Fuel Cells in Our Present and Our Future

Advanced energy is one of the region's emerging global growth industries and the fuel cell sector, in particular, has seen significant job growth and investment from the public and private sector.

This month the state announced $8.9 million in grants for fuel cell projects. Many of the projects are in Northeast Ohio, including:

HydroGen Corporation, located in Cleveland, was awarded $525,140 to upgrade its fuel cell operation at ASHTA Chemicals in Ashtabula County.

Energy Technologies, Inc., located in Mansfield, was awarded $ 1 million for its Development of a Robust Fuel Cell Generator for Military Applications project. Energy Technologies, Inc., will deliver a fully functional 1.5 kW Tactical Fuel Cell power plant prototype that includes the fuel cell module, replaceable/refillable hydrogen fuel canisters, power electronics, military-spec packaging, all subcomponents, and application and operation manuals.

Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US), Inc., located in North Canton, was awarded $ 1 million for the development of a High-Pressure Stack Block Test System for a Fuel Cell Power Module Overhaul Facility. Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems is developing a MW-scale solid oxide fuel cell for stationary power generation.

Catacel Corporation, located in Garrettsville, was awarded $445,614 for its High Volume Coating Process for Fuel Cell Catalytic Inserts project. Catacel has developed a catalytic coating process that it uses to produce inexpensive metal foil components for heat exchangers used in fuel cell reformers and other energy conversion processes.

GrafTech International Holdings, Inc., located in Parma , was awarded $973,154 toward the commercialization of GRAFCELL Bipolar Plates for Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell Systems. GrafTech will develop and commercialize bipolar plates for phosphoric acid fuel cells using its expanded natural graphite technology.

Refractory Specialties Incorporated, located in Sebring, was awarded $400,000 for its High Purity, Robust Kiln Furniture for Low Cost SOFC Manufacturing project. Refractory Specialties proposes to drive down the cost of manufacturing Solid Oxide Fuel Cell's by developing a kiln setter material that, with a suitable coating, has shown to meet performance requirements.

Akron Polymer Systems, located in Akron, was awarded $349,644 for its Nanocomposite Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells that Operate at High Temperatures project.

Kent State University was awarded $299,548 for its Third Generation PEFC Catalytic Layers project. Platinum loading is a significant contributor to the cost of PEM fuel cells. Kent State University has developed a new approach using a very thin platinum shell on a nickel nano-wire substrate, which decreases the number of subsurface platinum atoms in the catalyst. General Motors has shown interest in testing these materials under its standard testing protocols, however the quantity of material required far exceeds Kent State University's production capacity. This project will allow Kent State University to explore a higher yield catalyst fabrication process and to design and install this equipment at Kent State University.