4/28/2000 Sunline Wins Governor's Environmental Award - Sunline
Transit Agency, Thousand Palms CA
Happy Earth Day, SunLine. This year, the trend-setting
transit agency celebrated along with the planet it's worked so hard to protect. In
addition to unveiling the nation's first transit hydrogen generation facility, SunLine
Transit Agency received the state's highest environmental honor--the Governor's
Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for Environmental Management. Senator Dave
Kelley presented the award to SunLine Transit Agency. Chairman and Mayor of Indian Wells,
Percy Byrd accepted it at the fourth anniversary celebration of the Coachella Valley Clean
Cities Region, held April 28 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort. "Increasingly,
there is a recognition that what's good for the environment is also good for
business," Senator Kelley noted. "I am pleased to present the Govemor's Award to
an organization that demonstrates exemplary practices in protecting the environment in
ways that promote economic benefits." SunLine was cited for alternate fuels
programs that promote clean air. According to Governor Davis' office, "SunLine
considers clean air central to their mission. Through partnerships with local governments,
businesses, and the local community college, SunLine has advanced the knowledge of and use
of alternative fuel vehicles for California and the nation. According to the California
Air Resources Board, SunLine is the biggest advocate of natural gas buses in the
state." SunLine discontinued use of its diesel fleet in 1994 and has operated 100% on
clean burning compressed natural gas for the past six years. The agency is also leading
several national research and development projects to advance hydrogen fuel cell
technology, which it intends to use in its next generation of buses. SunLine's advocacy of
and participation in alternate fuels projects has brought millions of dollars into the
Coachella Valley. Established in 1993, the Govemor's Environmental and Economic Leadership
Awards are the state's most prestigious environmental honor. Recipients are chosen from
California organizations and companies for excellence in protecting the environment and
conserving natural resources, while at the same time promoting compatible, sustainable
economic development. Since rolling into service in 1977, SunLine Transit Agency has grown
from a 22-bus service carrying 500,000 passengers per year to a 50-bus fleet carrying
almost four million passengers annually. For more information on SunLine's alternate fuels
programs, call (760) 343-3456, ext. 170.
4/26/2000 Ballard Ships 250-kilowatt Stationary Fuel Cell Power
Generator - Ballard
Ballard Power Systems announced today that its subsidiary
Ballard Generation Systems shipped its second 250-kilowatt stationary fuel cell power
generator for field testing through its associated company ALSTOM BALLARD to Bewag
AG’s Treptow heating plant in Berlin, Germany. This power generator, which uses
Ballard® fuel cells, will be tested by a consortium of European electric companies led by
Bewag, the largest supplier of power and heat in Berlin. “This marks the beginning of
our field trial program in Europe,” said Jim Kirsch, President of Ballard Generation
Systems. “We are confident that by providing an alternative to centralized power
plants, we are meeting the market needs resulting from utility deregulation in Europe. We
have much to learn from this field demonstration program which will assist us in achieving
our goals for commercialization.” ALSTOM BALLARD is a jointly held company of ALSTOM
France S.A. and Ballard Generation Systems with a mandate to supply Ballard Generation
Systems fuel cell power generators incorporating the Ballard® fuel cell to customers in
Europe.
4/26/2000 IFC Delivers 200th Fuel Cell System as U.S. Rep. Larson
Calls for Continued Federal Support - IFC/PRNewswire
In ceremonies at the company's headquarters here, U.S.
Rep. John Larson (D-1-Conn.) said, "I am proud that Connecticut's First District is
leading the way in the world's fuel cell industry, an industry that is an important key to
reduction of pollution throughout the world. The production of 200 stationary commercial
fuel cell systems is indeed a significant accomplishment. I congratulate the hundreds of
IFC employees who have made that happen." "Clearly, the federal government
should increase its support for fuel cell commercialization and for enhanced research and
development," Rep. Larson said. The 200th fuel cell system was formally turned over
to Toshiba Corporation, which will use the unit in Japan.
4/25/2000 DCH Technology, Inc. Announces Key Additions
to Board of Directors - DCH Technology/PRNewswire
DCH
Technology, Inc. has announced the nomination of two outside
technical and innovative management professionals to its Board of Directors. Dr. John
Barclay is the President of CryoFuel Systems,
Inc., located in Monroe, Washington. Dr. Barclay is a recognized expert in cryogenics
and has over 20 years of experience in hydrogen. While employed by the Department of
Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory, Dr. Barclay co-invented magnetic refrigeration,
and is well known for his advances in areas of hydrogen storage and liquefaction. Dr.
