Past NEESC Events

  • Increasing the Value Proposition: Small-Scale Fuel Cell Applications

    Thursday, April 19, 2018

    Thank you for your interest in this webinar.

    This presentation  provided an overview of how smaller, “behind the meter” fuel cells can improve reliability, and increase efficiency and sustainability.  The presentation included a discussion of costs, benefits, safety, and performance for this technology.

    This webinar was a presentation of the Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster and the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association. For more information, please visit www.NEESC.org or www.FCHEA.org

    Speakers:

    Click HERE for the Presentation

    Click HERE for the Recording

  • US DOE FCTO and ARPA – E Investments in Hydrogen Technology Advancements

    Electrochemical technologies will play a vital role in developing sustainable processes and infrastructure for energy storage, transportation, and manufacturing. Hydrogen, produced by electrolysis, can serve as a vehicle fuel, is a chemical feedstock for ammonia generation and other industrial processes, and is required for conversion of carbon dioxide to higher value chemicals. In addition, hydrogen for advanced energy storage can play a key role in modernizing our nation’s electricity grid to enable the integration of renewable energy, improve operating capabilities, enhance reliability, allow deferral of infrastructure investments, and provide backup power during emergencies. 

    Government support and investment in research and development efforts have been critical to the advancement of electrochemical technologies in the marketplace. Proton OnSite has been involved in several US DOE FCTO and ARPA-E-supported programs that have yielded several advancements in hydrogen technology, including electrolysis, flow batteries, and carbon dioxide capture and conversion to ammonia generation. 

    This presentation provided an overview of investments made by the Federal government through the US DOE’s FCTO and ARPA-E that have led to hydrogen solutions for advanced energy storage, with an emphasis on hydrogen-iron flow batteries. 

    Presenting Organizations:

    • Dr. Kathy Ayers, Vice President of Research and Development, Proton OnSite
    • Dr. Madhav Acharya, Technology-to-Market Advisor,
    • Fuel Cells for Microgrids

      A community microgrid is a coordinated local grid area served by one or more distributed energy resources (DER), including energy storage, renewable and conventional generation, and demand response. Microgrids are able to island and stand alone in supplying power to a community, university campus, military base or critical facilities. Community microgrids increase reliability, reduce emissions, and create a more sustainable and secure grid.

      Fuel cells have many characteristics that make them excellent candidates for microgrids, including baseload power, low emissions, competitive pricing, and interconnection with the grid for backup.

      This presentation provided an overview of fuel cell solutions for stationary power in a microgrid configuration and possible grant funding and financing available for Class I renewable energy sources from Connecticut’s Microgrid Program.

      Presenters:

       

      Click HERE for the Presentation

      Click HERE for the Recording

    • HANNOVER MESSE 2017

      NEESC supported the participation of seven (7) hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain companies from the Northeast US to exhibit at Hannover Messe, the world’s largest industrial technology trade show from April 24-28, 2017 in Hannover, Germany.

      CLICK HERE for more Information

    • Energy Storage & Microgrids- Innovation in the Electricity Sector

       

      On-site batteries and power control systems, cost trends, and the rise of a robust electric vehicle and infrastructure market will impact how Northeast developers, utilities, and customers develop and operate energy storage systems and microgrids for variable generation. Many types of emerging technologies are already being developed and deployed to meet the demand for energy storage, smart grid, and microgrid solutions. 

      E2Tech, the Hydrogen Energy Center (HEC), and the Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC) teamed up to examine the innovative design, operational planning, and market implications of these technologies and how the Northeast should be accelerating their adoption and deployment to improve energy security and reliability while protecting the environment.

      Speakers working everyday on the leading edge of energy innovation in energy storage and microgrids, included:

      Melissa Chan, Ph.D.,Fuel Cells for Forklifts

      Fuel cells using renewable hydrogen provide power solutions for material handling equipment that increase productivity, lower operating costs and reduce carbon footprints in a reliable, cost-effective way.  A variety of industry warehouses and distribution centers are already powering forklift fleets with fuel cells, including manufacturing, food sales, retailers, and cold storage.  Fuel cell-powered industrial equipment provide many benefits:

      • Increased productivity
      • Lower operational costs
      • More usable commercial space for product flow
      • Zero emissions

      This presentation provided an overview of fuel cell power solutions for material handling and other warehouse lift equipment, with an emphasis on the extended benefits for cold storage facilities. 

