Fuel Cell

by Debra Fiakas CFA Fuel cell developer SFC Energy, A.G. (F3C.DE) recently came calling on money managers in New York City.  The company’s chief financial officer Steffen Schneider wants U.S. investors to know SFC has more going for it than simple fuel cells.  True enough the company sells fuel cell components, but it is also capable of delivering complete off-grid energy solutions and integrating full systems. Schneider talks up SFC’s sterling customer list, including Volkswagen, Siemens, Schlumberger, Shell Oil, Arch Coal, Conoco-Phillips, and other industrial users.  Then there are government agencies such as NATO, the FBI in...

Hydrogen Storage Systems Inc. ("HERA"), today announced a significant demonstration of support in its technology with the addition of BOC Group PLC (BOX) as a new shareholder in the Company. HERA is a leading developer of solutions based on its proprietary hydride technology for automotive, transportation and hydrogen distribution applications including hydrogen storage.

Energy Conversion Devices Inc (ENER) has now started fleet testing at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) in Diamond Bar, California. A project of Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLC, a subsidiary of ECD Ovonics, the advanced vehicle is a high-profile test bed designed to prove that hydrogen hybrids can be practical in daily life. The high-tech vehicle also serves to showcase Ovonic® solid metal hydrogen storage technology. Based on a production gasoline-electric hybrid model, it is part of a five year, $7 million multi-vehicle hydrogen hybrid demonstration at AQMD.

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.

The automotive fuel cell industry now stands out as a glimmering beacon in the supply chain's vertical landscape. Driven by factors ranging from homeland security to diminishing natural resources, the fuel cell supply chain market will explode to somewhere between $1 billion and $2 billion by 2012, according to analysts at ABI Research.

PolyFuel announced additional funding for their portable fuel cell technology. They are currently a privately held company backed by several venture capital firms. I'm keeping this company on my radar screen because these venture firms will eventually want to take this company public. Here is an excerpt from this most recent PR announcement. Click the link to read the full press release. PolyFuel, Inc., the world leader in membrane technology for portable fuel cells, today announced it has closed an $18.4 million, third round of funding, bringing total investment in the 5-year-old startup to approximately $40 million....

by Debra Fiakas CFA In the last post on Hydrogenics, Inc. (HYGS:  Nasdaq) in April 2014, the stock seemed to be languishing on news of a potentially dilutive common stock offering.  At the time profits still seem illusive.  However, over the last few months circumstances have improved.  Shares of Hydrogenics have moved higher on the company’s recent introduction of a fuel cell power system for medium and heavy duty vehicles.  Additionally, in July this year Hydrogenics was chosen by Ontario as one of five grid storage projects.  This has turned HYGS into an interesting stock to watch. ...

Air Products and Chemicals Inc (APD) hydrogen fueling technology was an integral part of an historic event today as Shell Hydrogen officially opened North America's first-ever hydrogen filling station at an existing retail gasoline site in Washington, D.C. The Benning Road demonstration project makes Shell the first energy company in North America to provide the environmentally friendly fuel at a consumer retail site, alongside conventional fuels. Initially, it will provide fuel for six GM Hydrogen 3 fuel cell vehicles participating in this Shell-General Motors partnership demonstration project.

Ballard Power (BLDP) to Power More Than 50 percent of Announced Demonstration Fleets Under U.S. Hydrogen Economy Initiative. The first production vehicles powered with Ballard® fuel cells and built by Ford Motor Company for customer use under the U.S. Department of Energy demonstration program were unveiled in Detroit today. Ballard Power Systems together with its Alliance partners, DaimlerChrysler and Ford, continue to lead the industry in fuel cell development, as they place the largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles in the hands of customers, further advancing the path to commercialization. Nearly half of the Department of Energy's announced...

ENER1 INC (ENEI) announced it has signed letters of intent to acquire Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC (GES), a privately held company located in Newton, Massachusetts, that specializes in the development of fuel cell technologies and products. GES is currently owned by Giner, Inc. and General Motors Corp.(GM). GES will maintain its existing GM multi-year contracts (totaling several million dollars) and its broad research and development relationship with GM going forward.

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) announced the sale of two FCATS G50 fuel cell test stations to Asahi Glass Co. Ltd., a leading fuel cell component maker. The stations are expected to be delivered before the end of the year. The FCATS G50 is specifically designed to offer accuracy and reliability for fuel cell testing in low power ranges, at an attractive price. The 'G' Series test stations offer superior reliability and maintainability as a result of thorough in-house testing, selection of high quality components and well-designed accessibility to the test station's internals.

by Debra Fiakas, CFA Most investors, if they have heard of Hydrogenics Corporation (HYGS: Nasdaq) at all, consider them a fuel cell producer. However, about two-thirds of the company’s revenue comes from the design and manufacture of hydrogen generation products based on water electrolysis technology - a somewhat unique, but valuable electrochemical technology that could make important contributions to the world’s future energy base. Electrolysis or the splitting of water molecules using an electric current produces hydrogen and oxygen - two elements that have market potential in a variety of industrial and power markets. It stands in...

BOC Group PLC (BOX) is sponsoring the National Hydrogen Association (NHA)'s 16th annual conference and Hydrogen Expo in Washington DC. BOC is a sustaining member of NHA and a member of the group's board of directors and executive committee. The NHA is composed of industry, university, research and small business members leading the transition to a hydrogen-based energy infrastructure. This forum is designed to promote the role of hydrogen in energy independence, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity, focusing on critical issues in the development of hydrogen technologies.

Distributed Energy Systems Corp (DESC) has been profiled on Forbes.com. Kenneth Reid, editor of Spear's Security Industry Analyst, recommends buying shares of Distributed Energy Systems. The Wallingford, Conn.-based company creates and delivers a variety of products for the alternative and decentralized energy markets.. . .The story of Distributed Energy and other alternative-energy players is a long-term one, say bulls like Reid. With the surge in oil prices this year, the story is resonating with investors. Distributed Energy shares are up 333% in the past year, trading around $8 after hitting a 52-week (intraday) high of $8.09 on Sept....

Distributed Energy Systems Corp (DESC) announced a contract award valued at nearly $1.2 million with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Research Foundation, or UNLVRF. This is a follow-on to the Phase I contract under which Proton and the UNLVRF team are developing a hydrogen filling station capable of operating on solar power for installation in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The US Navy officially exercised its two options in the PEM fuel cell demonstration contract with Hoku Scientific, Inc. (HOKU). The total amount of the options is $2.5 million in addition to the $2.1 million already under contract. "Since the initial contract was awarded in March 2005, Hoku Scientific has met the development milestones for its membrane electrode assemblies on-time and as-expected," said Charles Combs, director of renewable energy programs for the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake, California, who is the program manager for the U.S. Navy's contract...