Barclay has previously served as a technical advisor to the DCHT Board of Directors and
his expanded role as a member will include serving on the Technical Committee and the
Intellectual Property Working Group of the corporation. Dr. Hans Friedericy is a Director
of Technology for Honeywell International, Inc. and assisted with the acquisition
transition, having served previously in a variety of technical leadership positions with
the Allied Signal Corporation. Dr. Friedericy is an expert in several hydrogen- related
technologies -- including fuel cells, and is a founding member of the National Hydrogen
Association. Dr. Friedericy will also serve on both the Technical Committee and the
Intellectual Property Working Group. "Seven of our 9 directors are from outside of
the company, and DCHT is dedicated to using a strong real-world influence to balance our
operational focus," stated David Haberman, Chairman of DCHT. "Drs. Barclay and
Friedericy are both widely experienced in hydrogen and in managing innovation to a profit.
Shareholders will also be able to meet them at our June 2nd shareholder meeting in
Valencia, California." DCH Technology, Inc. is a technology development and
manufacturing firm specializing in patented and proprietary gas sensor and safety products
that are sold to industrial and government customers worldwide. DCHT's subsidiary,
Enable(TM) Fuel Cell Corporation develops and produces Hydrogen PEM Fuel Cell Products
serving both industrial and consumer markets.
4/22/2000 Ford Looks to Lead on Environmental Responsibility As Earth
Day and Environmental Movement Turn 30 - Ford/PRNewswire
"I personally believe that sustainability is the
most important issue facing the automotive industry and industry in general in the 21st
century," said Bill Ford. "We look at it not just as a requirement, but as an
incredible opportunity. Ford wants to be a leader in driving the transition, and to be in
a position to benefit from it." In the longer term, Ford believes fuel cells will
eventually end the 100- year reign of the internal combustion engine and be the
predominant automotive power source. Fuel cells run on the renewable resource hydrogen. In
a pure hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the only tailpipe emission is water. Ford is a leader
in fuel cell research and development. In 1997, Ford invested $420 million into a
partnership with Ballard Power Systems and DBB. The goal of the alliance is commercially
viable fuel cell vehicles by 2004. Ford also is a founding partner of the California Fuel
Cell Partnership, which includes auto and energy companies, and state and federal
government agencies. This partnership will have a test fleet of fuel cell vehicles in
operation on the streets of California by the end of this year.
4/20/2000 Enable Fuel Cell Corporation Acquires Advanced Fuel Cell
Technology - DCH Technology/PRNewswire and Power Online
The Enable Fuel Cell Corporation, a wholly
owned subsidiary of DCH
Technology, Inc. has acquired the exclusive rights and associated technology of a
hydrogen PEM fuel cell that lends itself to high-volume manufacturing and assembly and the
use of a packaged solid fuel. Dr. Ulf Bossel, a world renowned fuel cell authority and
innovator of cell designs for everyday consumer use, has sold the rights to his small
portable PEM fuel cell to Enable, who is moving aggressively to bringing the product to
market. Dr. Bossel will serve as an advisor to Enable on engineering, testing and
manufacturing of his innovative technology. The Bossel design is unique in 3 key areas.
First, it features a highly efficient, proprietary system for fueling the cell with
hydride powder -- a chemical akin-to, and as environmentally benign as, limestone. With
this technology, the user simply adds a replaceable sealed canister of the powder to the
bottom of the cell stack and water to a small compartment at the top of the cell stack to
generate electricity. Second, the Bossel design replaces difficult-to-manufacture carbon
components in the cell with stamped metal components that can be produced and assembled in
high volume. This has been a nagging concern to volume manufacturing. Third, and most
important to Enable management, the design provides the benefits of a portable fuel cell
in a very simple, safe package as approachable to the average consumer as a flashlight
battery.
4/20/2000 Now is the Time to Capitalize on the
Projected $2 Billion Fuel Cells Market - John Wiley & Sons/PRNewswire
The leading candidate among various fuel
cell technologies is the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), according to a new Futuretech
briefing, published by Technical Insights, a unit of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The
briefing, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Powering Future Vehicles, is specially
designed to help industry executives, engineers, and managers discover opportunities and
exploit this emerging transportation technology. "According to most sources, the
market for all fuel cells is worth about $500 million," says Leo O'Connor, manager of
Technical Insights' Futuretech program. "With rising prices of crude oil and
continuing refinements to the fuel cell, this number might crest the $2 billion mark in
the next five years."
4/20/2000 FuelCell Energy Closes $61.1 Million Public
Offering - Power Online
FuelCell Energy closed its public offering of 1,300,000
shares of its common stock April 19, at $47 per share for gross proceeds of $61.1 million.
FuelCell Energy intends to use the net proceeds for immediate expansion of the
company’s Torrington manufacturing capacity to support commercialization activities
and for general corporate purposes, including research and development, field trial
support and working capital. Merrill Lynch & Co. acted as the managing underwriter for
the offering. Co-managers included CIBC World Markets, FAC/Equities and Lazard Freres
& Co.
4/20/2000 Dynetek
Industries Aims For IPO Despite Volatility - Dow Jones
TORONTO - ...Dynetek Industries Ltd. filed a
preliminary prospectus for an initial public offering earlier this week. Dynetek's
offering is being led by CIBC World Markets. Dynetek's customers are primarily original
equipment manufacturers that produce or plan to produce vehicles powered by compressed
natural gas or hydrogen fuel cells.
