ulsan National

Institute of Science and Technology
(UNIST) in South Korea have developed
a new material for direct hydrocarbon
solid oxide fuel cells that can directly
generate electricity from natural gas.
Their innovative anode features a new
multilayer oxygen-deficient double
perovskite material, which offers
good redox stability with tolerance to
coking and sulfur contamination from
hydrocarbon fuels.
SOFCs are regarded as one of the most
energy-efficient and environmentally friendly
energy conversion devices, but they have a
number of disadvantages. For example, their
performance and longevity suffer because
carbon adheres to the electrode through which
fuel is supplied, the fuel usually contains sulfur,
and pollution in the air can cause corrosion.
To overcome these problems, a team of
scientists led by Professor Guntae Kim in
the Department of Energy Engineering at
UNIST have developed a fuel electrode (anode)
with a new multilayer perovskite material,
PrBaMn2O5+G. This results in a cell performance
three times higher than with electrodes made
of existing materials, and also maintains such a
high level of performance over a long period.
When the team tested the cell at 700C
using propane as the energy source, the carbon
did not adhere to the electrode, and the level
of cell performance increased three-fold. They
were able to maintain this level of performance
for more than 500 hours. The team which
also includes researchers at Dong-eui University
in Korea and the University of St Andrews in
Scotland, UK reported their results online in
Nature Materials.

Contact: Dr Guntae Kim, School of Energy & Chemical

Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and
Technology, Ulsan, Korea. Tel: +82 52 217 2917,
Email: emailgtkim@unist.ac.kr,
Web: http://gunslab.unist.ac.kr or
http://eche-eng.unist.ac.kr
Research paper: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat4166

IN BRIEF
DTU leads NonPrecious catalysts project
The Department of Energy Conversion and
Storage at the Technical University of Denmark
(DTU Energy, www.energy.dtu.dk/english) is
leading a project to develop a platinum-free
catalyst for PEM fuel cells. The NonPrecious
project is a collaboration between universities
and the fuel cell industry in Denmark, and also
involves research groups in Canada and China.
The project is headed by Professor Jens
Oluf Jensen, head of the Proton Conductors
section at DTU Energy. The four-year project
has a total budget of DKK21 million (US$3.2
million), with DKK16 million ($2.4 million)
from Innovation Fund Denmark.
EU to boost long-distance FCEV travel
The European Unions TEN-T Programme is
investing E3.4 million (US$3.8 million) in
studies towards preparing a European network
of hydrogen infrastructure for transportation,
to enhance the use of fuel cell electric vehicles.
The HIT-2-Corridors project (www.hit-2corridors.eu) is the second part of a larger
initiative, Hydrogen Infrastructure for Transport
(HIT, www.hit-tent.eu). It will develop national
implementation plans for Belgium, Finland,
Poland and a regional implementation plan for
Riga in Latvia, as well as deploy and test three
hydrogen stations with innovative elements in
Finland and Sweden [see page 7].
The project, due for completion by
December, will also analyse and disseminate the
results in Europe, including a hydrogen road
tour along the ScandinavianMediterranean
and North SeaBaltic Core Network Corridors.
2014 State of the States report published
The US Department of Energys Fuel Cell
Technologies Office recently published the 5th
edition of its annual report, State of the States:
Fuel Cells in America 2014. This comprehensive
report examines policies and programmes that
benefit fuel cell technologies across the US.
Fuel cells are gaining market share, helped
by state policies that encourage end-users to
deploy clean energy technologies, especially
those that promote fuel cells and the growth
of successful fuel cell businesses.
The report provides in-depth profiles of
fuel cell and hydrogen policies, initiatives, and
installations. It includes a detailed overview
of the Top Five Fuel Cell States California,
Connecticut, New York, Ohio, and South
Carolina as well as other states that are helping
to move the US fuel cell industry forward,
such as Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Hawaii.
Multi-state fuel cell efforts are also highlighted, as
well as efforts by northeastern states to improve
power grid resiliency during major storms.
State of the States: Fuel Cells in America 2014 (PDF):
http://tinyurl.com/doe-state-of-states-2014

Fuel Cells Bulletin

11

NEWS FEATURE

Sandia: Underground hydrogen

storage can aid vehicle fueling
A recent study by Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico says that
large-scale storage of low-pressure, gaseous hydrogen in salt caverns and other
underground sites offers several advantages over above-ground storage for
transportation fuel and grid-scale energy applications. Geological storage of
hydrogen gas could make it possible to produce and distribute large quantities of
hydrogen fuel for the growing fuel cell electric vehicle market, say the researchers.
Geological storage solutions can service a
number of key hydrogen markets, since costs are
more influenced by the geology available rather
than the size of the hydrogen market demand,
says Sandias Anna Snider Lord, the studys
principal investigator. She adds that the work
could provide a roadmap for further research and
demonstration activities, such as an examination
of environmental issues and geological
formations in major metropolitan areas that
can hold gas. Researchers could then determine
whether hydrogen gas mixes with residual gas or
oil, reacts with minerals in the surrounding rock,
or poses any environmental concerns.

which integrate renewable energy, grid

services, and energy storage will require largecapacity, cost-effective hydrogen storage.
Storage above ground requires tanks, which
cost three to five times more than geological
storage, says Lord. In addition to cost savings,
underground storage of hydrogen gas offers
advantages in volume. Above-ground tanks
cant even begin to match the amount of
hydrogen gas that can be stored underground,
she says. The massive quantities of hydrogen
that are stored in geological features can
subsequently be distributed as a high-pressure
gas or liquid to supply hydrogen fuel markets
[Figure 1].

