Fuel Cells

PowerCell has signed an agreement with Robert Bosch GmbH to manufacture the fuel cell stack S3 for PowerCell. PowerCell thereby increases its production capacity significantly and focuses on scaling up the assembly and deliveries of fuel cell systems as well as development of the next generation of fuel cell stacks.

Carburos Metálicos has installed a laboratory in La Pobla de Mafumet (Tarragona) that allows the quality of the H₂ used to feed fuel cells to be analyzed, mainly to the mobility of electric H₂ vehicles.

SFC Energy AG together with its strategic partner FC TecNrgy, has received a major order from the Indian Defense Force for the supply of 900 stationary methanol fuel cell generators.

The global fuel cell for stationary power market size is estimated to register a notable CAGR of 11.1% during the forecast period. The market is projected to reach approximately $5.6 MM by 2033 from $1.98 MM in 2023.

The portable fuel cells market is relatively niche and is experiencing utmost and rapid growth, owing to the growing demand for compact, portable and rechargeable fuel cell systems for various applications.

Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology, AE Driven Solutions GmbH, and the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components of RWTH Aachen University announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the industrialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology in Europe.

Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental and engineering consulting company, is working with the sustainable HYdrogen powered Shipping consortium to design and develop H₂ fuel cell propulsion technologies to power the next generation of zero-emissions passenger ships. 

Bramble Energy has joined forces with Equipmake, Aeristech and the University of Bath to develop a revolutionary new H₂ double-deck bus integrating Bramble’s revolutionary, low-cost printed circuit board fuel cell technology.

BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions and Advent Technologies have concluded the terms of a new agreement to join efforts in building a full loop component supply chain for fuel cells and enter discussions to extend the partnership into the field of water electrolysis.

In a strong boost for zero-emission vehicles, ULEMCo and its partners have been awarded £3.9 MM by government, matched by industry to a total £7.9 MM, for a major project with Oxfordshire County Council to develop solutions for H₂ powered vehicles.

First Hydrogen announced the handover of its H₂ fuel cell powered vehicle (FCEV) after the successful completion of safety and mileage accumulation tests. The company’s FCEV has now been delivered to Rivus’ Support Centre in Birmingham, UK.

Loop Energy, a leading manufacturer of H₂ fuel cell solutions, and MYNT First Element, a leading Australian power generator manufacturer, is proud to announce a strategic partnership for manufacturing of H₂ electric power generators.

SFC Energy AG has opened two competence centers for H₂ fuel cell technology in Calgary and Toronto. Product demonstration and testing capabilities as well as Application Engineering expertise will accelerate application-based R&D and bring together customers and H₂ experts in a modern space.

Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, has extended its partnership with SFC Energy to include a commitment from JM to develop and supply proton exchange membrane (PEM) components to support SFC Energy’s growth in H₂ fuel cells.

SK Ecoplant, which has completed its transformation into a new and renewable energy and environmental company, will use new technology to reduce even a small amount of carbon generated while producing electricity with fuel cells.

To support the use of H₂ as a climate-friendly energy carrier, Hengst has developed a modular set of various filtration solutions for fuel cells.

Nikola Corporation announced the expansion of its presence in Alberta, Canada, with the sale of a Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle and a Nikola Tre H₂ fuel cell electric vehicle to the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA). AMTA is combining this purchase with refueling support, via access to Nikola’s innovative H₂ mobile fueler.

Liebherr-Aerospace is supporting Airbus in its ambition to develop the world’s first H₂-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. The OEM develops an air supply system for the fuel cell dedicated to the propulsion of Airbus demonstrator aircraft.

In this episode, H₂Tech spoke with Scott Chudleigh, Hydrogen Business Development Manager, BOC (a Linde company), about advancing the development of H₂ for transport, boosting the innovation and investment landscape surrounding H₂ infrastructure and critical steps the UK needs to take to deploy H₂ at scale.

Given measurement’s critical role in process safety, Endress+Hauser has joined the Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) to offer its voice to advance the promotion of H₂ safety and help CHS ensure safety information, guidance and expertise is available to all stakeholders.

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions welcomes Evolito, a UK technology innovator, onboard as the motor and inverter supplier for its H₂-powered aircraft demonstrator, Project Fresson. Evolito joins Reaction Engines and Ricardo as technology collaborators on Project Fresson, showcasing the UK innovation that is redefining the aviation industry.

Bloom Energy and SK ecoplant Americas have completed the installation of fuel cell systems at two Stamford Health locations. The Bloom platform will provide Stamford Health staff with predictable, stable power to help support Stamford Health’s ability to provide high-quality medical care to patients.

NETL is demonstrating how solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks are uniquely suited to address environmental concerns associated with electric power generation while meeting clean energy goals with installation of four 1.5-KW SOFC stacks at its Morgantown site to supply 5.6 KW of power to the facility’s grid.

A new H₂ compressor developed at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) can improve the efficiency and reliability of H₂ compression used in the refueling of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The SwRI-developed linear motor-driven reciprocating compressor is designed to compress H₂ as a fuel source for FCEVs and other H₂-powered vehicles.

