The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association welcomes its newest Tier 3 member: ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips is one of the world's largest independent exploration and production (E&P) companies. They have adopted a comprehensive framework that will guide the company on how it will manage climate-related risk, meet energy demand and address the expectations of stakeholders through the energy transition.

Click here to visit ConocoPhillips' website.

On November 12, FCHEA member Toyota announced it was partnering with Iwatani Corporation of America to construct seven new retail hydrogen stations in California. According to Toyota, this represents an increase of 6,300 kilograms of hydrogen per day in fuel dispensing capacity.

The stations will utilize H2Station technology supplied by FCHEA member Nel Hydrogen, and will be capable of supplying 900 kilograms per day. Construction of the new stations is anticipated to begin in early 2021, with commissioning expected by midyear.

On November 4, FCHEA member Nuvera announced the commercial availability of the new E-45 fuel cell engine. The E-45, capable of operating as primary power or in hybrid operation with batteries, is designed to integrate into commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles such as delivery vans, buses, and Class 8 vehicles. As a demonstration, Nuvera and partner Hyster-Yale Group have incorporated the E-45 into a Hyster top-loading container handler at the Port of Los Angeles, which will begin operation later this year.

On November 11, FCHEA member Cummins announced it was working with Navistar International Corporation, a commercial vehicle and engine company, to develop Class 8 heavy-duty trucks powered by fuel cells. The project is funded by a $7 million award through the H2@Scale Initiative within the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).

The powertrain will consist of two HyPM HD90 power modules and will be integrated into Navistar's International RH Series truck. Once completed, the prototype truck will undergo a year-long field test within Werner Enterprises', a transportation and logistics company, fleet operating out of Fontana, California.

Click here for the full press release from Cummins.

On November 6, FCHEA member Hexagon signed a contract with Stadler Rail to develop storage cylinders for a hydrogen commuter train planned to deploy in California. While the train will be tested in Switzerland and other European locations, the cylinder and tank system developed by Hexagon will be approved for use in the U.S. The train is expected to transfer to California in 2023.

Click here for the full press release from Hexagon.

On November 9, Nel announced it has received multiple purchase orders for polymer exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer stacks from Raytheon Technologies' Collins Aerospace Division. The combined orders are worth more than $5.4 million. The electrolyzers will be used to produce life support oxygen on U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarines.

Click here for the full press release from Nel.

On November 1, Cummins announced it has received two Department of Energy grants at a total of $4.6 million to advance the commercialization of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology.

One $2.6 million grant will focus on building a 20 kilowatt (kW) small-scale fuel-flexible SOFC system at the University of Connecticut, which will run for 5,000 to demonstrate its durability. The proposal calls for a system available at a price point below $1,000/kW, with testing planned to begin in 2021. The second grant of $2 million will study the cost, performance, and reliability of reversible SOFCs.

Click here for the full press release from Cummins.

On November 12, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its Hydrogen Program Plan to provide a framework for its hydrogen activities. The Plan focuses on advancing affordable production, transport, storage, and use of hydrogen, and involves the Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, Nuclear Energy, Electricity, Science, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Click here for the full press release from DOE and for the full Hydrogen Program Plan.

On November 5, FCHEA member Hyundai announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chinese companies Shanghai Electric Power Co., Shanghai Sunwise New Energy System Co., and Shanghai Ronghe Electric Technology Financial Leasing Co., to establish a hydrogen mobility ecosystem around Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta area. In addition, a similar MOU was signed with China Iron and Steel Research Institute Group and Hebei Iron and Steel Group for the same in the Jing-Jin-Ji area.

The MOUs focus on forming a cooperative systems that connect the production of hydrogen construction of refueling stations, and financing of fuel cell vehicle fleets. Under the MOUs, Hyundai will supply 4,000 fuel cell trucks to China by 2025. Hyundai's goal is to provide 27,000 fuel cell vehicles to China by 2030.

Click here for the full press release from Hyundai.

