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Fuel Cell Seminar, CADER/DPCA

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Fuel Cell Seminar http://www.gofuelcell.com
30 Oct – 2 Nov 2000, Portland, OR

This is the major Fuel Cell event, held every two years. The last one was in Palm Springs. There was a huge turnout -over 2000 people, with lots of financial types and corporations represented. It was a strange kind of transitional hybrid between a professional technical conference and an industry trade show. The exhibitions were far more lavish than ever before.

My own foremost impression – it is not about fuel cells. It’s about the fuel. The fuel cell is the easy part. Getting fuel for it (espec PEM) is the hard part. The great majority of papers and discussion revolved around fuel processing.

Most often heard new (to me) jargon — “fromwellhead to wheel”. This refers to need to take the efficiency of entire fuel cycle into account– for example methanol has already sacrificed energy content by the time it’s made. Reformer hydrogen has less energy content than the fossil fuel you start with.

FUELCELL PUBLICATIONS

Abstracts of the 2000 Fuel Cell Seminar. The book given to attendees is about 1.5 ” thick. Also on a CD. ( a set of 250 pdf files, totalling over 83 MB) The book or the CD may be available for purchase from the conference sponsors. Contact:
“Wiesenfeld, Susan”
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The new 5th edition of the DOE Fuel Cell Handbook (Oct 2000) was handed out at the Seminar. Will be available on the NETL website. http://www.netl.doe.gov (I have the CD…main pdf file is 3.5 Meg which I can email on request)
To order the CD http://198.99.246.10/

[web tip] — The NETL website has its fuelcell materials under the Strategic Center for Natural Gas/End-Use. The “News” is particularly useful:
http://www.netl.doe.gov/scng/news/news_toc2.html
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A couple of choice items:
–The Fall 2000 issue of Fuel Cell Catalyst [PDF-70KB] is now available. This is a new free quarterly newsletter for the fuel cell industry, reporting on government and industry fuel cell issues, including: special themes focused on particular segments of the industry, in-depth looks at federal fuel cell programs, and reports from companies on the status of their own research.
http://www.netl.doe.gov/scng/publications/Catalyst_October.pdf
Subscribe at http://fuelcellnews.listbot.com/
~~~~~~~~
–The final solicitation [PDF-498KB] for DOE’s Strategic Center for Natural Gas new fuel cell initiative, called the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance, or SECA, was posted 11/3/00. The goal of SECA is to accelerate the development of the industry based needed to produce low-cost solid-state fuel cells.
http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/solicit/2000pdf/40854/40854.pdf
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Several key reports are available at the DOE Office of Transportation website:
http://www.ott.doe.gov/oaat/library.html

-Challenges for Transportation Fuel Cells: Fuel Processing and Cost – October 2000
http://www.ott.doe.gov/pdfs/2000FCpresentation.pdf

-A.D. Little Fuel Cell Cost Study–Cost Analysis of Fuel Cell System for Transportation – March 2000
http://www.ott.doe.gov/pdfs/Baseline_Cost_Model.pdf
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FUEL CELLS & CIDI Engine R&D
Solicitation Number: DE-RP04-01AL67057
Description: Solicitation for financial assistance applications for research, development and analysis of automotive and stationary fuel cell power systems, fuels for fuel cells, and Compression Ignition Direct Injection (CIDI) engines.
(download full solicitation document available 851 KB)
http://www.doeal.gov/cpd/readroom.htm

Zero Emission Coal (Los Alamos)

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(One of a series of UFTO Notes based on the recent visit to Los Alamos National Laboratory)

Zero Emission Coal

Los Alamos is working to eliminate the environmental concerns associated with the use of fossil fuel, which will continue to be an important energy source well into this century. One technology the Laboratory is developing to achieve this goal is a zero emission process for converting coal and water into hydrogen, which is then converted into electricity, with virtually no emissions of pollutants. Thirteen entities with interests in coal production and energy generation have teamed up to form the Zero Emission Coal Alliance (ZECA) which plans to commercialize this process within five years.

The Technology In the context of DOE’s “Vision 21” goal to eliminate environmental concerns from the use of coal. Los Alamos is developing technology to achieve a zero emission process for converting a coal and water slurry into hydrogen, which is in turn converted to electricity via a high-temperature solid-oxide fuel cell.