      Guest Speakers:

      Click HERE for the Presentation

      Click HERE for the Recording

       

       

    • Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Solutions for Portable Power Applications

      Fuel cells using renewable hydrogen can provide portable power solutions for telecommunications, emergency response, security/lighting, military operations and can help with grid stability. These portable fuel cell power units have many advantages over conventional fossil-fueled (diesel, propane) generation.

      This presentation discussed how reliable and cost effective hydrogen supply and the use of fuel cells, in portable power applications, can support telecommunications, emergency response, security/lighting, and military operations.
      Moderator:

      • Bob Rose, Executive Director, Breakthrough Technologies Institute

      Presenting Companies:

      • Roy Bant (Bio), Hydrogen Energy Business Development Manager, Northeast, Air Liquide​

       

      Click HERE for the Presentation

      Click HERE for the Recording

       

       

    • Fuel Cells for Aerospace/Unmanned Vehicle Applications

      This presentation provided an overview of key features associated with the use of fuel cells for aerospace/unmanned vehicle applications.   The technology is ideally suited to applications where weight, durability, and range are critical benchmarks.  Fuel cell technology offers significant improvements in energy density over traditional battery based systems and improvements in reliability over internal combustion systems. 

      Hydrogen based fuel cells offer a viable way to extend range and duration.  Fuel cell systems offer a number of advantages over incumbent power solutions for all types of unmanned vehicles, including:

      • Greater reliability than small internal combustion engines (ICE);
      • Lower total cost of ownership than small ICE;
      • Lower noise signature than small ICE;
      • Longer operating range than batteries– greater than 3x; and
      • Lower weight than batteries.

      Guest Speakers Included:

      ● William Smith, President & CEO,  Infinity Fuel Cell & Hydrogen

      ● Paul Osenar, President & CEO,  Protonex Technology Corporation

       

      This webinar was a presentation of the Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC).  

      Click HERE to view the presentation

    • Invest! Design! Make! Use! A Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Forum

      Hartford, Connecticut – November 17 – 18, 2016

      The Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster and the Connecticut Green Bank presented the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Forum that brought together key stakeholders in the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. This Forum focused on:

      • Invest! – Green Bank Financing;
      • Design! – Supply Chain – Hydrogen Refueling and Fuel Cells;
      • Make! – Project Financing: Stationary and Motive Power; and
      • Use! – ZEV Vehicles and Hydrogen Refueling.

      This event also featured:

      • Panel discussions with investors and industry experts;
      • A live “request for Information” (RFI): A facilitated discussion and industry feedback to provide guidance to the DOE, which may result in a “Funding Opportunity Announcement” with live polling;
      • A Technology Showcase/Supply Chain Exchange/Reception for networking and business development; and
      • Coordination with the Connecticut International Auto Show;
      • Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive;
      • Hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell electric vehicle stakeholder meetings.

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      CLICK HERE to view outcomes from the event

       

    • Equity Crowdfunding for Energy Projects

      On November 2, 2016 NEESC cohosted this webinar with Connecticut’s SBDC and Crossroad Venture Group (CVG). Over the last few years, crowdfunding websites in the United States have proven a popular way by which to solicit charitable donations and to raise funds for artistic endeavors like films and music recordings. Under recently adopted rules, the general public/investors will have the opportunity to participate in the early capital raising activities of start-up and early-stage companies and businesses. This webinar focused on the NEW rules regarding equity crowdfunding, including the different about being a crowdfunding investor, how to make an investment, the amounts that can be invested, and where more information can be

      Guest Speaker:

      • Elizabeth “Liddy” Karter, Managing Director, Enhanced Capital

       

      A recording of this presentation is available here.

      Slides from this webinar are available as a pdf here.