On November 6, FCHEA member PowerCell announced it has received a purchase order for a S3 fuel cell stack from Bosch. The order is valued at SEK 9.7 million (~$1.12 million). The order will be delivered during the beginning of 2021.

Click here for the full press release from PowerCell.

On November 12, FCHEA member Ionomr announced it has received a funding award of $240,692 from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to accelerate research into technology to use in converting carbon dioxide emissions into renewable fuels and chemicals. The award was part of NRC's Clean Fuels Challenge.

Click here for the full press release from Ionomr.

On November 12, Cummins announced it will be opening a new fuel cell production facility in Herten, Germany, which will initially focus on assembly for fuel cell systems for Alstom's Coradia iLint hydrogen trains. The facility will have a capacity of 10 megawatts (MW) per year, manufacturing one MW per month for Alstom. The fuel cell systems will include six power modules, a cooling system, piping, air blowers, and air filters. The facility, expected to open in July 2021, will also feature space for research and development.

On November 3, Nel announced it has been selected as a preferred supplier by Iberdrola, a Spanish utility company, for a 20-megawatt (MW) polymer exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer solution for a green fertilizer plant in Spain. The fertilizer plant will include a large renewable hydrogen plant comprised of a 100 MW photovoltaic system and a battery installation with a 20 megawatt-hour (MWh) capacity, in addition to the electrolyzer. The electrolyzer is scheduled to commence operations in 2021, with the contract award still subject to mutual agreement.

Click here for the full press release from Nel.

On November 12, Hexagon signed a multi-year framework agreement with Everfuel to deliver six newly designed hydrogen distribution systems. According to Hexagon, the systems will be used to refuel fuel cell passenger cars, trucks, and buses at hydrogen stations in several European cities. The contract lasts through 2025 and has an estimated value of €14 million (~$16.6 million).

Click here for the full press release from Hexagon.

On November 10, Yonhap News Agency reported that Doosan Fuel Cell has signed a preliminary deal with Navig8, a Singaporean ship maker, to develop fuel cells for maritime ships. Doosan will provide solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) to power and propel a 50,000-ton ship.

ACT Expo, the advanced transportation technology and clean fleet event in North America, serves as a meeting place for transportation executives looking to gain insight and hands-on access to the fuels, technologies, and vehicles driving the future of transportation. ACT Expo features dozens of product debuts and major announcements from leading OEMs and suppliers, unparalleled networking opportunities with the most influential and progressive leaders in the industry, peer-to-peer learning for progressive fleet operators, and access to the most comprehensive assembly of advanced commercial vehicles anywhere.

Click here for more information.

The solicitation is dubbed Built-Environment Electrification Solutions & Form Factors for Fitting Infrastructure to Transportation (BESTFIT) Innovative Charging Solutions, and will fund projects for transformative technology solutions for electric vehicle (EV) charging for both light-duty and medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) applications. The purpose of this solicitation is to demonstrate novel technologies or business models that highlight innovative charging solutions and form factors that are the “best fit” for the local built environment, use case, and vehicle type.

This solicitation is open to all California automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), electric vehicle charging equipment manufacturers, and electric vehicle service providers (EVSPs) for the demonstration of technologies and business models that need testing and validation to accelerate successful commercial deployment.

Click here for more information.

The Western Australian Government is inviting Expressions of Interest from corporations and businesses across the world with the capacity, experience, and vision to be a part of a renewable hydrogen hub at the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area in the Mid West of Western Australia.

The Oakajee SIA is a 6400ha designated greenfields site located 23 kilometers north of Geraldton. The Western Australian Government intends to transform this site into a globally competitive, multi-product renewable hydrogen industrial precinct focusing on innovative technologies and future value chains.

The EOI will target groups wanting to produce commercial quantities of hydrogen, hydrogen users such as transport, metals refining and ammonia-manufacturing companies, hydrogen industry component manufacturers, and power and other infrastructure providers.

Click here for more information.