Plug Power has expanded its GenKey offering to enable fuel cell adoption for warehouses that operate fewer than 100 electric forklifts. For the first time, this segment of the forklift market, representing more than 25% of all forklifts sold in the U.S., will have access to cost-effective H₂ fuel cells and the increased productivity they unlock.

Teijin Limited has developed a gas-diffusion layer with a thickness of 50 micrometers, by combining the company’s ultra-fine fibrous carbon and para-aramid fiber using proprietary papermaking technology.

Advent Technologies announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art research and development and manufacturing facility. The new facility represents a significant investment in Advent’s future growth and will enable the company to accelerate its efforts to scale-up and deliver on the increasing global demand for electrochemical components in the clean energy sector.

Teijin announced that it has developed a compact, lightweight and highly portable fuel cell unit and a companion pressure vessel unit that supplies H₂ fuel from three lightweight cylinders. The new solution for integrated fuel cell operation and easy fuel supply is expected to help expand the range and scope of fuel cell use.

Ideanomics announced that the company has been selected by Fenton Mobility Products as its partner to build five H₂-powered, zero-emission transit vans for the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority.

Ricardo is applying its chemical training expertise to enable Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus to implement innovative H₂ technology safely in support of corporate and national decarbonization goals.

Chart and ZEV Stations have executed a Memorandum of Understanding enabling the companies to collaborate on novel deployment for U.S.-based, multimodal H₂ stations with Chart equipment.

Hyzon Motors, a global supplier of zero-emission heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles, announced DB Schenker has deployed a Hyzon fuel cell electric truck in operations in Germany.

First Hydrogen reveals new images outlining the vision for its Generation II concept vehicle, which will be available with either fuel cell electric or battery electric drive trains. The latest sketches show the design process that the company is undertaking with global mobility experts EDAG Group.

Toyoda Gosei has launched a large high pressure H₂ tank. The need for these large tanks is expected to grow for the use on the fuel cell trucks that run on H₂.

Plug Power announced the historic flight of a regional airliner powered by the company’s line of ProGen fuel cells. Led by Universal Hydrogen, the H₂ fuel cell-powered flying testbed took off at 8:30 a.m. for 15 minutes at Grant County International Airport in Washington state.

Westport Fuel Systems announced plans to expand its global manufacturing footprint in China in support of future growth of Westport’s H₂ componentry business and other alternative fuel system technologies.

Nuvera Fuel Cells announces the commercial availability of 360 kW and 470 kW Nuvera G-Series Fuel Cell Power Generators, a modular zero-emission power solution for commercial and industrial applications including data centers, electric vehicles, back-up power and microgrids.

Loop Energy has been selected by Wiggins Lift to provide the fuel cell system for its new H₂-powered eBull forklift product. Loop Energy will deliver the system and begin commissioning in Q2 2023 to support commercial deployment of the H₂-electric forklifts in late 2023.

The promise of clean energy and transportation through hydrogen (H₂) has been espoused for many years. With greater energy density than other gases, H₂ can be used in many applications, though the challenge is extracting it from other forms, such as water and natural gas. 

With impending net-zero legislation and bans on diesel fuel, commercial vehicle fleets globally are exploring alternative fuel solutions. Hydrogen (H₂) power is an option (in addition to other clean energy sources) for commercial vehicle applications, and a growing number of examples are illustrating how it is being successfully adopted, both as a fuel for engine combustion and in H₂ fuel cell electric applications.

The Asia-Pacific is in the lead, with 552 operational H₂ refueling stations, about half of which are in China (250). Germany boasts the most stations in Europe at 93, and the U.S. lags at 54 operational facilities, most of which are in California.

Loop Energy has delivered the first three fuel cell systems to H2 Portable to be integrated into H₂-electric gensets designed to provide clean, reliable, on-demand power to movie sets, construction sites and other locations with limited grid power access.

The Slovenian start-up ReCatalyst and the German start-up ionysis have been successfully selected for funding under the prestigious EIC Transition call and invited to sign the grant agreement with a funding volume of €2.5 MM.

While Tevva’s laser-guided focus remains trained on building and delivering its battery-electric 7.5T vehicle, testing and development of its H₂-electric counterpart continues apace.

The collaboration will include the development of commercially viable solutions, including fuel cell systems with carbon capture, to move the shipping industry forward with decarbonization. It further focuses on promoting the use of H₂, and the introduction of modern approaches to ship propulsion.

EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH has secured a contract from a European car manufacturer for fuel cell stacks to be fitted to a future series production vehicle.

February's H₂Tech Spotlight features an energy system for H₂ production, new H₂ storage safety technology, gas turbines powered by H₂ and much more.

Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse to demonstrate the ability to generate electrical power, using fuel cells, to supply the major non-propulsive electrical systems of a new generation single-aisle aircraft.

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy, announced up to $47 MM in funding to accelerate the research, development and demonstration of affordable clean H₂ technologies.

Ballard Power Systems announced an order for a fuel cell system to CrossWind, a joint-venture between Shell and Eneco. The Ballard fuel cell system will be integrated in the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind project.