Energy News  
Distributed Energy Systems Awarded SBIR Phase II Contract

Illustration of Lockheed Martin HAA design

Wallingford CT (SPX) Sep 23, 2004
Distributed Energy Systems announced Wednesday the award of a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from the U.S. Army Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to continue development of lightweight regenerative fuel cell technology for high altitude airships.

The goal of this 2-year, $749,999 contract is to demonstrate a multi-kilowatt-capable closed-loop hydrogen-oxygen regenerative fuel cell and is a continuation of work completed in Phase I of this project.

This regenerative fuel cell can generate pressurized hydrogen and oxygen electrochemically, without mechanical compression. MDA plans to apply this technology for energy storage for high altitude airships, which will be used as platforms for sensors and communications vital for missile defense and homeland security.

The Phase I contract, completed in April 2004, demonstrated key lightweight components for electrochemical cells. This contract is part of a MDA program to develop a lighter than air, high altitude airship (HAA) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) prototype.

The program goal is to show the engineering feasibility and potential military utility of an unmanned, un-tethered, gas filled, solar powered airship with the potential to fly at 70,000 ft. and self deploy from the continental United States to worldwide locations.

Proton Energy Systems, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems, has performed work on NASA SBIR Phase I and Phase II contracts as well as its ongoing contract with the Naval Research Laboratory funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

These contracts have facilitated the demonstration of regenerative fuel cell operation as well as the ability to electrolyze water to generate hydrogen and oxygen gases at pressures exceeding 3,000 psi.

The efficient compression of these gases, a key feature in aerospace, high energy density applications, is made possible by Proton's solid-state electrolysis cell stack design, called HIPRESS.

According to Robert Friedland, Senior Vice President Advanced Technology Group, "We are delighted to continue working with MDA on this endeavor. We believe regenerative fuel cell systems will be critical for both commercial and military energy infrastructures in sea, land, air, and space applications. We continue to develop leading edge technology in this important area and look forward to the evolution of these applications in real world deployment."

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Proton Energy Systems
Distributed Energy Systems
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Europe Debates Nuclear Energy
Washington (UPI) Jan 11, 2006
European Union countries are starting to rethink their opposition to nuclear energy amid a dispute between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas supplies, but energy analysts say a switch still lacks a green light.







  • Distributed Energy Systems Awarded SBIR Phase II Contract
  • EU Approves Bailout Of British Energy
  • US Can Eliminate Oil Use In A Few Decades
  • NextGen Solar Cells May Someday Power NASA's Robotic Explorers

  • Yucca Mountain Site Must Make Use Of Geological Safety Net
  • New Jersey Physicist Uncovers New Information About Plutonium
  • Complex Plant Design Goes Virtual To Save Time And Money
  • Volcanic Hazard At Yucca Mountain Greater Than Previously Thought





  • NASA Uses Remotely Piloted Airplane To Monitor Grapes



  • NASA To Award Contract For Aerospace Testing
  • Sonic Boom Modification May Lead To New Era
  • Hewitt Pledges Support For Aerospace Industry
  • National Consortium Picks Aviation Technology Test Site

  • NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter
  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program
  • Boeing-Led Team to Study Nuclear-Powered Space Systems

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement