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Green Car News Shorts for May 25th, 2010

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:12:47 +0000

Here is the latest Green Car news for Tuesday, May 25th:

Fuel Cell Vehicle JV Under Debate Between Daimler and Toyota: FT Deutschland have reported that Daimler and Toyota are discussing a joint development of fuel cells for electric vehicles. ‘There is strong interest in sharing development costs’ via a joint venture, a source close to Daimler told the Financial Times Deutschland. It would be the first major cooperative project for the two groups, the newspaper added. Daimler has already invested more than one billion euros (S$1.75 billion) in fuel cell technology since 1994, two years after Toyota began exploring it.

Fuel cell developer Trenergi Corp. has raised more than half of a seed round of $1 million in debt, according to a regulatory filing and the company’s president. The Hopkinton-based company, now about a year old, is aiming to develop fuel cells that would generate electricity for residences while producing heat and hot water as a free byproduct. The technology is intended to save an average of approximately 28 percent of energy cost, said company president Charles Myers.

The Chevy Volt is being spotted on the streets of Metro-Detroit gearing up for its official launch.

Ford is investing $135 million to bring battery pack and hybrid vehicle transmission production to metro Detroit. The work is currently done in Mexico and Japan.

GM Looks to Hawaii for Hydrogen Infrastructure Pilot

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:10:43 +0000

GM fuel cell vehicle

Abundant hydrogen is available on the island of Oahu to power a ramp up of fuel cell vehicles through a General Motors collaboration with The Gas Company (TGC), Hawaii’s major gas energy provider. TGC produces hydrogen along with synthetic natural gas and delivers it in its utility gas stream, with more than 5 percent hydrogen content today. Through a proprietary separation process, TGC plans to tap into its 1,000-mile utility pipeline system at key locations and separate the hydrogen for use by local fueling stations for fuel cell vehicles.

“This is the type of enabler that a hydrogen transportation infrastructure needs because it addresses both the source of the hydrogen and a feasible way to deliver it for fuel cell vehicle use,” said Charles Freese, executive director of GM Global Fuel Cell Activities. “The Hawaii infrastructure could eventually support tens of thousands of fuel cell vehicles.

“Hawaii is uniquely positioned and motivated to make hydrogen-powered fuel cell transportation a reality because it depends on imported petroleum for 90 percent of its energy,” he said.

The state is committed to reducing petroleum use by 70 percent through a combination of renewable energy resources, conservation and efficiency. The use of hydrogen as a transportation fuel could be a key contributor.

“We have been delivering as much as 12 percent hydrogen made from renewable sources to our gas customers over the last two to three years and expect we can deliver even greater quantities of hydrogen as demand increases,” said Jeffrey Kissel, president and CEO of TGC. “By delivering hydrogen through our existing infrastructure as vehicle fuel wherever we have gas, The Gas Company expands its key role of supporting Hawaii’s clean energy future.”

Depending how the pricing for the hydrogen is set, it could be available at the equivalent price of gasoline or less.

GM, which has invested more than $1.5 billion in fuel cell transportation in the last 15 years, is developing a production-intent fuel cell system that could be ready for commercialization in 2015. Current Chevrolet Fuel Cell vehicles are part of Project Driveway, the world’s largest demonstration of fuel cell vehicles, which has amassed nearly 1.4 million miles of real-world driving by thousands of people since 2007.

U.S. Senator Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii, said he supports the pilot project. “My small role was one of introduction between these two companies, not that many months ago, which resulted in this business announcement today,” Inouye said. “It is an important step forward in the establishment of a hydrogen transportation infrastructure upon which new fleets, both military and civilian, can be tested and utilized. I am committed to support the resourcing of this endeavor. “Every step to reduce our dependency on foreign oil is a move forward,” he said.

The GM-TGC collaboration is the leading edge of a broad consortium of federal and state, non-profit and education organizations that is forming to develop a Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative as part of an integrated energy solution for Hawaii’s future.