Storage is key to
realise hydrogen
market growth

Model helps to identify

best storage locations

If the market demands for hydrogen fuel

increase with the introduction of FCEVs,
the US will need to produce and store large
amounts of cost-effective hydrogen from
domestic energy sources, such as natural
gas, solar and wind, says Sandia hydrogen
programme manager Daniel Dedrick.
Additionally, installation of electrolyser systems
on electrical grids for power-to-gas applications

While geological storage may prove to be

a viable option, several issues need to be
explored, explains Anna Lord, including the
permeability of various geological formations.
A geologist in Sandias geotechnology and
engineering group, Lord has long been
involved in the geological storage of the US
Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the worlds largest
emergency supply of crude oil.

Figure 1. The assessment

methodology and analytical
framework of the Hydrogen
Geological Storage Model
(H2GSM) developed
by Sandia National
Laboratories. The analysis
includes four storage options:
salt caverns, depleted oil &
gas reservoirs, aquifers,
and hard rock caverns.

12

Fuel Cells Bulletin

For her study on geological storage, recently

published in the International Journal of
Hydrogen Energy, Lord and her colleagues
analysed and reworked the geological storage
module of Argonne National Laboratorys
Hydrogen Delivery Scenario Analysis Model
(DOE H2A Delivery Analysis). To help refine
the model, Lord studied storing hydrogen
in salt caverns to meet peak summer driving
demand for four cities: Los Angeles, Houston,
Pittsburgh, and Detroit. She determined that
10% above the average daily demand for 120
days should be stored. She then modeled
how much hydrogen each city would need if
hydrogen met 10, 25, and 100% of its driving
fuel needs [Figure 2].
Los Angeles has three times the population
of Detroit and more than six and a half times
the population of Pittsburgh; but the nearest
salt formations are in Arizona, so Lord included
the cost of getting the stored hydrogen from
Arizona to Los Angeles. Even so, Los Angeles
modeled costs are significantly less than those
for Detroit and Pittsburgh. Salt formations
in Arizona are thicker than those for Detroit
and Pittsburgh, with larger and fewer caverns.
Houston has the best conditions of the four
cities because the Gulf Coast offers large, deep
salt formations.
To examine the cost of geological hydrogen
storage, Lord started by selecting geological
formations that currently store natural gas.
Working with Sandia economist Peter Kobos,
Lord analysed costs to store hydrogen gas in
depleted oil and gas reservoirs, aquifers, salt
caverns, and hard rock caverns.

Geological solution for

peak period storage
Other fuels are already stored geologically.
Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, for
example, is held in large manmade caverns
along the US Gulf Coast. Natural gas is stored
in more than 400 geological sites to meet
winter heating demands.
Lord envisions that excess hydrogen
produced throughout the year could be brought
to geological storage sites and then piped to
cities during the summer, when the demand
for driving fuels peaks. Depleted oil and gas

January 2015

NEWS FEATURE
reservoirs and aquifers initially seem the most
economically attractive options, she says,
because they can hold such a larger volume
relative to any cavern you create.
But hydrogen gas is a challenging substance
to store. Because its a smaller molecule than
methane, for example, it has the potential to
leak easier and move faster through the rock,
she explains. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
and aquifers could leak hydrogen, and cycling
filling a storage site, pulling hydrogen out
for use, and refilling the site cant be done
more than once or twice a year to preserve the
integrity of the rock formation.
However, with a salt cavern or hard rock
cavern, there are no permeability issues, theres
really no way anything can leak, she says. You
can bring more product in and out, and that
will, in the long run, decrease your costs.
Hard rock caverns are relatively unproven,
with only one site holding natural gas. But salt
caverns, which are created 10006000 ft (300
1800 m) below ground by drilling wells in salt
formations, pumping in undersaturated water to
dissolve the salt, then pumping out the resulting
brine, are used more extensively and already
store hydrogen on a limited scale, says Lord.

Figure 2. Total capital costs for four US city demand scenarios meeting 10%, 25% or 100% of the
citys summer vehicle demands.

Future challenges
Lord says her work on this could lead to
demonstration projects to confirm the viability
of underground hydrogen storage. Salt caverns
are the logical choice for a pilot project due
to their proven ability to hold hydrogen, she
says, and environmental concerns such as

contamination could also be further analysed

[Figure 3].
However, salt formations are limited. None exist
in the Pacific Northwest, much of the East Coast
and much of the South, except for the Gulf Coast
area. Other options are needed for development of
a nationwide hydrogen storage system [see also the
LindeSandia news item on page 7].
Sandia leads a number of other hydrogen
research efforts, including the Hydrogen Fueling
Infrastructure Research and Station Technology
(H2FIRST) project with the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory [FCB, May 2014, p7], a
maritime fuel cell demonstration [FCB, March
2014, p7], a development project on hydrogenpowered forklifts [FCB, May 2014, p6], and a
recent study of conventional fueling stations in
California that could in addition safely store and
dispense hydrogen [FCB, August 2014, p7].

Reference
A.S. Lord, P.H. Kobos, D.J. Borns: Geologic
storage of hydrogen: Scaling up to meet city
transportation demands, International Journal of
Hydrogen Energy 39(28) 1557015582
(23 September 2014).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.07.121
For more information, contact: Anna Snider Lord,
Geotechnology & Engineering Department, Sandia
National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
Tel: +1 505 284 5588, Email: acsnide@sandia.gov
Sandia, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program:
http://energy.sandia.gov/?page_id=199
Sandia, Hydrogen Infrastructure:
http://tinyurl.com/sandia-h2-infra

Figure 3. Salt caverns such as the one depicted here could provide a low-cost solution for the
geological storage of hydrogen. The colours represent depth, with blue as the deepest part of the
cavern and red the shallowest. [Image courtesy of Sandia National Laboratories]

