|
Intelligent Energy is a power technology company that specialises in the development of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells for application in the automotive, consumer electronics and stationary power markets. Based in the UK, the company also has offices in India, Japan and the USA and employs approximately 300 people. Intelligent Energy Holdings plc, the group holding company, is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IEH). == History == The origins of Intelligent Energy began at Loughborough University in the UK during the late 1980s, when the University became one of Europe’s first research and development centres for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology. In 1995, the UK’s first kW-level PEM fuel cell stack was produced by the R&D team. In June of that year, Advanced Power Sources (APS) Ltd was founded as a spin-out from Loughborough University by Paul Adcock, Phil Mitchell, Jon Moore and Anthony Newbold, and was the first company in the UK formed specifically to address the development and commercialisation of PEM fuel cells. Founded by Harry Bradbury, Intelligent Energy was established in 2001, acquiring Advanced Power Sources Ltd, together with its personnel and fuel cell related intellectual property that originated from research conducted by both APS and Loughborough University into PEM fuel cell technology. This triggered investment and enabled the company to grow its business activities.〔(Profile: Intelligent Energy - October 2012 ). ''Cleantech Investor''. October 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 In March 2005, it launched the ENV, the world’s first purpose-built fuel cell motorbike which gained the company recognition as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum in 2006. The ENV incorporated the company’s air-cooled fuel cell technology hybridised with a battery pack to provide 6 kW peak load to the motor to improve performance during spikes in power demand i.e. acceleration.〔(Intelligent Energy’s ENV Fuel Cell Motorcycle ). ''Green Car Congress''. 16 March 2005. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 In 2007, a partnership was announced with Suzuki Motor Corporation to develop hydrogen fuel cells for a range of vehicles.〔(Intelligent Energy and Suzuki to Partner on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Motorcycles ). ''Green Car Congress''. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 In 2008, Intelligent Energy established the company, IE-CHP in a joint venture with SSE plc, one of the UK’s largest energy businesses, to develop fuel cells and other technologies for CHP (Combined Heat and Power) applications.〔(Fuel cell combined heat and power venture secures £3.7 million ). Energy Efficiency News. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 In the same year, Intelligent Energy also produced the power system for the first fuel cell powered manned flight in conjunction with Boeing.〔(Boeing fuel cell plane in manned aviation first ). Science Direct. April 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 In 2010, its fuel-cell taxi received The Engineer Technology and Innovation Award.〔(Technology and Innovation award winners revealed ). The Engineer. 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013.〕 In March 2011, the Suzuki Burgman fuel cell scooter, equipped with Intelligent Energy’s fuel cell system, became the first fuel cell vehicle to achieve European Whole Vehicle Type Approval.〔(Suzuki’s Burgman Fuel-Cell Scooter becomes world’s first fuel cell vehicle to earn European Whole Vehicle Type Approval ). Global Suzuki. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 In 2012, SMILE FC System Corporation, a joint venture between Intelligent Energy and Suzuki Motor Corporation, was established to develop and manufacture air-cooled fuel cell systems for the automotive and a range of industry sectors. Based in Yokohama, Japan, the joint venture also included a non-exclusive license agreement giving Suzuki access to Intelligent Energy’s fuel cell technology for its next generation of environmentally friendly fuel cell vehicles.〔(UK-based company Intelligent Energy and partner Suzuki unveil joint venture to develop and manufacture new fuel cell systems ). SMMT. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 During the same year, a fleet of fuel cell taxis incorporating Intelligent Energy’s technology was used during the 2012 London Olympics. Part of the European Union-funded HyTEC (Hydrogen Technologies in European Cities) project launched in 2011, the taxis were used to transport VIP guests of the Mayor of London around the city.〔(Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Taxis Drive Olympic VIPs 2500 Miles ). Fuel Cell Today. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 In 2013, SMILE FC Corporation announced that it had established a ready-to-scale production line for its fuel cell systems, utilising Intelligent Energy’s semi-automated production technology.〔(Intelligent Energy and Suzuki Announce Ready-to-Scale Fuel Cell Production Line ). Electric Cars Report. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 IE-CHP also received CE certification for its first-generation product, a 10 kWe/12 kWth combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell. The certification allows the product to be sold in the European Economic Area, confirming that the product satisfies all the EU regulatory and conformity assessment procedures covering the design, manufacture, and testing of the system.〔(Intelligent Energy and Scottish and Southern Energy JV IE-CHP Receives CE Certification for First Fuel Cell Product ) Fuel Cell Today. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Intelligent Energy」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|