The overall goal is to reduce costs, improve durability, and increase efficiency of fuel cell systems. The funding also includes $9 million for researchers to conduct independent cost analyses to assess the progress of current research initiatives, which would help guide future fuel cell and hydrogen storage R&D efforts.
DOE will fund R&D projects related to fuel cell system balance-of-plant components, fuel processors, and fuel cell stack components. They will also seek innovations "with the potential for radical improvements" in fuel cells, with a primary emphasis on new materials, architectures, or modes of fuel cell operation. Applicants will likely include teams of university, industry, and national lab participants. Proposals are due March 3, 2011.
See the DOE press release, the requirements on FedConnect for cost analysis and fuel cells, and the Fuel Cell Technologies Program Web site.
Economic Recovery in Asia Drives Global Oil Demand
World oil demand reached an all-time quarterly high in the third quarter of 2010, according to analysts at Wood Mackenzie, and oil demand for the year as a whole might also reach a new record high.
The independent consultancy found that economic growth in Asia, particularly in China, caused world oil demand to reach an average of 88.3 million barrels per day (Mb/d) in the third quarter of 2010. In early December, analysts forecast an annual average of 86.7 Mb/d for 2010 as a whole. If that projection proves true, the new record will be about 100,000 barrels per day higher than the record set in 2007.
Chinese demand for gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil grew 8% in 2010, based on provisional data through September. In India, the demand for diesel fuel and heating oil is growing at 7% per year; demand for gasoline is growing at 11% per year.
Wood Mackenzie forecasts that world oil demand will reach 88.1 Mb/d in 2011 and nearly 90 Mb/d in 2012. See the Wood Mackenzie press release.
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EREE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
