Loughborough, UK
On the 26th of June 2008, Intelligent Energy's CEO, Henri Winand, presented at a US Senate briefing entitled "Building Markets for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: UK - US Bridging Technology". The briefing, held in cooperation with the National Hydrogen Association, the US Fuel Cell Council and the Methanol Institute, took place at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.
Dr Winand discussed Intelligent Energy's advanced fuel cell power systems and fuel-flexible hydrogen generation technologies. He described recent progress that has seen the company form a joint venture with major UK utility Scottish & Southern Energy to deliver small scale CHP (combined heat and power) products, and seen the company's fuel cell power systems utilised in fuel cell motorcycles, fuel cell hybrid cars and in powering the world's first manned fuel cell flight.
He spoke of the new era that sees renewable energy sources being integrated with mains electricity and the opportunities this presented, as energy security becomes an ever greater issue for governments and businesses.
Dr Winand indicated that, whether or not hydrogen is used for transport, upfront planning and the introduction of new centrally generated power plants, including generation of hydrogen rich gas streams from a wide range of feedstocks fitted with carbon capture and storage (CCS), have the potential to deliver larger returns on investment when compared to conventional central generation power plants that use CCS.
He also suggested that hydrogen and electricity work best together when significant amounts of renewable electricity are introduced on to the grid, as is now the case. Hydrogen then acts as a buffer between intermittent renewable power generation and end consumer demand, and has the added advantage in that it can also be used as a transport fuel.
Winand highlighted “Together, hydrogen and electricity have the potential to offer significant additional profit opportunities for national electricity and power generating companies, both in terms of reduced capital expenditure and increased energy efficiency”.
The need for diversification in the market is becoming clear, he said, as he reaffirmed his opinion that, together with electricity, hydrogen would be a key player in the delivery of a competitive and secure energy infrastructure integrated with transport, compatible with a more sustainable future.
About Intelligent Energy
Intelligent Energy is a fuel cell power systems company, with a range of leading fuel cell, fuel purification and hydrogen generation technologies. The company is focused on the provision of cleaner power and low carbon technologies. Intelligent Energy partners with leading companies globally, in the transportation, oil and gas, aerospace, defence, distributed generation and portable power markets. Current partners and customers include Scottish & Southern Energy, PSA Peugeot Citroën, and The Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Media Contacts
David Josephs
AxiCom PR for Intelligent Energy
david.josephs@axicom.com
+44 (0)208 392 4068
Dr Jon Moore
Director of communications, Intelligent Energy
jon.moore@intelligent-energy.com
+ 44 (0)1509 225863
