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Consumer Hydrogen Fuel Cells
axis-techno-geek writes: "Ballard Power Systems of Vancouver, BC (in Canada, eh), has stated that it will start production this friday of their consumer level Nexa(tm) hydrogen fuel cell (article here). The power module generates up to 1200 watts of unregulated DC electrical power that can keep going as long as it is supplied with hydrogen, and produces no toxic by-products (i.e. you can use it in your home). They also have plans for a 250kW unit. No price as of yet."
As opposed to driving around with highly flammable and explosive fluid tanks in their cars?
Ballard Power Systems launches Nexa hydrogen fuel cell for consumer use.
STEVE ERWIN - Canadian Press
Thursday, September 27, 2001
TORONTO (CP) - Ballard Power Systems is starting commercial production Friday of emission-free fuel cells designed to power anything from home offices to lawn mowers in what it calls a "historic" move forward for alternative energy applications.
Ballard is optimistic the 1.2 kilowatt modules - a pollution-free, hydrogen fuel cell power source for industrial and consumer equipment - will be sought out by numerous manufacturers who want cleaner, quieter and lighter power alternatives in their products.
Analysts, meanwhile, say the release of Nexa's specifications show evidence that wide commercial revenues for Ballard are just around the corner. Until now, the company's sales have mostly come from fuel cell prototypes distributed to companies internationally, including to car and bus makers looking for cleaner running engines.
"They wanted to let the market know that they're ready," said Rich Morrow, a Toronto analyst for CIBC World Markets. "They've given us product specs - size, weight, power output, operating conditions - great detail that was missing before."
Investors also applauded the news, sending shares of Vancouver-based Ballard (TSE: BLD) shares up $2.58 to close at $30.98 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
But the lingering question for analysts is how quickly sales for the likely pricey technology will grow. Ballard has not said what it will charge companies that decide to use Nexa fuel cells in their mass-marketed products.
"That's a piece of the puzzle that's missing here," Morrow said. "In terms of operating efficiency, certainly it's efficient. But what is missing at this point is what's the product going to cost?"
"It will definitely be a premium price product and it will attract buyers who are willing to pay for these premium attributes of small, light, clean and quiet."
Ballard won't reveal the price or initial production volume of the Nexa fuel cell, which will provide power as long as it is supplied fuel.
Ballard's zero-emission fuel cells combine hydrogen - which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas, petroleum or renewable sources - and oxygen from the air to generate electricity without combustion.
"As you can imagine with any new technology, the initial pricing would probably be a little bit higher than the conventional technology," said John Harris, Ballard's vice-president of marketing. "We expect that as volumes grow over the future those prices will come down significantly."
In the meantime, Ballard's new technology could bring down the price of conventional portable generators, said Marko Pencak, a Toronto analyst with CS First Boston.
"I suspect that at this early stage (Ballard is) going to be focusing on the higher-end consumer," Pencak said.
Consumers will first see the technology applied in a portable generator being introduced in the United States this year by Coleman Powermate.
Coleman - which has yet to announce a launch date - says the generators will be ideal for homes, camping and other applications that otherwise would use a conventional generator.
"You'll see it under Christmas trees or powering your Christmas trees by the end of the year," Ballard's Harris said.
The fuel cells are intended to be used as an extended backup or intermittent electrical power source that will run as long as it is refuelled with hydrogen.
"It's not like a battery that would run down and you'd need to go back and recharge it," Harris said.
Also, as opposed to a power source that uses an internal combustion engine, products with the Nexa fuel cells can be used indoors since they're powered by hydrogen and are free of toxic emissions - unlike gas-powered generators.
"There's lots and lots of portable generators out there that are used on construction sites, campgrounds, marine applications," Morrow said. "It could be anything from a guy at his construction site or a guy at his cottage powering power tools, anywhere where there's a power requirement without access to the electricity grid."
Harris said recent Ballard tests had the 1.2-kilowatt generators powering a desktop computer, monitor, printer, fax, stereo system and desktop lamp. He added that they can be easily stored under a desk or in a closet.
Ballard also has prototypes in Asia, Europe and the United States for 250-kilowatt units that could power a factory or residential block. Their wide commercial release could be at least three years away but the company sees a future for the products as the world looks for alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on oil and natural gas.
©Copyright 2001The Canadian Press
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