The new process builds on CONSOL’s CO2 Acceptor Process, which was piloted in the 1970’s. While still relying on cycling of calcium oxide (CaO) to drive the production of hydrogen, enhancements produce separate streams of hydrogen and CO2. The hydrogen is used to generate emission-free electricity and the CO2 is reacted with abundant magnesium silicates to be permanently sequestered as a solid, inert and stable mineral carbonate.

Hydrogen gas is produced from water and coal using a calcium oxide (CaO) to calcium carbonate (CaCO3) intermediary reaction. Through a subsequent reaction, the calcium carbonate generated by hydrogen production is converted back into calcium oxide and a pressurized stream of pure CO2. The calcium oxide is recycled to drive further hydrogen production, and the CO2 stream is ready for easy disposal.

The hydrogen is fed to solid-oxide fuel cells to generate electric power, and the ~50% of waste heat produced by the fuel cells is not truly wasted because it is reinjected into the process to drive the calcination reaction.

The already pressurized CO2 stream is reacted with magnesium or calcium silicate mineral deposits to form geologically stable mineral carbonates. (The reaction is part of the natural geological carbon cycle; therefore, all mineral end products are naturally occurring and completely benign.) The mineral sequestration process is economically viable because the CO2 stream is non-mechanically pressurized in the hydrogen production process and the carbonation reaction is exothermic (i.e., it creates energy instead of consuming it).

In addition, the types of mineral deposits needed to carry out the reaction are abundant enough to handle all the carbon associated with the world’s coal reserves. Magnesium-rich ultramafic rocks, primarily peridotites and serpentinites, are the main candidates for mineral carbonation. Deposits distributed throughout the world, though in specific concentrated areas on each continent.
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The Alliance
Thirteen entities from the United States and Canada with interests in coal production and the use of coal for electrical generation have agreed to contribute $50,000 each to form ZECA.

Phase I: ZECA is currently structured with an executive team headed by Jim Berson, Director of Planning and Business Development from Kennecott Energy/Rio Tinto, a technology team headed by Dr. Hans Ziock, senior scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and a business team headed by Alan Johnson, President of The Coal Association of Canada. The goal of Phase I is to develop a business plan and a technical plan leading to the completion of a pilot plant in a five year time frame.

ZECA has begun to proceed with Phase I. The alliance however still welcomes the participation of additional members to ensure a broad spectrum of industry participation and expertise. As alliance members, participants in Phase I have the opportunity to help guide the work conducted under the supervision of the technical and business committees, as well as the opportunity to serve or participate on those committees at their discretion.

Additional information is available online:
http://www.lanl.gov/energy/est/zec/zec.html

for technical information:
Klaus Lackner, 505-667-5694, ksl@lanl.gov
Hans Ziock, 505-667-7265, ziock@lanl.gov

for business information:
Jim Berson, 307-687-6049, bersonj@kenergy.com
Alan Johnson, 403-262-1544, johnson@coal.ca

(I have several technical papers from Los Alamos, which I can send on request.)

Amorphous Metal Motors

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Here is a very new and different approach to electric motors and generators. The following summary from the company’s business plan. I am working closely with them to help them develop contacts with potential strategic partners and investors. I can send on request the complete business plan, with figures, as a Word document.

The company believes that their motors will outperform by a wide margin any of the other “new” types of motors and generators, particularly in light of the ability to eliminate gears and drivetrains.

===== Executive Summary ========

Light Engineering is introducing a patented, new and revolutionary motor/generator technology using amorphous metal materials. The use of amorphous metal leads to dramatic improvements in the performance, operating efficiencies and cost effectiveness of Light Engineering’s motor/generator. Unlike anything else in the marketplace today, Light Engineering’s motors deliver high performance, maintaining high torque over an entire speed range thus opening the door to many new applications not achievable by traditional motor technology.