    • 2016 Cleantech Energy Storage Finance Forum

      On Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM NEESC and NSIV hosted the 2016 Cleantech Energy Storage Financing Forum at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Boston Office. The forum featured short “pitches” from WattJoule, Energy Compression, Electra Vehicle, Sparkplug Power, Inc., Ambri Inc., Lionano Battery, and Zilectric, Inc., a panel presentation with MA DOER, Current, powered by GE, National Grid, and NEC Energy Solutions, Inc., and a diversified networking session.

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      A special thanks to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

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      Supporting Organizations

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    • Improving Energy Resiliency with Flow Batteries

      This webinar focused on flow battery technology, a utility-scale electricity storage solution that borrows many core features from fuel cell technology. Flow batteries utilize a liquid energy storage medium that can be tapped to create electricity and can be recharged within the same system. One of the biggest advantages of flow batteries is their ability to independently scale power and energy. Flow batteries are also inherently safe, have high cycle life, and deliver lower lifetime cost than traditional battery systems. Fuel cell systems working in conjunction with renewable technologies and flow battery technology offer a real time solution for sustainability.

      Vionx Energy’s Vanadium Redox Flow battery offers a 6-10 hour run time and 20+ year system life with no degradation to deliver a superior lifetime cost of ownership versus traditional grid batteries. Learn about the advantages of flow battery technology for dispatachable renewable power and efficient design of the transmission and distribution grid.

      Guest Speaker:

      • Adam Rauwerdink, Director, Sales Engineering, VIONX Energy

      A recording of this presentation is available here

      Slides from this webinar are available as a pdf here.

    • Secure and Sustainable Energy for Commercial/Residential Buildings

      This webinar focused on fuel cell technology that is being used to provide both electricity and thermal energy for space heating/cooling and water heating at multi-unit residential structures. Multi-unit residential structures with 20 or more units represent approximately 8.6 percent of the housing stock in the United States. This webinar addressed the unique opportunities for building owners, designers, and builders of multi-unit residential structures and the use of fuel cell technology for energy assurance.

      Participants learned about the key features and advantages of fuel cell technology, including:

      • High electric efficiency 45 percent or greater;
      • Overall efficiency of 85 to 93 percent;
      • Low noise (quiet operation);
      • Reduction of air pollution;
      • High availability (approximately 98 percent) with 24/7 operation; and
      • Classified as a renewable technology by some states.

      Presenting Companies:

       

      Click HERE to view the presentation

    • Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for Resiliency: Microgrids for Grid Power

      Microgrids are local energy grids that connect two (2) or more buildings with control capability. A microgrid can operate in parallel when connected to the grid, but can also operate in island mode using local energy generation during power outages. Some advantages of fuel cell technology for microgrid applications include:

      • High electric efficiency (>45 percent);
      • Overall efficiency of 85 to 93 percent;
      • Low noise (quiet operation);
      • Reduction of air pollution (low emission);
      • High availability (24/7);
      • Ease of siting;
      • Dispatchable with some capability to follow load; and
      • Classified as a renewable technology by some states.

      This presentation provided an overview of key features associated with the use of fuel cells in microgrid applications and fuel cell technology currently being used to support microgrids.

      This webinar is a presentation of the Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC) and the Clean Energy Group’s Resilient Power Project, and will be hosted by Resilient Power Project Director Todd Olinsky-Paul. For more information, please visit www.neesc.org or www.resilient-power.com.

      Guest Speaker

      Click HERE to view the presentation

    • Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for Resiliency: Hydrogen for Power-to-Gas Energy Storage

      As renewable energy supplies increase, the ability to match unscheduled intermittent energy supply with consumer demand becomes increasingly problematic. This imbalance is driving the need for long term, large scale energy storage solutions. One promising approach is to use hydrogen as a Power-to-Gas (P2G) energy storage medium. P2G allows for the efficient storage of high density energy without release of CO2 or other greenhouse gas emissions.

      This presentation provided an overview of the unique features associated with the conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy, project siting, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and decreased reliance on imported hydrocarbon fuels. Participance learned about commercially available P2G technologies currently being demonstrated here in the United States and in other countries, and how P2G can be used to support the use of renewable energy generation.

      This webinar is a presentation of the Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC) and Clean Energy Group’s Resilient Power Project, and will be hosted by Resilient Power Project Director Todd Olinsky-Paul. For more information, please visit www.neesc.org or www.resilient-power.com.

      Presenting Companies:

      Click HERE to ...

    • Growing Your Brand Impact: Advanced management tools for growing your personal brand in 2016

      Organized By: Connecticut Technology Council, Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster, and Small Business Development Center.
      When: Friday May 6 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

      Your competitive edge, is your brand. As technology changes, you must leverage new tools to keep in step with the world. In this FREE webinar, the presenter highlighed personal branding trends in 2016 (including video) to stay current and ahead of the curve.

      Guest Speaker:

      • Loretta Peters, Digital Brand Strategist and CEO, Competitive Edge Branding
    • Cyber Security: Protecting Your Infrastructure, Your Operations and Your Employees

      Organized By: Connecticut Technology Council, Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster, and Small Business Development Center.
      When: Thursday May 5 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

      This FREE webinar discussed the following topics:
      • The current threat landscape
      • What every business needs to protect - it’s more than you think
      • How the bad guys gain access to your systems and data
      • What the ramifications of a breach could mean for your business
      • What you can do to protect yourself
      • Actions you can take to fortify your operations.

      Guest Speaker:

      • Lyle A. Liberman, Chief Operating Officer, JANUS Associates
    • Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights for Small Businesses: The Basics

      Organized By: Connecticut Technology Council, Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster, and Small Business Development Center.
      When: Wednesday May 4 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

      This FREE webinar defined three concepts of intellectual property, explained how they are obtained, how long they last, and under what circumstances these property rights can be useful for a small business owner.

      Guest Speaker:

      • Linda Gebauer, Director of Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurship Law Clinic, UConn School of Law
    • U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Awards Ceremony & Luncheon

      Organized By: Connecticut Technology Council, Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster, and Small Business Development Center.
      When: Tuesday May 3 at 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
      Where: Hartford, Connecticut

      This year Connecticut SBA Small Business Award winners at the 2016 Small Business Awards Ceremony are listed below:

      • Small Business Persons of the Year: Victoria & Peter Newman, Founder & CEO of Greenwich Education Group
      • Woman-Owned Small Business: Tracy Camassar, The Chapman Manufacturing Co.
      • CT Microenterprise Award: Alina Wegrzyniak, Crystal Ballroom of New Britain
      • Minority-Owned Small Business: Dawn Resehn-Doty, Benay Enterprises
      • Family Owned Small Business: Tamera Jackson, Jackson Chevrolet
      • Veteran-Owned Small Business: Walt Medina, Walt Medina & Associates
      • Veteran Advocate Champion: Raymond Hayes, Pay Forward, Inc.
      • Young Entrepreneur Small Business: Foster Charles, Charles Computer Services
      • Financial Services Champion: Andreas Kapetanopoulos, Farmington Bank
      • Entrepreneurial Success: Jane Porterfield, Educational Play Care
      • Exporter of the Year: Marc Nemeth, Jonal Laboratories
      • Region 1 Prime Contractor of the Year: James D. Bouthillier, McLaughlin Research Corporation
      • DECD Small Business of the Year: David Wells, Saugatuck Kitchens
      • ASBDC State Star: Winner will be announced on May 3!

       

    • Access to Capital Lenders Panel and Networking Reception

      Organized By: Connecticut Technology Council, Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster, and Small Business Development Center.
      When: Monday May 2 at 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
      Where: East Hartford, Connecticut

      Access to Capital Lenders Panel & Small Business Owners Networking Reception

      FREE panel discussion featured bank, non-bank and community lenders who discussed key questions and concerns that many small businesses have about qualifying for and obtaining financing for their businesses. Questions from the audience were taken and discussed as well.

      Small Business Owners Networking Reception

      A FREE networking reception and meet other small business owners, lenders and organizations that can help you start or grow your business. Food and beverages will be provided.