~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Fuel Cell Connection 

August 2000 Issue 

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IN THIS ISSUE 

* U.S. Defense Budget Approved, Includes Fuel Cell Programs 

* Special Feature: DOE’s Office of Power Technologies 

* Navy to Fund Development of Electric Ships 

* Ultra-Clean Transportation Fuels Deadline Approaching 

* GM and ExxonMobil Develop Gasoline Processor 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

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CONTENTS 

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Special Feature 

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* DOE’s Office of Power Technologies 

Federal Fuel Cell Program News 

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* U.S. Defense Budget Signed by President 

* PNGV Budget Status Report 

* TACOM Builds Scale Model of Fuel Cell ‘Line-Haul’ Vehicle 

* NASA Grows Bigger ‘Crystals’ with Hydrogen Storage Potential 

* ANL to Look at Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen Generation 

* CECOM Gets Portable Fuel Cell for Testing 

* NETL Sponsors Fuel Cell Training Workshop 

* NREL and ATI Team to Support Energy Start-Ups 

* Fuel Cells #5 on Battelle Top 10 Energy Innovations Forecast 

* Fuel Cell SUV Wins FutureTruck Awards 

Contract Awards 

----------------------- 

* Navy to Fund Development of Electric Ships 

* DOE Extends Agreement with FuelCell Energy 

* Second Round of Vision 21 Projects Announced 

* NASA to Purchase H Power Fuel Cell For Testing 

* Army to Purchase Fuel Cells as Battery Chargers 

RFP / Solicitation News 

-------------------------------- 
* Army Seeks ‘Novel Power Supplies’ for Field Operations 

* Army Research Laboratory BAA Includes Fuel Cells 

* Ultra-Clean Transportation Fuels Deadline Moved up to Nov. 1 

* DEPSCoR Seeks Proposals for DOD BAA Technical Areas 

* Call for Papers on DMFCs 

Industry Headlines 

-------------------------- 

* GM and ExxonMobil Develop Gasoline Processor 

* HARC Receives Funding for Marine FC Demonstration 

* Freightliner Truck Gets Fuel Cell APU 

* Nuvera Ships Gasoline Fuel Processing Systems to Automakers 

* Ballard, XCELLSIS Deliver First Fuel Cell Bus to CFCP 

* Florida Solar Energy Center Opens Hydrogen Center 

* New Fuel Cell Research Center at Georgia Tech 

* Residential Fuel Cell News 

* IMPCO to Provide Fuel System for Hyundai Fuel Cell SUV 

* Texaco Establishes Business Unit for Energy Technologies 

Administration 

-------------------- 

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About Fuel Cell Connection

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========================================== 

Special Feature – DOE’s Office of Power Technologies 

========================================== 

The DOE Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Office of Power 

Technologies (OPT), formerly the Office of Utility Technologies, is home to both 

the Hydrogen Research Program and the Distributed Energy Resources Program 

– two important sources of support for fuel cell related R&D. Dr. Robert K. Dixon 

was recently appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for OPT. The following is a 

brief description of OPT’s fuel cell related programs, and links to the program 

web sites. 

The Hydrogen Research Program’s mission is to enhance and support the 

development of cost-competitive hydrogen technologies and systems. Its focus 

is on technologies for hydrogen generation, storage, transportation, and 

infrastructure. The efforts of the Hydrogen Program are complemented by 

concurrent research on fuel cells in the DOE fossil and transportation programs, 

by coal gasification in the fossil program, and by fundamental studies in the DOE 

energy research program. 
The Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Program is focused on research 

and development of small, modular power and combined heat and power 

systems, such as fuel cells, solar, wind, and mictroturbines. In January 2000, the 

Distributed Energy Resources Taskforce was launched specifically to combine 

the DER-related programs of the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable 

Energy (EERE) in one office. The Taskforce’s goal is to meet 20% of the U.S. 

generating capacity additions with DER by the year 2010. To reach this goal, the 

Taskforce is soliciting input, guidance, and new partners through its Industrial 

Power Communications Network Registry. 