4/18/2000 Plug Power Signs Agreement with Axiva to
Develop Technology to Simplify Residential Fuel Cell Systems - Plug
Power/PRNewswire
Plug Power Inc. announced today that it has
signed a joint development agreement with Axiva GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany, to develop a
high temperature membrane electrode unit (MEU) that is expected to simplify Plug Power's
residential fuel cell systems and decrease their costs. ...Axiva's MEU will enable Plug
Power's fuel cell systems to operate reliably at temperatures above 120oC. This high
operating temperature improves fuel cell tolerance to certain pollutants, enables the user
to effectively utilize the heat so that system efficiency is increased, and reduces
overall system complexity by simplifying the fuel processor.
4/18/2000 Nuveen Launches Fuel Cell Defined Portfolio
- Nuveen/Business Wire
"During the last few years, the fuel
cell has undergone a resurgence," said William Adams, Executive Vice President,
Nuveen Structured Investments. "Fuel cells are already in the field-test stage. This
innovative technology could create new markets for steel, electronics, electrical and
control industries, and other equipment suppliers." ...This diversified investment is
composed of 20 stocks including some well-established companies that generate energy or
manufacture and develop alternative fuels, fuel cells or sub-components, which go into the
manufacturing of such equipment power.
4/17/2000 IMPCO Awarded Patent for Fuel Pressure
Regulator for Fuel Cells - IMPCO/PRNewswire
IMPCO's new In-Tank Regulator combined with
the company's proprietary, "TriShield" ultra-light weight, advanced composite
fuel storage tanks offer a significant reduction in fuel system cost while at the same
time increasing vehicle safety to a level not previously attained in the alternative fuel
system industry. In conventional gaseous fuel delivery systems, the fuel is transported at
high pressure to the engine bay where the pressure is reduced prior to delivery to the
engine. Thus, a large amount of high-pressure gas is contained in the fuel delivery lines
at all times. The IMPCO patented in-tank regulator reduces the pressure of the gas prior
to exiting the tank. As an added safety feature, the regulator also automatically shuts
off the fuel flow in the event of an emergency and will enhance the safety of the entire
vehicle and its occupants.
4/13/2000 Teleflex Aquires GFI Contyrol Systems - Teleflex/Business
Wire
GFI Control Systems (GFI), headquartered in
Kitchener, Ontario, is a Tier 1 supplier of natural gas, propane and hydrogen components
and systems to the alternative fuel vehicle market. GFI's products include propane
vaporizers, natural gas and hydrogen pressure regulators and tank valves, and fuel
metering systems for propane and natural gas. The company recently expanded its product
line of fuel storage tank valves, and added fuel fill valves, lock-off solenoid valves and
other related components. Sales in 1999 were approximately $30 million.
4/12/2000 Arthur D. Little Merges Its Epyx Fuel Cell Subsidiary With Leading Italian
Firm to Form Nuvera - ADL/PRNewswire
The new company, called Nuvera Fuel Cells,
brings together leading-edge technology from the U.S. and Europe to produce
environmentally clean, complete fuel cell systems for applications in the stationary power
and transportation markets. ...For the first time, a single entity possesses the unique
technological capability to generate clean energy from a variety of hydrocarbon and
renewable fuels, such as gasoline, ethanol, methanol, natural gas, propane, butane,
naphtha, and other synthetic fuels. So-called "fuel flexibility" is considered a
key factor in rapidly advancing the commercialization of fuel cell systems. ...De Nora
Fuel Cells, in combination with De Nora -- its parent organization and a world leader in
electrochemical engineering and membrane technologies -- has been producing fuel cell
stacks for customers since 1990. ...Nuvera will maintain operations at both Arthur D.
Little's corporate headquarters in Cambridge, Mass., and in Milan. The new company
currently employs 80 people, but expects to increase its staff to more than 200 by
year-end, 150 of whom will be based in Cambridge. At the time of the formation of Nuvera
in a 50-50 merger between Arthur D. Little and De Nora, ADL sold a minority share in the
new entity to Amerada Hess Corporation.
4/10/2000 IMPCO Announces Follow-on Offering of Common Stock -
IMPCO/PRNewswire
FleetBoston Robertson Stephens Inc. is
acting as lead manager for the offering. CIBC World Markets and FAC/Equities are acting as
co-managers for the offering.
4/10/2000 Fuel Cell Manufacturer H Power Corp. Files Registration Statement for
Initial Public Offering - H Power/PRNewswire
H Power has applied to have the shares
listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "HPOW." Lehman Brothers
Inc. is acting as lead manager and CIBC World Markets Corp., Deutsche Bank Securities
Inc., Josephthal & Co. Inc. and Fidelity Capital Markets Corp., a division of National
Financial Services Corporation are acting as co-managers.
