Fuel Cells by the Numbers | Green Energy News

October 31, 2004 – Vol.9 No.32

FUEL CELLS BY THE NUMBERS.

The U.S. Fuel Cell Council has released its first Worldwide Fuel Cell Survey, prepared by accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers with some interesting results.

--- The industry is still very much in the Research and Development stage with $859 million spent in 2003, up from $764 million in 2002 - an increase of 13 percent.

--- Fuel cell products, parts and service are available for sale, however, $338 million worth in 2003, up from $240 million in 2002 - an increase of 41 percent.

--- A breakdown of who bought what (products, parts or services) is not included in the survey, but among respondents to the survey 23 percent were fuel cell developers or manufacturers, 26 percent supplied parts to them.

--- From a technical standpoint most were involved with PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cells - 56 percent. Metal fuel cells, which some call batteries, are not included in the study but are possibly listed under Other.

--- The market focus is fairly evenly divided among auxiliary power units for vehicles, vehicle drive systems, fueling infrastructure, 50-kilowatt and larger stationary fuel cells, 50-kilowatt and smaller stationary fuel cells, and portable fuel cells.

--- Not surprisingly, most of the Research and Development is taking place in the U.S. with $460 million spent in 2003. In Canada $157 million was spent, followed by Japan at $42 million and Germany at $41 million. Companies and organizations in other nations spent a combined $43 million.

--- Employment in the industry stayed constant in 2002/2003 with about 7750 each year.

--- There were 170 respondents to the survey representing private and publicly traded companies, organizations, government research labs and agencies, and college and university labs. All respondents were members of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council and similar trade associations around the globe.

The U.S. Fuel Cell Council also distributed a plan this week that would collect $60 billion in public funds over the next 15 years to help make the transition to a hydrogen/fuel cell economy in the U.S.

Unfortunately the plan involves raising or creating taxes and fees in a number of areas in energy and transportation. It’s hard to imagine the current leadership in Washington voting for tax increases anywhere, for anything.

Visit the U.S. Fuel Cell Council at http://www.usfcc.com/ , the Worldwide Fuel Cell Survey http://www.pwc.com/ca/eng/ins-sol/survey-rep/wfcs_04.pdf