Two companies, ITM Power and Sierra Lobo were both handed top honors for their work with hydrogen fuel cells for the transportation industry. One of the companies was handed an award for their work on fuel cells inside of hydrogen vehicles and the other for their work on fuel cells outside of hydrogen vehicles.
ITM Power was given the top spot in the EEF North East Region Climate Change Opportunity Award for their work with fuel cells outside of vehicles. According to the Sheffield Telegraph, “The Sheffield-based business specializes in clean fuel hydrogen generation and energy storage and won the award after developing a transportable hydrogen refueling unit called HFuel which can be used as a zero carbon fuel for modified internal combustion engines and fuel cell vehicles.”
I had talked about ITM Power in April 2011 making their first commercial sale of their HFUEL unit that will be used to refuel several hydrogen cars at the University of Glamorgan in the United Kingdom. This recent award demonstrates that ITM Power is well on their way too selling more HFUEL units commercially along with 3 other hydrogen fuel cell based products as well.
Now, Sierra Lobo has received its award for its work on fuel cells inside of vehicles. According to Sierra Lobo, “The Cryo-Force Power-Cell has been selected by an independent judging panel and editors of R&D Magazine as a recipient of a 2011 R&D 100 Award. This prestigious award recognizes the 100 most technologically significant products introduced in the past year. This is the second time Sierra Lobo has won an R&D 100 Award.
“The Cryo-Force Power-Cell System is a completely integrated, closed-loop liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell system. It is designed to power Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), and provide a green energy source for transportation and stationary power systems.”
Both of these companies need to be recognized for the groundbreaking work they’ve done and for pushing forward the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cells for the transportation industry, both inside and outside the vehicle. If I had sound effects on this blog, I would say “Cue the applause now.”
Further Cryo-Force Power-Cell System details at: fuelcellnation.com
Please see President Obamas all-out effort to deelvop better batteries and sources of fuel. Government will do what the free market has not give us the freedom from Middle Eastern petroleum. arpa-e.energy.gov You will find, like digital cameras, smart phones, computers, and memory chips, that new materials and economies of scale will make EV batteries affordable. The only constant is change.