Today, Light Engineering is the only developer of electric motors and generators that incorporate amorphous metals as the magnetic core material. Light Engineering has built and tested several generations of prototypes in the 5hp+ range that have now demonstrated the following advantages over conventional motors:

Significantly expanded torque/speed range
High starting torque thresholds
3x torque to weight advantage of traditional motors
4x torque to volume advantage of traditional motors
Software “scalability” with expanded frequency
High “Output Density” Generators
Significantly reduced cost of materials
Manufacturability without major capital expense

The wide performance range of Light Engineering’s motors reduces the need for mechanical gears and transmissions. Instead, software algorithms programmed into a digital signal processor responds to internal sensors, this can be done either locally or remotely over telecommunication lines. They adjust motor performance dynamically to achieve optimum operating efficiency as load conditions and user preferences change. These motors and generators are thus transformed from mechanisms that are mechanically configured to perform a specific task into intelligent platforms that provide unprecedented adaptability to the demands of their operating environment.

These motors are modular and scalable and can be incorporated into a full range of applications. For instance, in the hybrid electrical vehicle market, these motors supply the high torque required to get the vehicle moving and the high efficiency needed at various operating speeds ? all without any gears or a transmission. Light Engineering expects its motors and generators will be the technology of choice for both hybrid and fuel cell powered vehicles.

With the exceptional performance range of Light Engineering’s motors it also enables whole new classes of other products that are not practical with today’s technology. These include turbo-compressors for refrigeration, turbo-generators for stand-alone power stations, a combination starter motor/alternator for vehicles or aircraft engines and variable speed applications enabling remote control of energy consuming equipment.

The design of these motors/generators eliminates the need for Light Engineering to invest in manufacturing plants and equipment. These products will be able to quickly enter the marketplace through a combination of contract manufacturing and licensing.

Light Engineering has in place a blocking intellectual property portfolio that includes 5 issued and 4 allowed patents and has entered into a Technology Development and Licensing Agreement with Honeywell (formerly AlliedSignal), the world’s largest manufacturer of amorphous metals, sold under the trademark “Metglas” .

Light Engineering has assembled a experienced team including some of the country’s top motor designers, consultants and advisers. It leases a 12,000 square foot facility in Campbell, CA divided into offices, development laboratories and a prototype fabrication area. This “Tech Center” is equipped to design, rapid prototype, program and test the motor / generator and controller systems.

Light Engineering seeks to raise $4-5 million from the sale of a Series B Preferred Stock with the net proceeds from this offering primarily used to fund prototype development costs, hire additional staff and transition the technology from research into the first phase of commercialization.

Fuel Cells Discussed on Investors Net Radio Show

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The information presented in these interviews is pretty basic, starting with a primer on the big changes underway in the utility industry. Hugh Holman (see the UFTO home page for his earlier report) is one of the very few Wall Street analysts concentrating on energy technology. He makes a good case that this area could be the “next big thing,” and we’ve already had a taste of it starting this January.

The programs give a good overview perspective on fuel cells, and it’s interesting to hear spokesmen from Plug and Ballard explain their positioning and strategies, and to hear the financial reporters starting to “get it.” We have to remember that most people know very little about all of this — maybe these shows can help us explain it to friends and family ( “and management?” . . . no . . better not say that).

You can listen to the archived broadcasts over the internet, using RealPlayer, or order transcripts.
————————————-

(PR Newswire article this morning)

Fuel Cell or ‘Fool Cell?’ Engines Highlight ‘Tech Check’ Radio With CIBC Analyst Hugh Holman and Paul Lancaster Of Ballard Power Systems

Is the venerable but polluting internal combustion engine in autos and buses about to go the way of black and white TV? How long will it be until we’ll be speeding along the roadways emitting nothing more toxic than water vapor?

To hear the latest developments in the race to bring the first commercially produced and priced fuel cell engines to transportation users worldwide, tune in to [Wed Mar 29] today’s “Tech Check” Radio program produced by Informed Investors Radio.

. . . Vancouver, BC-based Ballard Power Systems (Nasdaq: BLDP) has made great strides in developing PEM (proton exchange membrane) technology and is a leader worldwide in developing fuel cell technology for transportation uses. It also has a major commitment in stationary and portable power segments. Paul Lancaster, VP of Corporate Development, will discuss Ballard’s most recent developments and answer questions.

Analyst Hugh Holman of CIBC World Markets is again a guest. In last week’s program, Holman largely focused on fuel cell companies providing stationary power for residential use and other stand-alone markets, with a particular emphasis on developments at Plug Power (Nasdaq: PLUG).

This week, Holman will discuss fuel cells and transportation. Also, listeners of last week’s program sent provocative questions relating to Canadian company Global Thermoelectric (Toronto: GLE) and its solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) program. Holman will discuss pros and cons of the PEM vs. the SOFC.

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http://www.broadcast.com/shows/informedinvestors/
http://www.broadcast.com/shows/informedinvestors/archive.html

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March 22, 2000 –PART 1
http://playlist.broadcast.com/makeram.asp?id=375291
[this link will immediately start downloading the RealPlayer audio file]

Honey, Don’t Forget to Pack the Fuel Cell.
Soaring energy costs have rejuvenated thoughts of alternative energy. Meet some of the players.

Theme: Sector news–especially the tech sector–from the analysts, fund managers, industry pundits and company executives is the focus. Expect timely, in-depth news for improving investment decisions.

Snapshot: With gas prices rising faster than the Fed Funds rate, Wall Street has discovered fuel cell companies. Developments in this nascent, but potentially enormous industry will almost certainly have major effects on both the transportation and power generation industries. To get the inside scoop on what is powering the surge in the fuel cell-related stocks, catch analyst Hugh Holman of CIBC World Markets and Gary Mittleman, CEO of Plug Power (Nasdaq:PLUG).

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March 29, 2000 –PART 2
http://playlist.broadcast.com/makeram.asp?id=376499

Energy Tech Part 2: Fired Up About Fuel Cells
Another look at this exploding group, which may change the way we fuel our cars and homes. Ballard Power Systems is scheduled, and so is Hugh Holman, an energy technology analyst at CIBC World Markets. He’ll review types of fuel cells, industry drivers and trends, and what to watch the rest of the year.

Snapshot: “Energy Tech Part 2: Fired Up About Fuel Cells” Having set records for traffic last Wednesday, we’ll take another look at this exploding group, which may change the way we fuel our cars and homes. Ballard Power Systems is scheduled, and Hugh Holman, Energy Technology analyst at CIBC World Markets, returns to review types of fuel cells, industry drivers and trends and what to watch the rest of the year.

DOE Vision 21 Energy Plants of the Future Solicitation

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Here’s a major opportunity to get DOE funding for good ideas. The website has additional materials, including a download link for the solicitation itself.
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U.S. Department of Energy

http://www.fe.doe.gov/techline/tl_vis21sol1.html

Issued on October 1, 1999

Energy Department Opens First Major Competition For Vision 21 Energy Plants of the Future

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened the competition for companies to begin designing a new type of energy facility that could change the way people think about fossil fuel power plants in the 21st century.

Called Vision 21, the new class of fossil fuel plants would produce electricity, chemicals, fuels or perhaps a combination of products in ways tailored to meet specific market needs.

Employing the latest in emission control systems, plus potentially revolutionary breakthroughs in such technologies as gas separation membranes, fuel cell-turbine hybrids, and carbon sequestration, Vision 21 energy facilities would have virtually no environmental impact outside the plant’s immediate “footprint.”

The plants would also be among the first to be developed and designed using advanced visualization and modeling software. Such “virtual demonstration” technology might eliminate the need for some of the expensive engineering and pilot facilities that have been necessary in other large scale development efforts.

The Energy Department will offer up to $30 million for winning projects, with each of the initial projects expected to receive from $1.5 million to $2.5 million. Private industry will be required to provide at least 20 percent of each project’s cost.

The initial set of projects would run for up to three years and would establish the design foundation and analytical capabilities for future development efforts.

The key to Vision 21 will be to integrate the ‘best-of-class’ technologies from across the fossil fuel spectrum – for example, the most fuel-flexible gasifiers and combustors, the most effective way to remove pollutant-forming impurities, the latest in fuel cell and turbine systems, and the most affordable ways to manufacture liquid fuels and chemicals.

Individually, none of these technologies are likely to achieve the increasingly stringent environmental and cost requirements that energy companies will confront in the 21st century. Integrated together, however, these advanced systems could provide consumers with affordable power and fuels along with unprecedented levels of environmental protection.

The Energy Department’s Federal Energy Technology Center is issuing the solicitation and plans to accept proposals throughout the coming year. Beginning around January 31, 2000, the department will announce project selections every four months. The due date for proposals for the first evaluation period is November 30, 1999. Proposals are being requested in three areas:

Technologies that will make up the “modules” of Vision 21 plants, for example, in such areas as advanced gas separation and purification, heat exchangers, fuel-flexible gasifers, advanced low-polluting combustion systems, turbines, fuel cells, and chemical and fuel synthesis processes.

Systems integration capabilities needed to combine two or more of the modules;

Advanced plant design and visualization software leading to a “virtual demonstration” of a Vision 21 plant.

The Energy Department has set a timetable to have Vision 21 technologies and designs ready for use by private industry in building commercial facilities by around 2015. Many experts forecast that the next major wave of U.S. power plant construction will begin around this time.

The Energy Department, however, expects the Vision 21 program to begin benefiting the energy industry well before 2015. The program is expected to produce spinoff technologies – possibly low-cost oxygen separation, better catalysts for the chemical industry, lower cost manufacturing processes, and improved pollution control systems — beginning as early as 2005.

IEEE Standards Group Tackles DR Interconnection Issues

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The IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 21 (IEEE SCC21) oversees the development of standards in the area of fuel cells, photovoltaics, distributed generation, and energy storage.

— SCC21 coordinates efforts in these fields among the various IEEE societies and other appropriate organizations to insure that all standards are consistent and properly reflect the views of all applicable disciplines. SCC21 reviews all proposed IEEE standards in these fields before their submission to the IEEE Standards Board for approval and coordinates submission to other organizations. (To learn more about IEEE Standards activities, go to: http://standards.ieee.org/ )

“Standard for Distributed Resources Interconnected with Electric Power Systems” is the task of a new working group (one of 19 under SCC21). Their project authorization request (PAR) P1547 got the final go ahead in March ’99 to develop a “uniform standard for interconnection of distributed resources with electric power systems and requirements relevant to the performance, operation, testing, safety considerations, and maintenance of the interconnection.”

Working Group Chair — Richard DeBlasio (NREL)
Vice Chair — Frank Goodman (EPRI)
Vice Chair — Joseph Koepfinger (Duquesne), and
Working Group Secretary — Thomas S. Basso (NREL).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For a good and timely overview, see this recent testimony before the US Senate:

“Testimony on Interconnection of Distributed Resources before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, US Senate” June 22, 1999,
by Tom Schneider,Vice Chair, Energy Policy Committee, IEEE/USA,
http://www.ieeeusa.org/FORUM/POLICY/99june22.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The P1547 Working Group, whose membership is approaching 200, has met already several times since the initial organizational meeting in December, and will continue to meet as often as every 2-3 months. The last meeting was held Jun 28-30, in Chicago. Future meetings are set for Sept 27 (tentative – precise date to be determined), in Washington DC, then Dec 1-2, in Tampa.

At the September meeting, there are tentative plans to hold an open informational session, which might be good to attend. Also, the Summer Power Meeting in Edmonton (July 18-22) will have DR as a major theme (“Track 3”), with a panel session on interconnection.
(http://www.ieee.org/organizations/society/power/subpages/meetings-folder/summer99/sm99prev.htm)

There’s an aggressive schedule to put together a DR standards document for submission to the IEEE Standards Board — to have a final draft ready by March 2000. Individuals and small groups are working on writing assignments to prepare the various sections. The group has already produced and assembled a great deal of valuable information, and have worked out detailed classification schemes for types of DR interconnection equipment and configurations. Probably the most important attribute is size of the DR, and the size of the system it’s connected to–the larger the DR, as a fraction of the system, the more involved the requirements.

Overall, this is a huge undertaking. According to one estimate, there are at least 18,000 “combinations,” considering the number of different kinds of distribution circuits, inverter types, size ranges, and “issues” to address. An analysis by EEI (Interconnection Operations and Planning Group) has identified 30 issues, times 3 converter types (inverter, and synchronous, and asynch generator), times 5 distribution circuit types. (Some of the 30 issues include nuisance fuse blowing, reclosing, islanding, overvoltages, harmonics, switchgear ratings, lineworker safety, etc.) A major goal of this project is to minimize the time and expense required for protection studies and eliminate customization of solutions, by providing a common analysis framework and prequalification of equipment.

