Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) has helped bring two million dollars to Argonne National Laboratory to develop hybrid fuel cell technology that will both generate electricity and produce liquid fuel.  This technology can produce electricity with zero emissions and help America reach energy independence. 

“Argonne National Lab continues to be a world leader in the growing field of alternative energy research and development,” said Rep. Lipinski, a former educator with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering, and a leading member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.  “This cutting edge work is another step towards American energy independence and a catalyst for economic growth and job creation.  I continue to push for more investment in Argonne’s research and development, which will not only lead to new technologies for our nation but also lead to new companies and new jobs in the area around the lab.”   

The project is being funded through the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy’s (ARPA-E) newest program, “Reliable Electricity Based on Electrochemical Systems” (REBELS).  REBELS is focused on improving grid stability, balancing intermittent renewable technologies, and reducing CO2 emissions using electrochemical distributed power generation systems. 

The dual mode capability of Argonne National Laboratory’s hybrid fuel cell project is enabled by a device that removes protons from the reaction site, which allows the cell to operate at lower temperatures.  In addition to conventional fuel cell capabilities, Argonne’s cell could use natural gas to produce ethylene for conversion into liquid fuel or high-value chemicals.

Congressman Lipinski has long been a supporter of fuel cell technologies having been responsible for creating the H-Prize which is a U.S. Department of Energy prize competition for hydrogen fuel cell technologies.  In addition, Rep. Lipinski has consistently supported funding to help develop fuel cell technologies.

ARPA-E is an Agency within the U.S. Department of Energy that advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment.  ARPA-E awardees are unique because they are developing entirely new ways to generate, store, and use energy.  Since fighting for its inclusion in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Congressman Lipinski has never stopped championing the importance of this organization.  Earlier this year, he was honored to speak at an ARPA-E Innovation Summit about ways that the government can be more helpful to entrepreneurs as they develop and perfect the job-creating innovations of tomorrow.