Fuel Cell

Distributed Energy Systems Corp (DESC) announced today the award of a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from the U.S. Army Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to continue development of lightweight regenerative fuel cell technology for high altitude airships. The goal of this 2-year, $749,999 contract is to demonstrate a multi-kilowatt-capable closed-loop hydrogen-oxygen regenerative fuel cell and is a continuation of work completed in Phase I of this project. This regenerative fuel cell can generate pressurized hydrogen and oxygen electrochemically, without mechanical compression. MDA plans to apply this technology for energy storage for high altitude airships, which...

"Experts generally agree that our current reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable. Already oil is near $50 per barrel, and the great millions of Chinese and Indians destined to take to the road in the next decades have not yet gotten behind the wheel." This week Newsweek has written several special reports about alternative energy in all its forms. All of these reports can be found at the following link.

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc (QTWW) announced the delivery of five hydrogen-fueled Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles to the City of Santa Ana, California. This is part of a larger South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) program to develop and demonstrate 30 hydrogen hybrid vehicles to fleets in Southern California. The formal delivery took place during a ceremony held today at the City of Santa Ana's vehicle fleet yard. In March 2004, the AQMD awarded Quantum a contract to engineer a state-of-the-art OEM caliber hydrogen fuel system, perform accelerated long-term durability testing, including crash testing. The complete...

IdaTech (IDA) unveiled a scalable 100W to 500W portable fuel cell system prototype to be introduced to the U.S. market at the 2004 Fuel Cell Seminar. The liquid fuel system with on-board reformer, is part of a portfolio of multi-fuel solutions that IdaTech will showcase during the event. The system being shown at the four-day event is a prototype of a system that will be delivered to the U.S. Army for use as a field battery charger in order to help solve the traditional logistical problem of getting power to troops in the field. The entire fuel cell...

Astris Energi Inc. (ASRNF) announced that it has commenced marketing of its new, silent-running, emission-free, Model E7 AFC Generator. The E7 is an advanced version of the Model E6 power unit that has successfully powered Astris' Freedom Golf Car for the past three years. The E7 is built with two 900W Astris' POWERSTACK(tm) MC250 alkaline fuel cell stacks giving the unit a 1.8kW nominal power rating with the ability for maximum power output to reach 2.15kW, a 20% overload factor. The Model E7 is designed as a direct replacement for existing traction batteries used in a wide variety...

Plug Power Inc (PLUG) announced that Interros, a major Russian investment firm, and Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium, agreed to make a $217 million cash investment in Plug Power. The investment is being made through Smart Hydrogen, a joint venture of the principal Interros investors and Norilsk Nickel, which was formed to participate in the global hydrogen economy. After this investment Plug Power will have approximately $285 million in cash. The shares of PLUG are up over 20% this morning in pre-market trading.

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) reported today that it has been awarded a contract by The Toro Company (TTC) to supply a HyPM fuel cell power module for integration into the company's development work in grounds maintenance equipment. This contract is part of Toro's ongoing strategic alternative energy research and development initiative for turf care equipment.

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) is a developer of fuel cell technology and hydrogen generation. They are also working with wind farm technology in the generation of hydrogen. Back in January of this year they successfully completed the purchase of Stuart Energy which compliments their product portfolio. Shares of the stock have been under pressure for the last couple of months due to missed expectations on Q1 revenue results. There is also some major concern about an increase in product backlog. In August, HYGS issued their most recent quarterly earnings and are attempting to reassure the...

From Small Fries to Big Shots? (Pt. 2 of 2) Bill Paul Here now are two more small alternative energy companies, both of which look to be just starting to hit their stride. How far they'll go only time will tell, but each seems to warrant a closer look. Take note: like the vast number of other pure-play alternative energy firms with intriguing growth prospects, neither of these is U.S.-based. Rule of thumb: whether you're a big institutional or small individual investor, to succeed in alternative energy, you must scour every corner of the earth. First up: CBD Energy,...

Overview In light of oil prices reaching 60 to 70 dollars a barrel, attention is being paid to alternative energy technology, in the hope that it might answer our problems. The major role player right now, especially in terms of replacing combustion engines in cars and trucks, is the fuel cell industry. There are many types of commercially available fuel cells, ranging from ethanol to hydrogen. However, our readers and the public sometimes find it hard to keep up with all the technological terms and the latest inventions and research. This is a simplified summary of the science...

Millennium Cell Inc (MCEL) announced that its soldier power program has been allocated $1.7 million of funding in the fiscal year 2006 Defense Appropriations Bill. The soldier power program is a joint effort with Protonex Technology Corporation which is funded by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. The defense bill funding will support the procurement of Protonex 30-watt portable soldier power systems ("P2") for use in reliability and field testing to be conducted by the U.S. military throughout 2006. The Protonex P2 power system utilizes chemical hydride fuel cartridges with Millennium Cell's Hydrogen on Demand® technology...

Distributed Energy Systems Corp (DESC) announced preliminary estimated full-year 2004 revenues of approximately $21 million, and preliminary estimated fourth quarter revenues of approximately $10 million. The Company also announced that its backlog of signed project and product commitments at year-end is approximately $25 million. This figure represents signed contracts covering energy projects for commercial and industrial clients, as well as in-house manufactured systems, including hydrogen generators and wind turbines.

Enova Systems Inc (ENOV) announced that its components are currently being used in thirty (30) Ford Focus Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles and six (6) Wrightbus Electrocity hybrid transit buses. The Ford Focus is one of the industry's first hybridized fuel cell vehicles looking to combine the improved range and performance of hybrid technology with the overall benefits of a fuel cell. Enova's 120kW Hybrid Drive System has been installed in six (6) Wrightbus Electrocity vehicles that are now in service in London.

ReliOn, the leading provider of high reliability fuel cell solutions for backup power applications, announced that Celestica Inc (CLS), a world leader in electronics manufacturing services (EMS), will serve as EMS provider for ReliOn's fuel cell products going forward. ReliOn is a privately funded Washington corporation. However, as their business grows, their OEM partners will grow as well.

Plug Power Inc (PLUG) announced today a contract award to provide on-site hydrogen generation to The Detroit Edison Company's Saint Clair Power Plant. The hydrogen will be used to provide cooling to six generator units currently in operation at the Saint Clair facility. Under the terms of the contract, Plug Power will install a GenSite(TM) hydrogen generator at the St. Clair Power Plant located in East China, Michigan. The GenSite system has already been shipped to the Saint Clair facility and is expected to be fully operational early next year. The Plant is located on 1,700 acres south...

Millennium Cell Inc (MCEL) announced that they will be displaying a prototype 30 Watt portable power system at the Tactical Power Sources Summit Conference. The conference is being held from January 31st through February 2nd at the Sheraton National in Arlington, Virginia. This integrated power system will be the first deliverable under a previously announced U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Dual Use Science and Technology ("DUST") contract awarded to Protonex. Under this program, Protonex and Millennium Cell are integrating Millennium Cell's hydrogen energy system with Protonex's PEM fuel cell system to provide an integrated fuel cell power...