WASHINGTON, D.C., 28 February 2005. The FY 2005 Defense Appropriations Bill includes $2 million for the U.S. Army Mobile Hydrogen Infrastructure program, announced Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.
This program will help the Army address the fuel requirements for fuel cells by developing the supporting hydrogen refueling infrastructure. This program will leverage the investments being made by automakers, technology companies, and the Department of Energy toward development of fuel cells for commercial applications. The program will evaluate the various opportunities that exist to generate hydrogen on-site; using solar and wind-generated electricity for electrolysis of water, or reforming hydrocarbon fuels.
The funds will be used to deploy and demonstrate a mobile hydrogen refueling system from Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, of Irvine, Calif. The system supports hydrogen-powered fuel cell applications operating in remote locations. Quantum was recently awarded a significant U.S. Patent for mobile and transportable hydrogen refuelers as announced on February 15, 2005. This program is in addition to the refueling and vehicle contracts previously awarded to Quantum by the Army.
"The armed services are currently in the process of revolutionizing their combat strategies and systems, focusing on improving energy efficiency and stealth operations, two requirements well-served by hydrogen and fuel cells," said Alan Niedzwiecki, president and CEO of Quantum.
"Fuel cell technology is currently being developed for military use as auxiliary power units and for vehicle propulsion, both of which offer great benefits to the Army's transformation strategy in reducing the size of the deployed logistics footprint and the signature of future Army platforms. This funding that Congressman Cox secured will play a critical role in helping to achieve these goals."
Quantum is a designer, integrator and manufacturer of packaged fuel systems for fuel cells, hybrids and alternative fuel applications in the transportation, fuel cell stationary power generation and hydrogen refueling infrastructure markets. Leveraging its core competencies in ultra-light weight composite fuel storage, fuel injection, fuel metering, electronic controls, OEM-level systems integration, and years of OEM production experience, Quantum also designs and manufactures hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.
Quantum is a Tier 1 OEM supplier and has product commercialization alliances with General Motors, Sumitomo and IMPCO. Quantum's customer base includes General Motors, Toyota, Opel, Hyundai, Suzuki, Ford, Sunline, Yamaha, AeroVironment, and the U.S. Army. For more information, see www.qtww.com.