January 2015

Sandia Combustion Research Facility, Hydrogen

Program: http://tinyurl.com/sandia-crf-h2
DOE H2A Delivery Analysis:
www.hydrogen.energy.gov/h2a_delivery.html

Fuel Cells Bulletin

13

NEWS FEATURE

FuelCell Energy Solutions

completes largest fuel cell
power plant so far in Germany
FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH has announced the final acceptance of its first
German-manufactured fuel cell power plant, which has been installed and is
now fully operational at the new Federal Ministry of Education and Research
(BMBF) office complex in Berlin.
Dresden-based FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH
built the 250 kW molten carbonate fuel cell
system at its manufacturing facility in Ottobrunn,
southern Germany. The company is operating
and maintaining the power plant on behalf of
BAM Immobilien-Dienstleistungen GmbH under
a long-term service agreement [FCB, September
2012, p5 and November 2013, p7].
BAM Deutschland AG constructed the
office complex, which has achieved a gold
certificate sustainability rating in recognition
of the sustainable practices incorporated into
the design and operation of the office complex.
This building project, executed on schedule and
within budget, illustrates the first large-scale
civil engineering project undertaken by the
federal government as part of a public-private
partnership.
The federal ministry of research values
sustainability as new innovations increase
energy efficiency and help reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, says BMBF press officer Rdiger
Frischer. The high efficiency of the fuel cell
power generation process is a critical aspect of
this sustainability system, using about a third less
fuel compared to conventional power generation
alternatives. Additionally, the fuel cell plant
enables the ministry complex to be about 50%
below relevant energy-saving regulations.
The highly efficient and ultra-clean
DFC250-EU fuel cell power plant is
the cornerstone of the sustainable energy
management system, which also includes solar
photovoltaic (PV) arrays to meet peak energy
demand when the sun is shining, and a natural
gas engine for peak power when solar is not
available. The fuel cells, as the heart of this
innovative energy concept, contribute largely to
the reduction of the fuel demand of the building
complex, explains Markus Koch, head of
building contractor BAM Deutschland GmbH.
This installation, located inside an office
complex in central Berlin, showcases the ability
of fuel cells to meet power load requirements
14

Fuel Cells Bulletin

for a large facility cleanly, quietly, and with an

economically compelling value proposition, says
Chip Bottone, president and CEO of FuelCell
Energy Inc, and managing director of FuelCell
Energy Solutions GmbH. Stationary fuel cell
power plants are well suited for both commercial
applications as well as utility grid-support, as
their high electrical efficiency makes them an
affordable solution that is not dependent on the
weather or time of day to produce power.
The DFC250-EU power plant is configured for
a combined heat and power (CHP) application,
to enhance the systems efficiency and provide
the office complex with 250 kW of continuous
electric power and 150 kW (120C) or 220 kW
(50C) of usable high-quality heat for heating
and absorption chilling. The fuel cell power plant
generates approximately 40% of the facilitys
electrical needs and 20% of its thermal needs.
The virtual absence of pollutants, quiet operation,
and lack of vibrations enable fuel cell power
plants to be located in populated areas and within
buildings, such as this installation. The onsite
power generation acts as a microgrid, enhancing
energy security for the complex since power is
available even in the event of a grid outage.
This installation exemplifies our goal at
FuelCell Energy Solutions, which is to offer
full-service and affordable distributed power
generation solutions that satisfy our customers
energy and sustainability needs, says Andreas
Froemmel, VP of commercial and business
development for FuelCell Energy Solutions
GmbH. We have a long-term service contract
with BAM for the monitoring, operation, and
maintenance of the power plant, including a
power output guarantee.
The installation of the fuel cell power plant,
combined with extensive building efficiency
features that support the sustainability of the
BMBF complex, has resulted in the awarding of
a gold certificate from the Sustainable Building
for Federal Buildings (BNB) ranking system,
the highest level achievable. Under this system,

gold, silver and bronze certifications are awarded

to buildings based on a variety of sustainability
criteria including ecological, economic,
sociocultural and functional, technical, and
process quality.
Direct FuelCell (DFC) power plants solve
energy, environmental and business-related
power generation challenges by providing ultraclean, efficient, and reliable distributed power
generation. The fuel cells combine a fuel such
as natural gas or renewable biogas with oxygen
from the ambient air to efficiently produce
electricity and usable high-quality heat through
the electrochemical reaction.
Avoiding the emission of nitrogen oxide
(NOx), sulfur dioxide (SOx) and particulate
matter (PM10) supports clean air regulations
and benefits public health. The high efficiency
of the fuel cell power generation process
reduces fuel costs and carbon emissions, and
producing both electricity and heat from the
same unit of fuel further supports favourable
economics while also promoting sustainability.
FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH, with
its administrative offices in Dresden and
manufacturing operations in Ottobrunn, is the
sales, manufacturing and service business for
the European Served Area for Connecticutbased FuelCell Energy Inc. FCES is a joint
venture between the Fraunhofer Institute for
Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in
Germany and FuelCell Energy Inc in the US
[FCB, February 2012, p1].
Among other projects, FuelCell Energy is
manufacturing a 3.4 MW Direct FuelCell-Energy
Recovery Generator (DFC-ERG) plant that
will take advantage of unspent energy at a natural
gas pressure-reduction facility in Glastonbury,
Connecticut [see page 5].
FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH, Dresden,
Germany. Tel: +49 351 2553 7390 (0800 181 8890
tollfree in Germany), Email: info@fces.de,
Web: www.fces.de/?lang=en
FuelCell Energy Inc, Danbury, Connecticut, USA.
Tel: +1 203 825 6000, Email: info@fce.com,
Web: www.fuelcellenergy.com
Fraunhofer IKTS, Energy Systems:
http://tinyurl.com/energy-systems-ikts