Individual states are under ratepayer pressure to come up quickly with their own jurisdictional DG interconnection rulings, and there are major programs in Europe, so it’s all the more important to avoid the complications of multiple (possibly conflicting) sets of requirements. Fortunately, many other IEEE committees already have standards related to interconnection topics or components, e.g. for power quality, relaying, etc. The ongoing cooperative consensus approach to the P1547 DR standard should help accelerate the development of a technically sound, uniform interconnection standard.

It’s seems surprising that relatively few utilities are represented on the Working Group, despite the often stated belief that DR is going to be hugely significant. (Industry organizations are actively participating, however, along with equipment makers and others.) The companies that are involved seem to embrace the DR concept and appear to be positioning themselves to prosper by it. (Some other companies are getting reputations as obstructionists, throwing obstacles and delays at every proposed installation.)

Participation is the best (only) way to tap into this rich array of information on the subject (all in hardcopy with minutes of the meetings!), and to track and influence developments. Industry experts who contribute their time and energy get a chance to make a difference.

Contact: Dick DeBlasio, 303-384-6452, dick_deblasio@nrel.gov
Tom Basso, 303-384-6765, thomas_basso@nrel.gov

Zinc Air Fuel Cell

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The idea for zinc/air batteries, or fuel cells, has been around for a long time, and in the last couple of years Electric Fuel, an Israeli company, has been getting a lot of press. More quietly, Metallic Power near San Diego has been developing a rapidly refuelable system with a wide range of applications, and is about to start publicizing its story. These notes are adapted from the company’s draft announcement materials.

The rapidly refuelable fuel cell is reliable power source that is quiet, safe to handle, emission-free, recyclable and cost effective – and “recharges” in five minutes.

The fuel cycle uses Zinc, as a completely recycled, clean, nontoxic, and non-flammable fuel. Inside the closed fuel cell, zinc pellets (1mm diameter) are combined with oxygen from the air, forming zinc oxide (a safe white powder used in skin creams and sunblock) and releasing large amounts of electricity. The reaction takes place in the presence of potassium hydroxide, the same liquid electrolyte found in alkaline disposable batteries. Water, used as a reactant in the process, is recycled automatically within the fuel cell.

Five-minute refueling: the Zinc pellets are pumped into the fuel cell with the liquid electrolyte from a vending-machine-sized zinc recycling/refueling unit. Simultaneously, zinc oxide is pumped through a hose from the fuel cell to the “vending unit” as a mixture with liquid electrolyte.

After refueling, the “vending” regeneration unit uses electricity to slowly convert the zinc oxide back into fresh zinc fuel pellets, and oxygen is released back into the air. ItÕs a completely closed-loop system, with nothing to add, nothing to discard, nothing wasted, and three times the energy efficiency of a gasoline engine.

Metallic Power has patents pending or in preparation for new air cathodes, electrolyte management, sealed replaceable refueling cartridges, regeneration equipment design and zinc fueling technology.

The big difference with Electric Fuel’s approach–that system involves a sizable facility to swap out the entire cell, which then must be shipped back to a factory to be completely rebuilt. The factory would be a multimillion $ installation, compared with a few $thousand for an on-site vending-machine sized unit. (Note that Electric Fuel did not get a go-ahead from the German post office after a much publicized demo, and is now emphasizing development of disposable cell-phone batteries.)

Specific energy output currently is at 160 watt hours/kg with a potential of 220 Wh/kg, compared to lead/acid at 35 Wh/kg and lithium-ion at 100 – 120 Wh/kg. Energy density is 200 watt hours/liter, much better than lead/acidÕs 75 Wh/liter. Recharge time for a lead/acid battery is eight hours compared to zinc/airÕs five minutes. Long term potential includes fuel cells for electric cars with a range of 300 miles.

Near term applications include: Industrial Non-Road Vehicles (e.g., maintenance carts and fork lifts), Turf Maintenance (e.g., golfcourse mowers); Motor Scooters (especially in Asia); and Commercial Back-up Power Sources (e.g., telecom and marine industry generators). Note the emphasis on small “fleet” style operations whose controlled environment can adapt most readily, and support an on-site vending/regeneration unit.

