NHA News Since 1996, the NHA's quarterly newsletter has covered a host of issues related to hydrogen energy systems. Content includes member profiles, information on the progress of hydrogen programs and initiatives, as well as business, research and demonstrations relating to hydrogen.
The NHA Website had over 125,000 visitors in the first quarter of 2008! Over 50,000 people visited in the last month alone, compared with the 15,692 monthly visitors when the site initially launched in 2001.
Volume 12, Number 4 • Autumn 2007
University of Albany Holds First New
York Hydrogen Expo (86Kb PDF) Jeremy Snyder, Albany Nanotech (E2TAC)
The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) held the first New York Hydrogen Expo in Albany, NY on July 30. Over 300 people attended the event which highlighted the numerous hydrogen energy activities in New York.
The NHA Moves Offices (146Kb PDF) Brian Schorr, National Hydrogen Association
It is with much excitement that Technology Transition Corporation announces that we moved our main office this summer to a newer, sleeker suite in downtown Washington, DC!
Book Review: The Hydrogen Age (146Kb PDF) Debbi Smith, National Hydrogen Association
Written with the same clarity as the script of the film by the same name, "The Hydrogen Age" demonstrates the kind of thinking needed by people who are serious about wanting to right our planet’s environmental ills.
Fuel Cells Overcome Hydrogen Siting Hurdle (157Kb PDF) Paul Buehler, Plug Power
Fuel cells have emerged as an alternative or complement to batteries for a variety of backup power applications. When these fuel cell systems operate on hydrogen, they produce zero emissions, a clear environmental benefit that supplements other benefits such as longer life and lower maintenance requirements.
The NHA Welcomes Six New Members to the Association
(73Kb PDF) Rex Hazelton, National Hydrogen Association
We are pleased to announce that the NHA gained nine new members during the third quarter of 2007 representing the Sustaining, Industry, Small Business and Government/Non-Profit Membership classes.
Op-Ed: The Truth About Hydrogen
(64Kb PDF) Geoffrey Holland, Hydrogen 2000, Inc.
Over the past few years, there has been a concerted effort to frame hydrogen as unsafe, hopelessly inefficient and expensive, lacking essential infrastructure, and unable to deliver adequate range between fill-ups when used in cars. These substantially overstated issues are cited as evidence that hydrogen is, at a minimum, decades away from being taken seriously as an energy option.
NHA Conducts Topical Forum on DOD Uses of Hydrogen
(55Kb PDF) Debbi Smith, National Hydrogen Association
Columbia, South Carolina was the site of the NHA’s second Topical Forum entitled, Hydrogen Uses in the Military. The Forum focused on the role of the U.S. Department of Defense as an early adopter of hydrogen technologies and fuel cell technologies with a specific emphasis on manufacturing readiness.
2008 Call for Papers Out Now
(55Kb PDF) Erika Witherspoon, National Hydrogen Association
The NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference and Hydrogen Expo US is the largest hydrogen conference in the US and the longest running annual hydrogen conference in the world. This year, the theme is “Ramping Up Commercialization.”
A Fond Farewell and Warm Welcome in NHA Events(66Kb PDF) Brian Schorr, National Hydrogen Association
NHA staff has both happy and sad news to report. It is with regret that we announce Events Manager Emily Kahn is leaving the NHA on October 19th.
Volume 12, Number 2 • Spring 2007
2007 Conference One Month Away! (129Kb PDF) By Rex Hazelton, Membership Coordinator, NHA and
Ines Freesen, Freesen & Partner GmbH
In just a few short weeks we will be
kicking off the 18th Annual Hydrogen
Conference and Hydrogen Expo US 2007 in San Antonio, TX, from March 19th to
the 22nd!
Xcel Energy and NREL Dedicate New “Wind to Hydrogen” Facility (114Kb PDF) By Frank Novachek, Xcel Energy and
Ben Kroposki, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Xcel Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently unveiled a unique facility that uses electricity from wind turbines to produce and store pure hydrogen, offering what may become an important new template for future energy production.
Proton Produces “Green” Hydrogen (48Kb PDF) By Jesse Hayes, Proton Energy Systems
Production of hydrogen from green sources has the potential to be a cost competitive alternative to steam methane reformation or coal gasification, while promising reduced emissions of greenhouse gases.
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Activities in New York State (85Kb PDF) Contributed by E2TAC at CNSE, University of Albany
Future success in the fuel cell industry requires a working knowledge of current technological challenges and business barriers.
Honda FCX Concept on Display at North American Int’l Auto Show (106Kb PDF) By Jennifer Capasso, American Honda Public Relations Department
The fully-functional Honda FCX Concept vehicle on display at the North American International Auto Show features a newly developed compact, high-efficiency Honda FC Stack as well as a low-floor, low-riding, short-nose body.
Hydrogen: DOE Urges Private Sector to Play Larger Research Role (45Kb PDF) By Alex Kaplun, Greenwire (Reprinted with permission)
The Energy Department will continue to fund hydrogen technology research over the next few years, but it expects the private sector to start doing more to get new technologies on the market, a top DOE official said today.
Int’l Collaboration Generates Hydrogen Business Dialog (45Kb PDF) By Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association
There is a new urgency in Europe, the UK and the US to develop and implement sustainable energy solutions.
PATH’s 2007 Plan: Working Towards a Global Hydrogen Economy (49Kb PDF) By Brian Schorr, National Hydrogen Association and Partnership for Advancing the Transition to Hydrogen (PATH)
The Partnership for Advancing the Transition to Hydrogen (PATH) has an exciting program in 2007 that we believe will help strengthen the global hydrogen community through inter-association collaboration and events.
Sunline Transit Agency And HyRadix Inc. Announce First Hydrogen Fueling Station Open to the Public (193Kb PDF) By Polo Del Toro, Associate Engineer for Alternative Fuels, SunLine Transit Agency
and David Cepla, Vice President of Business Development, HyRadix Inc.
The day when hydrogen will be a major fuel source for America’s vehicles moved another step closer on November 2, 2006, with the official opening of the nation’s first large-scale hydrogen facility in the United States using commercialized technology available for third-party refueling purposes.