Department of Energy’s Brookhaven Lab Develops Catalysts to Reduce Platinum Use in Fuel Cells

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:26:58 +0000

Chemists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory have received three patents for developing catalysts to accelerate chemical reactions in fuel cells. The newly patented catalysts, as well as a method for making a particular type of catalyst with a thin layer of platinum, could greatly reduce the cost and increase the use of fuel cells in electric vehicles. The catalysts and the technique are available for licensing.

Platinum is the most efficient catalyst for fuel cells. However, the platinum-based catalysts are expensive, unstable, and have low durability. The newly patented catalysts have high activity and stability, while containing much less platinum than the amount used in current fuel cells, so their cost is reduced.

“Fuel cells are expected to become a major source of clean energy that can impact both transportation and stationary power sectors,” said Radoslav Adzic, the principal researcher in all three patents. “They have several advantages for automotive applications and can be used extensively in electric cars if the technology can be made to work efficiently and economically. Developing these electrocatalysts is a big step in that direction.”

Several types of renewable fuel – such as hydrogen, ethanol or methanol – may be used in fuel cells. A hydrogen fuel cell, for example, converts hydrogen and oxygen into water, and, in the process, produces electricity. Hydrogen is oxidized by separating into negatively charged electrons and positively charged ions with the help of a catalyst at the fuel cell’s negative pole, the anode. Electrons then travel to the positive pole, the cathode, creating electricity with their movement. At the cathode, with the aid of a catalyst, oxygen gains electrons, resulting in oxygen reduction, and combines with hydrogen ions forming water, the only byproduct of a hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell.

Two of the Brookhaven chemists’ patents were awarded for catalysts that speed up oxygen reduction. One is composed of a thin layer of platinum on palladium nanoparticles, which is more efficient than current catalysts. The other includes metal oxides, such as niobium oxide and ruthenium oxide, with a thin layer of platinum. The patent also covers a unique method for depositing a thin layer of platinum on the metal-oxide catalysts.

Compared to the patented platinum-palladium catalyst, the metal oxides combined with platinum are more stable and cost-effective, although the catalytic efficiency is not as high. Thus, the patented catalysts are complementary and can be tailored for various applications.

The scientists also received a patent for adding gold clusters to platinum-based catalysts. In the reactions during the stop-and-go driving of an electric car, platinum dissolves, which reduces its efficiency as a catalyst. But the researchers have overcome this problem by adding a very small amount of gold to the platinum-based catalyst. With the addition of gold, the platinum was kept intact during an accelerated stability test, which mimicked the stop-and-go conditions of an electric car. The gold clusters protected the platinum from being oxidized, which stabilized the platinum, making possible improved platinum-based catalysts.

U.S. patent 7,691,780 B2 for the development of platinum-palladium catalysts, was issued to Brookhaven Lab’s Adzic and Miomir Branko Vukmirovic, along with Junliang Zhang and Yibo Mo, formerly of Brookhaven. Adzic, Vukmirovic and Kotaro Sasaki of Brookhaven Lab received title to U.S. patent 7,704,918 for metal oxide-platinum catalysts and their unique method of making them. Adzic and Zhang received U.S. patent 7,704,919 for adding gold clusters to platinum-based electrocatalysts.

Here is a video that gives a very basic understanding of platinum as a catalyst:

Hydrogen Fueling Station in Hamburg Germany to Utilize HyStat Electrolyzers

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:16:20 +0000

Hydrogenics Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products, has announced that the company has been awarded a contract for two HySTAT-60 electrolyzers by The Linde Group for installation as part of a fueling station in HafenCity, Hamburg. The fueling station will be integrated and managed by Vattenfall, the Swedish power conglomerate and one of Europe’s leading energy producers. In Germany, Vattenfall is the third-largest producer of electricity, serving the states of Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Saxony.

The HafenCity fueling station is expected to supply hydrogen for both cars and buses, including the new Mercedes Citaro zero-emission fuel cell bus. The project is part of the Clean Energy Partnership in Hamburg and Berlin, supported by the German government as part of the National Innovation Program for hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The Hydrogenics HySTAT-60 units will, combined, produce about 260 kilograms of fuel daily, and Linde will supplement this capacity with delivered hydrogen as needed. Commissioning of the completed station, in a redesigned industrial park within the city center, is expected in 2011. Additional information on HafenCity can be found at http://en.hafencity.com.