4/10/2000 Northwest Power Systems Announces Name Change to IdaTech -
Northwest Power Systems/PRNewswire
The fuel cell company's original strategy
focused on the development, manufacture and sale of components to other fuel cell
companies. Responding to market demand, the company in January adopted the strategy of
producing fully integrated fuel cell systems centered around its primary technological
advantage, a proprietary fuel reformer which converts conventional hydrocarbon fuels to
99.8 percent pure hydrogen.
4/6/2000 DaimlerChrysler Offers First Fuel Cell Vehicles for Customers -
DaimlerChrysler/PRNewswire
Speaking today at a press conference marking
the start of the project, Professor Klaus-Dieter Vohringer, the DaimlerChrysler Board of
Management member responsible for research and technology, said. "As a result of our
research and development activities the development of fuel cells for automotive
applications has reached a stage where we can now offer the first vehicles to
customers." ...The first vehicles are planned for delivery by the end of 2002. They
will be driven in normal traffic conditions for a period of two years. These bus
operations will also mark the first time that detailed evaluations can be made on the
basis of data from an entire fleet of vehicles. "This first production step
demonstrates that fuel cells have reached a stage of technological maturity," said
Professor Dr. Ferdinand Panik, head of the DaimlerChrysler Fuel Cell Project. "At the
same time, we are aware that we have to reduce the cost, volume and weight of the fuel
cell systems in order to become competitive with internal combustion engines. We have
decided to begin a dialog with our future customers at this early stage so that they can
gain experience with this new technology." EvoBus GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
DaimlerChrysler, will supply the Mercedes-Benz Citaro low-floor city buses with fuel cells
at a price of $1.2 million (1.25 million euros) each. The price includes comprehensive
technical consulting and on-the-spot maintenance by EvoBus for a period of two years.
DaimlerChrysler will provide the transport operators with guidance and expertise on
preparing a fuel infrastructure.
4/6/2000 Astris Energi's European Unit Delivers Fuel Cell Power System Aimed at
Homes - Astris/Business Wire
Astris Energi Inc. , pioneer developer of
Alkaline Fuel Cell electrical power systems, announced today that its European subsidiary
has completed, tested and delivered a 4-kilowatt AFC generator to the Technical University
of Mines, Ostrava, Czech Republic. ...It is jointly managed by the Technical University of
Ostrava and MANET ENVI s.r.o., with the Grant Agency of Czech Republic as the principal
sponsor. ...According to Radek Kotoucek, Dipl. Ing., project manager at the Astris
laboratory, "With a suitable reformer, we can feed the AFC with hydrocarbon fuel such
as natural gas or with liquid methanol."
4/3/2000 FuelCell Energy, Inc. to Demonstrate 2 MW Integrated Gasification Fuel
Cell Power Plant in Kentucky Under DOE Clean Coal Technology Project -
FCE/Business Wire
The fuel cell plant is part of a larger
$432-million 400 MW project funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, and
originally announced in November, 1999. The fuel cell portion, estimated at $34 million,
will be 50 percent funded by the DOE. FuelCell Energy will seek non-government financing
for the balance of the project costs. The Clean Coal V Project, one of the largest power
plant projects in the federal Clean Coal Technology Program, will demonstrate new ways to
use coal for the production of low cost electricity. It is the first Clean Coal Technology
plant to employ a fuel cell and run on a combination of coal and renewable fuels. Kentucky
Pioneer Energy, L.L.C ., of Clark County, Ky, is the primary contractor on the project.
FuelCell Energy will construct the 2 Megawatt plant under a subcontract from Kentucky
Pioneer Energy. The subcontract was issued on March 22, 2000 under a cooperative agreement
between Kentucky Pioneer Energy and the DOE.
4/3/2000 Solid
Oxide Fuel Cell Demonstration Plant In Norway Announced By Siemens Westinghouse and Norske
Shell - Siemens Westinghouse/Shell/Business Wire
A 250-kiloWatt plant will be installed in
Norway and operated by Norske Shell to demonstrate that the carbon dioxide normally
emitted in exhaust gases can be successfully recovered at low additional cost and with
highest electrical efficiency of any fuel cell type in the industry. The technology being
used is the result of a unique combination of the fuel cell developed by Siemens
Westinghouse and carbon dioxide recovery technology from Shell Hydrogen. ...The intention
is that this technology will be used to generate electricity from natural gas with all
carbon dioxide being `captured.' In the oil and gas industry, the carbon dioxide can then
be sequestered in underground reservoirs. Smaller scale markets for carbon dioxide can
also be served; for example, special applications such as fish farms to enhance the growth
of algae or agricultural greenhouses to enhance the growth of crops. An additional benefit
of this technology is that at less than 0.5 ppm nitrogen oxide emissions are extremely low
compared to other power generation technologies. ...Siemens Westinghouse is developing
SOFCs under an existing cooperative agreement with the US Department of Energy,
administered by the National Energy Research Laboratory.
