South Carolina Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Alliance Grows in 2009 and looks for continued growth in 2010

The recent growth is closely linked to the collaborative spirit in South Carolina.

COLUMBIA, SC – February 24, 2010 – When the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance (SCHFCA) was created in 2006, it had six founding members. In 2009, the SCHFCA added the following partner organizations that all share the same devotion to promoting hydrogen and fuel cell technology in SC as an economic engine, job creator, and catalyst for independence from foreign oil. Those organizations are:

Full Partner
South Carolina Research Authority
Associate Partners
Dantherm Power
Greenway Energy

Affiliate Partners
SC State Fire Marshal’s Office
Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition
National Science Foundation Industry/University Center for Fuel Cells at USC
South Carolina Technical College System

Each organization contributes specific expertise to the research, development, and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Organizations like the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), lead the way in alternative investments and applications. The partnerships assembled under the banner of the SCHFCA are turning innovative ideas in hydrogen and fuel cell technology from researchers and companies across the nation into significant economic opportunities throughout South Carolina, said Bill Mahoney, CEO and President of SCRA. With SCHFCA partners, SCRA is pleased to lead investment in projects, including the Columbia Hydrogen Fueling Station, which positions South Carolina as a national leader in alternative and sustainable energy applications, and Knowledge Economy development.

Our newest affiliate partner, the South Carolina Technical College System, will create new opportunities for the development of a world-class workforce for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry.  As the workforce education and training infrastructure for the state, the sixteen colleges of the South Carolina Technical College System are poised to provide the training and education needed in the hydrogen and fuel cell industries.  The System is honored to join SCHFCA and looks forward to partnering with the Alliance’s members, said Barry W. Russell, President of the South Carolina Technical College System.

Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition (PSCFC), another affiliate member, is a locally based, voluntary public/private partnership coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy that expands the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel.  Erika Myers, the coordinator at PSCFC, has stated, As an official stakeholder, the SCHFCA has played an important role in the Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition, a designated US Department of Energy Clean Cities Coalition. SCHFCA has provided our coalition with valuable information on hydrogen-based transportation and networking opportunities within the community.

Through the collaboration of SCHFCA and its members, South Carolina’s hydrogen economy is advancing and catapulting the state into the national spotlight. Companies like Trulite in particular are relocating to South Carolina and could alone potentially create over 1,000 private, high tech jobs.  Shannon Baxter-Clemmons, Executive Director of SCHFCA, states, We are making great progress with our SCHFCA partners. We look forward to growth in 2010 as we continue to pursue a clean and energy secure economy utilizing hydrogen and fuel cells.

About the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance:
The SCHFCA is a public-private collaboration for the cooperative and coordinated use of resources in the state used to advance the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.  The SCHFCA has been dedicated to growing the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in South Carolina through our members and partners.  Our state’s multi-level governmental support, manufacturing expertise and existing research and development are uniquely positioned to bring hydrogen and fuel cell technologies out of the lab and into the lives of our citizens.  Partners include: SC State University, Clemson University, University of South Carolina, Savannah River National Laboratory, Center for Hydrogen Research, SCRA, South Carolina Energy Office, Dantherm Power LLC, Greenway Energy LLC, EngenuitySC, Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition, South Carolina Technical College System, SC State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the NSF I/U CRC for Fuel Cells.  For more information on the SCHFCA and its members, please visit www.schydrogen.org.

About South Carolina Research Authority:
SCRA is a non-stock, tax-exempt applied research and commercialization services company with 25 years of experience building multi-organizational teams. Currently SCRA manages over 100 national and international programs worth over $1B in applied R&D contract value. SCRA’s results-based management approach assures delivery of technology solutions to complex client challenges.  For more information on SCRA, please visit http://www.scra.org.

About Dantherm Power:
Dantherm Power is a young, dynamic and pioneering company. Since 2003 the company has focused on the development and production of commercially viable solutions using fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. Dantherm Power’s primary customers are international IT and telecom network suppliers, who rely on backup power units to provide uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Other customers include relief organizations and military units who need a reliable mobile power supply when operating in the field. For more information on Dantherm, please visit www.dantherm.com
 

About Greenway Energy LLC:

Greenway Energy provides innovative and timely solutions to in-depth characterization of fuel cell systems, system development and education of future employees in the fuel cell industry. As dynamic consultants, Greenway Energy has extensive expertise in hydrogen and methanol fuel cell technology. The company provides consultation and participates in fuel cell research, development and education projects. Greenway Energy’s unique business structure allows clients flexibility in the amount of manpower brought to bear on specific problems  For more information on Greenway Energy LLC please visit www.greenway-energy.com.
 

About the NSF I/U CRC for Fuel Cells:
The NSF selected the University of South Carolina’s College of Engineering and Computing ( CEC ) to help lead the nation’s fuel cell initiatives by performing research with industry aimed at developing and commercializing the use of fuel cells. Former USC President Andrew Sorensen said the NSF’s confidence in the ability of USC researchers to lead the nation’s fuel cell initiative underscores the quality of research underway at the University.  For more information on NSF I/U CRC for Fuel Cells please visit www.che.sc.edu/centers/PEMFC/index.html.
 

About the Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition:
The Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition (PSCFC) is part of the Clean Cities program and is one of 88 designated coalitions in the United States. Clean Cities is a locally based, voluntary public/private partnership coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that expands the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel. The U.S. Department of Energy developed this program in order to promote energy use in the transportation sector that is clean
, safe, less dependent upon foreign sources, and sustainable. Clean Cities builds on local initiative and partnerships and nationwide networks to achieve its goals.  For more information on PSCFC please visit www.palmettocleanfuels.org.
 

About the State Fire Marshal’s Office
The Office of State Fire Marshal has regulatory responsibility to ensure compliance with state fire safety regulations. This is accomplished through inspection activities by deputy state fire marshal’s in the field and code consultation and plans review services provided by the Engineering Services Section. For more information on PSCFC please visit http://www.llr.state.sc.us/firemarshal.asp