Office of Power Technologies, http://www.eren.doe.gov/power

Hydrogen Research Program, http://www.eren.doe.gov/power/hydrogen.html

Distributed Energy Resources, http://www.eren.doe.gov/der

==================================== 

FEDERAL FUEL CELL PROGRAM NEWS 

==================================== 

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U.S. Defense Budget Signed by President 

--------------------------------------------------------- 

On August 9, President Clinton signed into law the FY2001 Defense 

Appropriations bill, which contains more than $35 million in funding for fuel cell 

RD&D and related programs. The following are a few of the major programs 

funded: 

* Army Research, Development, Test & Eval -- $4 million for PEM fuel cell 

demonstration under “Environmental Quality Technology” and $5 million for fuel 

cell development under “Military Engineering Technology.” Also, in “Combat 

Vehicle and Automotive Advance Technology,” $3 million for fuel cell auxiliary 

power units. 

* Navy Research, Development, Test & Eval -- $2 million for ship service 

fuel cells under “Surface Ship & Submarine HM&E Advanced Technology,” and 

in the “Navy Energy Program,” $3 million to demonstrate domestically produced 

PEM fuel cells at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. 

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgibin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_cong_reports&docid=f:hr754.106.pdf

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PNGV Budget Status Report 

--------------------------------------- 

When Congress reconvenes on September 5th, it will have to resolve in 

conference the difference between the proposed House and Senate FY2001 

budget numbers for the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) 

program. The House of Representatives voted to cut the PNGV budget by 

$126.5 million, essentially wiping out the program, which contains the DOE Fuel 
Cells in Transportation program funding. The Senate, however, has proposed to 

increase funding for many of DOE’s transportation R&D programs – including an 

increase of $4.5 million over FY2000 levels for transportation fuel cells, bringing 

the program’s funding level up to $41.5 million, the DOE request for FY2001. 

So far, only two of the 13 Appropriations bills have actually been approved by 

Congress and the President – the DOD and the Military Construction bills. With 

the exception of the District of Columbia Appropriations bill, the House has acted 

on all of the remaining bills, and the Senate has acted on six of the remaining 

bills. Congress will have to act quickly when it returns, as October marks the 

beginning of FY2001. Congress expects to adjourn by mid-October. One thing 

is for certain: no one in Congress wants to see a government shut-down due to 

unapproved appropriations, especially right before the elections. According to 

the August 21, 2000, edition of Roll Call, “Senior House and Senate Republicans 

privately acknowledge that Congress will pass either a giant omnibus spending 

bill encompassing several of the most controversial appropriations bills, or a 

continuing resolution funding the government at current levels until next year.” 

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TACOM Builds Scale Model of Fuel Cell ‘Line-Haul’ Vehicle 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The U.S. Army Tank, Automotive, and Armaments Command (TACOM) has built 

a 1/10-scale model of a line-haul vehicle powered by a fuel cell, which will be 

used to present TACOM’s concepts for a “21st Century Truck.” The model’s fuel 

cell is a 12-watt PEM fuel cell, built by Enable Fuel Cells Corporation. 

http://www.tacom.army.mil/tardec/nac/index.htm

http://www.dcht.com/press_releases/index.asp?caller=news

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NASA Grows Bigger ‘Crystals’ with Hydrogen Storage Potential 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Experiments by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have 

shown that larger and better quality zeolite crystals – which could potentially be 

used for storing hydrogen for fuel cells – can be grown in microgravity. 

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/aug2000/2000L-08-15-07.html

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ANL To Look at Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen Generation 

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Under DOE’s Nuclear Energy Research Initiative, Argonne National Laboratory 

will lead a team (including Texas A&M University and General Electric) that will 

look at using nuclear energy as the heat source for manufacturing hydrogen. 

http://www.ornl.gov/news/pulse/pulse_v61_00.htm

http://neri.ne.doe.gov/abstracts/060.pdf

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CECOM Gets Portable Fuel Cell for Testing 

----------------------------------------------------------- 

Enable Fuel Cell Corporation has delivered a small portable fuel cell to the U.S. 

Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) for testing. The Army is 

looking at using fuel cells as replacements for batteries carried by soldiers. 

http://www.dcht.com/press_releases/press_release.asp?release=181&caller=ne

ws

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NETL Sponsors Fuel Cell Training Workshop 

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National Energy Technology Laboratory is sponsoring a two-day training 

workshop on “High-Temperature Fuel Cell Power Plant Systems” in Denver, 

Colorardo. The workshop is scheduled for October 4&5, 2000. 

http://www.mountain.net/~training/testform.html

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NREL and ATI Team to Support Energy Start-Ups 

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National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Austin Technology Incubator 

have teamed up to support the growth and development of technology-based 

start-up companies (including fuel cells) in the energy sector. NREL and ATI are 

specifically looking for companies that are technology based, poised for strong 

growth, and less than 24 months from market entry. 

http://www.nrel.gov/hot-stuff/press/01100texas.html

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Battelle Forecasts Top 10 Energy Innovations for 2010 

------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Fuel cells are number five on a list of the Top Ten most economically impactful 

energy innovations expected by the year 2010, as forecast by a panel of energy 

experts from Battelle and the national laboratories it manages. 

http://www.battelle.org/News/00/07-26-00ENERGY.stm

-------------------------------------------- 

FutureTruck Results Announced 

-------------------------------------------- 

Virginia Tech’s hybrid electric fuel cell SUV concept took third place overall in the 

FutureTruck competition, and won awards for “Best Consumer Acceptability,” 

“Best Dynamic Handling,” and “Best Appearing Vehicle.” 

http://futuretruck.home.att.net/results.html

=================== 

CONTRACT AWARDS 

=================== 
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Navy to Fund Development of Electric Ships 

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The Office of Naval Research will give Florida State University’s Center for 

Advanced Power Systems $10.9 million over three years to research and 

develop ships featuring electric drives and integrated power systems. The new 

class of ship will be known as the 21st Century Land Attack Destroyer (DD-21), 

and could eventually utilize fuel cells. 

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2000/b07252000_bt445-00.html

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DOE Extends Agreement With FuelCell Energy 

---------------------------------------------------------------- 

The DOE Office of Fossil Energy’s Carbonate Fuel Cell Cooperative Program 

has awarded to FuelCell Energy a $40 million increase and three-year extension 

of the company’s agreement to develop a molten carbonate fuel cell power plant. 

The increase and extension will provide funding to improve FuelCell Energy’s 

Direct FuelCellTM power plants. 

http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/prs/doeaward.html

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Second Round of Vision 21 Projects Announced 

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DOE has selected another seven projects for its Vision 21 power plant program, 

including two fuel cell related projects. $2.33 million was awarded to ITN Energy 

Systems for development of a ceramic membrane to separate hydrogen from 

fossil fuel gas streams. $1.49 million was awarded to Reaction Engineering 

International for development of a computational “virtual workbench” that 

simulates the performance of Vision 21 energy plant boilers, fuel cells, advanced 

combustors, and gasifiers. 

http://www.doe.gov/news/releases00/augpr/pr00207.htm

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NASA to Purchase H Power Fuel Cell for Testing 

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

NASA’s Glenn Research Center intends to purchase a 5kW air-cooled fuel cell 

built by H Power in order to test and evaluate the stack technology. 

http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/synopsis.cgi?acqid=66061 

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Army to Purchase Fuel Cells as Battery Chargers 

------------------------------------------------------------------ 

The U.S. Army Material Command Acquisition Center’s Natick Contracting 

Division will purchase a 100-watt and a 50-watt portable fuel cell power system 

from Ball Aerospace & Technologies, for use as battery chargers. 
http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgibin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=4581121640+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve

======================= 

RFP / SOLICITATION NEWS 

======================= 

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Army Seeks ‘Novel Power Supplies’ for Field Operations 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

“Technical Areas of Interest” in the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center’s 2000 

Broad Agency Announcement include “novel power supplies” for operation of 

field feeding equipment, heaters, showers, and laundries in ‘remote/isolated 

locations.’ Concept papers will be accepted up until COB January 31, 2001. 

http://www3.natick.army.mil/ssbaa.htm

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Army Research Laboratory BAA Includes Fuel Cells 

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The U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s new Broad Agency Announcement 

includes an “Electrochemistry and Advanced Energy Conversion” program, which 

supports fundamental chemical studies of materials and processes that limit the 

performance of current power sources or enable future power sources, including 

fuel cells. Topics include electrolytes, electrocatalysis, fuel processing, and 

polymer electrolytes. The BAA is valid through September 30, 2003. 

