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Vancouver's NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation Showcases Renewable Hydrogen Generation System
Thursday, December 9, 2004
Vancouver's NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation Showcases Renewable Hydrogen Generation System
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Vancouver, BC, December 10, 2004--Researchers at the National Research Council Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation (NRC-IFCI) today unveiled a solar powered hydrogen generation system. The project is an all-Canadian collaboration that demonstrates this country's leadership in emerging hydrogen technologies.
The system uses electricity from photovoltaic panels to power a Hydrogenics HyLYZER(tm) electrolyzer module, which generates hydrogen from water. This hydrogen will soon be used to fuel a Ballard Nexaý RM Series fuel cell module to provide back-up power to the NRC-IFCI research facility.
The photovoltaic panels were designed and installed by British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) researchers. They can provide up to 7 kW of energy on bright sunny days, but less on rainy days and none at night. Storing the energy as hydrogen allows users to manage power supply despite intermittent weather patterns.
"Hydrogen is a common currency for storing, transporting and using energy generated from a number of sources including oil and natural gas. When hydrogen comes from renewable sources, like in this particular system, we benefit from completely clean energy. There are no greenhouse gases; the only emissions are oxygen and water," said Pierre Rivard, President of Hydrogenics Corporation.
"Demonstrating clean technologies is vital to the growth of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. It allows customers and investors to see, touch and feel new technologies, and it allows researchers to collect data for improving the next generation of products," added Maja Veljkovic, NRC-IFCI Director General. "As a node along Canada's Hydrogen Highway, NRC-IFCI plans to be a major site for displaying Canadian leadership in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies."
Funding for the solar hydrogen project comes form the Federal House in Order initiative, the Government of Canada's plan to address greenhouse gas emissions within its own operations. Joint leads of this initiative are Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada and Public Works and Government Services Canada. Funding for the Ballard Power Systems fuel cell module comes from Technology Partnerships Canada h2 Early Adopters Program.
Hydrogenics Corporation (www.hydrogenics.com) is a leading clean power generation company, engaged in the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technology and test stations for fuel cells. The company is building a sustainable business, in a potentially "game changing technology" for transportation, stationary and portable power. Hydrogenics, based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, has operations in British Columbia, Canada, Japan, the United States and Germany.
The BCIT Photovoltaic Energy Applied Research team conducts all aspects of photovoltaic system development, from the design and testing of individual photovoltaic components to the installation and commissioning of large photovoltaic systems.
Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Ballard is commercializing fuel cells for transportation applications and fuel cell systems for portable and stationary products.
Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada's NRC is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology. NRC-IFCI does strategic research, testing and evaluation aimed at advancing fuel cell science and technology and facilitating the commercialization of fuel cells.
For more information on this project, please visit the Web site at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, or contact:
Erica Branda NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation Tel: (604) 221-3099 erica.branda@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
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