Current customers and partners include:

– Toro, manufacturer of turf maintenance equipment,to facilitate quieter morning and night-time mowing and less damage to golf course greens.

– Textron, manufacturer of Cushman and E-Z-GO small utility vehicles, to increase availability and decrease down time.

– U.S. Army, testing prototypes for silently powering electronic equipment in forward military positions.

– South Coast Air Quality Management District, supporting clean-air technology demonstration

– U.S. Dept of Transportation, supporting advanced transportation technology development

– ABB, to supply power electronics and product integration for backup power systems based on the company’s zinc/air fuel cells

The Zinc/Air Fuel Cell will reduce operational costs as compared with lead-acid battery powered equipment because instant refueling eliminates the need for duplicate equipment and batteries. Overall cost of ownership should be comparable to or lower than that of gasoline powered equipment.

The company demonstrated the world’s first zinc pellet powered vehicle in Sept 98. It was powered by a 2.2kW (3hp) unit and ran for several hours. An improved version at 4kW and 48 volts (an alpha prototype) will operate for at least 100 hours by Sept 99 together with the alpha prototype zinc regeneration unit.

Currently, the company is signing up customers for a beta prototype three month rental program for 48 volt units in the year 2000. Interested parties should make contact soon, because half of the 50 fuel cells in the program are already booked. Commercial production is anticipated in late 2001.

Metallic Power will begin raising a second round of equity funding in a few months, and a detailed business plan will be available to potential investors.

Contact:
Jeff Colborn, Chairman & CEO
Metallic Power Inc., Carlsbad, CA, (near San Diego)
760-804-7600 x116 jeff.colborn@metallicpower.com

Company website (available in late March) http://www.metallicpower.com

Fuel Cell Information Sources

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The industry pays a lot of attention to Fuel Cells and there are many sources of information, so UFTO doesn’t attempt to cover this huge topic except for unusual or less visible developments.

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If you didn’t go to the big meeting in Palm Springs last Fall, you can purchase a copy of the of the 1998 Fuel Cell Seminar Abstract book for $45 (includes U.S. shipping & handling), or if you prefer in CD ROM format for $20 (includes U.S. postage & handling). For international orders please contact us for shipping information.

Mail check to:
Fuel Cell Seminar
2000 L Street, NW. Suite 710
Washington, DC 20036

For credit card orders call (202) 973-8671. Please allow-2-3 weeks for delivery. Quantities are limited. (FUELCELL98@courtesyassoc.com)

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Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Letter http://www.mhv.net/~hfcletter/
(monthly newsletter, $230/year — recommended)
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Here is a list of websites on fuel cells, courtesy of Charles Berry, KeySpan Energy (Brooklyn Union), our newest UFTO member (cberry@keyspanenergy.com). Many of these sites also have lists of site links.
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Charles Berry’s FUEL CELL WEBSITES LIST:

Fuel Cell Developer List
http://www.fuelcells.org/fuel/fcdevel.shtml

Brooklyn Union
http://www.bug.com/product/fuelcel.htm

International Fuel Cells
http://www.internationalfuelcells.com/

ONSI Corporation
http://www.onsicorp.com/

Ballard
http://www.ballard.com

Dais Corporation
http://www.dais.net/

DCH Technology
http://www.dch-technology.com

Dept. of Defense
http://www.dodfuelcell.com

Dept. of Energy
http://www.doe.gov
http://www.fetc.doe.gov/products/power/fc.html **

(** Has proceedings of the annual Joint DOE/EPRI/GRI Workshops on Fuel Cell Technology. The writeup for the May ’98 meeting in San Francisco is still in preparation by EPRI. The ’99 meeting will be in Chicago, July 27-29.)