Daryl Wilson, President and CEO said;

“This most recent award continues to highlight Hydrogenics’ key role in supporting Germany’s ambitious hydrogen vision. Hydrogenics is one of the largest suppliers of hydrogen fueling stations, with over 35 facilities across the globe, and we are proud to play a part in Germany’s strategy to build the infrastructure — including hundreds of stations — necessary for a cleaner, more fuel-efficient economy. This contract is indicative of the many opportunities currently being pursued in Europe and elsewhere, as the benefits of hydrogen gain greater acceptance worldwide.”

ABOUT HYDROGENICS

Hydrogenics Corporation (http://www.hydrogenics.com/) is a globally recognized developer and provider of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products and services, serving the growing industrial and clean energy markets of today and tomorrow. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Hydrogenics has operations in North America and Europe.

New Hydrogen Fuel Cell System from GM – Smaller, Lighter and Less Platinum

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:21:17 +0000

General Motors Co. is testing a production-intent hydrogen fuel cell system that can be packaged in the space of a traditional four-cylinder engine and be ready for commercial production in 2015.

The system is half the size, 220 pounds lighter and uses about a third of the platinum of the system in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicles used in Project Driveway, the world’s largest market test and demonstration fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles that began in late 2007 and has amassed nearly 1.3 million miles of everyday driving in cities around the world.

“Our learning from Project Driveway has been tremendous and these vehicles have been very important to our program,” Charles Freese, executive director of GM’s Global Fuel Cell Activities told reporters Tuesday at a news briefing on GM’s fuel cell progress.

“The 30 months we committed to the demonstration are winding down, but we will keep upgrades of these vehicles running and will continue learning from them while we focus efforts on the production-intent program for 2015.

”Some of the 119 fuel cell electric vehicles in Project Driveway will receive hardware and software upgrades and will become part of a technology demonstration program with the U.S. Department of Energy. Others will be driven by businesses and a few will be used to continue showing that, with proper fueling infrastructure, hydrogen fuel cells are a viable alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles.

“We will continue to use the Project Driveway fleet strategically to advance fuel cell technology, hydrogen infrastructure, and GM’s vehicle electrification goals,” Freese said.

The first long-term loan of the new-look Chevy fuel cell vehicle will be to Stephanie White, a fuel cell advocate who was among the first Project Driveway participants and regularly blogs on her vision for a hydrogen economy in which zero-pollution fuel cells are a mainstream source of transportation. Freese presented White with the keys to the car on Tuesday.“

Driving the Chevy fuel cell around LA has been an amazing experience,” White said. “People are always stopping me to ask questions about the vehicle and I tell them how powerful and eco-friendly it is.”

Linde Material Handling incorporates fuel cell trucks into its product range

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:15:20 +0000

With the delivery of two fuel-cell trucks to the Linde Gases Division, part of technology company The Linde Group, Linde Material Handling has taken another important step on the road to more intensive use of innovative drive technology. As the first industrial truck manufacturer in Europe, Linde MH has incorporated fuel cell trucks into its product range. The trucks are now offered as standard and with immediate effect, as a “Customised Option”.

Both fuel-cell trucks are based on the 3-tonne electric counterbalanced truck, the Linde E30. In addition, the enhanced beverage industry version offers an optimised view over the load. In place of the usual 80-volt battery, the trucks have a fuel cell and a tank, which stores 1.6 kilograms of hydrogen gas at 350 bar. The electricity generated from the hydrogen supplies the electric motors that drive the truck. Alongside this are so-called supercaps, large condensers, which act as a buffer and cover performance peaks, such as pulling away or lifting, for example. The trucks bear the CE mark and are permitted for use on public roads. When it comes to performance data, the trucks are not different to the equivalent battery-powered model in the range and they are tailored spe-cially to Linde Gas’ customer requirements.