January 2015

RESEARCH TRENDS
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.10.107
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.10.102

Research Trends

B. Hu et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(1) F3339

(January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0331501jes

Degradation mechanisms of Pt/C

fuel cell catalyst via different
accelerated stress tests

Molten carbonate composition

effects on carbon electro-oxidation
at solid anode interface

Power generation and wastewater

treatment using novel SPEEK
nanocomposite membrane in
dual-chamber microbial fuel cell

J.A. Allen et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(1)

F7683 (January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0321501jes

H. Ilbeygi et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40(1)

477487 (5 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.10.026

Fabrication, in situ performance,

and durability of nanofibre PEMFC
electrodes

Enhanced SOFC performance with

transition layer between electrolyte
and nanostructured cathode

M. Brodt et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(1)

F8491 (January 2015). [Open Access]
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0651501jes

K. Zhu et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40(1)

501508 (5 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.07.184

Y. Zhang et al.: J. Power Sources 273 6269 (1

January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.09.012

Fabrication of thin YSZ dense

electrolyte layers by inkjet printing
for SOFCs
V. Esposito et al.: J. Power Sources 273 8995
(1 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.09.085

PEMFC with magnetron sputtered

PtCeOx and PtCo thin-film
catalysts
R. Fiala et al.: J. Power Sources 273 105109
(1 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.08.093

SnO2 as effective antioxidant

for radical-induced polymer
degradation in PEMFC electrodes
S.M. Andersen et al.: J. Power Sources 273
158161 (1 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.09.051

Characterisation of perovskite
oxide SrCoFeNbO cathode
materials for IT-SOFCs
S. L et al.: J. Power Sources 273 244254
(1 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.09.100

Environmentally friendly fabrication

of SOFC composite cathode by inkjet
printing using water-based ink

Accelerated membrane durability

testing of heavy-duty (PEM) fuel
cells for bus applications
N. Macauley et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(1)
F98107 (January 2015). [Open Access]
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0671501jes

Comparison of electrochemical
impedance measurements
between pressurised anode- and
electrolyte-supported planar SOFCs
S.S. Shy et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(1)
F172177 (January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0041503jes

Partially sulfonated polyaniline

induced high IEC and selectivity
of Nafion membrane for DMFCs
K. Dutta et al.: J. Membrane Science 473
94101 (1 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.09.010

C. Li et al.: J. Power Sources 273 465471 (1

January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.09.143

Synthesis and properties of highly

branched star-shaped sulfonated
block poly(arylene ether)s as
proton-exchange membranes

Enhanced performance, stability

of metal-supported SOFC with
(Bi2O3)0.7(Er2O3)0.3Ag cathode

H. Xie et al.: J. Membrane Science 473 226

236 (1 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.09.015

Y. Zhou et al.: J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(1)

F913 (January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0131501jes

Effects of ceria conductivity

on oxygen incorporation at
LSCF-SDC-gas TPB in SOFCs

Contemporary low-emissions
hydrogen-based energy market
in Poland, based on SOFCs
[in 2 parts]
M. Stygar et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40(1)
112, 1324 (5 January 2015).

Novel way of phase stability of

LSGM and enhanced conductivity
for SOFC electrolyte
R.C. Biswal et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40(1)
509518 (5 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.10.099

Pt-Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 catalyst
addition for self-humidifying
durable SPEEK nanocomposite
membranes for PEMFCs
S. Rowshanzamir et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy
40(1) 549560 (5 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.10.134

Fabrication of Co3O4 and LSCCGO

dual-layer coatings on SUS430 steel
by in situ phase formation for
SOFC interconnects
X. Yang et al.: Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 40(1)
607614 (5 January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.11.021

Composite membrane based

on graphene oxide sheets and
Nafion for PEMFCs
L. Wang et al.: ECS Electrochemistry Letters 4(1)
F14 (January 2015). [Open Access]
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0021501eel

From secondary to primary role

in alkaline fuel cells: co-decorated
graphene as effective catalyst for
ethanol oxidation
N.A.M. Barakat et al.: ECS Electrochemistry
Letters 4(1) F58 (January 2015).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.0011401eel
15

January 2015

Fuel Cells Bulletin

PATENTS

Patents
Miniaturised PEM or DMFC with
cooling channel(s) for gas flow
cooling and simultaneously used for
cathode ventilation
Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft,
Germany [Fraunhofer IZM]
Inventors: R. Hahn et al.
Patent number: US 8808938
Published: 19 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 10 May 2010)

PEM or SOFC stack with enhanced

exhaust heat recovery and energy
efficiency, for cogeneration system
Assignee: Panasonic, Japan
Inventors: Y. Sugawara et al.
Patent number: US 8808939
Published: 19 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 20 Apr. 2010)

SOFC with sealed structure, with

slightly or nonporous zones in
electrode layer around gas inlets to
improve sealing between cells
Assignee: CEA, France
Inventors: F. Cordelle et al.
Patent number: US 8808940
Published: 19 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 18 Mar. 2005)

Polymer based on naphthoxazine

benzoxazine-based monomer, for
electrode for HT-PEMFC (150C)
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co, Korea
Inventors: S. Choi et al.
Patent number: US 8808941
Published: 19 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 8 May 2012)

Adhesive with sufficient bond

durability for PEMFCs, so that PEM
and GDL do not separate even with
repeated wetting/drying
Assignee: Honda Motor Co, Japan
Inventors: S. Terada et al.
Patent number: US 8808942
Published: 19 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 25 Feb. 2010)

DMFC MEA with uniformly porous

catalyst layer for improved
efficiency, manufacturing method
Assignee: Samsung SDI Co, Korea
Inventors: D.-J. You et al.
Patent number: US 8808943
Published: 19 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 14 Apr. 2008)

