Hydrogen Hits the Roads

The EcoMotion Truck is a mobile power station, powered by two high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFC) that run on methanol. The HT-PEMFC allow for a simplified balance of plant and improved carbon monoxide tolerance, which makes it possible to use liquid methanol as fuel. This is reformed into hydrogen-rich gas internally in the system. The system developed by Serenergy is the first commercially available mobile RMFC (reformed methanol fuel cell) system in the world, based on HT-PEMFC technology.
The fuel cell truck was tested by gardeners in the grounds of Holstebro Cemeteries (Denmark), where it has three key advantages: its near-silent operation, low emissions and the fact that it does not require constant recharging. Gardeners can operate the EcoMotion for up to a week before the ten litre fuel tank needs refilling.

The Japan Petroleum Energy Center (JPEC) commissioned TÜV SÜD to map the state of the art in hydrogen refuelling stations in Germany and Europe. The results of this study will be incorporated into the revision of Japan’s legal regulations for hydrogen refuelling stations. By revising the legal regulations for hydrogen refuelling stations, the Japanese government aims to advance the establishment of a national network of 70-MPa (700 bar) hydrogen refuelling stations. For this purpose, the Japan Petroleum Energy Center (JPEC) was commissioned by the Japanese Research Association of Hydrogen Supply / Utilization Technology (HySUT) and the News Energy and Industrial Development Organisation (NEDO) to develop a proposal for the revision of the existing technical standards and regulations. The new standards and regulations are planned to pave the way for constructing and operating hydrogen refuelling stations in Japan and ensure a high level of safety. On behalf of the JPEC, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH reviewed the technical requirements and the relevant German and European regulations and standards that must be fulfilled for licensing, constructing and operating hydrogen refuelling stations in Germany. Markus Born, expert for gas refuelling stations at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service, presented the results in Tokyo in front [...]

Air Liquide has been continuously running two Hydrogenics Hystat 60 Generators since 2006 at their plant in Calarasi, Romania which has produced 5.0 million cubic meters of Hydrogen between the two units without any performance or service issues.

The world’s first plug-in electric/hydrogen fuel cell class “8″ truck has been deployed into routine drayage operation at the Port of Long Beach today. Total Transportation Service, Inc.(“TTSI”), in conjunction with Vision Motors have released the “Tyrano” into service which features Hydrogenics HD16 (16.5 kW continuous power) HYPM fuel cell power modules hybridized with Lithium Ion battery set. “We are proud to have invested in this cutting-edge technology which results in zero-emissions at the tail pipe” notes Vic LaRose, President of TTSI. TTSI took possession of the “Tyrano” last July for testing, and January 11th will mark the first date that the “Tyrano” will be deployed at the Port for routine drayage operations. Source: Hydrogenics

Walmart Canada Corp projects major productivity savings offsetting its investment in a fleet of Crown Equipment Corp PC4500 pallet trucks utilising Plug Power Inc GenDrive-brand hydrogen fuel cells. Andrew Ellis, Walmart Canada senior vice president of supply chain and logistics, addressed the subject in his 6 December remarks during the World Trade Group Ltd’s three-day ninth annual Supply Chain and Logistics Summit North America in Dallas, Texas, United States. Ellis says the materials handling equipment for a new distribution centre in Balzac cost USD693,000 more than pallet trucks with battery power systems, but that annual operational savings of USD269,000 are anticipated. Ellis says total savings in energy costs for Balzac operations may reach USD4.8 million by 2015. Walmart Canada operates 325 retail outlets, has about 85,000 associates and invested CAD220 million (USD219 million) during 2009/10 to update and expand its distribution network, now with eight facilities in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario. In the hamlet of Balzac near Calgary, Walmart Canada opened its first sustainable fresh and refrigerated food distribution centre in November 2010 using hydrogen fuel cells, solar thermal, wind power and other sustainability features and products. The major project cost about CAD115 million (USD107 million). To read [...]

Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) expects to put a fuel cell powered mine locomotive through its paces in the first half of this year. The locomotive will initially be tested on surface at AngloPlat’s Dishaba mine, in Limpopo province, South Africa. “Hopefully by March/April, we’ll have a loco on surface that will be fuel cell based,” Anglo Platinum market development and research head Anthea Bath told Mining Weekly Online. The point of the demonstration will be to show that fuel cell powered locomotives can provide superior productivity and zero-emission underground transport. The locomotives currently run off battery power. Amplats, the world’s leading primary producer of platinum group metals, is working closely with the South African government to develop the business of fuel cells. A 100 million rand fund has made its first allocation to a US company manufacturing and marketing fuel cell systems in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

H2 Logic A/S has recently supplied a hydrogen refuelling station 150 meters north of the polar circle, at the Arctic Driving Centre in Finland. The station is based on H2Station® technology and provides three minutes fast fill of hydrogen at 700 bar for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) being tested by car manufacturers under extreme cold climate conditions.

NEW-IG and N.ERGHY invite all parties interested in responding to the FCH JU Call for proposals 2012 to participate in the Public Information Session and Brokerage event 2012.

Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies (APFCT) has announced that one of the fuel cell scooters in its demonstration fleet has become the first to complete 15,000 km on the road. The ten scooter fleet is being tested in the Demonstration and Verification Program of Hydrogen Energy Industry, sponsored by the Bureau of Energy, Taiwan. Under this, six scooters are allocated to an on-road test drive of 5,000 km. One scooter was durability tested for 5,000 km by the Taiwan Automotive Research and Testing Center (ARTC), which was completed in October of this year. The remaining three scooters must each complete 15,000 km on the road; the second scooter is expected to reach the target this week. The project will be complete in January 2012. APFCT’s Zero Emission fuel cell Scooter (ZES) is being developed for commercial sale, primarily in Asia. A deal to develop a commercial canister refuelling system using Acta’s electrolyser stack technology was announced earlier this month (see our news story).

A duo of patents uncovered in October signalled that Apple was actively interested in the use of fuel cells for powering some of its consumer devices. Apple is notorious in its obsession with thinness and lightness and October’s patents showed how the company could develop lightweight monopolar fuel cells. Now two further patent applications show how the company could integrate a fuel cell and fuel cartridge system into a MacBook. Source: FuelCellToday