Symbolic key handover for the two fuel-cell trucks at the Linde Gas Division (from left to right): Dr Jens Schultz, Head of Specialty Gases Production Germany and Subregion Linde Gas, Marc Wehner, Head of Sales Region Central Europe, Linde Material Handling and Markus Bachmeier, Head of Hydrogen Solutions. The fuel-cell trucks were developed over the last two years with long-term partner, Hydrogenics, the Canadian fuel cell manufacturer. Linde’s contractual partner, Gruma Nutzfahrzeuge, based in Garching, near Munich, has been involved with the project from the beginning and is responsible for all issues re-lated to servicing and maintaining the trucks. One of the trucks is used by Linde Gas for transporting Gas bottles between production halls and the truck embark point, which involves crossing a public road. The second fuel-cell truck operates in the field of gas bottle filling. Both trucks replace diesel trucks with a 3.5-tonne load capacity, which were previously used for this purpose. Filling up the fuel-cell trucks is quick and safe at the Linde hydrogen centre filling pump and is therefore comparable to filling a conventional truck.

Two fuel-cell trucks from Linde MH are now in use at the Linde Gas Division in Pullach. They bear the CE symbol, are suitable for use on the roads and are just as good as their corresponding trucks with batteries. The benefit of the fuel-cell drive for Linde Gas is the “zero emissions” that these trucks produce when used. The only waste product from the splitting of hydrogen molecules is pure water. Another benefit of fuel cells, in comparison to other drive concepts, is that there is no longer a requirement for battery replacement or a battery charging process lasting a number of hours. In the same way, the safety risks relating to the use of battery acid are removed. In order to be able to use the trucks, drivers only require an extra hour and a half driving lesson, along with a valid forklift licence for the advanced trucks.

Daimler Leading the Way with Battery Electric and Fuel Cell Cars for Zero Emissions

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:55:04 +0000

As the first European car manufacturers smart and Mercedes-Benz are entering the age of electric mobility with vehicles that are fully suitable for everyday use.

The new smart fortwo electric drive has taken on a pioneering role among battery-powered electric vehicles. With a range of up to 135 kilometres the two-seater car is the ideal solution for zero-emission motoring in towns and cities. The Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL is the perfect complement. As an electric vehicle with a fuel cell it combines driving without any local emissions with the advantage of a large range of up to 400 kilometres which makes it suitable for longer trips as well. Both vehicles are now being handed over to customers.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler CEO and Head of Mercedes-Benz cars says

“As a global supplier of premium cars we want to meet the mobility requirements of our customers all over the world. This is why we are broadly positioned and have developed a modular drive mix to suit different requirements. The smart fortwo electric drive and the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL are already demonstrating the contribution that electric cars can make to sustainable mobility.”

Experts are unanimous in their belief that the “coexistence” of different drive technologies will shape the face of road traffic for years to come. This is why Daimler’s approach is to develop vehicle concepts with modular drive technologies which ensure that the focus is always on both customer benefits and environmental compatibility. In addition to the optimisation of vehicles with state-of-the-art combustion engines and further efficiency increases with hybridisation tailored to customer needs, the third central focus of development is on fuel cell and battery-powered vehicles that do not produce any local emissions.

Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler AG board member responsible for Group Research and Development at Mercedes-Benz Cars says

”Each of these technologies demonstrates its advantages with regard to optimum consumption and emission figures in specific fields of application. We are the only manufacturer worldwide to offer our customers appropriate solutions for all fields of application – from personal mobility to local public transport and goods transport on the roads.”

Electric cars are now being delivered to customers

With the electric cars from smart and Mercedes-Benz that are fully suitable for everyday use, zero-emission driving is already a reality. The new smart fortwo electric drive is a pioneer among battery electric vehicles which are primarily suited to use in urban areas. The second generation is already being built and now boasts a highly efficient lithium-ion battery which enables a range of 135 kilometres and impressive performance. Following the start of series production in Hambach, France in mid November 2009, the first small series of 1000 vehicles will be handed over to customers in Berlin on 17 December. The two-seater car will initially be delivered to selected customers in six European countries plus the USA and Canada within the framework of a leasing or rental model. Volume production will start in 2012 and the smart fortwo electric drive will then be available to anyone interested.

Thanks to its range of around 400 kilometres, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL is suitable for both zero-emission driving in city traffic and also for travelling longer distances. Small series production of this electric car has also started. Next year the first of approximately 200 vehicles will be delivered to customers in Europe and the USA.