Honda Demonstrates the FCX Concept Vehicle in United States (100Kb PDF) By Patrick Calpin, American Honda Motor Company, Inc..
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., recently held a demonstration drive of the next-generation FCX Concept fuel cell vehicle at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.
South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance Shows State Fair Audience that Hydrogen is a Gas (185Kb PDF) By Mark Sieckman, on behalf of the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance
Exhibitors in the Commercial Exhibit Halls of the 2006 South Carolina State Fair cover a wide array of intriguing trades searching to advance their mission in the eyes of the general public. Among the smells of deep-fried Oreo cookies, funnel cakes and corn dog stands the Ruff Building, home to vendors of anything from velvet paintings to comical pet costumes.
BMW Introduces World’s First Hydrogen-Drive Luxury Performance Car: the BMW Hydrogen 7 (102Kb PDF) By Andreas Klugescheid, BMW of North America, LLC
BMW recently announced the introduction of the new BMW Hydrogen 7, the world’s first hydrogen-drive luxury performance automobile. The car – a vehicle that has undergone the regular Product Development Process – will be built in a limited series in Europe and driven in the US and other countries by selected users in 2007.
EngenuitySC Announces Project Awards at Third Annual Conference (74Kb PDF) By Russ Keller, South Carolina Research Authority
As the driving force behind the development of the “knowledge economy” for Richland and Lexington Counties, EngenuitySC announced today the awarding of six project grants. The funding was awarded in response to the request for proposals issued earlier this year as part of the Fuel Cell Challenge.
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell
Technology from North-Rhine Westfalia, Germany (102Kb PDF) By Ines Freesen, Freesen & Partner GmbH The German State of North-Rhine Westfalia (NRW) has been a pioneer in hydrogen and fuell cell demonstration and commercialization projects in Europe. Since the 1990s more than 60 projects with a total project value of 110 million Euros have been funded with over 60 million Euros.
PATH Update (47Kb PDF) By Jay Laskin, NHA Representative to PATH and Member of the PATH Board of Directors The Partnership for Advancing the Transition to Hydrogen (PATH) is four years old, with a goal of coordinating and supporting activities among country associations for the benefit of the associations and their members. Unlike the International Partnership for Hydrogen Energy (IPHE) which is limited to national governmental officials, PATH focuses on non-governmental organizations and their members.
Hydrogen Finds Its Place at UK Energy Conference (40Kb PDF) By Judith Patten, Media Generation As befits an industry where discussion and concepts are rapidly developing into action and results, hydrogen and fuel cells will be firmly in the exhibition and conference spotlight in the UK in May 2007 when the inaugural H207 exhibition and conference is held as an integral part of All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable energy exhibition and conference (Aberdeen, Scotland 23-24 May 2007).
Volume 11, Number 2 • Summer 2006
Honda FCX Comes to Washington, DC (106Kb PDF) By Annemarie Pender, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, Honda North America, Inc.
Leaving nothing behind but trails of water vapor and admiring looks, Honda’s hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicle, the FCX, has hit the city streets in Washington, DC. Honda representatives have been demonstrating the FCX to highlight how Honda’s alternative fuels and fuel cell programs strive to move towards energy sustainability.
Element One Inc. Introduces New Hydrogen Sensor (100Kb PDF) By Susan Leach,
Element One, Inc.
One day in the late 1990’s, while waiting to catch a flight home from a hydrogen meeting, Bill Hoagland, a former manager for the DOE Hydrogen Program, was reflecting on the meeting discussions on hydrogen safety and sensors. Remembering his days as a pilot, he recalled the inexpensive indicators that would change color if unsafe levels of carbon monoxide were present in the cockpit. “Why can’t there be something that simple for hydrogen"?
On-Site Generation Can Speed Hydrogen’s Growth as Auto Fuel (97Kb PDF) By Robert Gray,
President and CEO, HyRadix Inc.
While proponents and skeptics continue to debate hydrogen’s future role as an automotive fuel, technology advances and changing consumer attitudes may settle the argument sooner than either side expects, says Robert L. Gray, president and chief executive officer of HyRadix Inc.
UTC Power Highlights Fuel Cell Progress at Congressional Hearing (50Kb PDF) By Judith Bayer,
Director, Goverment Business Development, UTC Power
Frank Preli, UTC Power Vice President of Engineering, testified June 14 before a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee panel examining the potential viability of, and major impediments to, alternative technologies for both the automotive sector and the power grid. The panel was looking at fuel cells, solar power, ocean wave power, intelligent energy management and lithium ion batteries.
Hydrogen 2000’s Documentary “The Hydrogen Age” Now Available (50Kb PDF) By William Hoagland,
Hydrogen 2000, Inc.
“The Hydrogen Age” documentary is now available to institutional and education markets in the U.S. and Canada from the Films Media Group under an agreement with American Public Television Worldwide (APT Worldwide), which represents the film for Hydrogen 2000. APT Worldwide also handles broadcast distribution. A preview clip of the film is available on the Films Media Group web site, www.films.com.
HPI’s Hydrogen Now™ for Hybrids (47Kb PDF) By James D. Whitt,
Chief Scientist, Hydrogen Power, Inc.
Hydrogen Power, Inc. (HPI) has successfully completed the first phase of converting an internal combustion engine vehicle to a hydrogen hybrid, ultimately to be powered by AlumiFuel™ for on-board hydrogen production.
HPI’s 30 Watt AlumiSystem™ (47Kb PDF) By James D. Whitt, Chief Scientist, Hydrogen Power, Inc.
Hydrogen Power, Inc. (HPI) has successfully completed the first phase of converting an internal combustion engine vehicle to a hydrogen hybrid, ultimately to be powered by AlumiFuel™ for on-board hydrogen production.
Materials Development Makes Large Scale Hydrogen Production a Reality (74Kb PDF) By Bunsen Wang,
Engineer, Inertial Fusion Techology, General Atomics
The Sulfur-Iodine (S-I) cycle is a thermochemical water-splitting reaction that utilizes thermal energy from a high temperature heat source such as a nuclear reactor or a solar tower to produce hydrogen. The cycle consists of three sections: Bunsen Reaction, Sulfuric Acid Decomposition and HI Decomposition that are currently being developed by the French CEA, Sandia National Laboratory, and General Atomics, respectively.
