Bye-Bye OPEC: Breakthrough Concept Positions Fuel Cell Vehicles On Fast Track to Commercialization

Nuvera's Latest Technology Innovation to Address Start-Up Time and System Efficiency Issues Common to Conventional Fuel Cell Power Systems

MILAN, Italy and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 13 -- Nuvera Fuel Cells today announced it has developed a breakthrough technology concept that could rapidly advance the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. The innovation, invented by Nuvera and to be developed through the firm's ``Hi-Q'' program from funding provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, specifically addresses key issues such as start-up time and system efficiency common to conventional fuel cell power systems. A PCT (patent cooperation treaty) application on the new concept was recently published.

The breakthrough involves a significant advancement to Nuvera's multi-fuel processor technology, which is capable of converting hydrocarbon and renewable fuels into hydrogen for use in fuel cell applications to generate clean energy. Using Nuvera's latest innovation, fuel cell systems in the 50 kW range -- enough to power a mid-sized vehicle -- could surpass 50 percent operating efficiency and start up in less than 10 seconds, far exceeding today's industry standards.

``Nuvera has historically been a leader in the advancement of innovative fuel cell technologies,'' said Jeffrey Bentley, Chief Operating Officer of Nuvera Fuel Cells at the EVAA Electric Transportation Industry Conference held in Sacramento, California. ``In 1994, we announced with Chrysler that we would develop technology to convert gasoline into hydrogen for use onboard a vehicle. We achieved that feat in 1997. By 1999, we were delivering our advanced multi-fuel processors to automakers around the world for lab-based testing. Today, we're establishing a new standard that will change the face and shape of fuel cell power systems for years to come.''

Using a ``novel system configuration'' approach, Nuvera's high-efficiency quick start (Hi-Q) fuel processor comprises a lightweight system design, compact catalysts, and a small-scale turbo compressor-expander. The unique system architecture enables Nuvera to run its PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cells at higher temperatures, resulting in a net increase of operating efficiency and power density.

``The challenge to commercializing fuel cell vehicles remains the same,'' added Nuvera Vice President William Mitchell. ``Size, weight, efficiency, cost and fuel infrastructure are critical areas that must be addressed. The technology developed under our Hi-Q program will far exceed established PNGV technical targets, which places fuel cells on a fast track to commercialization. This innovation not only benefits the automotive industry in its efforts to advance the development of fuel cell vehicles, but also for distributed power applications where the high efficiency of our Hi-Q concept will make it the standard in 50kW-class systems.''

About Fuel Cells

Fuel cells generate electricity by converting the chemical energy of hydrogen and air (oxygen) into electrical energy. The by-products of this process are water vapor and heat. This system produces less than half the amount of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas produced by internal combustion engines.

Because of the ecological and cost benefits of fuel cells, automotive OEMs, as well as energy and utility companies, are actively pursuing the development of commercially viable fuel cell systems. However, one challenge has historically stood between fuel cells and their widespread commercialization -- an effective and easily accessible source of hydrogen.

Using its innovative fuel processing technology, Nuvera can now successfully address that challenge by converting gaseous and liquid fuels into hydrogen. That hydrogen is then fed to the fuel cell to generate clean, quiet, and efficient power. The result is an alternative power solution to significantly increase energy efficiency, reduce pollution, and minimize dependence on imported oil.

About Nuvera

Nuvera (http://www.nuvera.com) is a designer and developer of fuel processors, fuel cell stacks, and integrated fuel cell systems for stationary and transportation applications. Our fuel processors and proton exchange membrane, or PEM, fuel cell stacks have been successfully tested and evaluated by major automobile and appliance manufacturers, research institutions, and industrial and energy companies. Nuvera's fuel processors have demonstrated the ability to extract hydrogen from a number of commonly available hydrocarbon fuels, including gasoline, ethanol, methanol, natural gas, kerosene, propane, butane, home heating oil, and diesel. Nuvera was formed in April 2000 through the merger of De Nora Fuel Cells S.p.A., the fuel cell division of the Italian engineering concern Gruppo De Nora, and Epyx Corporation, the fuel processing division of the American business and technology consulting firm Arthur D. Little, Inc. Nuvera maintains corporate and operational facilities in both Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Milan, Italy.