Learn about Fuel Cell Technologies Office webinars held in 2014 through the descriptions and linked materials below. Also view webinar archives from other years.

Webinars presented in 2014:

Materials Genome Initiative

December 2, 2014
DOE supports the use of the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) tools and methodologies to accelerate the discovery and development of materials in the clean energy technologies space. The approach centers on coordinating research efforts in theory, synthesis, characterization, and information-management, and uses the latest combinatorial and high-throughput techniques in both computation and experimentation. This webinar described current directions in the evolution of the clean energy MGI and showcased several exciting DOE projects, mainly in the Fuel Cell Technologies Office, that have been early adopters of MGI methods.

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An Overview of the Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure Research and Station Technology (H2FIRST) Project

November 18, 2014
This webinar reviewed the objectives, approach, and structure of H2FIRST and provided a progress update on active and proposed technical tasks. The H2FIRST project focuses on technical tasks in support of H2USA to ensure that fuel cell vehicle customers have a positive fueling experience similar to conventional gasoline/diesel stations as vehicles are introduced (2015–2017) and we transition to advanced fueling technology beyond 2017. Led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, the project leverages core capabilities at the national laboratories to address the technology challenges related to hydrogen refueling stations.

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2014 and 2015 Hydrogen Student Design Contests

November 6, 2014
This webinar covered the results of the 2014 Hydrogen Student Design Contest and introduced the theme for the 2015 contest. The teams from Washington State University and Humboldt State University presented their winning designs. The 2014 contest teams were challenged to design a hydrogen fueling module that fulfills the requirements of low-cost, easy permitting, low-maintenance, mass production, and transportability in order to create a model for a reliable, convenient, and reasonably priced refueling experience for all hydrogen fuel cell vehicle customers.

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Opportunities for Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Power Electronics for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Applications

October 21, 2014
This webinar featured representatives of Cree Inc., who provided an overview and roadmap of silicon carbide (SiC) power electronic technology and highlighted opportunities for product development responsive to the market pull of the hydrogen and fuel cell technology applications.

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Introduction to SAE Hydrogen Fueling Standardization

September 11, 2014
This webinar provided an overview of the SAE Standards J2601 and J2799 and how they are applied to hydrogen fueling for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Validated in the lab and proven in the field over the last decade, the SAE J2601 hydrogen fueling protocol standard, coupled with the SAE J2799 FCEV communications standard, provide the basis for hydrogen fueling in the first generation of infrastructure worldwide.

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Increasing Renewable Energy with Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Technologies

August 19, 2014
This webinar featured representatives from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory discussing a unique opportunity for the integration of multiple sectors including transportation, industrial, heating fuel, and electric sectors on hydrogen. With growing interest in the use of energy storage to support the grid and complement renewable generation, it is important to understand hydrogen's role. Typically, energy storage involves storing electricity for use later, but since hydrogen can be produced by a variety of methods and provide services to multiple sectors, the conventional definition does not adequately capture the value hydrogen can provide. This presentation looked at the architecture of hydrogen storage systems and economic competitiveness for those systems when compared with conventional systems.

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Supporting a Hawaii Hydrogen Economy

July 29, 2014
During this webinar the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) discussed the status of current and planned hydrogen projects in Hawaii. HNEI has worked to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy security, serving as the implementing organization for several large-scale public-private partnerships to develop, deploy, and demonstrate renewable energy systems. The Energy Department and HNEI have been working on projects in Hawaii through an industry/government partnership known as the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative (H2I); this partnership has deployed 16 fuel cell vehicles and built three refueling stations on Oahu. Other activities include a maritime fuel cell power demonstration at the Port of Honolulu and a renewable hydrogen generation station on the Big Island.

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Hydrogen Fueling for Current and Anticipated Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

June 24, 2014
This webinar featured representatives from the California Energy Commission who discussed their recently announced Notice of Proposed Award for 28 hydrogen fueling stations, the evaluation criteria, and the variety of competitions. In addition, representatives from Argonne National Laboratory discussed a new tool for estimating the economic impacts of hydrogen infrastructure for early market fuel cell electric vehicles. The tool, titled JOBS and economic impacts of Hydrogen (JOBS H2), estimates the jobs, earnings, and economic output created by deploying hydrogen fueling stations.