DOE Hosts Annual Merit Review
and Peer Evaluation (47Kb PDF) By Jeffrey A. Serfass, President, NHA
Nearly 1000 people gathered to listen to reports and review the results of more than 250 U.S. Department of Energy hydrogen projects including those in Basic Energy Sciences. This review marked the third year of a five-year Presidential Hydrogen Initiative and reported on projects totaling $500 million ($800 million with cost share).
Hydrogen From Chocolate! (81Kb PDF) By Karen Hall, VP, Technology, NHA
Who says you can’t have it all? Researchers at the University of Birmingham’s School of Biosciences have found a way to combine three of my favourite passions – hydrogen, chocolate, and old cars.
Solar-Hydrogen Home Garners Wide Interest and Public Support By David G. Schieren, Chairman and CEO, EmPower
New NHA members EmPower CES and the US Merchant Marine Academy's Alternative Power Program helped renewable hydrogen take a giant leap forward during the 2005 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.
HOPE:
Hydrogen Economy Workshops for High School Teachers By
Mary-Rose Szoka de Valladres, President, M.R.S. Enterprises, LLC
There is widespread agreement that lack of education is
a barrier to introduction and advancement of the hydrogen economy. Today's teachers
and their students -- tomorrow's consumers and citizens -- are clearly key to
our energy future. Experience suggests that one of the best ways to reach students
is through their teachers. As a vehicle for technology transfer, it is the teachers
who will educate students in hydrogen science and technology. But who will teach
the teachers and how will the training be delivered?
PureMotion
Fuel Cell Drives Revolutionary New Bus By
Richard Morgan, Director of Communications, UTC Power The positive
environmental impact of emission-free bus transportation would be considerable.
While buses and heavy-duty commercial vehicles represent just 8 percent of the
nation's vehicle miles traveled, they produce more than 45 percent of U.S. on-road
vehicles' NOx emissions and almost 70 percent of particulate matter
emissions. Through a visionary partnership, UTC Power in Connecticut, California-based
AC Transit, SunLine Transit and ISE Corporation, and VanHool in Belgium, are working
to revolutionize the public transportation sector with hydrogen-fueled hybrid-electric
fuel cell buses. The end result is a zero-emissions, super-efficient and quiet
bus.
NHA
Hosts Its Largest Hydrogen Conference Ever By
Emily Bryant, Conference Coordinator, National Hydrogen Association
Industry leaders hailed the National Hydrogen Association's 17th Annual
Conference & Hydrogen Expo US as the best ever. With a theme, Global Progress
Toward Clean Energy, the NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference 2006 was held March 12-17
at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. With over 1500
attendees, the Long Beach Hydrogen Conference was the largest NHA conference to
date. More than 24 nations were represented at the Conference as well as 44 out
of 50 US states. The Hydrogen Expo US was also the largest exhibition to date
with over 80 exhibitors from various national and international organizations.
The
NHA Welcomes Its Newest Members By Rex
Hazelton, Membership Coordinator, National Hydrogen Association
The NHA is delighted to welcome several new members and affiliates.
Volume 10, Number 4 • Autumn
2005
NextEnergy
Center Brings New Era of R&D to Michigan By
James Croce, CEO, NextEnergy The opening of the NextEnergy Center
in Detroit, Mich. marked the culmination of intense effort by countless people
who turned a few words spoken by the state's political leadership earlier this
decade into the practical reality of NextEnergy.
World's First
Fuel Cell-powered Ice Refinisher Takes the Ice By
Rolf Nordstrom, Upper Midwest Hydrogen Initiative Three members
of the Minneapolis-based Upper Midwest Hydrogen Initiative (UMHI) unveiled the
first hydrogen-powered ice re-surfacer on Monday at the University of North Dakota's
Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC). The unveiling was part of a
Hydrogen Energy Summit sponsored by U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, who led development
of the hydrogen and fuel cell portions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 recently-passed
by Congress.
Have
Industrial Suppliers Awakened to Hydrogen and Fuel Cells? By
Venki Raman, NHA Trustee, and President, Protium Energy Technologies
In an attempt to answer the above question that was posed by Debbi Smith, Vice
President of operations of NHA, I attended the Fuel Cell Summit October 24-25,
2005 at the Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT which was jointly organized by the Society
of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF),
and supported by the NHA as an endorsing partner. The conference was organized
in two tracks; the CCEF track focused on fuel cell markets while the SME track
focused on manufacturing challenges and supply chain issues for hydrogen and fuel
cell systems.
Welcome
New NHA Members By Brian Schorr, National Hydrogen
Association The National Hydrogen Association would like to welcome
the following new members and affiliate organizations into the Association in
the fourth quarter of 2005: Purdue University, Center for Energy & Economic
Development (CEED), Fuel Cell South, American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE),
and the California Hydrogen Business Council.
New
York Power Authority Creates Clean Power with Free Fuel By
Meg Chapman, UTC Power
The National Hydrogen Association would
like to welcome the following new members and affiliate organizations into the
Association in the fourth quarter of 2005: Purdue University, Center for Energy
& Economic Development (CEED), Fuel Cell South, American Council On Renewable
Energy (ACORE), and the California Hydrogen Business Council.
Hydrogen
Means Business in California By Ines Freesen, Freesen
& Partner, GbmH Hydrogen and fuel cell initiatives from California
have been enviously looked at around the globe. This movement gained new momentum
when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 76 this summer, which provides
the first portion of funding to implement the California Hydrogen Highway Network
(CA H2 Net). The Golden State has offered fertile grounds for many projects in
mobile, stationary and portable applications of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies
and continues to open up business opportunities for domestic and international
suppliers alike.
Power-Gen
Renewable Energy Trade Show (PGRE) Adds Hydrogen and Fuels By
Tom Weirich, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) The American
Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) announces that it is adding a focus on hydrogen
and fuels to this year's Power-Gen Renewable Energy & Fuels conference and
exhibition to be held April 10-12, 2006 in Las Vegas. The event is hosted by ACORE
and PennWell Corporation. NHA is a partnering organization in support of the event.