3/31/2000 Rentech, Inc. Signs MOU for Sand Creek Fuel Cell Project -
Rentech/PRNewswire
SCE is developing a plan to convert the
existing methanol plant at Sand Creek into a gas-to-liquids facility capable of producing
from eight hundred to one thousand barrels per day of high value fuels and products
including clean burning sulfur and aromatic-free diesel fuel made from natural gas. Recent
studies have found that the fuels made from GTL processes, such as Rentech's, are also
excellent feedstock fuels for fuel cells. GTL fuels contain no sulfur, aromatic compounds
or metals which can contaminate a fuel cell stack. Furthermore, GTL fuels contain almost
twice as much hydrogen as other potential liquid fuel cell feedstocks including methanol.
...Rentech has identified market niches where the use of the sulfur-free GTL products
produced by Rentech's iron-based GTL technology as feed to FuelCell Energy's fuel cells
can provide clean power. This joining of the two technologies could be applicable where
local conditions require little or no harmful emissions. Examples are hospitals,
EPA-designated non-attainment areas and remote locations, "the island power
concept," i.e., areas where an adequate and reasonable cost supply of sulfur-free
natural gas may not be available.
3/30/2000 Stuart
Energy Equity Private Placement Over-Subscribed - Canadian Newswire
Andrew T.B. Stuart, President and CEO of Stuart Energy
Systems Corporation, announced that the Company has successfully completed a private
financing of common equity with a group of institutional and private investors. The total
size of the issue is in excess of $20 million. "I am gratified that the Company's 50
year track record as a pioneer in developing commercially viable hydrogen fuel systems has
attracted both reinvestment and new capital from some of North America's most
sophisticated institutional investors and confirms our ability to access capital
markets" said Andrew Stuart. "Stuart now has a formidable balance sheet,
positioning it to better implement our strategic plan to bring low cost hydrogen fueling
systems and services to global transportation and energy markets". Stuart's scalable
range of low cost hydrogen Fuel Appliances represent a huge breakthrough in making
hydrogen available to consumers. These innovative products use the existing water and
electricity infrastructure to produce hydrogen when and where the customer needs fuel. The
Stuart Fuel Appliance has positioned the Company as a leader in the growing hydrogen fuel
business. "We're changing the way people feel about hydrogen and the way people feel
about fuel" said Andrew Stuart. Stuart Energy has been manufacturing a full range of
hydrogen supply products based on water electrolysis for over 50 years. Stuart products
have been purchased by more than 1000 customers in over 100 countries. Stuart is a leading
supplier of hydrogen fueling systems to fuel cell and alternative energy users including:
Ballard Power Systems; XCELLSIS; Coast Mountain Transit; SunLine Transit Agency; Desert
Research Institute; The South Coast Air Quality Management District; University of Québec
at Trois Rivières; and Xerox Corporation. CIBC World Markets Inc. acted as financial
advisor and exclusive agent in connection with the private placement offering. Stuart's
principal financial advisor was CCFL Advisory Services Inc. For further information: Kevin
G. Casey, (416) 621-9460 x-542, E-mail: kcasey@stuartenergy.com
3/30/2000 Harsco Corporation Announces Sale of Non-Core Automotive Valve Product
Line - Harsco/PRNewswire
Harsco Corporation announced today that it
has sold its natural gas vehicle automotive valve product line for approximately $3.7
million to GFI Control Systems Inc., a Kitchener, Ontario-based producer of fuel metering
systems and components for natural gas, propane, and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
3/23/2000 FuelCell Energy, Inc. and Marubeni Corporation Join Forces to Market
Direct FuelCell Power Plants - FCE/Business Wire
FuelCell
Energy Inc. and the Marubeni Corporation of Japan announce the signing of a
collaborative product and market development agreement that calls for the first commercial
field trials in Asia of FuelCell Energy's Direct FuelCell power plants. The agreement also
establishes a framework for negotiations of a commercial marketing agreement between the
two companies. For the commercial field trial phase of the agreement, Marubeni will site
fuel cell power plants in Japan and other Asian markets this year. "This agreement
with Marubeni further establishes our strategy to be a global leader in the sale and
delivery of advanced stationary fuel cell power plants," said Jerry D. Leitman,
president and CEO of FuelCell Energy. "Marubeni's long history in worldwide markets,
combined with their initiative to expand their existing energy and infrastructure efforts,
will provide an effective platform for both parties to explore new opportunities in the
delivery of clean and efficient electric power plants in Japan and potentially, throughout
Asia." ...FuelCell Energy will manufacture the DFC power plants for the program and
provide interface requirements. Marubeni will provide comprehensive engineering,
procurement and construction (EPC) management for field trials. Marubeni will also provide
comprehensive power plant operations and maintenance management services for the
field trial power plants procured and/or sold by Marubeni. Looking to the future, Marubeni
and FuelCell Energy plan to establish a Commercial Marketing Agreement whereby Marubeni
will be the exclusive distributor and manufacturer of FuelCell Energy's commercial DFC
power plants in Japan with the potential to expand to other regions, based on market
requirements, and FuelCell Energy's production and engineering support capabilities.
