The Linde Group is a forerunner in environmentally-friendly hydrogen technology and is committed to the ongoing development of efficient hydrogen fuelling solutions. The only company covering the entire hydrogen value chain, Linde has expertise from initial construction of hydrogen production facilities through to operations, distribution and proprietary fuelling systems.  Linde has engineered and equipped over 80 hydrogen filling stations all over the world.

The Linde Group traditionally maintains strong links with a range of science, research and industry bodies, as well as the worlds’ leading vehicle manufacturers. Close co-operation contributes to continuous progress and advanced new innovations, such as Linde’s ionic compression technologies.

The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 50,500 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2011 financial year, it generated revenue of EUR 13.787 bn. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The Group is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at http://www.linde.com.

To All Hydrogen Enthusiasts,

The year 2011 was an especially exciting one for researchers and developers working on the future technology of Mercedes Benz. After driving more than 35,000 km around the world with three of our series production B-class F-Cell vehicles without encountering any major technical issues, we knew that the technology is ready. No matter where the vehicles drove, people were curious, asked questions, took test drives and became convinced that this is the future of carbon free mobility. Even the most cautious folks (Kazakhstan fire fighters) were eventually won over and recognized that hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are not only easy and fun to drive, but mature, reliable and definitely safe.

After 125 days, 14 countries and 4 continents, it is now time to prepare the markets for the vehicles. What needs to be done? Well, we sure didn’t find many refueling stations along the way. Had it not been for our partner Linde who supported us with mobile refueling stations during the tour, theWorld   Drivewould have ended after just 400 km inFrance. It won’t be necessary to build stations in 14 countries all at once, but some initial concerted efforts are required. Because of our strong belief in this technology and excellent working relationship with our long term partner Linde, we have decided to invest in 20 new stations inGermanytogether with them. The first stations will be built this year and the last one no later than 2014, adding up to a total of approximately 50 stations. As a result,Germanywill have an initial basic coverage in 2014, no coincidence since we’ll be bringing the next generation F-Cell vehicles into the market very soon. At the same time, a consortium of industrial players (gas, oil, utility and car companies) are planning the rollout of several hundred stations across Germany, ensuring that our customers will have the same convenience as with their gasoline or diesel cars.

TheUnited States, theUnited Kingdom,JapanandScandinaviaare also working hard on similar approaches to prepare the markets.Californiahas even passed a law to regulate the infrastructure build-up of sustainable fuels, the Clean Fuels Outlet. This was a necessary development since the car companies are also bound by regulation to sell a certain number of vehicles.

All these initiatives are showing us it can be done. The chicken and egg dilemma will no longer stand in our way. Our vehicles are ready and other car companies have recently announced market introductions as well. Suppliers will be able to scale up their production and bring down costs even more.

The past 125 years of mobility have been dominated by oil.  Will the next 125 years be dominated by hydrogen? We are working hard to make it so!

Hear from Daimler AG at WHEC:

Wednesday, June 6, 2012 – End User Plenary

As hydrogen and fuel cell technologies continue to mature, we can calculate their value propositions for commercial applications. Speakers in this plenary will articulate a few of the many value propositions that exist today, including forklift trucks in warehouses, backup power for telecommunications, hydrogen production from renewable energy for balancing the grid, and fuel cell vehicles.

Dr. Christian Mohrdieck
Director for Fuel Cell and Battery Drive Development
Daimler AG

Less well-known fact: In addition, Ballard provides specialized engineering services to third parties focused on fuel cell development.

To find out more, we interviewed Dr. Christopher Guzy, Ballard’s CTO.

Interviewer: Chris, why should customers choose Ballard’s engineering services?

Dr. Guzy: Well, no one else really possesses the total set of technical skills in the PEM fuel cell space that we built up through our many years of research and commercial development work here at Ballard. And beyond that, we have extensive, world-class development and testing facilities.Both these elements create a tremendous foundation for engineering services work where we can provide a high-value way to accelerate the fuel cell work of others using our capabilities.

Q:  Which disciplines does Ballard have technical expertise in?

Dr. Guzy:  In addition to our specialized knowledge in the materials used in fuel cells and fuel cell systems, it’s our knowledge of how to integrate those materials into a high-performance membrane electrode assembly, how to integrate that MEA into a durable fuel cell stack and how to integrate that stack into a reliable fuel cell system that really differentiates us. And that product development and design knowledge is complemented by our manufacturing process capability.  Beyond that, we have developed specialized testing protocols that have allowed us to increase both the speed and reliability of engineering decisions.

Q:  What fuel cell applications can Ballard’s engineering services support?

Dr. Guzy:  We’ve been providing engineering services for several years now and are confident in our ability to help with a range of fuel cell application areas… from residential cogeneration to auxiliary power units… and from the automotive space to fuel processing supplemental power.

Q:  How can companies get more information on Ballard’s engineering services?

Dr. Guzy:  Visit Ballard at our booth # 309 in the WHEC2012 exhibit hall, or contact Ballard directly at marketing@ballard.com.