Less
Than 100 Days Until the NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference 2006! By
Emily Bryant, National Hydrogen Association The NHA's 17th Annual
Hydrogen Conference and Hydrogen Expo US is now less than 100 days away and preparations
are well underway! Please mark your calendars for March 12-16, 2006 and plan to
attend this important Annual Conference. This year's Conference will be located
at the Long Beach Convention Center, along scenic Long Beach, California's waterfront.
South
Windsor High School Educating the Leaders of Tomorrow Courtesy
UTC Power In 2002, the town of South Windsor made a big decision.
A decision affecting the South Windsor High School curriculum, the environment,
and the level of power security available at their school. They purchased a PureCell™
200 fuel cell power solution. You see, South Windsor High School is a regional
emergency shelter and is, therefore, required to have a system that generates
electricity continuously, even in the event of a power failure.
Volume 10, Number 3 • Summer
2005
Kettering
University Dedicates Center for Fuel Cell Systems and Powertrain Integration By Pat Mroczek, Kettering University
Formal ceremonies at Kettering University in June may have focused on "a
fuel cell vision for the future," but the real story in Flint, Michigan,
this summer was about Dr. K. Joel Berry's courage to dream. A grand opening was
hosted June 15 to formally open the Kettering University Center for Fuel Cell
Systems and Powertrain Integration. The event included tours of the new center
and demonstrations of fuel cell vehicles from General Motors, Ford, Toyota and
the U.S. Army.
Fuel Cells Seen as Vital Aid During
Natural Disasters By Herbert Healy and Richard Morgan,
UTC Power When a natural disaster like hurricane Katrina strikes,
the ability to react quickly, responsibly and competently is paramount, and electricity
is the key ingredient necessary for communications, replenishment, shelter, transportation,
security, etc.
Energy, Transportation and Climate
Change Converge at Policy Confab By Robert Hayden,
National Hydrogen Association To focus attention, there's nothing
quite like being on a speeding train, realizing it's starting to careen out of
control and heading for a major wreck. This August, by the end of the tenth Asilomar
conference on transportation and energy policy, 200 experts from around the world
were very focused.
NHA Welcomes Hydrogen Solar Hydrogen Solar was born of a vision by its founder, Julian Keable, for
a clean renewable source of energy. He met Prof. Michael Graetzel, head of PhotoChemistry
at the Swiss Federal University of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland,
a world renowned expert in the application of nanotechnology to photovoltaic devices
and coinventor of the Tandem Cell™, which uses sunlight to split water into
hydrogen and oxygen.
Solar Thermochemical
Hydrogen Cycle Database Now Available By Robert
Perret, University of Nevada - Las Vegas Research Foundation, and Lloyd Brown
and Ken Schultz, General Atomics, San Diego, CA The University
of Nevada - Las Vegas, General Atomics, Sandia National Laboratories, the University
of Colorado, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the University of Hawaii,
under DOE Hydrogen Program support are investigating thermochemical water-splitting
cycles for production of hydrogen from solar energy. The study will methodically
evaluate the known thermochemical water-splitting cycles for their application
to solar energy. The best of these will form the basis for pilot plant design
development and implementation. The project is developing an extensive database
that is now available on the University of Nevada - Las Vegas Solar Hydrogen Generation
Research Program web site.
HPI'S 30 Watt Portable Hydrogen
Generators By Ricky Gujral, Hydrogen Power, Inc.
HPI will soon introduce a 20-30 W portable Alumicell generator. This prototype
implements the Hydrogen NowTM technology while applying Alumicell as reactant
fuel. Alumicell, a novel breakthrough in HPI technology, will be used for low
watt portable power applications, expanding the versatility of HPI technology
to remote locations. Alumicell will generate around 20 liters per hour of hydrogen
gas supply for 72 hours. Military soldier power, projects an estimated budget
of $ 50-100 million per annum for portable power applications. HPI projects supplying
50, 000 units for these applications within an affordable price range.
Energy &
Environmental Research Center Designated the National Center for Hydrogen Technology By Derek A. Walters , EERC Communications Manager In November 2004, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designated the
Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), Grand Forks, ND, as the National
Center for Hydrogen Technology (NCHT) in recognition of over 50 years of hydrogen
research from fossil and renewable energy. The EERC is a research, development,
demonstration, and commercialization facility recognized as one of the world=s
leading developers of cleaner, more efficient energy and environmental technologies
to protect and clean our environment. The EERC is an entrepreneurial high-tech,
nonprofit branch of the University of North Dakota, which operates like a business.
Join
the Leaders at Hydrogen Expo US, March 12-14, 2006, Long Beach, CA By
Ines Freesen, Freesen and Partner, GmbH Hydrogen Expo US, the exhibition
part of the NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference, will be the most important marketplace
for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in 2006. The expo is organized by NHA
member Freesen & Partner GmbH from Germany, who have launched a number of
successful events, including H2Expo in Hamburg and the "waste to energy"
exhibition and conference in Bremen. Hydrogen Expo US provides conference delegates
and expo-only attendees with a unique opportunity to see the latest in hydrogen
production, storage and infrastructure technologies, fuel cell design, products
for grid-independent power generation and vehicles.
Long Beach,
California-a Revitalized and Sunny Site For NHA's Annual Hydrogen Conference 2006 By Emily Bryant, Events Coordinator, National Hydrogen
Association On a recent visit to Long Beach, California the NHA
Annual Conference Management Staff's expectations were exceeded. "Not only
is Long Beach, a beautiful and clean location, it is hip too," said NHA President,
Jeff Serfass. "This is a dynamic location for the NHA Conference". The
visiting NHA staff was impressed with the upscale Hyatt Regency (which has striking
views of the beach and harbor) and the new Convention Center which is adjacently
attached and where most of the Conference will be housed. The surrounding area
is upmarket and vibrant.
