Intelligent Energy Share Discussion Threads

[ibug] 02/12/2016 13:55

DOE Fuel Cell Bus Analysis Finds Fuel Economy to be 1.4 Times Higher than Diesel

author FuelCellsWorks, December 01, 2016

Announced on November 30 by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Reuben Sarkar at the Zero Emissions Bus Workshop in London, FCTO has released a new report showing that the average fuel economy of fuel cell electric buses from three fleets is ~6 miles per diesel gallon equivalent or DGE, 1.4 times higher than conventional diesel...

[ibug] 02/12/2016 13:53

Nikola One Hydrogen Fuel Cell-Electric Truck Revealed

author FuelCellsWorks, December 01, 2016

Class 8 zero-emission hydrogen-electric truck in production by 2020 Nikola One a range of 800 - 1,200 miles while delivering over 1,000 horsepower and 2,000 ft. lbs. of torque Network of Hydroge FUEling Stations to be Built across the U.S and Canada SALT LAKE CITY -- Nikola (pronounced Neek-oh-la) Motor Company unveiled its highly anticipated Nikola...

[dean windass] 02/12/2016 13:42

from

"Mr. Osamu Honda, President of SMILE FC and Executive Vice President, Suzuki Motor Corporation said: “We are delighted to achieve such a significant milestone just one year after the establishment of the JV. It brings us closer to delivering on our commitment to achieve efficient and cost-effective production of fuel cell systems for integration into clean energy vehicles.”

Dr Henri Winand, Chief Executive at Intelligent Energy, noted: “Fuel cell systems provide one of the best solutions to reducing carbon emissions from vehicles. The Yokohama production line is testament to the rigorous, results-oriented collaboration between Intelligent Energy and Suzuki Motor Corporation – one that brings us a step closer to the commercialisation of fuel cell electric vehicles. This demonstrates how our focused commercial approach accelerates and de-risks our partners and customers’ deployment plans.”

Headquartered at Suzuki HQ in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, SMILE FC was created in February 2012 to develop and manufacture air-cooled fuel cell systems for a range of industry sectors including automotive. The joint venture provides Suzuki with access to Intelligent Energy’s Air Cooled Fuel Cell technology, through partnering and licensing. This will drive benefits such as early volume production, economies of scale and avoiding the higher costs associated with in-house development."

So, SMILE FC are already tooled up to supply any vehicle manufacturer that doesn't want to do it's own R&D making it's own FC and is set up to know them out CHEAPER as a result. We'll see how it all pans out ...

[dean windass] 02/12/2016 13:19

World at One on Radio 4 just described a "stampede" by car manufacturers to electric and hydrogen vehicles (see ibug's post above) Why? Diesels will be allowed probably in the countryside and in market towns and villages but there will be a huge number of perfectly useful used diesel cars for sale wrecking the market for new ones ... in some ways, production of diesel cars may wind down very quickly.

Also, congestion charges and car sharing schemes or even uber, bla bla car mean that the cost of entering central London in a zero emissions car, bought with a subsidy could become quite an efficient way to run a car ... you buy the car, you drive on less congested roads into Central London with passengers, desperate to get away from Southern Rail paying for a seat in your car.

I'd do it!

Oh ... and the Toyota Mirai is now being ADVERTISED on Norwegian TV ..... it's arriving pretty quickly this hydrogen thing .... either the UK gets onboard dead quick or is the last rat off the fossil fuel sinking ship.

If you read back through my posts, I've been going on about growing POLITICAL pressure vs governments on air quality ... it's growing ... add the London 3rd Runway at Heathrow into the kerfuffle and you have a lot of column inches on this to build this for the next election. Boris Johnson did next to nothing for air quality.

[ibug] 02/12/2016 11:00

Four major cities move to ban diesel vehicles by 2025
By Matt McGrath

Air quality in Paris has forced political leaders to take a hard stance on the use of diesel

The leaders of four major global cities say they will stop the use of all diesel-powered cars and trucks by the middle of the next decade.

