The Wright Fuel Cell Group
Helping Ohio capture significant share of $2.5 billion market
October 18, 2004 | For more information: Laura M. Massie (216)-368-4442
 The Wright Fuel Cell Group (formerly the Power Partnership for Ohio) is helping the state capture a significant share of the fuel cell market, estimated to be worth $2.5 billion per year by 2007. Fuel cell technology has evolved from limited use in space exploration to the threshold of widespread use as a power source in electronic equipment such as cell phones and laptop computers. During the next five to 10 years, fuel cells that use a hydrogen infrastructure will provide an alternative energy source to fossil fuels, increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Both the distributed power generation and vehicle transportation industries are aggressively involved in fuel cell technology.
The state of Ohio has awarded $18 million to academic, industry and other institutional collaborators in the Wright Fuel Cell Group to accelerate innovation and commercialization for the fuel cell industry across the state. Academic collaborators in the Wright Group include Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, Stark State College of Technology, the University of Toledo and Cleveland State University. Each will establish facilities for education, research and development that will stimulate innovation and commercialization by sharing applied research with the Group’s industry collaborators. Wright Group researchers and industry collaborators will also have access to a new fuel cell testing building at the NASA Glenn Research Center.
As the lead university, Case will house the anchor facility consolidating commercialization and research activity on or near the campus. In addition to laboratories and equipment for applied fuel cell research and testing, administrative space to encourage industrial relations and incubator space for start-ups and expanding businesses will be available.
The Wright Fuel Cell Group delivers value to commercialization efforts by providing focused, cutting-edge R&D, expert knowledge and facilities to solve problems with industry and a variety of tools linking the business and technical communities. The Wright Group’s industry collaborators include leading Ohio companies: American Electric Power, Battelle Memorial Institute, Dana Corporation, HydroGen, Keithley Instruments, NexTech Materials Ltd., Parker Hannifin Corporation and SOFCo-EFS LLC. Battelle will also support the Wright Group’s commercialization efforts, along with EMTEC. This industry consortium connects Ohio businesses to the national and international fuel cell industry through an outstanding Board of Directors representing the fuel cell industry internal and external to Ohio, end user companies and academic institutions.
Training and education are central to the Wright Group strategy in generating awareness of new technology providing a skilled workforce to existing and new industry, and creating future commercialization opportunities. Degreed graduates will have opportunities to remain in the state and be part of this growing new industry. And, exceptional professionals are being recruited into Ohio as part of this effort.
The potential economic benefits that fuel cell commercialization can offer Ohio’s businesses, universities and other institutions are truly remarkable. The Wright Fuel Cell Group is working to make commercialization a reality through a comprehensive fuel cell development environment.
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
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