Volume 10, Number 2 • Spring
2005
DOE Program
Review Presents Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Projects By
Jeffrey A. Serfass - President, NHA Approximately 900 registrants,
including about 200 project presenters and over 100 peer reviewers, converged
in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia to hear, review and discuss the projects
that form the U.S. Department of Energy's broad coordinated hydrogen program.
For the first year, the program included substantive project results beyond the
DOE Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program, including Nuclear
Energy, Fossil Energy and Basic Energy Research hydrogen-related work.
AG/ENA Forming Alliance
for a Prototype Hydrogen Fueling Station / Information Center By
Alan Eliot Goldberg, FAIA - Principal, AG/ENA Architects To promote
hydrogen as a clean, safe, renewable energy, the architectural firm AG/ENA is
forming an Alliance to design and build a prototype Hydrogen Fueling Station /
Information Center in key locations, worldwide. The design will be based on AG/ENA's
innovative Advanced Refueling Retail Center (ARRC) which was awarded a U. S. Design
Copyright. The Information Center will display hydrogen-fueled cars and a consumer
education exhibit about hydrogen technology.
Microbial Fuel Cell:
High Yield Hydrogen Source and Wastewater Cleaner Using a new electrically-assisted microbial fuel cell (MFC) that does
not require oxygen, Penn State environmental engineers and a scientist at Ion
Power Inc. have developed the first process that enables bacteria to coax four
times as much hydrogen directly out of biomass than can be generated typically
by fermentation alone.
Hogen® Hydrogen Generation and Stable Flow™
Continuous Hydrogen Injection Improve Performance in Electric Power Generators Adapted from a presentation by John Speranza - Proton
Energy Systems and Lawrence Dusol - Cetrom, Inc. The high thermal
conductivity of hydrogen has proven to be a key advantage in its use as a coolant
in electric power generators. The use of hydrogen instead of air permits a reduction
of nearly 20% in the amount of active material required in the construction of
a generator of given output and for a given temperature rise of the windings.
The low density of hydrogen is also an advantage over that of air. Since hydrogen's
density is approximately one-fourteenth the density of air at a given temperature
and pressure, the use of hydrogen reduces the windage friction losses within a
generator to a small fraction of the losses encountered when the generator is
cooled by air.
Florida
Solar Energy Center Sponsors EnergyWhiz Olympics By
Adrienne Henzmann - Public Affairs Coordinator, Florida Solar Energy Center
The 2005 EnergyWhiz Olympics started early on Saturday, May 7, with more than
400 middle school and high school students, their families and teachers getting
ready for the day's activities. The students, carrying their model-sized hydrogen
cars and solar cars, made their way to check-in, then on to vehicle weigh-in and
technical judging by volunteer judges - primarily engineers from the nearby Kennedy
Space Center, the Florida Solar Energy Center and a number of local engineering
societies. These were just the first steps in a day of fun and educational activities
to learn more about alternative fuels, solar energy and hydrogen.
The NHA Welcomes
New Members By Andrew Cotter - Membership Coordinator,
NHA Six new members have joined the NHA since our last newsletter.
Please join us in welcoming them!
Hydrogen Power Inc. launches
H24U Hydrogen Delivery Unit By Ricky Gujral - Hydrogen
Power The device is a safe and easily transportable hydrogen production/storage
unit, a unique system to generate and dispense hydrogen. H24U is a simple, safe
and portable hydrogen dispenser, which can supply pressurized hydrogen fuel on
demand. H24U eliminates the storage and transport of compressed hydrogen fuel.
India's
Hydrogen Energy Program By Venki Raman - President,
Protium Energy Venki Raman, President of Protium Energy Technologies
and a Trustee of the NHA made several trips to India recently as a US delegate
to an India-US Forum on Energy Technology R&D Cooperation, and as an invited
speaker and panelist at the 4th International Symposium on Fuels & Lubricants.
He traveled extensively in India and met key government ministries, industrial,
academic and research organizations who are involved in India's Hydrogen Program.
This is a brief summary of his key findings.
Hamburg Hydrogen Initiative
and Live H2 Refueling at H2Expo By Ines Freesen
- Freesen & Partner, GmbH Live
hydrogen refueling will be one of H2Expo Hamburg's major attractions. On August
31 and September 1, 2005 attendees can witness how several vehicles are filled
up with the emission-free fuel, including a new FC midi-bus and a fuel cell-powered
3-wheeler designed and built by a team of students.
Detroit's NextEnergy
Leads the Way Toward the Hydrogen Highway By James
Croce - CEO, NextEnergy Detroit-based NextEnergy, a non-profit
organization dedicated to economic development in Michigan through the advancement
of diverse energy sources, is actively laying the groundwork for the nation's
new economy powered by alternative fuels.
FSEC
Studies Use of Landfill Gas for Hydrogen Production By
Ken Sheinkopf - Director of Public Affairs, Florida Solar Energy Center
Present hydrogen production research at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)
is geared toward the development of processes that utilize locally available resources
to make propellants used by launch vehicles at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
and the other Cape Canaveral facilities.
Ovonic Hydrogen
Systems: Commercially Sustainable Solutions By Richard
Thompson - Director, Communications
The dangerous dependence on
oil and the concerns about pollution and global warming are spurring development
of the Hydrogen Economy, and Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLC — through its Ovonic
metal hydride storage materials technology — is uniquely positioned to play
the leading role.
Canadian Company Markets On-board Electrolyzer By Steve Gilchrist - Vice President, Government Affairs
For over a century, industry has embraced a wide variety of applications of hydrogen.
From the earliest beginnings of the automotive industry, hydrogen was a leading
contender to be the primary fuel for cars and trucks. Pressure from the oil and
gas industry ultimately forced industrialists like Henry Ford to use gasoline
and diesel in their engines – regardless of their perception that these fuels
were “too dangerous."
Plug
Power Inc. Awarded Contract with Detroit Edison By
Jennifer Humiston - Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Plug
Power Inc., a leading provider of clean, reliable on-site energy, was awarded
a contract in December 2004 to provide on-site hydrogen generation to The Detroit
Edison Company’s Saint Clair Power Plant.