16

Fuel Cells Bulletin

Pt complex, manufacturing method

for enhanced dispersion, and use in
Pt catalyst for PEMFCs
Assignee: National Cheng Kung
University, Taiwan
Inventors: W.-S. Hwang et al.
Patent number: US 8809564
Published: 19 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 15 Jan. 2010)

Fuel cell system to extinguish fires

using nitrogen-rich, low-oxygen
cathode exhaust, for aircraft etc.
Assignee: Airbus Operations
GmbH, Germany
Inventors: J. Bleil et al.
Patent number: US 8813860
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 9 Nov. 2006)

Aircraft onboard supply system

and galley with low-temperature/
HT-PEMFC combination for CHP
Assignee: Diehl Aerospace GmbH, Germany
Inventor: T. Tran
Patent number: US 8814086
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 23 Jan. 2012)

Metal oxide (TiO2) nanoparticle

coated catalyst support for PEMFC
bipolar plate with low contact
resistance
Assignee: General Motors, USA
Inventors: M.H. Abd Elhamid et al.
Patent number: US 8815335
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 19 Mar. 2010)

Proton-conductive inorganic oxide

support material (SiO2 on SnO2 or
TiO2) for high-power DMFC anode
Assignee: Toshiba, Japan
Inventors: J. Tamura et al.
Patent number: US 8815447
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 3 Oct. 2008)

SOFC system with fast control of

fuel and oxidant gas flow rates in
response to load variation, avoiding
fuel depletion

Assignee: CEA, France

Inventors: E. Pinton et al.
Patent number: US 8815457
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 31 Mar. 2009)

Controlled stopping of automotive

PEMFC system, without need to
allow electric current discharge
Assignee: Honda Motor Co, Japan
Inventors: K. Furusawa et al.
Patent number: US 8815458
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 16 Mar. 2011)

Automotive PEMFC system with

stoichiometry determination in
each cell for optimum fuel supply
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan
Inventor: H. Oomori
Patent number: US 8815459
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 5 Jan. 2007)

Hybrid automotive PEMFC/battery

system has stable converter control
even with rapidly varying inverter
input and fuel cell output voltages
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan
Inventor: K. Manabe
Patent number: US 8815460
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 28 Sep. 2009)

SOFC system with control of heat

supplied from reformer to stack
structure, for improved efficiency
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co, Japan
Inventors: K. Takeuchi et al.
Patent number: US 8815461
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 28 Nov. 2008)

MCFC with integrated hydrogen

utilisation device to process hightemperature, low-pressure anode
exhaust gas, black start capability
Assignee: FuelCell Energy, USA
Inventors: H. Ghezel-Ayagh et al.
Patent number: US 8815462
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 31 Jan. 2008)

Assignee: Kyocera Corporation, Japan

Inventor: T. Shigehisa
Patent number: US 8815456
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 15 July 2005)

Control of automotive PEMFC to

improve supply and discharge of
reactants, suppress electrolyte and
sealant deterioration, assist startup

PEMFC subzero storage method,

calibrating membrane and cell to
determine drying from water load

Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan

Inventors: K. Katano et al.
Patent number: US 8815463
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 6 July 2007)

January 2015

PATENTS
PEMFC metal separator has groups
of press-formed grooves, for simple
securing of sealing surface pressure
Assignee: Honda Motor Co, Japan
Inventors: H. Kojima et al.
Patent number: US 8815464
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 7 Mar. 2012)

PEMFC MEA with intermediate

layer between electrocatalyst and
GDL, containing noble metallic
nanoparticles, electrode electrolyte
and carbon powder
Assignee: Honda Motor Co, Japan
Inventors: N. Mitsuta et al.
Patent number: US 8815465
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 31 Jan. 2011)

Micron-scale energy conversion

devices and methods, which feature
IT-SOFCs less than 100 nm thick
Assignee: Harvard University, USA
Inventors: S. Ramanathan et al.
Patent number: US 8815466
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 26 June 2008)

HT-PEMFC MEA with improved

lifetime, PEM has penetrating
fibrous reinforcing elements with
covalent functional groups
Assignee: BASF, Germany
Inventors: T.J. Schmidt et al.
Patent number: US 8815467
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 30 Nov. 2011)

Low-Pt layered electrodes and

MEAs for automotive PEMFC,
utilising different concentrations of
PtNiCo alloy in catalyst layers
Assignee: Ford, USA
Inventors: C. Paik et al.
Patent number: US 8815468
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 24 June 2009)

Electrolyte with hydrophilic and

hydrophobic portions for excellent
hydroxide ion conductivity and
durability, use in alkaline fuel cells
Assignee: Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Japan
[Toyota Central R&D Labs]
Inventors: A. Shinohara et al.
Patent number: US 8815469
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 25 July 2011)

PEMFC cathode catalyst with metal

catalyst and perovskite complex

January 2015

oxide, prevents agglomeration of

metal catalyst in long-term use

loading for improved temperature

uniformity, efficiency, stack life

Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan

Inventors: K. Sekizawa et al.
Patent number: US 8815470
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 24 Feb. 2006)

Assignee: FuelCell Energy, USA

Inventors: Z. Ma et al.
Patent number: US 8822090
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 9 Mar. 2010)

Method of manufacturing PEMFC

separator, multilayer gold plating
for improved corrosion resistance

Polyazole-based proton-conducting
polymer membrane containing
organic acid, use in HT-PEMFC

Assignees: Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan,

Aisin Takaoka Co, Japan and
Nippon Chemical Denshi Inc, Japan
Inventors: K. Maeda et al.
Patent number: US 8815471
Published: 26 Aug. 2014 (Filed: 4 Dec. 2008)

Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH, Germany

Inventors: O. Uensal et al.
Patent number: US 8822091
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 30 Dec. 2004)

Method and facility for accurately

and efficiently fabricating PEMFC
separator from coiled sheet metal
Assignee: IHI Corporation, Japan
Inventor: N. Tazoe
Patent number: US 8820132
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 23 July 2009)

Fuel processor in portable PEMFC,

electrically resistive material
to heat methanol for processor,
offering fast startup
Assignee: UltraCell, USA
Inventors: J.E. Brantley et al.
Patent number: US 8821832
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 5 Dec. 2011)

Multilayer nano-island catalysts at

SOFC electrode/electrolyte interface
and current collector grids (also
solid acid, PEM or DMFC)
Assignees: Stanford University, USA
and Honda Motor Co, Japan
Inventors: X. Jiang et al.
Patent number: US 8821968
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 31 Oct. 2008)

Operation of high-power PEM

or DMFC to maintain optimum
moisture in electrode, stop
flooding
Assignee: LG Chem Ltd, Korea
Inventors: T.-G. Noh et al.
Patent number: US 8822089
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 5 Dec. 2008)

Internally reforming MCFC with

staged fuel flow, selective catalyst

Controlling circulation timing and

coolant flow rate from aftercooler
to avoid cold air supply, in subzero
startup of automotive PEMFC
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co, Japan
Inventors: I. Taniguchi et al.
Patent number: US 8822092
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 22 Nov. 2005)

SOFC run on liquid fuels, with

fractionator to separate light and
heavy ends of heavy hydrocarbon
fuel
Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation, USA
Inventors: S. Venkataraman et al.
Patent number: US 8822094
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 2 Apr. 2007)

PEMFC system with integrated

heat-exchanger that uses heat from
liquid coolant to preheat reactants
Assignee: Belenos Clean Power, Switzerland
Inventors: U. Hannesen et al.
Patent number: US 8822095
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 15 Apr. 2009)

DMFC (or PEM or SOFC) power

source for portable electronic
device with thermoelectric module
Assignee: BlackBerry Ltd, Canada
Inventors: D.G. Rich et al.
Patent number: US 8822096
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 9 Dec. 2010)

Manufacturing/assembly of
tubular fuel distributor assembly
for improved fuel distribution in
automotive PEMFC stack
Assignee: General Motors, USA
Inventors: M.T. Pernot et al.

Fuel Cells Bulletin

17

PATENTS
Patent number: US 8822098
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 17 Dec. 2012)

PEMFC separator with integrated

gasket, made by injection moulding

Assignee: Hyundai Hysco, Korea

Inventors: Y.T. Jeon et al.
Patent number: US 8828258
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 27 July 2007)

Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company, Korea

Inventors: S.M. Chin et al.
Patent number: US 8822099
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 25 Oct. 2011)

Simple, compact PEMFC system

with improved recirculation
of hydrogen-containing offgas
regardless of flow rate variations

Method of controlling thickness of

form-in-place sealing for PEMFC
stacks, using deformable spacers

Assignee: Nissan Motor Co, Japan

Inventors: K. Ikezoe et al.
Patent number: US 8828612
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 13 Sep. 2011)

Assignee: General Motors, USA

Inventors: R.H. Blunk et al.
Patent number: US 8822100
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 14 Nov. 2011)

Rapid, inexpensive installation

of modular SOFC system with >4
power modules, and fuel processing
and power conditioning modules
Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation, USA
Inventors: G. Richards et al.
Patent number: US 8822101
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 18 Mar. 2013)

Manifold device for tubular SOFC,

for quicker brazing-joining of cell
and manifold, better process yield
Assignee: Samsung SDI Co, Korea
Inventor: J.-W. Suh
Patent number: US 8822102
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 21 Sep. 2010)

DMFC methanol fuel cartridge with

deformable inner fuel container to
control internal pressure buildup
Assignee: Socit BIC, France
Inventor: A.J. Curello
Patent number: US 8822888
Published: 2 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 16 Nov. 2006)

Composite glass seal containing

metal oxide for solid oxide
electrolyser cell stack
Assignee: Technical University of Denmark,
Denmark [DTU]
Inventors: N. Lonnroth et al.
Patent number: US 8828196
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 20 Mar. 2009)

Surface treatment of stainless

steel PEMFC separator, to improve
electrical conductivity and
corrosion resistance
18

Fuel Cells Bulletin

PEMFC MEAs with low-Pt,

surface-modified electrocatalysts
functionalised with cyano groups to
improve catalyst activity
Assignee: General Motors, USA
Inventors: J. Zhang et al.
Patent number: US 8828613
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 13 Mar. 2013)

Automotive hybrid multi-stack

PEMFC/supercapacitor system for
improved energy storage, efficiency
Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company, Korea
Inventors: N.W. Lee et al.
Patent number: US 8828614
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 1 June 2009)

Acoustic speed of sound

measurement by bandpass filtering
of automotive pressure sensors, to
determine hydrogen concentration
in PEMFC anode loop
Assignee: General Motors, USA
Inventors: T.W. Tighe et al.
Patent number: US 8828615
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 10 May 2011)

PEMFC life extension by startup

method that minimises MEA
degradation from hydrogen-air
front in anode flow channels
Assignee: General Motors, USA
Inventors: C.G. Hochgraf et al.
Patent number: US 8828616
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 31 Oct. 2008)

PEMFC stack with conventional

anode-compliant seal combined
with cathode non-compliant seal
for thinner, low-pressure fuel cell
Assignee: Ballard Power Systems, Canada

Inventors: K.M. Martin et al.

