“This award demonstrates Ohio’s continued commitment to fuel cell development and support for the growth of the industry in our state,” Barbash said. “The technological advances achieved in the fuel cell industry in Ohio are a testament to our innovative workforce, our welcoming business environment, and our efforts to remain at the forefront of the expanding renewable energy sector by attracting the companies that constitute a highly competitive supply chain.”
2009 Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Award for Advanced Research, Development, and Commercialization:
Crown Equipment, located in New Bremen (Auglaize County), was awarded $1 million for its Development of an Integrated Fuel Cell Forklift Truck project. The project will investigate, model, and create a running prototype of an integrated fuel cell powered-lift truck. The integration of the fuel cell into the truck design allows improved power efficiency and design flexibility that opens material handling opportunities and applications not possible with the power pack design. Specific project tasks include a system modeling effort that involves support from Ohio Northern University, identification of and partnering with fuel cell and balance-of-plant (BOP) suppliers, bench-top model construction and baseline testing and defined specifications for the creation of a prototype truck. Edison Materials Technology Center (EMTEC) will assist Crown with Ohio supply chain development and NexTech will work with Crown to incorporate its hydrogen sensor technology into the integrated truck design.
Ohio Third Frontiers committed to expanding Ohio’s technological strengths and promoting commercialization that leads to economic prosperity throughout Ohio. Designed to build world-class research programs, nurture early- stage companies, and foster technology development that make existing industries more productive, Ohio Third Frontier creates opportunity through innovation.
Created in 2002, the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative aims to spur job creation in Ohio while positioning the state as a national leader in the growing fuel cell industry.