Hydrogen Power
Inc: Working on Tomorrow’s Fuel Today By Ricky
Gujral - Chief Executive Officer Hydrogen Power Inc. offers a viable
solution to the problems of storing and transporting hydrogen gas, problems which
define the economic and safety concerns that have slowed technological development
and public acceptance of the use of hydrogen fuel.
UTC Fuel Cells
Power California Buses By Michael Tosca, Christopher
Callahan, and Bryan Murach - UTC Fuel Cells Municipal bus fleets
offer a flexible and efficient public transport option in urban centers. UTC Fuel
Cells has been providing fuel cell power systems for bus applications since 1998
in a variety of bus and fuel cell configurations.
Hydrogen Safety
Training to be Offered at HAMMER by Bruce Kinzey
and Linda Fassbender - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Bret Akers
- Volpentest HAMMER Training Center Safety in all aspects of the
future hydrogen economy is a major priority for the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative.
Public perceptions regarding the safety of hydrogen must be understood and addressed
in order for the hydrogen economy to succeed.
Environmental Jobs
in Scotland by Ryan Noble - Development Assistant,
Environment Jobs Scotland Environment Jobs Scotland (EJS) is a
new Forward Scotland initiative that will fulfill an important role in supporting
implementation of the Scottish Executive’s Green Job strategy.
New Book Focuses on
Hydrogen Safety by Karen Hall - Vice President,
Technical Operations, National Hydrogen Association Anyone who
has ever had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Addison Bain talk about his eventful
career at NASA or his investigations which led to the exoneration of hydrogen
as the cause for the Hindenburg disaster will love this book. The Freedom Element:
Living with Hydrogen, by Dr. Addison Bain, is now available from Blue Note Publications,
Inc. of Florida.
California Holds Fuel Cell Science Teacher
Workshop by Karen Farrell - California Education
Coordinator of the California Fuel Cell Education Program On Thursday,
February 24, 2005, a California Fuel Cell Education Program was “kicked-off”
with an all day Fuel Cell Science Teacher Workshop and “Energy Exhibit.”
Volume 9, Number 4 • Autumn 2004
Annual
Hydrogen Conference & Exposition Returns to Washington, DC The
NHA's Annual Hydrogen Conference 2005 will be held on March 29 - April 1, 2005,
in Washington, DC. Opinion-leaders and decision-makers will convene in Washington,
DC to explore the conference theme, "Partnering for the Global Hydrogen Economy."
Maryland to Lease GM Fuel Cell Vehicle In early September, Governor
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. announced plans to lease Maryland's first fuel cell vehicle,
a minvan from General Motors Corp. that runs on hydrogen and emits only water
vapor.
Hydrogen Safety Outreach: Lessons Learned
At the recent NHA-CaFCP workshop in Diamond Bar, CA, emergency responders and
safety officials told the NHA what information they need next and how they want
it.
Millennium Cell Awarded
Subcontract for DoD Word by Concurrent Technologies Corporation Millennium
Cell, Inc, a leading technology development company that offers a propietary process
to safely store, generate and deliver pure hydrogen, announced that it has been
awarded a subcontract to develop hydrogen storage systems for the U.S. Department
of Defense.
NHA Welcomes New Members
The NHA's Annual Hydrogen Conference 2005 will be held on March 29 - April 1,
2005, in Washington, DC. Opinion-leaders and decision-makers will convene in Washington,
DC to explore the conference theme, "Partnering for the Global Hydrogen Economy."
Fuel-Cell Test Station at SERC
To help it continue to guide the future of fuel cells, Humboldt State University's
Schatz Energy Research Center has designed and built a testing station for the
technology.
2005 H2U Design Contest Underway
The Second Annual H2U Design Contest is off and running! To date, over a dozen
teams have officially registered, representing the U.S., Canada and Russia.
Volume 9, Number 3 • Summer 2004
Participants from 18 Countries Attend 15th Annual
Conference More than 1,100 participants from 18 countries participated
in the NHA's 15th Annual Conference, "Hydrogen: A Clean Energy Choice,"
held in Los Angeles, California April 26-30, 2004.
- Click here for Secretary of Energy Spencer
Abraham's keynote address. - Click here
for California Secretary of the EPA Terry Tamminen's keynote address.
NHA Committee Members
Spend Time on Capitol Hill The House Subcommittee zeroed out the education
and cross-cutting analysis request of $7 million and the $24 million in funds
to be awarded to the national lab partners of the "Grand Storage Challenge"
Centers of Excellence. These cuts affect several NHA members and the education
and outreach work of the NHA.
Training
the Teachers: SoCal Science Teachers Explore FCs at NHA Conference
A house full of 20 high school chemistry and physical science teachers participated
in a Renewable Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Teacher Training Workshop at the NHA's 15th
Annual U.S. Hydrogen Conference in Los Angeles, California.
Hydrogenics
Reduces Operations Costs by Putting Test Units to Work Hydrogenics'
test facility, one of the largest in North America, is fully outfitted with a
range of FCATS test stations - Hydrogenics' first commercial product and a business
that continues to operate under the Greenlight name.
SRNL
Named 12th DOE National Lab The Savannah River National Laboratory
was recently designated the 12th U.S. Department of Energy National
Laboratory during a site visit by the Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham on
May 7, 2004.
APS Establishes Value of
H2 Park In March of 2002, APS was issued a motor vehicle
refueling permit to commercially sell hydrogen motor vehicle fuel. Since
then, its Hydrogen Park has seen more than 2,500 fueling events with no safety
issues.
Welcome New NHA Members
The NHA would lime to welcome new members in the second quarter of 2004.
UC-Davis Hosts Governor, Industry for Signing of
Hydrogen Highways On April 22, 2004, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
made real his campaign promise to make hydrogen fueling stations available to
all Californians and the press and broadcast media came out in force with a phalanx
of nearly 15 cameras lined up across the back of the invitation-only audience.
It was a well-attended event, hosted by University of California at Davis.
NHA Honors Leaders in the Hydrogen Community at Annual
H2 Conference At its annual Awards Luncheon during the
15th Annual U.S. Hydrogen Conference and Hydrogen Expo in Los Angeles
in April, the National Hydrogen Association was proud to present awards to five
deserving individuals and one special member.