The NSF SBIR/STTR programs provide startups and small businesses with non-dilutive funding to conduct research and development (R&D) work. The funding is intended to spur the creation of innovative new products and services, and to drive the commercial success of the small business.

The main purpose of these programs is to stimulate technological innovation and increase private sector commercialization. The programs at NSF have no specific topical or procurement focus. Generally, the topics included in NSF SBIR and STTR solicitations are broad to permit as many eligible science- and technology-based small businesses as possible to compete for funding. By doing so, NSF’s programs meet the purpose of the SBIR/STTR legislation by transforming scientific discovery and innovation into both social and economic benefit, and by emphasizing private sector commercialization.

SBIR/STTR awards are not traditional government contracts. They are not awarded in order to procure services or goods for the government. No tangible benefit is received by the government.

Click here for more information.

Maryland Energy Association (MEA) is providing the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural (CI&A) grant program to support improving the energy efficiency and reducing the energy costs of enterprises in Maryland’s commercial, industrial, and agricultural sector. The FY21 program will be divided into three separate application periods to best support energy efficiency projects for agriculture, manufacturing, and businesses that may be in varying planning stages or at various stages of readiness due to COVID-19.

Up to $1.65 million is available for award from in the FY21 CI&A Program , subject to availability. The Program budget will be divided between three application windows, as follows. If MEA does not award the full application period budget, any remaining funds will be added to the remaining application period’s budget. There will be three funding periods with $550,000 available each period. Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis by an evaluation team. Award announcements will be made as applications are competitively selected for award.

Period Due Dates:

Click here for more information.

This Special Issue of a new journal called Fuels will feature several new peer-reviewed articles on the topic of “Clean and Renewable Hydrogen Fuel”. Articles will be solicited in June 2020 with expected submissions in February 2021 and publication of the Special Issue later in 2021. Key topics include biological production methods including fermentation and algae, gasification/pyrolysis, electrolysis, and other emerging methods for clean hydrogen production.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Click here for more information.

The West Coast Collaborative’s Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Corridor Coalition (WCC AFICC) seeks input on funding needs for plug-in electric, hydrogen, propane, compressed and/or liquefied natural gas fueling stations that are accessible to Class 5+ on-highway vehicles (>16,001 lbs), locomotives, marine vessels, and/or other heavy-duty nonroad equipment.

The WCC AFICC has developed a survey to collect information that will help evaluate funding needs for medium and heavy-duty (MHD) accessible alternative fuel stations along the West Coast. Feedback from this survey will also help to evaluate awareness of and satisfaction with the EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant programs.

Submit survey responses regarding needed MHD accessible plug-in electric, hydrogen, propane, compressed and/or liquefied natural gas fueling stations in the WCC states and territories, including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Tribal Lands, and the U.S. Pacific Island Territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. This survey seeks to build upon the findings presented in the CALSTART Medium and Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Strategic Development Plan (March 2020).

Click here to take the survey, and click here for more information.

The primary goal of the State Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Clean Fuels Incentive Program (CFIP) is to reduce consumption of imported petroleum through the use of homegrown alternative fuels that will result in a cleaner and greener transportation sector within Maryland, improving the state's economy and environment in the process. With a program budget of $1.3M, there are 2 areas of interest (AOI) under the FY21 CFIP.

Click here for more information.

There are $90 million in funds allocated to this category, for which the first installment was allotted $27 million. The first solicitation is scheduled for release pending approval by the South Coast AQMD Board on Friday, August 7, 2020. If approved, applications will be accepted online beginning Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. (PST) and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Both public and private entities that own and operate eligible vehicles may apply. Funding is available to replace the following vehicles with zero emission technologies:

Class 8 only:

Click here for more information.

CORE is designed to accelerate deployment of cleaner off-road technologies by providing a streamlined way for fleets ready to purchase specific zero-emission equipment to receive funding to offset the higher cost of such technologies. This project is analogous to the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), but will specifically target zero-emission off-road freight equipment that is currently in the early stages of commercial deployment.

Click here for more information.