http://www.aro.army.mil/research/ArlBAA00/finalarlbaa1.htm

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Ultra-Clean Transportation Fuels Deadline Moved up to Nov. 1 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

The final date for submission of proposals for the DOE National Energy 

Technology Laboratory’s “Ultra-Clean Transportation Fuels” solicitation has been 

moved up from December 1, 2000 to November 1, 2000. The solicitation seeks 

cost-shared applications for R&D that will lead to the production of ultra-clean 

transportation fuels from fossil resources, alone or in combination with other 

hydrocarbon materials. 

http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/solicit/main.html#40758

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DEPSCoR Seeks Proposals for DOD BAA Technical Areas 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Universities in 17 states and Puerto Rico are eligible to submit proposals for the 

DOD Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR). 

DEPSCoR research projects may address any of the technical areas listed in the 

Broad Agency Announcements of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Ballistic Missile 
Defense Organization. Deadline for DEPSCoR proposals is September 14, 

2000. 

http://www.aro.army.mil/research/dep01baa.htm

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Call for Papers on DMFCs 

------------------------------------ 

Los Alamos National Laboratory has put out a call for papers for next Spring’s 

Electrochemical Society meeting in Washington, DC, in particular, two symposia 

focusing on “Direct Methanol Fuel Cells” and “Polymer Electrolytes for Batteries 

and Fuel Cells.” The deadline for abstracts is October 1, 2000. 

http://www.electrochem.org/meetings/199/cfp.html

==================== 

INDUSTRY HEADLINES 

==================== 

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GM and ExxonMobil Develop Gasoline Processor 

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

General Motors and ExxonMobil announced that their collaboration has resulted 

in the development of a gasoline processor for fuel cell vehicles. GM plans a 

vehicle demonstration using the technology within 18 months. 

http://media.gm.com/corpcom/00news/g000810a.htm

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HARC Receives Funding for Marine FC Demonstration 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The Texas Alternative Fuels Council has awarded the Houston Advanced 

Research Center (HARC) a $200,000 grant to manage a test of fuel cells at the 

Port of Houston. For the demonstration, a 250kW fuel cell from FuelCell Energy 

will be installed on the dock, to provide supplemental power to cruise ships 

docking there. 

http://www.harc.edu/pressroom/00_0724.html

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Freightliner Truck Gets Fuel Cell APU 

--------------------------------------------------- 

A Class 8 Freightliner Century Class S/T is now being demonstrated with a 

hydrogen-fed 1.4kW PEM fuel cell auxiliary power unit developed by XCELLSIS. 

The fuel cell will allow the truck driver to run air conditioning, a television, or other 

appliances without having to idle the diesel engine or drain the battery. 

http://www.freightliner.com/corp/press_release.asp?id=215

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Nuvera Ships Gasoline Fuel Processing Systems to Automakers 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Nuvera Fuel Cells is delivering complete gasoline fuel processing systems for 

fuel cell vehicles to four major automotive companies, and to Plug Power, LLC. 

Nuvera says it has developed a successful technique for removing sulfur from 

fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, and propane. 

http://www.nuvera.com/press/nv_719.pdf

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Ballard, XCELLSIS Deliver First Fuel Cell Bus to CFCP 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Ballard and XCELLSIS delivered a fuel cell bus to Sunline Transit Agency, as 

part of the California Fuel Cell Project (CFCP). The bus is the first of 25 

expected to operate as part of the CFCP. 

http://www.ballard.com/viewpressrelease.asp?sPrID=153

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Florida Solar Energy Center Opens Hydrogen Center 

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

The Florida Solar Energy Center has opened a Hydrogen Research and 

Applications Center, which will work with the U.S. DOE to research and develop 

hydrogen both for NASA purposes, and as an alternative fuel for transportation 

applications. 

http://alpha.fsec.ucf.edu/hydrogen

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New Fuel Cell Research Center at Georgia Tech 

------------------------------------------------------------------ 

The Georgia Institute of Technology has opened The Center for Innovative Fuel 

Cell and Battery Technologies, which will undertake projects ranging from basic 

science to testing of fuel cell prototypes. 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/08/000807065212.htm