3/23/2000 Copious Hydrogen - Without The Carbon Dioxide - XSEL/Business
Wire
XSEL has devised a concept of economically
producing commercial quantities of H2 from coal, in a way that sequesters or utilizes the
CO2 in an environmentally friendly fashion.
3/22/2000 WestStart-CALSTART
Launches Five New Advanced Heavy-Duty Technology Projects for 2000 -
WestStart-CALSTART/Business Wire
Among the projects being funded are a
first-of-its-kind fuel cell auxiliary power unit for heavy-duty trucks; a flywheel
hybrid-electric transit bus; and a reliable, low-cost drivetrain for electric buses.
..."These new programs keep pushing advanced vehicle technologies into the
market," said Michael J. Gage, president and CEO of WestStart-CALSTART, the nation's
leading advanced transportation consortium. "They have real commercial applications
in the global market for cleaner, more efficient transportation." ...Freightliner
Corp., headquartered in Portland, Ore., in conjunction with its development partners, dbb
Fuel Cell Engines Corp. and DaimlerChrysler, will develop and conduct in-vehicle testing
of fuel cell auxiliary power units for powering cabin power accessories in Class 8
trucks. Class 8 trucks sitting at idle consume significant amounts of diesel fuel
each year as well as produce large amounts of particulate and greenhouse gas emissions.
This technology is the leading candidate to reduce or nearly eliminate the need for engine
idling by offering a viable alternative to produce electric power for various accessories
and cab/sleeper compartment climate control during non-driving operations.
3/22/2000 DCH Technology, Inc. Applies to Nasdaq for Listing on National Market
System - DCH Technology/PRNewswire
"While we are pleased with the recent
performance of our stock price, we believe this advancement in our listing status will
help us get meaningful analyst coverage," stated David Walker, President of DCHT.
"DCH Technology is a strong, growing company in a high potential market, and our
progress has justified a listing as a National Market System company." "DCHT is
uniquely positioned to support both safety and power applications in the rapidly expanding
worldwide hydrogen energy infrastructure. Today, DCHT serves many industries that use
hydrogen as a chemical in their product or their process. Management's commitment to
gaining increased market share through aggressive sales, we believe, will grow DCHT
shareholder value." DCH Technology develops and manufactures hydrogen-enabling
technologies, including their newly announced Enable(TM) PEM Fuel Cell product family and
the Robust Hydrogen Sensor(TM). DCH Technology has its headquarters and sensor facilities
in Valencia, California, fuel cell development and fabrication facilities in Madison,
Wisconsin and a communications office in Washington, DC.
3/21/2000 Sustainable Development International Inc. -- Water Holds Key to Clean,
Endless Energy - SDI/Business Wire
Watergas Inc. has developed a patented technology, which
converts water into hydrogen and oxygen. The process generates high volumes of its
product, Watergas(TM), safely and economically. Watergas(TM) is an alternative fuel
source, which can be used in conjunction with hydrocarbons to increase efficiency, reduce
usage and lower emissions.
3/20/2000 DCH Technology, Inc. Unveils Enable Fuel Cell Corporation at Germany's
Hannover Fair - DCH Technology/PRNewswire
DCH Technology, Inc. of Valencia, CA is formally unveiling their recently established,
wholly owned subsidiary -- the Enable(TM) Fuel Cell Corporation -- this week at the
Hannover Fair. ...The unique, portable unit on display in Hannover is called the
Enable(TM) PFC (Personal Fuel Cell) and is currently being manufactured in pilot
quantities for power-product, communications and control companies. Approximately the size
of a beverage can and weighing less than two pounds, the PFC unit provides 12 watts of
electric power at 12 volts with the same simplicity of a battery, without the weight and
environmental issues and limitations. It is also envisioned to be used as an effective
recharging technology for batteries minimizing the inherent longevity and recharge issues
associated with the long utilized battery technology. "Our solid-state fuel cell,
designed specifically with users in mind, delivers the features that the commercial
customer demands," Haberman said. "It is part of our strategy to be the first
company to provide fuel cells to everyday people for everyday needs. When most of us think
of fuel cells we envision space shuttles, urban buses and cars, and large stationary power
plants. Yet, we believe fuel cells can also enhance the quality of our individual lives.
It is exciting that customers see uses for small, portable fuel cells beyond our own
vision." The Enable(TM) Fuel Cell Corporation is also developing a larger
"active" fuel cell, with increased power output using a proprietary control
system. A 5kW unit, known as the Enable(TM) AFC (Application Fuel Cell), will shortly be
evaluated by strategic allies, public utilities and energy services companies. "We
are equally excited about our active stack," Haberman said. "We're positioning
it as a solution for back-up power or power-on-demand service, and we believe that it has
several performance advantages over current technology, including durability and
weight."
