On-board Hydrogen Generation for Fuel Cell Buses in China Bend, Oregon, U.S.A., October 30th, 2017– Element 1 Corp (“e1”), a leading developer of hydrogen generation technology, today announced it has signed a Purchase Contract with Blue-G New Energy Science and Technology Corporation (“Blue-G”), a clean energy company based in Beijing.
The Purchase Contract is for e1 to deliver a hydrogen generator designed to provide up to 500 liters per minute of high-purity hydrogen, and because it is operated onboard fuel-cellpowered electric buses and logistic vehicles, there is not a dependency on stationary hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The onboard hydrogen generator, based on e1’s patented technology, converts a mixture of methanol and water to high-purity hydrogen. Blue-G will integrate the hydrogen generator into fuel-cell buses, targeting customers in China. The successful delivery of the first hydrogen generator is expected to lead to a license agreement between e1 and Blue-G in 2018.
e1s’ CEO, Dave Edlund, said, “Fuel cells have become a very important component of China’s five-year plan to invest in clean energy, with Blue-G playing a leading role in fulfilling the vision of China’s Hydrogen Economy. We are impressed with the traction BlueG is achieving in the China market, and look forward to working closely with the Blue-G team. e1’s innovative technology offers unique and compelling engineering design advantages, while also providing scalability and multiple form factors.” Dr. Edlund concluded, “This announcement follows July’s announcement to develop a 100 kg per day hydrogen generator for China fuel cell bus refueling stations, and May’s announcement to form a joint venture to commercialize fuel cell systems for China’s telecom market. e1 is committed to China, and their rapidly growing hydrogen economy.”
Ronald Lee, CEO of Blue-G, said, “Integrating a methanol hydrogen generator into fuel cell bus systems is another technology challenge with promise to enhance fuel-cell bus applications using an alternative and convenient method of supplying hydrogen fuel. However, sophisticated control technology applied to the system is required. Through a joint collaboration program with e1, we hope to add this innovative technology and products into fuel cell deployments within two years.”