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NREL’s Fuel Cell Contaminant Database

May 27, 2014
This webinar focused on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) online data tool for fuel cell system-derived contaminants. NREL has led a multi-year project studying the effect of system-derived contaminants on the performance and durability of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The team screened approximately 60 commercially available balance of plant (BOP) materials using multiple screening methods to identify and quantify system-derived contaminants. In order to make the results of this work more accessible and useful to the fuel cell community, NREL has designed an interactive material screening database. The webinar provided an overview of data obtained during the project and a tutorial on how to use the Web-based data tool to access project results.

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Fuel Cells at NASCAR

April 17, 2014
This webinar focused on fuel cell use at NASCAR Green. Presentations by NASCAR and Acumentrics described the use of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) generators for use in powering broadcast cameras for NASCAR. Recently, Acumentrics Corporation completed a field test program with NASCAR to replace small portable gasoline generators with SOFC units operational on commercial propane. These generators demonstrated considerable fuel savings and emission reductions compared to the standard solution while providing reduced noise and vibration and allowing remote dispatch. With these attributes, these units have proven to be a viable power alternative for broadcasting needs for a host of different applications. The attributes of this latest generation power solution compared to the internal combustion engine will be detailed as well as the lessons learned and potential paths forward.

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National Fuel Cell Technology Evaluation Center (NFCTEC)

March 11, 2014
This webinar focused on the National Fuel Cell Technology Evaluation Center (NFCTEC), which is dedicated to the independent analysis of advanced hydrogen and fuel cell technologies at the Energy Department's Energy Systems Integration Facility located at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. The presentation by NREL highlighted the efforts of NFCTEC to accelerate the commercialization of fuel cell technologies through analysis of technologies operating under real-world conditions and comparison to technical targets. The presentation also identified benefits to participating industry, academia, and government organizations as well as a new activity to report on current fuel cell prices.

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Additive Manufacturing for Fuel Cells

February 11, 2014
This webinar focused on additive manufacturing to stimulate discussion in the hydrogen and fuel cell community on the application of additive manufacturing to prototyping and production. Presentations by Eaton and Nuvera highlight Eaton’s experience using additive manufacturing for prototype development and recent developments in additive manufacturing for full scale production being employed at Nuvera. Blake Marshall from the Advanced Manufacturing Office also presents an overview of additive manufacturing technologies and current R&D activity being supported by the Energy Department. This webinar is of interest to hydrogen and fuel cell manufacturers and those interested in advanced techniques for hydrogen and fuel cell component manufacturing.

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Energy 101: Fuel Cells Discussion

January 16, 2014
This Google+ Hangout discussion focused on audience questions about fuel cells. Several experts answered questions and discussed fuel cells in front of a live online audience. Expert panelists included Dr. Sunita Satyapal, Director of the Energy Department’s Fuel Cell Technologies Office; Daniel Dedrick, Manager of Hydrogen and Combustion Technologies at Sandia National Laboratories; Anthony Eggert, Executive Director of the UC Davis Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy; and Charlie Freese, Executive Director of Global Fuel Cell Activities at General Motors.

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2013 and 2014 Hydrogen Student Design Contests

January 14, 2014
This webinar, sponsored by the Fuel Cell Technologies Office, focused on the winning entries of the 2013 Hydrogen Student Design Contest from the University of Kyushu and University of Birmingham. This year, teams were challenged to develop hydrogen fueling infrastructure plans for the Northeast and mid-Atlantic for the 2013-2025 time frame. The first place winner, the University of Kyushu's design, centered around developing fueling clusters in urban areas, which then are expanded into suburban areas and along highways to facilitate cross-state travel. The University of Birmingham placed second and proposed a "hydrogen highway" system connecting Boston to Washington, D.C., before connecting most areas in the Northeast. During the webinar the theme for the 2014 contest—Designing a Drop-in Fueling Station—was also discussed.

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