The mayors of Paris, Mexico City, Madrid and Athens say they are implementing the ban to improve air quality.

They say they will give incentives for alternative vehicle use and promote walking and cycling.

The commitments were made in Mexico at a biennial meeting of city leaders.
The use of diesel in transport has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, as concerns about its impact on air quality have grown. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that around three million deaths every year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution.

[dean windass] 01/12/2016 15:45

The new, more efficient processes for producing Hydrogen without using energy from fossil fuels are the game changers here ..... once hydrogen can be produced cheaper than oil, the oil industry will collapse ...... and so much of the tech is available now for any keen DIY fan who wants to drive their hybrid or EV car on sunshine ... this is going to wreck The West's and capitalism's business model though .... Shell have just paid dividends using money they have borrowed from what they hope they will earn next year if the oil price rises ... the writing's on the wall for the oil companies so it'll be interesting to see when the tipping point happens ... they own the filling stations and the infrastructure ... eventually they will embrace hydrogen and be in a race against each other for dominance. We will be buying our hydrogen from Shell, BP, Exon, Texaco etc. ... apart from that we make ourselves ... interesting how the lower temperatures used to get hydrogen out of methane ... making your own biodigester is easy ... and you burn the methane .. use it to cook on or do some heating if you have enough ...... but, in theory, with an HFC, you could use your household waste to produce methane which you cook up at 150 degrees C to make hydrogen ... I'm not saying you will be able to run everything on hydrogen but, you certainly can't refract your own internal combustion engine at home ....... but methane is easily produced and hydrogen is being produced from that at ever lower temperatures ... it'd be nice if bi-products of household waste allowed you to drive a few hundred miles a year ....

[ibug] 01/12/2016 14:41

London Mayor pledges to use H2 Busses video.


A hydrogen powered double decker is to be trialed in London next year as Sadiq Khan steps up action to tackle toxic air blighting the capital.

[ibug] 01/12/2016 14:35

Fuel cell electric bus project CHIC launches final project report as tool for cities and bus operators

author FuelCellsWorks, December 01, 2016

London--Today, the fuel cell electric bus project Clean Hydrogen in European Cities (CHIC) has launched its final project report entitled “fuel cell electric buses: a proven zero emission solution. Key facts, results, recommendations” at the International Zero Emission Bus Conference in London, City Hall. The report is intended to guide cities and bus fleet operators...

[ibug] 01/12/2016 14:32

New process produces hydrogen at much lower temperature

December 01, 2016

Simpler process and higher efficiency creates great expectations for consumer market

Waseda University researchers have developed a new method for producing hydrogen, which is fast, irreversible, and takes place at much lower temperature using less energy. This innovation is expected to contribute to the spread of fuel cell systems for automobiles and homes.

Hydrogen has normally been extracted from methane and steam using a nickel catalyst at temperatures of over 700°C. However, the high temperature creates major challenges for widespread use.

The group led by Professor Yasushi Sekine, Waseda University Faculty of Science and Engineering, developed a method which allows hydrogen extraction at temperatures as low as 150~200°C.

This shift greatly reduces energy input needed to produce hydrogen fuel, extends catalyst life, reduces the cost of construction materials, and reduces complexity of heat-management (cooling) systems.

[dean windass] 01/12/2016 13:51

Filster, the European Premium manufacturer? Not VW, could be BMW or Daimler Benz ....

" Intelligent Energy will lead a pan-European industry working group to ... Furthermore, BMW Group and Daimler will participate in the project to"

not British I don't think. The bit i posted above about Cobalt is really interesting. It's a bi product of some mining processes including copper but unless there's an upturn in copper prices and more copper mining, EV battery production will suffer from high prices of Cobalt through lack of supply. There are conflicting views on this.

No idea why the share price is taking such a kicking today ....

