CANTON, OHIO – At the ground breaking for a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art fuel cell center to be located at Stark State Technical College in Canton, OH, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham today announced over $5 million in hydrogen research grants to Ohio companies and universities. These grants will help fund hydrogen research projects as part of the Bush Administration’s effort to strengthen America’s energy security and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Hydrogen from diverse domestic resources has the long-term potential to deliver greater energy independence by reducing America’s reliance on foreign sources of energy, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham said. “The projects we are announcing today highlight the emphasis that the department has placed on renewable production of hydrogen. They will move the nation toward advanced technologies that use renewable energy sources to make and deliver safe, affordable hydrogen for fuel cell powered vehicles.”
Ohio projects to receive funding are:
- Midwest Optoelectronics, Toledo, $2,921,501
- Ohio State University Research Foundation, Columbus, $1,145,624
- University of Cincinnati, $1,999,727
In last year’s State of the Union address, President Bush communicated his vision that, “the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free.” The research projects announced today address major technical and economic hurdles in renewable and distributed hydrogen production technologies that must be overcome to make the President’s vision a reality.
Work resulting from the awards is expected to increase the United States’ leadership in hydrogen technology. Projects were chosen through a merit-review, competitive solicitation process.
Awards Announced Today
Midwest Optoelectronics, LLC (Toledo) will develop solar electrochemical technologies that capture energy from sunlight and split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The research is focused on developing semi-conducting devices to absorb sunlight with materials that are durable and low cost. Partners include the University of Toledo, United Solar Ovonic Corporation, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Project Duration: 3 years
DOE: $2,921,501
Company Contribution: $760,492
Total Value: $3,861,993
Ohio State University Research Foundation (Columbus) will develop a low cost catalyst to help convert ethanol into hydrogen when using reforming (i.e. chemical conversion) processes. Small-scale distributed reforming systems could be used at existing gasoline stations thereby eliminating the need for a substantial hydrogen transport and delivery infrastructure. This research will focus on developing non-precious metal catalysts which will reduce capital costs and also allow operating at lower temperatures thereby further reducing the cost of hydrogen. This project could result in a breakthrough in distributed reforming of ethanol and provide a renewable-based option for hydrogen production during a transition to wide-spread use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Project Duration: 4 years
DOE: $1,145,624
University Contribution: $299,715
Total Value: $1,445,339
University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati) will develop a technology to reduce the steps currently used during reforming (i.e. chemical conversion) processes that produce hydrogen. The research will focus on developing a zeolite membrane to separate pure hydrogen from other gases using either natural gas or biomass based liquid feedstocks. Partners include the Ohio State University.
Project Duration: 4 years
DOE: $1,999,727
University Contribution: $501,310
Total Value: $2,501,037
Media contact: Tom Welch, 202/586-5806
