Intelligent Energy targets bike fleets in fuel cell drive

New company distributes battery fuel cells for security applications

Fresh from securing $30m through its latest funding round, UK-based fuel cell developer Intelligent Energy has outlined plans to add to its operations globally and expand its presence in the growing market for fuel-cell powered motorbikes and combined heat and power (CHP) units.

Speaking to BusinessGreen.com, chief executive Henri Winand said the company was planning to use the funding it announced last month to bolster its commercial activities, and is now looking for new customers to install its fuel cell technology.

"We have largely completed the R&D phase," he said. "Obviously, as a technology company R&D will continue, but our focus now is to build our model of working behind the factory gates for OEM partners such as Mitsubishi, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and Boeing."

The company currently operates a partnership model where it licenses its fuel cell design to be used in a range of different applications and then works with manufacturers to install the system in their end products. For example, last year it set up a joint venture with SSE to develop fuel-cell powered CHP units for commercial and domestic properties.

The company is also working with Mitsubishi on developing fuel-cell powered bikes, recently trialled the use of fuel cell as a source of auxiliary power for one of Boeing's aircraft, and is working on a project to deliver a number of fuel-cell powered black cabs in London, in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Winand said a key target market would be the bike sector, where he argued fuel cells offered a compelling alternative to conventional engines.

"The two-wheel market is going from strength to strength," he said. "We will have fuel-cell powered bikes on the road by the end of the year and we are going to target fleet customers first."

He said that companies operating motorbike fleets such as couriers would be able to avoid the problems associated with the absence of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure by installing a central refuelling hub. "From an infrastructure standpoint, a fleet of zero-emission bikes makes sense, and the technology is compelling as unlike a car you only need 250g of hydrogen to get a range of about 200km with a motorbike," he said.

Winand said the company was looking to bolster its headcount to support the commercialisation strategy and was also investigating moving into new territories. The company already has offices in the UK and US, as well as representatives in Japan, and Winand said it was now looking to set up operations in emerging economies.

"There are emerging markets in the BRIC economies that could be very attractive and we believe there are some good opportunities there, particularly given our partner-based business model," he said.

Devens, MA, -- German engineered SFC EFOY Pro Series Fuel Cells have come to the East Coast of the United States. Sirius Integrator Inc., out of Devens, Massachusetts is now providing green energy security solutions as a distributor and integrator of SFC products.

President of Sirius Integrator, John Merlino, formerly in product management at Tyco Fire & Security and Sun Microsystems, strives to reduce 'Lead Acid Battery' pollution and to remove the frequent labor involved with recharging 12v & 24v batteries for remote devices. These portable fuel cells are quiet, light weight, and perfectly suited for many remote, stationary, and mobile, mission-critical physical security configurations. SFC EFOY fuel cells are virtually maintenance-free and provide long autonomy (days to months) for police surveillance, physical & homeland security, traffic management, event security, observation (manned or unmanned), mobile offices, sensors, GPS tracking & industrial communications, and many other remote power applications.

The EFOY, fueled by high-density methanol, is environmentally safe and emits only water and a small amount of carbon dioxide, so they are used both indoors and out. In addition, power is accessible whenever and where ever it is needed, the cell automatically recharges the battery when necessary and switches into sleep mode when its job is done. EFOY Pro Series Fuel Cells can be used as primary or secondary remote power, standalone or in a solar hybrid configuration. If the EFOY is intended for outdoor use Sirius offers the EFOY ProCube to protect against harsh weather and vandalism, it is a ready to use, fully integrated power solution. The SFC EFOY Fuel Cell's methanol cartridges, available in 5, 10, & 28 liter cartridges, are easily replaced when fuel runs low without interruption and can be remotely monitored with optional GPS tracking and Google Maps integration.

Sirius Integrator Inc. is proud to be uniquely focused on integrating these power solutions into physical and homeland security applications and to be the East Coast's first methanol cartridge distributor in the region. Please visit our website at www.siriusintegrator.com for detailed information, pictures, video segments or to contact us to schedule a visit. We would welcome you to our Devens Lab, discuss your current use of lead acid batteries & associated operation, and review possible fuel cell solutions for applications needing up to 500 watts of continuous power.