[norbus] 01/12/2016 13:13

Reality would agree with years as the requisite time frame; I always saw the last financing as an act of desperation with an opportunistic taker after attracting Singapore Sovereign at get go. I do not know how smart Bloom is . If I were him. I would look for a syndicate to take out the loan at perhaps sub 10% and not the usury rate agreed of [ that was for the takeout by June 2016] 18% and come to the market again on some solid realistic projections

I could not see much on Bloom background.

[filster] 01/12/2016 11:27

years = more funding needed.... imo

[norbus] 01/12/2016 10:37

They undoubtedly have valuable technology and know how, The now need safe pairs of management hands, feet firmly on the ground, and relief from the harsh Loan Note to recover and hopefully prosper. However we are talking years imo not months. They have to go ever so slowly smartly and carefully to avoid further hubris and banana skins

[filster] 01/12/2016 09:34

I was wondering about the European Premium Car Manufacturer, as Jaguar have now announced the iPace, but that only has a range of 200 miles so I don't think it can have HFC tech in it, which is a mistake imo. I was talking with someone who works in their engine tech dept. and they mentioned being game changing or doing something different, but 200 miles isn't it.

[dean windass] 01/12/2016 04:00

As far as auto is concerned ....

" Intelligent Energy customers – Suzuki, a volume European Premium Car
Manufacturer (Daimler Benz?), a volume Japanese Car Manufacturer and Asian volume OEM" who will probably not be "Toyota, Hyundai,
Honda" ... which leaves ....... Mitsubishi? KIA? Nissan? Daihatsu? Mazda? Subaru? (Subaru co-operate already with Suzuki ... the Suzuki Swift body was used for the Subaru Justy mark 3) ... other Japanese manufacturers? Asian volume? Proton? No ... surely not .... TATA? ....

this info comes from this

[dean windass] 30/11/2016 23:00

"China now pushing hard

The Fuel Cell Industry Review 2016 sees a shift in focus from the historically diffident Chinese government towards supporting the sector, in keeping with its Paris commitments, air quality concerns, and economic opportunities.

China has continued its fuel cell subsidies under a major government support scheme for new energy vehicles (while cutting those for battery cars), and will bring at least 300 fuel cell electric buses into service in 2017.

Continuing growth worldwide

This development underpins continued growth in the sector worldwide, with the total number of shipments up by two-thirds on 2015.

The transport industry is leading the way, with the number of car-related fuel cell shipments having doubled to 280 MW in the past year, while stationary fuel cell shipments saw a 10% rise to 200 MW.

Long-term outlook is key

‘This year’s report demonstrates the importance of a long-term outlook for governments that seek to support a growing industry,’ says E4tech director David Hart, a long-time fuel cell and hydrogen expert.

‘The sector remains fragile,' he continues. 'But by supporting fuel cell-powered vehicles in tandem with funding for hydrogen infrastructure and projects developing roadmaps, monitoring and supply-chain capabilities, the Chinese government is providing a real sense of direction for private sector firms to follow.’

Sector still to mature

‘But that’s only part of the equation,' stresses Hart. ‘This is an important period in the development of fuel cells internationally.R17;

‘The sector is yet to fully mature, and new players are entering the market all the time,' he says. 'This increased competition could lead to dramatic improvements in the energy solutions available. Savvy businesses should monitor the situation to make the most of breakthroughs as soon as they arrive.’

Ongoing and emerging trends

The Fuel Cell Industry Review 2016 features a comprehensive analysis of ongoing and emerging trends in the fuel cell sector. It shows extensive shipment data broken down according to region, application and technology to help readers from the worlds of business, finance and government to navigate this increasingly complex space.

Additional findings from the 2016 report include:

The installed base of Japanese residential combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell systems has grown by 25% this year.
The Japanese government has set targets of 1.4 million fuel cell systems installed by 2020, and 5.3 million installations by 2030.
2016 saw a two-thirds increase in the number of fuel cell-powered forklifts in operation, to 10,000 materials handling vehicles.
Europe leads fuel cell bus use worldwide, with 18 buses operating in the UK and 17 in Germany.
A consortium of US national laboratories believe that, if deployed properly, hydrogen energy and fuel cells could help to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
70% of younger users felt ‘battery anxiety’ with smartphones, a concern heightened during the Pokémon Go craze, which highlighted the need for ‘on the go’ charging."