Both electric cars are fully suitable for everyday use. All the main components are housed in a space-saving position between the axles where they are optimally protected, and this means that the interior space is not compromised in the electric versions of the standard cars. Furthermore, the smart – the ultimate city car – has an extremely comfortable range for city driving and it can be charged at any household socket. The B-Class F-CELL offers a large range and is suitable for travelling longer distances as well. As its hydrogen tanks can be fully refuelled in around three minutes it is also the electric car with the shortest charging time.

Infrastructure is essentialAn appropriate refuelling and electricity charging infrastructure is essential for wide customer acceptance and quick widespread use of electric vehicles. This is why Daimler is committed to setting up a comprehensive network of electricity charging stations and hydrogen filling stations. In September 2009 together with the Federal Ministry of Transport and partners from the energy sector the company presented a plan for establishing a hydrogen infrastructure in Germany. At the same time Daimler reached an agreement with other leading car manufacturers to bring several hundred thousand fuel cell cars to the roads from 2015.

Parallel to this, together with various partners in Europe the Stuttgart car manufacturer is advancing the expansion of a public electricity charging infrastructure. This is because although electric vehicles like the smart fortwo electric drive can easily be charged at a domestic garage socket, around 40 percent of European vehicle owners do not have a parking space of their own. Publicly accessible charging stations are therefore needed. To enable this to be realised Europe-wide as far as possible with standardised framework conditions, Daimler is developing corresponding standards together with other car manufacturers and utility companies.

Electric mobility – an affordable alternative?

New technologies generally entail high investments and costs. This means that at the current stage of development electric cars are still more expensive than comparable models with combustion engines. Daimler is applying all available levers to reduce the costs to a level that is economically acceptable and attractive to customers. For example, by industrialising lithium-ion technology with the company Deutsche Accumotive GmbH and the economies of scale resulting from this. Furthermore, in product development Daimler is systematically using a modular E-drive system. This enables synergies to be ideally used between the different vehicle segments.

There are also numerous other factors that make electric mobility attractive for customers. Tax relief and other government subsidies are an important aspect. For example, the state of Monaco offers tax relief of up to €9,000 to electric car owners. Other countries have also set up funding programmes for sustainable mobility. France offers a “super environment incentive” of €5000 for vehicles that emit less than 60 grams of CO2 per kilometre. China and Japan have announced subsidies of €6,500 and €11,000 respectively.

Customers benefit from lower running costs

In addition, owners of electric cars can benefit from lower running costs. For example, in Germany the electricity costs for a distance of 100 kilometres currently stand at between two and three euros. And many experts believe that in the long-term the costs for hydrogen will level out at a price that makes it an inexpensive alternative to fossil fuels.

However, the question of the future taxation of new fuels has not yet been clarified. Dr. Thomas Weber says

“It would make sense to find a solution that supports the introduction of new drives during the transitional period – for example with temporary tax exemption for electricity and hydrogen, just as various countries offer tax relief today for natural gas used to power vehicles.”

For example, electric cars like the smart fortwo electric drive are exempted from the city congestion charge in London, enabling their owners to save considerable sums of money.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars says

“All things considered we see good prospects for electric mobility with fuel cells and batteries. Whilst other companies are still presenting electric show cars, we at smart and Mercedes-Benz are already bringing two vehicles that are fully suitable for everyday use to the roads.”

Electrolyzer Manufacturer Chosen for California’s Hydrogen Highway for Fuel Cell Vehicles

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:55:44 +0000

Hydrogenics Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products, today announced that the Company has been awarded a contract for one of its HySTAT-30 electrolyzers to be used at a fueling station in Los Angeles, California. The fueling station will serve vehicles as part of California’s “Hydrogen Highway” initiative; Hydrogenics had previously supplied an electrolyzer-based hydrogen generation system to Shell Hydrogen LLC for a similar fueling station on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles.