------------------------------------- 

Residential Fuel Cell News 

------------------------------------- 

There were three major announcements regarding residential fuel cells in the 

past month: 

* IdaTech has unveiled the alpha prototype of its 3kW residential fuel cell 

system at the Riviera Hotel Convention Center in Las Vegas. The system can 

produce up to 6kW when using co-generation applications, and is able to utilize 

methanol, natural gas, and propane fuels. 

http://www.idatech.com/press21.html
* Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) PEAC Corporation purchased a 

3kW fuel cell from Enable Fuel Cells Corporation and incorporated it into a 

residential fuel cell system running on hydrogen. EPRI PEAC will continue 

testing the system over the next several months, and will develop a similar 

system that can use natural gas. 

http://www.dcht.com/press_releases/press_release.asp?release=191

* Johnson Matthey is teaming up with Energy Partners and TXU Europe to 

construct a micro combined heat and power fuel cell system for use in the home. 

The project is being partly supported by the UK Department of Trade and 

Industry’s fuel cell program. 

http://www.energypartners.org/new%20releases/Energy%20Partners%20Teams

%20with%20Johnson%20Matthey%20and%20TXU%20Europe.htm

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IMPCO to Provide Fuel System for Hyundai Fuel Cell SUV 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Hyundai has selected IMPCO to develop hydrogen storage and fuel delivery 

systems for its prototype fuel cell powered Santa Fe SUV, as part of the 

California Fuel Cell Project. 

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgibin/stories.pl?ACCT=105&STORY=/www/story/08-07-2000/0001284634

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Texaco Establishes Business Unit for Energy Technologies 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Texaco has established a new business unit, Texaco Technology Ventures, to 

manage the company’s 20 percent equity interest in Energy Conversion Devices 

and lead efforts to commercialize ECD’s energy-related technologies – including 

fuel cells. 

http://www.businesswire.com/cgibin/f_headline.cgi?bw.081000/202232629&ticker=TX

=========== 

Administration 

=========== 

Press releases and story ideas may be forwarded to Bernadette Geyer, editor, 

for consideration at <mailto:bernie@fuelcells.org>. 

Subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter at <http://fuelcellnews.listbot.com>. 

====================== 

About Fuel Cell Connection
====================== 

The Sponsors 

U.S. Fuel Cell Council -- The U.S. Fuel Cell Council is the business association 

for anyone seeking to foster the commercialization of fuel cells in the United 

States. Our membership includes producers of all types of fuel cells, as well as 

major suppliers and customers. The Council is member driven, with five active 

Working Groups focusing on: Codes & Standards; Transportation; Power 

Generation; Portable Power; and Education & Outreach. The Council provides 

its members with an opportunity to develop policies and directions for the fuel cell 

industry, and also gives every member the chance to benefit from one-on-one 

interaction with colleagues and opinion leaders important to the industry. 

Members also have access to exclusive data, studies, reports and analyses 

prepared by the Council, and access to the "Members Only" section of its web 

site. 

(http://www.usfcc.com/)

National Fuel Cell Research Center -- The mission of the NFCRC is to promote 

and support the genesis of a fuel cell industry by providing technological 

leadership within a vigorous program of research, development and 

demonstration. By serving as a locus for academic talent of the highest caliber 

and a non-profit site for the objective evaluation and improvement of industrial 

products, NFCRC's goal is to become a focal point for advancing fuel cell 

technology. By supporting industrial research and development, creating 

partnerships with State and Federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of 

Energy (DOE) and California Energy Commission (CEC), and overcoming key 

technical obstacles to fuel cell utilization, the NFCRC can become an invaluable 

technological incubator for the fuel cell industry. 

(http://www.nfcrc.uci.edu/)

National Energy Technology Laboratory -- The National Energy Technology 

Laboratory is federally owned and operated. Its mission is "We Solve National 

Energy and Environmental Problems." NETL performs, procures, and partners in 

technical research, development, and demonstration to advance technology into 

the commercial marketplace, thereby benefiting the environment, contributing to 

U.S. employment, and advancing the position of U.S. industries in the global 

market. 

(http://www.netl.doe.gov)