Energy Research Corp.
http://www.ercc.com

Electric Power Research Institute
http://www.epri.com

Epyx Corporation
http://www.epyx.com

Equitable Gas
http://www.equitablegas.com/tech/fuelcell1.htm

Gas Research Institute
http://www.gri.org/

General Motors
http://www.gm.com/vehicles/us/innovations/fuelcellcar.html

Fuel Cell Commercialization Group
http://www.ttcorp.com/fccg/index.htm

Fuel Cells 2000
http://www.fuelcells.org/

A.D. Little
http://www.adltranspotech.com/Fuel.serv.html

Air Products
http://www.airproducts.com/corp/spring98/road.htm

American Hydrogen Association
http://www.clean-air.org/

Analytic Power Corp.
http://www.analyticpower.com

Ansaldo CLC
http://www.Ansaldo.it/clc

APASE
http://www.swifty.com/apase/charlotte/!chem.html

Avista Labs
http://www.avistalabs.com/

ElectroChem, Inc.
http://www.fuelcell.com/

Energy Partners
http://www.gate.net/~h2_ep/

Fuel Cell File
http://www.igc.apc.org/raenergy/fuelcl.html

Gridwatch
http://www.gridwatch.com/guide/fuel_cells/

H Power Corp.
http://www.hpower.com/

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Letter
http://www.mhv.net/~hfcletter/

Hydrogen Burner Technology
http://www.hydrogenburner.com/

Hydrogen-Gazette
http://www.HyWeb.de/gazette-e

Hydrogen InfoNet
http://www.eren.doe.gov/hydrogen/infonet.html

Humboldt State University
http://sorrel.humboldt.edu/~serc/index.shtml

HyWeb
http://www.HyWeb.de/index-e.html

M-C Power
http://www.mcpower.com

NASA Lewis Safety Manual
http://www-osma.lerc.nasa.gov/lsm/lsm6.htm

Natural Resource Defense Council
http://www.nrdc.org

Northeast Utilities
http://www.nu.com/energy/fuelcell.htm

Westinghouse
http://www.stc.westinghouse.com/AEC/aec_hp.htm

National Fuel Cell Research Center
http://www.nfcrc.uci.edu/

National Hydrogen Association
http://www.ttcorp.com/nha/index.htm

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
http://www.nrel.gov/business/international/info-energy/supplies/fossil/fuel-cell.html

NYSERDA
http://www.NYSERDA.org
(St. Vincent’s demonstration is covered in Report 97-3)

Argonne National Labs
http://www.anl.gov:80/LabDB/Current/Ext/H460-text.001.htm

Oak Ridge National Labs
http://www.ornl.gov

Plug Power, LLC
http://www.plugpower.com

Philadelphia Inquirer
http://sln.fi.edu/inquirer/hydrocar.html

Proton Energy Systems
http://www.protonenergy.com/home.htm

Sacramento Municipal Utility District
http://www.smud.org/energy/powres/ar%26t.html

Sandia National Labs
http://www.techpart.sandia.gov/RAFCO/rafco_facts_2.htm

Small-scale Fuel Cell Commercialization Group
http://www.oge.com/sfccg/sfccg.htm

South Coast Air Quality Management District
http://www.aqmd.gov

Stanford University
http:// www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/progress/hydrogen.html

US Fuel Cell Council
http://www.usfcc.com/index.html

Utilicorp
http://www.utilicorp.com/products/business/pqn/partners/cgi-bin/cgibuilder.cgi?onsi.html

Warsitz Enterprises, Inc.
http://www.Warsitz.com/

Borderland Sciences
http://www.borderlands.com/journal/h2.htm

CTC, NDCEE
http://www.ndcee.ctc.com/pdfindex.htm *

*Following reports available:

Task 3: Investigate Current Uses of Fuel Cells in the DOD, issued June 2, 1997, provides a detailed overview of fuel cell technology, fuel cell manufacturers, and key support organizations. In addition, the report summarizes current DOD fuel cell applications and installations under the Fiscal Year 1993 (FY93) and FY94 DOD fuel cell programs.

Task 4: DOD-Unique Applications, issued June 20, 1997, identifies fuel cell applications not currently pursued by the DOD, including premium power, direct current (DC) power, and hydrogen source applications.

Task 5: DOD Guidebook for Evaluating Fuel Cell Technology, issued October 10, 1997, identifies fuel cell technology, guides users through the process to determine potential fuel cell applications, and allows an approach for an economic analysis of fuel cells.

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