[dean windass] 30/11/2016 22:35

Apologies if this has already been posted



"As part of ongoing efforts to curb pollution in the capital, London Mayor Sadiq Khan today announced that all new single-decker buses for the centre of town will be zero-emissions vehicles, and that no more pure diesel double-deckers will be added to the network from 2018. At an event today, Khan also showed off the "world's first" hydrogen fuel cell double-decker, which will be trialled in the capital next year. In total, 20 of these buses -- which are hydrogen/electric hybrids -- will eventually be added to the fleet.

London has a longer history with hydrogen-powered buses than you might think. The first trials of such vehicles started back in 2003, and they've been in regular service on the central London RV1 route since 2010. In recent years, greener, hybrid Routemasters have been introduced -- not without some questions around how efficient they really are -- as well as upwards of 50 all-electric buses.

In the longer-term, Khan wants all buses to meet London's Ultra Low Emission Zone standard in 2020. By this time, it's hoped that 300 zero-emissions buses will be added to the London fleet, on top of the 79 currently in service.

The capital's black cabs are also on the hook to go greener, and from January 2018, new taxi licences will only be issued for "zero emission capable" taxis. There is also talk of introducing a new surcharge on top of the Congestion Charge for any black cab that doesn't meet this standard but wants to operate within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which may also be expanded significantly by that time."

[dean windass] 30/11/2016 22:32

and next time smeone says "HFC cars have no future and everyone will be using EVs" .... show them this

[dean windass] 30/11/2016 22:30

Anyone know if IEH have patents they can enforce to do with drones? If they have, and anyone uisng hydrogen powered drones has to pay IEH a fee, I think they will make a fortune from it ... the military and civilian applications for hydrogen powered drones are almost endless and military contracts in particular can be very lucrative ..... and I wonder who provided the power for the double decker hydrogen bus announced today by the Mayor of London? From 2020, no more diesel buses to be bought for use in Inner London ... or something like that .....

[dean windass] 30/11/2016 20:42

BJFanc .... I don't think we've heard the last of the GTL deal ... certainly not after today's announcement .... I liked your post .... it'll be interesting to see what the political fallout to this is .... shame India is consumed by chaos surrounding the withdrawal of high value paper currency ... but people who go used to better air and more uptime with their cell signal ... will complain, it'll reach the papers, opposition parties will depict it as "ruling party don't care about air quality, peoples' health, bringing commercial possibilities via the internet to rural areas ...."

Modi even mentioned IEH in his keynote speech when he came to the UK ... maybe he'll be motivated to bang heads together if and when he hears about this. He LOVES Hydrogen power (as Hindu's should) .... as far as I know, high oil prices are good for H2 companies' SPs.

[bjfanc] 30/11/2016 18:38

In my opinion they were simply getting shafted in India. Running a business under an interim contract whereby it was consuming cash. Then trying to deal with the bankers who call the shots at GTL.Once the finance wasn't forth coming, makes sense to get out. Concentrate on selling the equipment...etc.

[ibug] 30/11/2016 13:29

AT LEAST THE CASH BURN SHOULD REDUCE SIGNIFICANTLY...perhaps the business will find it easier to return to profitability without GTL-India after restructuring Essential Energy.

[filster] 30/11/2016 12:29

It's not just about clean air though (as I understand it).. The diesel generators will run out of fuel at some time and the fuel is often stolen as well. The HFCs allow the towers to run and are monitored. They shouldn't be as inviting for people to steal as there isn't much value in them either - or at least not something that can be easily used or sold on such as diesel. I think the diesel generators were unreliable as well.

Hmm... Let's hope the Asian TowerXchange meeting in 2-3 weeks brings something of note - especially as they've been targeting Japan and China.