SRTC Research
into Hydrogen Production from Nuclear Energy Achieving the goal of
a hydrogen economy will require safe, cost-effective methods for producing and
distributing hydrogen in the large quantities needed to supply a major portion
of the national energy and transportation needs.
2,500
Attend 2003 H2Expo, 2004 International Conference Planned More than
2,500 visitors from around the world came to see the latest technologies and trends
and talk business at the third H2Expo, which took place October 9-11, 2003 in
Hamburg, Germany.
15th Annual
Conference, Hydrogen Expo USA Update 2003 was the most exciting year
ever for the hydrogen industry! Significant progress has been made by the
Annual Conference Steering Committee and NHA staff in preparing for the 15th
Annual Conference in Los Angeles, CA.
On
the PATH for Advancing the Transition to Hydrogen PATH, the Partnership
for Advancing the Transition to Hydrogen, was established in May 2002 to create
an international forum for hydrogen by establishing both real and virtual communities
of interest among national hydrogen associations.
First
NHA Student Hydrogen Design Contest Underway Upon the completion of
the final set of rules and guidelines, the 1st Annual University Student Hydrogen
Design Contest for a hydrogen fueling station has begun.
Student-Run
ITS Tests Hydrogen/CNG Bus in Davis, California This July, a 40-foot
bus that has been modified to burn a mixture of hydrogen and natural gas will
be delivered for evaluation and testing to the University's transit agency, Unitrans.
Short Course on Handling Hydrogen The National Hydrogen Association is pleased to announce it is hosting a
Handling Hydrogen Short Course.
PATH
Completes First Year, Looks to Accelerate Interest In the first year
of its existence, PATH laid out a plan and began a process that, in future years,
will accelerate toward developing a community of interest in hydrogen.
NHA Rejuvenates Its Committees At its June
12 meeting in Vancouver, the NHA Board of Directors approved a staff recommendation
to increase the effectiveness of our member standing committees.
Renewable Energy Conference In an International Success This July, a 40-foot bus that has been modified to burn a mixture of hydrogen
and natural gas will be delivered for evaluation and testing to the University's
transit agency, Unitrans.
PATH Completes
First Year, Looks to Accelerate Interest In the first year of its
existence, PATH laid out a plan and began a process that, in future years, will
accelerate toward developing a community of interest in hydrogen.
Solar
Hydrogen in Your Future Hydrogen promises to free the nation from
the insecurity born of importing fuel from volatile Mideast. It can be the "home
grown" energy solution, and there are growing indications of the will to
make this happen.
Yosemite Clean Air Initiative
Involves H2 and Fuel Cells Yosemite Clean Air Initiative starts with
a pilot project which serves to research, develop, and validate fuel cell and
hydrogen production, delivery, and storage technologies for transportation and
stationary applications.
Renewable Hydrogen Power System for Isolated
Communities The Desert Research Institute developed a hybrid energy
system employing renewable energy sources along with hydrogen energy storage and
a fuel cell for use in remote areas.
Hydrogen
Refueling Stations Open in Japan The first hydrogen refueling stations
opened in Japan. They will serve to establish technical guidelines for design
and manufacture, operation, and safety of refueling at future hydrogen stations.
FreedomCAR: 2010 Technology Goals Goals for the Presidential Initiative FreedomCAR disseminated at a hearing
before the Science Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives on February
7, 2002.
13th Annual U.S.
Hydrogen Meeting, Energy Secretary Abraham to Speak Secretary Abraham
has accepted the NHA's invitation to speak at the 14th World Hydrogen Energy Conference,
along with many other high level speakers from industry and from the Canadian
and the United States governments.
Hydrogen Community Loses a Dear Friend Dr. Robert M. Zweig, a leading
hydrogen advocate since the late sixties and a founding member of Clean Air Now,
the Clean Air Institute and the International Association for Hydrogen Energy,
died on February 15, 2002.
SolFest Expands Role for
Hydrogen SolFest this year will unveil HydroGenny, a new demonstration
project for hydrogen production, storage, and application - the world's first
completely renewable mobile hydrogen generator developed by the American Hydrogen
Association in cooperation with Solar Living Institute. Opportunities to sponsor
this project are available
Volume 6, Number 2 •
Summer/Autumn 2001
Hydrogen
Is America’s Secure Fuel It is time for hydrogen to become a recognized
component of a secure national energy strategy. The U.S. could be energy self-sufficient
with hydrogen, ensuring our nation’s stability from a national security, supply,
and economic perspective.
In Memory of Linda Gronlund The National
Hydrogen Association is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of fellow hydrogen
colleague and BMW employee Linda Gronlund, a passenger on United Airlines flight
93 on September 11, 2001.
Demonstrating Fuel Cell Technology The Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission launched a new partnership with the public and private sectors to demonstrate
the environmental benefits of the hydrogen fuel cell.
SolFest 2001 The NHA supported the
DOE commitment to SolFest, a two-day festival celebrating renewable energy and
sustainable living, by facilitating two informal workshops on hydrogen energy
technologies.
12th
Annual U.S. Hydrogen Meeting Reaches New Heights Increased support
from NHA members and friends in the hydrogen community provided the NHA the leverage
to put together its best annual meeting, attracting over 300 participants.
D.C. Fire Marshals Come Face-to-Face with Hydrogen The need for hydrogen safety standards became apparent during preparation
for the NHA's 12th Annual Meeting when some of the hydrogen exhibits came dangerously
close to being disallowed by the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.
NHA
Participates in International Conference The NHA participated in the
joint meeting of GlobeEx 2000 and ENERGEX 2000, an international energy conference
focusing on topics of globally sustainable energy issues.
The Natural Gas Renewable Energy Alliance Representatives
from natural gas and renewable energy trade associations come together to jointly
address the issues and opportunities that face both industries.
NHA Hosts ICC Committee Meeting The
International Code Council's Hydrogen Ad Hoc Committee held its first meeting
at the NHA office on 30-31 August 2000.
Volume
5, Number 2 • Spring 2000
A
Clarion Call for Action An overview of the NHA’s 11th Annual Meeting
which focused on the technological advancements being made every day in the realm
of hydrogen.
