Fuel Cell

Volkswagen AG, Europe's biggest carmaker, said it agreed to develop fuel-cell vehicles in China, as part of global efforts to invest in low-polluting cars. Volkswagen signed an agreement with Tongji University and German engineering company IAV to produce a model fuel-cell vehicle, the German carmaker said in an e-mailed statement. Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen will provide the body and Tongji will contribute fuel cells and high-power batteries, it said.

Fuel cell company stocks slumped Tuesday afternoon after Smith Barney Citigroup initiated coverage of FuelCell Energy Inc. and Mechanical Technology Inc. with conservative ratings. The firm rated FuelCell Energy shares at "Sell," and Mechanical Technology at "Hold." Both companies received a $7 target price.

Forbes.com has an article about Mechanical Technology Inc (MKTY) micro fuel cell technology. They are currently providing the power source for Intermec Technologies hand-held RFID reader. There is also news from MKTY on this annoucement from the following press release link.

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) announced that it has secured a follow-on order for 25 Fuel Cell Power Modules. These HyPM® 10kW power modules will be incorporated into back-up power products for one of the world's largest suppliers of uninterruptible power. Hydrogenics expects to deliver two units in 2004 and the remainder throughout 2005. More positive news from HYGS. As we head towards the close today HYGS is still down about 8% on 10x normal volume because of the takeover news. I did purchase more this morning.

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...

UTC Fuel Cells, a business of United Technologies Corporation (UTX), today announced changes to its long-standing relationship with Toshiba. Under the terms of the agreement, UTC Fuel Cells will purchase Toshiba's 10 percent ownership interest in UTC Fuel Cells, and Toshiba will purchase UTC Fuel Cells' 49 percent interest in Toshiba International Fuel Cells (TIFC). UTC Fuel Cells manufactures the PureCell 200(TM), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) stationary power unit, and develops proton exchange membrane technology (PEM) fuel cells to power cars and buses. UTC Fuel Cells also is developing PEM for stationary power plants. Toshiba is...

Privately held NanoDynamics announced that the company introduced its ground-breaking new portable solid oxide fuel cell at the 2004 Fuel Cell Seminar Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas earlier this week. "We are very excited to have introduced the Revolution(TM) 50 at this conference," commented David Bothwell, Director of NanoDynamics' ND Energy. "For the past two years, the Company has been working to create a powerful combination of nanomaterials and novel cell design to demonstrate the power of nanotechnology. The resulting fuel cell system is lightweight, portable, compact and can be operated using conventional hydrocarbon fuels, such as propane....

Plans to produce the first consumer-ready fuel cell scooter got a significant boost Thursday when Parker Hannifin Corp., which makes industrial and aerospace systems and products, said it is investing in Vectrix Corp., a maker of electric scooters. Parker already had a 50% ownership stake in the company back in March of 2003. The terms of this new investment have not been disclosed. The Vectrix scooter was last mentioned here during its debut back in August.

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. "While 2004 proved to be a challenging year, we begin 2005 poised for significantly improved financial performance," stated Pierre Rivard, President and CEO of Hydrogenics. "To improve the performance of our test system business, we implemented changes in management and staffing levels, product design and business processes. We believe the acquisition of Stuart Energy reduces our risk profile, significantly expands our product offering, strengthens our global presence, and accelerates our pathway to profitability."

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.

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.

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) has sold a light weight 5kW hydrogen/oxygen Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack to the NASA Glenn Research Center, which will use it in an experimental closed cycle hydrogen-oxygen regenerative fuel cell. This type of system can be used for energy storage in places where oxygen is not easily available, such as very high altitude, space or underwater environments. NASA will use this stack as part of its research program to understand how the regenerative fuel cell will operate in future aerospace applications.

Astris Energi Inc. (ASRNF) announced they had received a purchase order from Alternate Energy Corporation (ARGY) for the first Model E8 Portable Power Generator covered by the value-added reseller (VAR) agreement they signed in May 2004. As well as the initial unit to be delivered in a few weeks, the purchase order included five additional Model E8s to be delivered in stages later in 2005. The E8 Generator is the latest in a series of Astris power generators driven by Astris' AFC technology. Nominally rated at 2.4kW and providing 48 VDC power at 50 amperes of current, the...

Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS) announced that the Company has undertaken a second work order with ChevronTexaco Technology Ventures LLC under the master services agreement signed between the two companies earlier this year. Hydrogenics' contract is for the provision of engineering and product- related services to integrate a fully packaged hydrogen generator based on proprietary natural gas reforming technology being developed by ChevronTexaco. Plans for the facility include ultimately having the capacity to generate 150 kg/day of hydrogen to serve the fueling needs of a fleet of fuel cell demonstration buses at AC Transit in Oakland, California. The station...