3/16/2000 Plug Power Signs Agreement With Advanced Energy Systems for Inverter
Technology - Plug Power/PRNewswire
Under the agreement, Plug Power will receive
a 28 percent ownership interest in Advanced Energy Systems in exchange for a combination
of cash and Plug Power stock. The agreement also provides Plug Power with certain rights
to self manufacture or outsource the power electronics production volume. Power electronics, also referred to as inverters or power
conditioners, convert low voltage direct current (DC) electricity produced by the Proton
Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell into 120v/240v alternating current (AC) electricity that
can be used in the home. It is the third part of a three- part fuel cell system,
which also includes a fuel processor and the fuel cell stack.
3/15/2000 Startech Environmental Receives Contract for StarCell Demonstration -
Startech/PRNewswire
StarCell is the Company's patented hydrogen
selective membrane device that separates the hydrogen from the Plasma Converted Gas
(PCG)(TM), a synthesis-fuel gas mixture. The Plasma Waste Converter irreversibly destroys
wastes by its process of molecular dissociation and forms PCG, a synthesis-fuel gas, rich
in hydrogen and carbon-fuel species. PCG is a valuable commodity as it is, but StarCell
increases its value by its ability to pull out the hydrogen. StarCell sends the hydrogen
out through a pipe in one direction for use, and the carbon-fuel species out through
another pipe for commercial use. Hydrogen is a valuable commodity that is used directly in
fuel cells, but more importantly, for many other commercial purposes. The remaining
carbon-based synthesis gas from the StarCell unit may be used as a valuable fuel or even
as a chemical feed stock.
3/14/2000 Astris
Energi Heads Toward Market for Small Fuel Cell Systems - Astris
Energy/Business Wire
The Astris program is based on Alkaline Fuel
Cell (AFC) technology used to provide electric power and pure water in all of NASA's
manned space vehicles. The company believes it has significant advantages both in cost and
operating features over the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) concept being followed by
other companies seeking to enter the promising fuel cell market.
3/14/2000 Snow Leopard's Subsidiary EthylTech, Inc. Signs Memorandum of
Understanding - Snow Leopard Resources/Business Wire
Both EthylTech and the research institute
are involved in conducting research, development, demonstration and commercialization of a
hydrogen sulphide fuel cell that produces pollution-free electric power with elemental
sulphur as a by-product.
3/13/2000 UGI Corp. CEO
Sees 6%-10% Annual EPS Growth by Christina Cheddar - Dow Jones
Chief Executive Lon Greenberg expects the
company's earnings per share to rise between 6% to 10% annually. ...One way deregulation
will help UGI is by encouraging new types of energy choices, such as fuel cells, said
Greenberg. Fuel cells are battery-like devices that take hydrogen from another fuel, such
as natural gas or methane, and convert the fuel into electricity. Greenberg believes
fuel cells, which allow users to move off the power grid, will be popular in rural areas
where UGI operates, said Greenberg. He speculated that the company could expand its
business to service the fuel-cell market once this technology is commercially viable.
3/12/2000 DCH Technology, Inc. Exhibiting at Annual Industrial Fair March 20-25 in
Hannover Germany - DCH Technology/PRNewswire
DCH Technology, Inc. has announced that it
will have significant company presence at the Industrial Fair in Hannover Germany the week
of March 20th. In addition, David Haberman, Chairman of DCH, will be giving some opening
remarks as a representative of small industrial company exhibitors, at a Sunday, March
19th press conference that will kick off the week's activities. Mr. Haberman will also be
giving a speech entitled "Expanding Your Business with Fuel Cells" on Friday,
March 24th. DCH Technology is exhibiting at this Industrial Fair, and will be seeking
European distributors for their hydrogen sensors. DCH builds sensor-based safety and
process monitoring equipment that improves the productivity of industrial operations,
ranging from semiconductor fabrication and the hydrogenation of food oils to petrochemical
and glass manufacturing.
...DCH has recently added a second production and test
facility to its Wisconsin operations which will include the addition of on-site hydrogen
production.