Patent number: US 8828617
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 16 Dec. 2009)

Multilayer electrodes with excellent

long-term durability for planar
SOFC using sulfur-containing fuels
Assignee: NexTech Materials Ltd, USA
Inventors: M.J. Day et al.
Patent number: US 8828618
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 7 Dec. 2007)

Proton-exchange membrane using

surface treatment based on direct
fluorination, use in DMFC MEA
Assignee: Hanyang University, Korea
Inventors: Y.-M. Lee et al.
Patent number: US 8828619
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 13 Feb. 2008)

Automatic fabrication of multilayer

PEM and DMFC assemblies and
sub-assemblies in roll-good form,
including unitised MEAs
Assignee: 3M, USA
Inventors: D.R. Mekala et al.
Patent number: US 8828620
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 30 Aug. 2012)

Modular PEMFCs and fluid flow

plate assemblies, for flexibility
in manufacturing, expansion
or design
Assignee: Industrial Technology
Research Institute, Taiwan
Inventors: C.-C. Chen et al.
Patent number: US 8828621
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 20 Aug. 2010)

PEMFC separator for higher

cross-sectional area of gas passages
and improved power generation
efficiency, manufacturing method
Assignee: Toyota Boshoku KK, Japan
Inventors: S. Fujimura et al.
Patent number: US 8828622
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 17 Nov. 2010)

Contact element for connection

with long-term stability between
SOFC anode and interconnect
Assignee: Plansee, Austria
Inventors: U. Waeschke et al.
Patent number: US 8828623
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 26 Feb. 2010)

January 2015

PATENTS
Fluorinated copolymers containing
perfluorocarbon chains, and use in
membranes for PEM and DMFCs

Inventors: K. Hashimoto et al.

Patent number: US 8835064
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 31 Mar. 2009)

Assignees: CEA, France and CNRS, France

Inventors: A. Soules et al.
Patent number: US 8829131
Published: 9 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 13 July 2010)

Fast, efficient startup of cold or

frozen automotive PEMFC stack,
based on battery state-of-charge

Improved fabrication of porous

pads of Pt nanotubes to enhance
PEMFC electrode conductivity
Assignee: General Motors, USA
Inventors: J. Mitchell et al.
Patent number: US 8833434
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 8 June 2012)

Operation of passive, air-breathing

portable PEMFCs for long operating
time, high fuel utilisation
Assignee: Socit BIC, France
Inventors: J. Roberts et al.
Patent number: US 8835024
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 8 Oct. 2013)

Enclosed separator unit to remove

liquid from gas supply to vehicular
PEMFC for improved reliability
Assignee: Daimler, Germany
Inventors: T. Baur et al.
Patent number: US 8835062
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 15 May 2008)

Evaporative humidifier for PEMFC

system, with water condensed by
heat-exchange between exhaust
gas and supply gas
Assignee: Korea Institute of Science
and Technology, Korea
Inventors: D.-Y. Lee et al.
Patent number: US 8835063
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 19 Dec. 2006)

Automotive PEMFC stack with

integral byproduct water discharge
using oxidation offgas pressure
Assignee: Toyota Shatai KK, Japan
[Toyota Auto Body Co]

January 2015

Assignee: General Motors, USA

Inventors: S.D. Burch et al.
Patent number: US 8835065
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 29 Sep. 2006)

Anode offgas recirculation for

automotive PEMFC system, avoiding
frozen pump damage
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan
Inventor: Y. Naganuma
Patent number: US 8835066
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 8 Feb. 2007)

Saturated vapour block for frozen

PEMFC, water vapour condenses
and freezes in heat-exchanger,
avoids subzero startup malfunction

Assignee: Ford, USA

Inventors: T.A. Wagner et al.
Patent number: US 8835070
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 11 May 2010)

Automotive PEMFC system with

oxidant gas supply pipe integrated
with coolant supply pipe, improves
power generation efficiency
Assignee: Toyota Boshoku KK, Japan
Inventors: A. Imamura et al.
Patent number: US 8835071
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 28 Sep. 2010)

SOFC stacks in module, improved

electric connection between
stacks and module, for lower
electrical losses
Assignee: Samsung SDI Co, Korea
Inventors: K.-J. Park et al.
Patent number: US 8835072
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 5 July 2012)

Assignee: Ballard Power Systems, Canada

Inventors: D.G. Converse et al.
Patent number: US 8835067
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 25 Sep. 2008)

SOFC featuring metal support with

compliant porous Ni layer that can
thermally expand and contract with
metal substrate

DMFC with thin tube from fuel

container, uniform fuel distribution
for improved output and stability

Assignee: Ballard Power Systems, Canada

[from UTC]
Inventors: J.R. Hawkes et al.
Patent number: US 8835074
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 22 Jan. 2009)

Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co, Japan

Inventors: H. Hasebe et al.
Patent number: US 8835068
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 2 Feb. 2012)

SOFC/reformer system with

controllable water feed flow rate
for improved startup
Assignee: Toto Ltd, Japan
Inventors: T. Ooe et al.
Patent number: US 8835069
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 31 Mar. 2010)

Automotive PEMFC stack header

wedge, to alter cross-sectional area
of inlet header, align bipolar plates

PEMFC hydrophobic diffusion

media featuring silicone coatings
Assignee: General Motors, USA
Inventors: C. Ji et al.
Patent number: US 8835075
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 22 Jan. 2010)

Reinforced electrolyte membrane

with high water back-diffusion to
suppress anode dryout, for PEMFC
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan
Inventors: K. Inoue et al.
Patent number: US 8835076
Published: 16 Sep. 2014 (Filed: 30 June 2008)

Fuel Cells Bulletin

19

CALENDAR

EVENTS CALENDAR
911 February 2015
ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit 2015