HTAP
February Meeting Participants at the HTAP meeting on February 28-29 developed
scenarios for development of a national hydrogen infrastructure and discussed
policy issues.
Advice
from Columnists at the NHA Conference How can we attract the media’s
attention to hydrogen fuel in the few decades until it becomes a part of everyday
life? Noted Washington D.C.-area journalists in a panel discussion at the Annual
Hydrogen Meeting share their thoughts on how best to present complex stories about
emerging technologies.
Icelandic
Hydrogen Society Grows Iceland’s Minister for Industry and Trade
Valgerdur Sverrisdottir graced the NHA’s Annual Meeting with a discussion
of the country’s effort to create a hydrogen economy.
International Hydrogen Joint Working Group Forming Representatives from Canada, Japan, and the United States attended an informal
meeting at the U.S. Annual Hydrogen Conference to continue discussions concerning
the formation of an international joint working group on hydrogen.
Remote Fuel Cell Works for California’s
Yurok Indians Now the remote areas of the Yurok Tribe reservation in rural
Northern California have access to the telephone service supported by a remote
fuel cell power system supplied by the Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC).
PBS Series Features Hindenburg In a Public Television series revisiting famous mysteries in human history, hydrogen
is absolved of its infamous role in the Hindenburg airship disaster.
Secondary School
Invitational The DOE/NHA Secondary School Invitational held in conjunction
with the NHA Annual Conference hosted 100 middle school students from the Metro
Washington area for the premier global event in hydrogen education.
NHA Membership News NHA
has seven new members including IMPCO, BP Amoco, Toyota Technical Center, Advanced
Applications Group, Sandco Manufacturing, Shiu Wing Steel, and The University
of Alaska at Fairbanks.
Volume 5, Number
1 • Winter 2000
NHA
Presents at F-Cells Infrastructure Conference In December 1999, the
International Quality and Productivity Centre, Ltd. (IQPC) held a conference on
infrastructure issues relating to fuel cells, focusing mainly on methanol and
hydrogen.
HTAP Coordination
Committee Report Presentation on the activities of the HTAP Coordination
Committee Report at the fall meeting of HTAP on October 20, 1999.
The Latest News from the Implementation Plan Committee
The Implementation Plan Committee assesses the progress of the hydrogen
community in attaining goals set forth in the Hydrogen Commercialization Plan,
strives to make the recommendations more aggressive to keep up with industry.
Developing
a Blueprint for a Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure A workshop on
developing a blueprint for a hydrogen refueling infrastructure held in Sacramento,
Ca, by the U.S. Department of Energy, California Air Resources Board, and California
Energy Commission, set a timetable for the hydrogen community for providing the
hydrogen infrastructure.
Volume 4, Number 3 •
Autumn 1999
Joint
Fuel Cell Review in the Windy City Consortia formed to produce and
market stationary fuel cells and research on materials for solid oxide fuel cells
are two subjects discussed at the Joint Fuel Cell Review held in Chicago, Illinois,
U.S.A.
A Follow-Up Visit to Chicago Transit
In December 1997, NHA staff paid a visit to the Chicago [Illinois, U.S.A.] Transit
Authority, where a hydrogen bus project was being implemented.
SunLine Transit Company
Looks to Hydrogen NHA staff visit the SunLine Transit Company in Thousand
Palms, California [U.S.A.], which is developing a training program on alternatively
fueled vehicles for mechanics and transit authorities.
11th
Hydrogen Meeting Set for February NHA’s 11th Annual U.S. Hydrogen
Meeting will take place 29 February to 3 March 2000 at the Sheraton Premiere Hotel
at Tyson’s Corner in Vienna, Virginia, U.S.A.
NHA Gala Celebrates
a Decade More than 150 proponents of hydrogen attended a gala held
by the NHA at its 1999 annual meeting to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
AM10 Proceedings Now Available Proceedings
for the 10th Annual U.S. Hydrogen Meeting, Hydrogen: Setting the Standard for
a Global Energy System, are available.
Stirling Energy
Works Toward Goals Stirling Energy Systems is proposing to demonstrate
solar-hydrogen energy technologies in a fleet of vehicles to tour major U.S. cities.
NHA Hosts ISO/TC-197 Sessions The NHA
conducted a plenary session for the 1999 International Standards Organization
Technical Committee 197 meeting and related ISO working groups at the NHA annual
meeting.
2nd
Annual Lake Tahoe Fuel Cell Conference The Desert Research Institute
and the Nevada State Energy Office are hosting this conference on 26-28 October
1999 at the Granlibakken Conference Center in Tahoe City, California, U.S.A.
Maritime
Hydrogen Technology Development Group Formed by DCH The use of hydrogen
as the energy carrier for maritime applications is essentially unexplored, yet
hydrogen, in combination with other enabling technologies, has the potential of
offering significant operational advantages over the conventional marine power
sources of diesel/gasoline and battery.
DRI
Hosts Fuel Cell Conference in Tahoe The latest advances in technology
and applications for all types of fuel cells were discussed on 26-29 July 1998
at the Desert Research Institute’s Fuel Cell Conference held in Lake Tahoe, Nevada,
U.S.A.
NHA Notes: Codes & Standards
Update Sixteen members and experts attended NHA’s Codes & Standards
Workshop held on 16-17 July 1998 to discuss ongoing work items and identify new
potential work items.
Revisiting CTA’s Hydrogen Buses The field
tests of the fuel cell buses at the Chicago [Illinois, U.S.A.] Transity Authority
are yielding some valuable information for the next phase of development.
HTAP Panel
Answers Questions at WHEC Members of the U.S. Department of Energy’s
Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel answered questions from attendees at the World
Hydrogen Energy Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in June.
Back
to Basics: Basics of Hazards Evalution Procedures
Guidelines for hazard evaluation procedures established by the Center for Chemical
Plant Safety of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Since 1996, the NHA's quarterly newsletter has covered a host of issues related to hydrogen energy systems. Content includes member profiles, information on the progress of hydrogen programs and initiatives, as well as business, research and demonstrations relating to hydrogen.
