FCHEA Introduces New Members

Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are beginning to make an impact in several industry sectors and encompass every aspect of the global supply chain. At the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), we are proud to represent a diverse group of companies, including the world’s leading automakers, industrial gas suppliers, fuel cell system manufacturers, component suppliers, service providers, and more. Our members range from top name brands to small start-up businesses and employ thousands of people across the country in an industry that is bringing revolutionary change to the energy market.

FCHEA has welcomed several recent additions to our association, so we would like to welcome them and provide readers with a short introduction to their businesses.

New Mexico-based BayoTech manufactures low-cost onsite hydrogen generation equipment using modular steam methane reformers to produce high-quality hydrogen in a small package. BayoTech offers their product under a lease agreement where the customer only has to pay for the hydrogen, increasing affordability and expanding availability. Recently, BayoTech signed one such agreement with Nutrien, a crop inputs and services provider, to supply hydrogen for a nitrogen fertilizer plant. This follows BayoTech’s expansion into the South Korean hydrogen market, showing how widespread the company’s influence is becoming.

PowerCell is a Swedish company that develops proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks. The company’s fuel cells are compact, modular and scalable, allowing them to adjust to their customer’s power needs. PowerCell fuel cells are used in many different applications; recently, the company signed a contract with a European shipyard to develop a three-megawatt fuel cell system for marine applications. This marine project is similar to PowerCell’s previous delivery of fuel cell systems to Italian ship building company Fincantieri S.p.A., and highlights the diversity of PowerCell’s reach. PowerCell has previously supplied fuel cells for use in the transportation industry, notably powering Wuhan Tiger buses in Wuhan, China, with 40-kilowatt systems comprised of two PowerCell S2 stacks, and is now working with Bosch to provide its stacks for cars, trucks, and buses. PowerCell also expanded into the South Korean market, in June 2020, South Korean distributer Bumhan Industries Co. purchased PowerCell fuel cells to increase its fuel cell efforts.

PowerCell S2 fuel cell. Source: PowerCell Sweden AB

Ionomr, based in Vancouver, Canada, is another new member of FCHEA that manufactures advanced materials for fuel cells, such as ionomers and ion-exchange membranes. These technologies help lower precious metal use in fuel cells and allow for step-change in efficiency and scalability. Most recently, Ionomr was able to secure additional seed funding to help the company further develop its products for fuel cells and hydrogen generation systems. 

While Hydrogenics has been a member of FCHEA for many years, the business was recently purchased by power solutions company Cummins. Cummins has ventures in many different industries, including fuel cell and hydrogen generation systems for different applications. The company’s HyPM fuel cell modules are applicable in heavy-duty vehicles such as trucking, buses, trains, maritime, and even planes. Cummins has bolstered their interest in the heavy-duty sphere by investing into Loop Energy, a provider of fuel cell range extenders. Cummins is also using Hydrogenics fuel cells in a Class 8 heavy-duty truck unveiled at the 2019 North American Commercial Vehicle Show. The truck uses 90-kilowatt PEM fuel cells that can be scaled to meet specifications or requirements.

Cummins fuel cell Class 8 heavy-duty truck. Source: Cummins

Garrett, a spin-off of Honeywell and based in Switzerland, is an engineering company providing vehicles solutions that focusing on safety, connectivity, efficiency, and environmental impact. The last two have prompted Garrett’s exploration of the fuel cell space. Garrett works with two-stage electric compressors that optimize the hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain by boosting pressure and flow rate. According to Garrett, this can increase performance and reduce size, weight, and noise. Garrett has published a fuel cell whitepaper that details the role of the technology alongside other low- and zero-emission vehicles in the coming years.

Garrett two-stage compressor design. Source: Garrett

The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association welcomes these members and is made stronger by their involvement in our association. Each company plays a critical role in the future of fuel cell and hydrogen commercial availability, and the future will see the technology decarbonizing many sectors. 

If your company is interested in learning more about membership in FCHEA, please contact Jennifer Gangi by email at jgangi@fchea.org.