Vancouver, BC, Canada

More information: www.hfc2015.com

Washington, DC, USA

More information: www.arpae-summit.com

36 May 2015

1012 February 2015

SAE 2015 Hybrid & Electric Vehicle
Technologies Symposium
Los Angeles, California, USA
More information: www.sae.org/events/hybridev

2426 February 2015

2015 International Fuel Cell Bus
Workshop [free, but registration
required]
Thousand Palms, California, USA
More information: www.gofuelcellbus.com

2527 February 2015

The Energy & Materials Research
Conference, EMR2015
Madrid, Spain
More information: www.emr2015.org

2527 February 2015

11th International Hydrogen & Fuel
Cell Expo, FC EXPO 2015
Tokyo, Japan
More information: www.fcexpo.jp/en

911 March 2015

9th International Renewable Energy
Storage Conference & Exhibition,
IRES 2015

EVS 28, 28th International Electric

Vehicle Symposium & Exhibition,
including Fuel Cells & Fuel Cell Systems
Goyang, Korea
More information: www.evs28.org

67 May 2015
All-Energy 2015 Exhibition & Conference
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
More information: www.all-energy.co.uk

2021 May 2015

5th Israeli Power Sources Conference:
Batteries, Fuel Cells, Storage for the
Grid and EVs
Herzliya, Israel
More information:
www.sdle.co.il/default.asp?stype=0&pageid=70657

2428 May 2015

227th Meeting of The Electrochemical
Society, including Symposia on
Crosscutting Metrics and Benchmarking
of Transformational Low-Carbon EnergyConversion Technologies, Electrochemical
Synthesis of Fuels, Materials for Low
Temperature Electrochemical Systems,
Solid-Gas Electrochemical Interfaces, and
a State of the Art Tutorial on Diagnostics
in Low Temperature Fuel Cells

Dsseldorf, Germany
More information: www.ires2015.org

Chicago, Illinois, USA

More information:
www.electrochem.org/meetings/biannual/227

913 March 2015

31 May3 June 2015

4th International Conference

on Multifunctional, Hybrid and
Nanomaterials Hybrid Materials 2015
Sitges, Barcelona, Spain
More information:
www.hybridmaterialsconference.com

17 March 2015
11th International Hydrogen and Fuel
Cell Conference, Partnering & Exhibition:
Delivering Hydrogen & Fuel Cells to Market
NEC, Birmingham, UK
More information:
www.climate-change-solutions.co.uk

1922 March 2015

New Energy Husum 2015,
Exhibition & Congress
Husum, Germany
More information:
www.new-energy.de/new_energy/en

17th Topical Meeting of the

International Society of
Electrochemistry: Multiscale Analysis of
Electrochemical Systems
Saint-Malo, France
More information: http://topical17.ise-online.org

812 June 2015

2015 DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Program, Annual Merit Review and
Peer Evaluation Meeting

Elyria, Ohio, USA

More information: www.fuelcellcorridor.com

1419 June 2015

SAE 2015 World Congress

Detroit, Michigan, USA
More information: www.sae.org/congress

2224 June 2015

2728 April 2015

Bad Zwischenahn, Germany

More information:
www.next-energy.de/EMEA2015.html

Fuel Cells Bulletin

14th International Symposium on Solid

Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC-XIV), within ECS
Conference on Electrochemical Energy
Conversion & Storage
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
More information:
www.electrochem.org/meetings/satellite/glasgow

69 September 2015
H2YPOTHESIS XI Conference,
Hydrogen Power Theoretical
and Engineering Solutions
International Symposium 2015
Toledo, Spain
More information: www.hypothesis.ws
Abstract deadline: 1 February 2015

610 September 2015

Euromembrane 2015 Conference
RWTH, Aachen, Germany
More information:
www.euromembrane2015.com

910 September 2015

8th Annual Low Carbon Vehicle Event
(LCV2015), organised by UK Cenex
Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon
and Fuel Cell Technologies
Millbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
More information: www.cenex-lcv.co.uk

49 October 2015
66th Annual Meeting of the
International Society of
Electrochemistry: Green Electrochemistry
for Tomorrows Society
Taipei, Taiwan
More information: http://annual66.ise-online.org

1114 October 2015

6th World Hydrogen Technologies
Convention, WHTC 2015

World of Energy Solutions 2015,

including 15th f-cell Forum for
Producers & Users (alongside
Battery+Storage and e-mobil
BW Technologietag)

Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium 2015

Vancouver, BC, Canada

More information: www.ceramics.org/11cmcee

20

2631 July 2015

1011 June 2015

2123 April 2015

HFC 2015, Hydrogen + Fuel Cells:

Vancouver Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Summit

Lucerne, Switzerland
More information: www.efcf.com

Sydney, NSW, Australia

More information: www.whtc2015.com

Hannover, Germany
More information: www.h2fc-fair.com

21st Group Exhibit Hydrogen + Fuel Cells

+ Batteries, within Hannover Messe 2015

5th European PEFC & H2 Forum,

with Exhibition & Demonstration

Arlington, Virginia, USA

More information:
www.annualmeritreview.energy.gov

11th International Symposium on

Ceramic Materials & Components for
Energy & Environmental Applications
(11CMCEE), including Symposium
on High-temperature Fuel Cells &
Electrolysis

1317 April 2015

30 June3 July 2015

Workshop on Ion Exchange Membranes

for Energy Applications, EMEA 2015

1214 October 2015

Stuttgart, Germany
More information:
www.world-of-energy-solutions.de

1011 November 2015

3rd Dresden Conference on Energy
in Future: Materials for Energy
Dresden, Germany
More information:
www.zukunftenergie-dresden.de/en.html

1618 December 2015

Piero Lunghi European Fuel Cell
Conference & Exhibition, EFC15
Naples, Italy
More information: www.europeanfuelcell.it

January 2015