SCHFCA to exhibit at NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference 2006 : Long Beach, CA March 12-14 Booth #519
1.25.2006
Clemson University to Receive $1.5 Million in Hydrogen Research Funding
(full press release)
1.03.06
SC Launches Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance (SCHFCA): New group will foster collaboration, promote economic potential
(full press release)
January 13, 2006
(PDF
version)
SC Launches Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Alliance
Columbia, SC -- The South Carolina Department of Commerce announced today the introduction of the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance, a statewide initiative designed to promote the development and use of quality, cost effective and accessible hydrogen, fuel cells and related technologies.
Chartered as a 501 (c) (3) corporation, the Alliance will serve as the primary facilitator on hydrogen initiatives within the state, with stated goals of developing a governing strategy for hydrogen initiatives and associated economies to enable long-term growth; providing education on the state’s available hydrogen resources and facilities; initiating and evaluating potential partnerships and collaborations for research initiatives; and supporting viable hydrogen demonstrations and projects for the state.
The Board of Directors for the Alliance are:
- Dr. Saundra Glover, Vice President of Research and Development, S.C. State University
- Fred Humes, Director, Center for Hydrogen Research
- Dr. Harris Pastides, Vice President for Research and Health Sciences, University of South Carolina
- Dr. Christian Przirembel, Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Clemson University
- Dr. Todd Wright, Laboratory Director, Savannah River National Laboratory
“Building the knowledge-based sectors of our economy continues to be a focus
for this administration,” said Gov. Mark Sanford. “We are committed to building
on our competitive advantages in hydrogen and fuel cell research and production
to grow a viable hydrogen cluster that can create higher paying jobs and help
ensure we can compete in a knowledge based economy."
According to Fred
Humes, “South Carolina possesses great assets for hydrogen and fuel cell
development but needs a coordinated statewide effort. Without a statewide focus,
we lack the ability to take full advantage our inherent strengths in this area.”
“Building on the results of two in-depth studies by Next Energy and the
SC hydrogen coalition we are ready to build on the hydrogen and fuel cell
foundations which already exist in our state. Hydrogen may well be one of the
leading technology growth areas in the state. We have the infrastructure,
technology, resources and determination to be competitive in the emerging
hydrogen economy.” Humes added. “By bringing together all the players in a
united effort, we can leverage our unique capabilities.”
In May of last
year, Commerce led a group representing the various hydrogen research and
technology efforts to Washington, DC, to meet with the South Carolina
Congressional delegation. As a result of those meetings, Commerce was asked to
provide administrative support for a new statewide initiative that would build
consensus among the state’s hydrogen, fuel cell and related technologies and
create this new alliance.
South Carolina has a number of resources that
can make a significant impact on growing the hydrogen economy:
Savannah River National Laboratory has one of the
largest concentrations of hydrogen researchers in the United States, with
research strengths in thermochemical hydrogen production, hydrogen
storage/hydride beds, and hydrogen delivery systems.
Center for
Hydrogen Research is a new 60,000 sq. ft. facility in Aiken specifically
designed for collaborative hydrogen research, using the expertise of SRNL,
universities and industry to develop and market hydrogen storage and related
systems.
The University of South Carolina is one of the
nation’s leading academic institutions in the fuel cell economy. USC currently
performs research in integrated fuel cell development and is recognized as home
to the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research
Center for Fuel Cells.
Clemson University, home to the
International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), its hydrogen related
initiatives primarily relate to research in advanced materials and
thermo-chemical hydrogen production. CU-ICAR will use its expertise in material
research and automotive design to integrate hydrogen and fuel cells in
automotive applications.
South Carolina State
University is home to the Clyburn Transportation Center and conducts
research with an emphasis on linking various modes of transportation using
advanced technologies and concepts to address future transportation needs and
rural community economic development.
Some of the economic allies for
hydrogen development in the state include the South Carolina Research Authority,
the state-funded Venture Capital Fund, Concurrent Technologies Corporation and
Fuel Cell South.
Contact: Fred Humes (803) 641-3300
January 25, 2006
(view original release)
Clemson University to Receive $1.5 Million in Hydrogen Research Funding
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Clemson University will receive $1.5 million in funding for research into hydrogen as a fuel source.
The Clemson grant is part of a larger $119 million package announced today by the Department of Energy. The focus of the funding is to create a “roadmap” aimed at identifying and overcoming the technical and manufacturing challenges associated with the further development of commercially available hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
“I’m pleased with today’s grant announcement from DOE,” said U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina). Graham serves as the co-chair of the Senate Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus. “Clemson University, and other research institutes across South Carolina, will play a prominent role in helping push hydrogen research forward. What Detroit was to the automotive industry, South Carolina can be to hydrogen.”
“As a nation we need to become less dependent on foreign oil,” said Graham. “To help us achieve that goal, it’s my hope the next generation of automobiles will not be solely dependent on gasoline as a fuel source. It would be irresponsible if 50 years from now we’re still reliant on Middle Eastern oil to drive our national economy. We need to get away from fossil fuels and start looking at using different sources of energy such as hydrogen to power our automobiles. Today’s grant announcement is another step in the right direction.”
Graham noted South Carolina is a leader in hydrogen research. The University of South Carolina is developing hydrogen fuel cells, Clemson is working on hydrogen vehicles and the Savannah River Site is a leading research facility in hydrogen storage and technology. In addition, these groups and others recently united behind the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association which coordinates the state’s efforts to be a leading player in the emerging hydrogen economy.
In addition to the grant announcement, DOE today also unveiled the Roadmap on Manufacturing R&D for the Hydrogen Economy. The 80-page document addresses challenges to manufacturing, storage and production of fuel cell technologies and proposes solutions to overcome such challenges, focusing primarily on near commercial technologies.
For More Information:
Wes Hickman
202-224-5972
Kevin Bishop
864-250-1417