DOE and its partners have greatly advanced the state of the art of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies—making significant progress toward overcoming the key challenges to widespread commercialization. These efforts have led to more than 30 commercial technologies and more than 300 patents. DOE has also made major advances by demonstrating and validating the technologies under real-world conditions, supporting early markets through strategic deployments, and leveraging domestic and international partnerships to advance the pace of commercialization across many applications. DOE’s efforts in hydrogen and fuel cells are coordinated under the Fuel Cell Technologies Program within the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Examples of Technical Accomplishments

• Reduced the cost of automotive fuel cells by more than 80% since 2002 (to $49/kW, assuming high-volume manufacturing), and reduced the amount of platinum by a factor of five
• Reduced the cost of electrolyzer stacks by more than 80%

Real-World Demonstrations and Technical Validation

• Deployed more than 180 fuel cell electric vehicles and 25 hydrogen fueling stations in real-world demonstrations and collected data from more than 3.7 million miles of driving, demonstrating fuel cell system efficiency of up to 59% (more than double the efficiency of gasoline internal combustion engines), and refueling times of approximately 5 minutes for 4 kg of hydrogen.
• Validated vehicles with more than 250-mile driving range, and one vehicle capable of 430 miles on a single fill of hydrogen.
• Demonstrated the world’s first “tri-generation” fuel cell system, which can use natural gas or biogas in a fuel cell to provide heat and power for stationary installations, while producing a supply of hydrogen fuel for other applications. This system has demonstrated an overall efficiency of 54% for co-producing electricity and hydrogen.

Early Market Deployment through the Recovery Act

DOE awarded $42 million through the Recovery Act to deploy more than 1,000 fuel cells across a range of industries, primarily in backup power and forklift applications. Fuel cells are being installed at several high-profile companies, including Sprint, AT&T, FedEx, Whole Foods, and Coca-Cola. Success in these early markets will pave the way for longer-term success of fuel cells in larger markets.

• Industry participants provided approximately $54 million in cost-share funding (more than 50%).
• DOE deployments have led industry to order more than 3,000 fuel cell forklifts—with no additional DOE funding.

International Coordination

DOE participates in the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy —a partnership involving 17 countries and the European Commission—to foster international cooperation and RD&D, common codes and standards, and information sharing. In addition, DOE coordinates with more than 25 countries through the International Energy Agency’s implementing agreements on hydrogen and fuel cells.

The preliminary program for WHEC2012 is now available to help you start planning your WHEC2012 experience. Please take a look at exciting lineup of speakers and sessions, including all of the plenary and technical sessions. Click here for the program. Or, view the list of plenary speakers here.

His most recent work, “The Third Industrial Revolution: How Lateral Power Is Transforming Energy, the Economy, and the World”, is a thought-provoking vision of how the intersection of clean energy and the internet will help spur a new global, economic paradigm.

Seats are limited at this special lunch. You can sign up for this lunch when you register through the WHEC2012 online registration system. Make sure you register early to ensure you have a seat at this special event.

As we head towards the end of 2011, the organizers of WHEC2012 would like to express our best wishes for the holiday season and new year. We would like to especially thank our partners, sponsors and WHEC2012 participants for their valuable support to date.

WHEC2012 is heading into the new year with great momentum. More than 65% of the event exhibition has been sold, we have a excellent line-up of sponsors and supporters, and we enjoyed an overwhelming response to our recent call for abstracts!

In the new year, we look forward to announcing new plenary speakers, revealing a preliminary conference program, and announcing more excellent aspects of the WHEC2012 conference.

Again, happy new year and thank you again for your interest and support.

Pascal Mauberger, President, McPhy Energy

Christian Mohrdieck, Director of Fuel Cell & Battery Drive Development, Daimler

Pierre Etienne Franc, Chair, EU Joint Technology Initiative

Nick Beck, Director, Transportation Energy Technology, Natural Resources Canada

Pierre Gauthier, Sales Director, Air Liquide

Nejat Veziroglu, President, International Association for Hydrogen Energy

David Sanborn Scott, Author, “Smelling Land: The Hydrogen Defense Against Climate Catastrophe

Eric Denhoff, President and CEO, Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association

Klaus Bonhoff, Managing Director, NOW National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technologies

Michael Beckman, VP, Alternative Energy, Linde North America

Visit us at the Fuel Cell Seminar (Booth #319), taking place Oct. 31 – Nov. 3 in Orlando, Florida, and learn more about the conference and special exhibitor/sponsor discounts available for WHEC2012 attendees only. Don’t miss out on the numerous promotional opportunities available at WHEC2012, the most important hydrogen and fuel cell event in 2012. More than 50% of exhibit space has been sold out, so secure your spot today:

Online registration is now available for WHEC2012, and as a early registration incentive, we are holding a draw for an Apple iPad! The first 100 people to both register for WHEC2012, and book their accommodations at the Sheraton Centre Toronto (through the WHEC2012 hotel registration system), will be entered into a draw to win an Apple iPad. The winner will receive the latest iPad model when it is awarded onsite at WHEC2012 in Toronto, Ontario.