CFCL ships CE-approved NetGenPlus unit to EWE
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL), a in fuel cell developer, has shipped a NetGenPlus unit to its utility partner EWE as part of its agreement to develop micro-combined heat and power (m-CHP) products for Germany.
NetGenPlus is CFCL’s next-generation m-CHP system designed to generate electricity and provide hot water and central heating for homes and small businesses. It is powered by CFCL’s advanced metal-ceramic fuel cell stack, running on widely available natural gas. The NetGenPlus unit can be easily connected to existing gas and electricity networks and has similar characteristics to its predecessor, NetGen, with the more powerful Gennex fuel cell module installed inside. In November, CFCL’s NetGenPlus unit was awarded CE approval, enabling the units to be deployed both in field trials and on a commercial scale throughout Europe.
FuelCell Energy completes sale to The Linde Group
FuelCell Energy, Inc., a manufacturer of high efficiency, ultra-clean power plants for commercial, industrial, municipal and utility customers, announced the sale of 3.9 megawatts (MW) of power plants to The Linde Group, a gas and engineering company. Linde will install four power plants at various customer locations in the San Diego area that will utilize purified biogas from the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant (PLWTP) as the primary fuel source. The four power plants include three 1.2 megawatt plants and one 300 kilowatt (kW) plant.
IdaTech signs distribution agreement with b+w Telecom Solutions
IdaTech plc, a global fuel cell solutions provider, has signed a contract with b+w Telecom Solutions (“b+w”), a company specializing in telecommunications network rollout services, for the distribution and integration of IdaTech’s family of backup power solutions throughout Germany and Eastern Europe. Through this partnership with b+w, IdaTech will be able to provide its customers with a high level of service for telecommunications implementation including installation, commissioning and site integration. In adding b+w as a channel partner, IdaTech has increased its sales reach and augmented the company’s ability to provide regional support. In addition, b+w has taken delivery of initial systems with which to launch their integration and OEM services.
Hydrogen aircraft sets record
Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies announced that a custom made hydrogen powered micro UAV, the Pterosoar, set a new flight record of 78 miles for a hydrogen powered micro aircraft. Flying 28 miles, 50 percent further than a previous record set in Estonia in 2006, the Pterosoar required only 25 percent of the hydrogen stored on board for the record flight.
Hydrogenics receives for seven fuel cell power module orders from Airbus Deutschland
Hydrogenics Corp., a designer and manufacturer of hydrogen and fuel cell systems, announced that it received orders for a total of seven Hydrogenics 12 kW HyPM fuel cell power modules (FCPM's) from Airbus Deutschland GmbH and the German Aerospace Center. The fuel cell power modules will undergo various tests relating to application within commercial aircraft by Airbus Deutschland and Airbus' research and development partner DLR. Hydrogenics anticipates that it will deliver all seven fuel cell modules before the end of the first quarter of 2008.
"Fuel cell technology has played a vital role in the aerospace industry since the days of space exploration,” said Daryl Wilson, president and CEO of Hydrogenics. “Today we are seeing the next phase of commercialization for auxiliary power applications in commercial aircraft. Clean reliable auxiliary power with only water as a by-product positions Hydrogenics fuel cell technology for several onboard applications. In these applications even the water can be recovered and used on the aircraft.”
MTI Micro sets developmental pilot production line
MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc., developer of the Mobion micro fuel cell technology and a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Inc., launched its new developmental pilot production line in its facility in Albany, NY.
“This is the first in a number of steps MTI Micro is taking to further our goal of manufacturing readiness in 2008 – an important precursor for high-volume manufacturing,” said Peng Lim, CEO of MTI. “We are committed to ensure a process that delivers the engineering and manufacturing rigor necessary to make consistent, reliable products in 2009.”
With the new pilot line, MTI Micro will continue to develop its manufacturing techniques, increase the number of units produced to satisfy potential and existing customers, and allow for more expansive testing with the delivery of larger quantities of consistent Mobion systems.
Chrysler unveils fuel cell ecoVoyager
Chrysler took the wraps off three concept cars Jan. 14 at the Detroit International Auto Show, with one being fuel cell powered.
The Jeep Renegade, Dodge ZEO and Chrysler ecoVoyager are each concepts that utilize advanced electric propulsion systems. The ecoVoyager uses a fuel cell-electric hybrid drive system that draws power from a plug-in electric battery capable of traveling about 40 miles on a single charge. Auxiliary power comes from the hydrogen-powered fuel cells, which, Chrysler says, results in a 300-mile range with no emissions. |