3/10/2000 Ballard Power Systems Reports 1999 Results - CBS Market Watch
In early January 2000, Ballard introduced its Mark 900
fuel cell. The Mark 900 architecture uses low-cost materials, is designed for high
performance and volume manufacturing. This product, which is used in Ford's recently
introduced fuel cell prototype vehicle, the TH!NK FC5, reflects Ballard's leading
technology position and the progress made by the Company in 1999 to prepare for the
manufacture of commercial products. ...In January 2000, the Company announced
collaboration agreements with Coleman Powermate and Tokyo Gas on the development of fuel
cell systems for portable and residential use respectively. ...During the fourth quarter,
Ballard completed construction of Plant 1 and began the installation of equipment designed
for lower cost, volume manufacturing. ...Also in the fourth quarter of 1999, Ballard
received fuel cell orders through its affiliate XCELLSIS, (formerly dbb fuel cell engines
inc.), and directly from Honda and Hyundai....In 1999, Ballard began field trials of its
250 kilowatt natural gas fuel cell power generator with the delivery of a unit to Cinergy
Technology Inc. Ballard's field trials of transit buses in Chicago and Vancouver, through
XCELLSIS, resulted in the October 1999 introduction by XCELLSIS of its next generation
zero-emission bus engine....To support its cost-reduction and manufacturing goals, the
Company signed an agreement with UCAR International in 1999 for the supply of GRAFOIL(R),
a low-cost flexible graphite material used in the manufacture of flow-field plates, a key
fuel cell component....In 1999, Ballard joined Ford, DaimlerChrysler, ARCO, Shell, Texaco
and the State of California, in founding the California Fuel Cell Partnership, which is
addressing alternative fuel distribution issues - key to the commercial introduction of
fuel cell vehicles.
3/10/2000 Astris
Energi Reveals Fuel Cell Development Progress - Astris Energi/Business Wire
A
small high technology company based in Canada -- Astris Energi Inc. (ASRF) -- Friday
revealed that it has achieved substantial progress in the development of commercially
viable alkaline fuel cells as power sources for vehicles and other applications. Guided by
Jiri K. Nor, a pioneer developer of fuel cell technology, Astris has been quietly pursuing
that goal for nearly 17 years and has devoted more than $12 million to the effort, part of
which was supported by grants from the Canadian government. ..."We are now entering
the latter stages of this program and believe we will be able to demonstrate a viable fuel
cell-powered golf car, as an example of our system's capabilities, within the next
year," Nor commented.
3/10/2000 Plug
Power Stock Surges on Look at Home Heating - Reuters
Under the agreement, Vaillant will get fuel cells and
gas-processing components from Plug Power and then make the fuel-cell heating appliances
for its customers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Vaillant, a
family-owned business based in Remscheid, Germany, also will produce these appliances for
GE MicroGen, which will then market the appliances under the GE brand name throughout
Europe. The appliances are scheduled for testing in European markets by the end of
2001. Sales are scheduled to begin in 2003, Plug Power said.
3/6/2000 UTX Tech Unit Boosts Automotive Fuel Cell Power - Dow Jones
United Technologies Corp.'s (UTX) International Fuel
Cells Inc. unit Monday said it developed a technology to increase the power of automotive
fuel cells while shrinking their size. In a press release, International Fuel Cells said
the new fuel cell generates 1.5 kilowatts of power per liter, which the company said is
15% more power than its competitors' fuel cells.
3/6/2000 ZeTek
Power Approved Systems Integrator -ZASI- Programme Launched - ZeTek/Business
Wire
ZeTek Power plc, the leading European
fuel-cell company, has announced a significant expansion programme with major implications
for automotive, marine and distributed power applications. ...ZeTek Power's alkaline fuel
cell modules generate electricity by the catalytic conversion of hydrogen and oxygen,
producing no polluting by-products. ...ZeTek Power has three operating divisions which
cover three markets: ZEVCO Ltd (for commercial vehicles), ZEMAR Ltd )for all marine
applications afloat or on shore) and ZEGEN Ltd (for distributed power generation in
communities, buildings and at remote sites).
3/6/2000 Aerojet Conducts Successful Strutjet Rocket Tests at New Facility In
Sacramento - Aerojet/PRNewswire
Aerojet recently completed three successful
series of Strutjet rocket engine tests in its newly refurbished air breathing engine test
facility in Sacramento, Calif. ...Strutjet, able to operate as both a rocket and a
scramjet, is a new type of engine in the early stages of development for launch vehicles,
missiles, and other advanced aircraft. The first series of tests, held in early January,
included six high performance rockets fabricated in two integral platelet assemblies. They
were performed using hydrogen/oxygen propellants at 1,500 psi chamber pressure and a
mixture ratio of 7, with secondary fuel injected to burn with bypass air in the engine
duct.
3/5/2000 Woodside/Shell/Methanex:
Sees Plant Start-Up In 2005 - Dow Jones
Syngas can be used as a feedstock to produce chemicals
and fuels. Methanex is exploring product and technology options for this proposed syngas
project, including methanol, hydrogen and gas-to-liquids. A final decision on the project
is expected in 2002. The start-up of the syngas facility is planned for 2005.
3/3/2000 FuelCell Energy Selected by Department of Energy to Develop Hybrid Fuel
Cell/turbine Power Plant - FCE
The system proposes an innovative
combination of the Company's Direct FuelCell with a turbine without requiring any
combustion in the turbine, or pressurization of the fuel cell. ...The objective of the
Vision 21 Program is to help develop a twenty-first century energy plant that would
generate electricity with net efficiencies greater than 75% (with natural gas) and less
than 0.01 lb/million Btu of sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions. A 40 - 50% reduction in
carbon dioxide emission is targeted.
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