Monday, Mar. 02, 2009

The hydrogen push

Several agencies in Columbia and South Carolina are teaming to work on research, applications and marketing for fuel cells and hydrogen. They are:

S.C. Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance

www.schfca.org

An umbrella organization promoting hydrogen initiatives around the state and educating the public about hydrogen and fuel cells, particularly on its safety.

Founding members include USC, Clemson, S.C. State, the Savannah River National Laboratory and the Center for Hydrogen Research in Aiken.

It was created by the state Legislature and until last year funded by the state. It is now funded by its members.

Executive director: Shannon Baxter-Clemmons

EngenuitySC

www.engenuitysc.com

Coordinates and promotes fuel cell and hydrogen research in the Midlands. Also works to attract private companies and create markets for their products.

Executive director: Neil McLean

S.C. Research Authority

www.scra.org

Since 1983, the authority has helped meet the needs of technology-based companies as they move to South Carolina. It also manages some research parks that are home to technology-oriented companies.

Chief executive officer: Bill Mahoney

USC-Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative

www.fuelcellchallenge.com

The collaborative was formed in 2005 by USC, the Columbia, EngenuitySC and the S.C. Research Authority to help make the Midlands a leader in fuel cell innovation. The collaborative has issued the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge to attract demonstration projects to the city.

Center for Hydrogen Research

www.scch2r.org

Opened in February 2006, the 60,000-square-foot laboratory is located near the Savannah River National Laboratory in Aiken County. Researchers from academia and industry, including Toyota, work there, as well as about 50 researchers from SRNL.

Director: Fred Humes

New Carolina

www.competesc.org

A public-private partnership formed in 2004 as the S.C. Council on Competitiveness. New Carolina helps develop “clusters of innovation” — groups of companies in a similar line of business that collaborate to build and expand their products and services.

Executive director: George W. Fletcher

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