Daryl Wilson, President and CEO had this to say;

“California’s Hydrogen Highway network is meant to support the increasing number of zero emission vehicles that will be available over the coming years. A large, reliable fueling infrastructure is critical to the mass adoption of alternative energy vehicles, and Hydrogenics is well positioned for the requisite hydrogen generation. By 2017, the State of California estimates that 50 to 100 retail hydrogen stations will be necessary to meet the demand created by both automotive and bus deployments. Hydrogenics will continue to seek out opportunities for our unique technologies to assist in this rapid growth.”

For more information about the California Hydrogen Highway Network, please visit www.HydrogenHighway.ca.gov.

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ABOUT HYDROGENICS

Hydrogenics Corporation (www.hydrogenics.com) is a globally recognized developer and provider of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products and services, serving the growing industrial and clean energy markets of today and tomorrow. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Hydrogenics has operations in North America and Europe.

Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Completes Record 23-Hour Flight Using Protonex Fuel Cell System

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:06:58 +0000

Protonex Technology Corporation, a leading provider of advanced fuel cell power systems, today announced that the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), through a program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), has documented a flight endurance record on their small, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Ion Tiger, utilizing a highly advanced fuel cell system from Protonex. The Ion Tiger UAV flew for over 23 hours, setting an unofficial endurance record for fuel cell powered flight, driven by the latest generation of Protonex’ UAV power system.

The 23+ hour duration of the Ion Tiger flight far surpasses the longest previous small UAV flight achieved using any technology. By incorporating the Protonex power system, the Ion Tiger was able to demonstrate seven times the endurance capability of advanced batteries. The Protonex UAV system that was used in the Ion Tiger demonstration is a high performance, ultralight proton exchange membrane [PEM] fuel cell system, coupling stack technology that can achieve 1,000 watts per kilogram with advanced balance of plant components.

With the successful completion of this major milestone, Protonex is planning to continue transitioning this advanced power source into small UAV products with specific payloads and mission requirements for both military and commercial applications. The endurance capabilities proven in this program were previously achievable only with larger scale, more costly UAVs. Protonex is now confident that new critical missions can be achieved by smaller, more cost-effective UAV platforms that incorporate its advanced power systems.

“This impressive 23-hour record flight milestone represents yet another successful collaboration with the NRL and is a culmination of all of our combined efforts to date,” stated Dr. Paul Osenar, Chief Technology Officer, Protonex. “We share the ONR’s vision towards bringing quiet electric propulsion and long endurance to today’s small UAVs and to extend the capability to the warfighter

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell technology for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle passes Navy flight test

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:41:58 +0000

Jadoo Power’s fuel cell system successfully powered the payload and avionics for a Mako unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) recently flight-tested by The Office of Navy Research at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.

The UAV-100 fuel cell system was designed and built by Jadoo Power using commercially available hardware, a fuel cell stack and packaging components. Kuchera Engineering developed the plan and integrated the system into the Mako. The Mako flew for more than an hour and consumed 8 grams of compressed hydrogen gas. The UAV-100 fuel cell system provided 63 Watts of power to the avionics and to the nose camera and video transmitter payload during the entire flight.

Sponsored by The Office of Navy Research (ONR) for NAVAIR, the flight test took place on August 13, 2009. The project, under the guidance of Program Manager Dr. Michael Duncan for customer Dr. Chyau Shen, Deputy Director of the Special Surveillance Program NAVAIR 4.5X, brought together Jadoo Power, Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory and Kuchera Engineering, in a collaborative effort to prove airworthiness of a fuel cell based power system.

The Mako UAV was manufactured by L3 Communications/BAI (Battlefield Air Interdiction) Aerosystems for NAVMAR Applied Science Corporation. The Mako weighs 110 pounds and has a wing span of 12’ 11” and has a proven history of reconnaissance and surveillance flight missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Mako UAV is low cost and is highly respected by U.S. Special Operations Command field personnel.

According to the announcement from the ONR, the flight test successfully demonstrated the airworthiness of the UAV-100 to withstand launch, trajectory accelerations, landing, and the effects of the operational environment. The fuel cell is forward compatible with advanced hydrogen storage technologies that have the potential to increase payload endurance time by up to 300%. The potential of this payload duration improvement has profound implications for increasing the payload capability of Class 2 UAVs. In addition, this fuel cell technology is scalable to any UAV platform.

Source: Jadoo Power