HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY FOR COLD CLIMATES
Genesis Fueltech Inc. of Spokane, Washington and Encana Corporation of Calgary, Alberta announce that they have entered into an agreement for the development of integrated fuel cell power system technology that will enable operation of such systems at remote locations in sub-Arctic winter conditions.
Funding for the eighteen-month project will principally come through an investment by Encana’s Environmental Innovation Fund.
For Encana this project has the potential to lead to an innovative technology that will provide another option for the company’s off grid power requirements or could complement the approximately 10,000 solar panels Encana currently has in use across Canada and the U.S. In northern climates, solar panels and their battery systems are typically oversized to compensate for the lack of sunlight during the winter months.
Genesis will adapt its hydrogen generation technology and apply its system integration expertise to address the problems of start-up and long-term power system operation under very cold conditions. Genesis hydrogen generators (“reformers”) extract pure hydrogen from a fuel mix of methanol and water. The pre-mixed fuel used is similar to windshield washer fluid and has a freezing point of -70°C.
Genesis will work with fuel cells supplied by leading manufacturers. Pure hydrogen is the fuel that drives a fuel cell power system. Genesis’ small scale system designs and equipment are targeted to be a cost effective and highly efficient solution for remote or off grid power applications in cold climates. The systems will generate minimal emissions. Genesis has identified several additional domestic and international markets for cold climate fuel cell power systems, including telecommunications and the military.
Genesis is a world leader in methanol reformation and system integration technology. Its hydrogen generators have operated with fuel cells from seven manufacturers and have been used from New Zealand to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Development of the company’s technology has been significantly supported through project funding by the United States Departments of Energy and Defense.
Encana is a leading North American natural gas producer that is focused on growing its strong portfolio of prolific shale and other unconventional natural gas developments, called resource plays, in key basins from northeast British Columbia to east Texas and Louisiana. By partnering with employees, community organizations and other businesses, Encana contributes to the strength and sustainability of the communities where it operates. Encana common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ECA.
For information contact David DeVries, President of Genesis Fueltech Inc., Tel: 509-534-5787; Fax 509-624-4203; Email: david@genesisfueltech.com .