The Power Partnership for Ohio charges ahead with a new name: the Wright Fuel Cell Group
Case leads partnership aimed at capturing $2.5 billion fuel cell market
November 2, 2004 | For more information: Laura M. Massie (216)-368-4442
 The Power Partnership for Ohio, a Wright Center of Innovation created by Ohio’s Third Frontier Project to help the state capture a significant share of the fuel cell market, estimated to be worth $2.5 billion per year by 2005, has changed its name to the Wright Fuel Cell Group. The name change is effective immediately.
The Wright Fuel Cell Group is headquartered at Case Western Reserve University, the lead institution of the academic/industry partnership that is marshaling resources to accelerate innovation and commercialization for the fuel cell industry across the state. Partners include Ohio State University, Stark State College of Technology, the University of Toledo and Cleveland State University and the Edison Welding Institute. The Case School of Engineering has long been a national and world leader in fuel cell research and development.
This industry consortium connects Ohio businesses to the national and international fuel cell industry through its Board of Directors, including Ballard Power Systems, Energizer Holdings, Plug Power and Republic Engineered Products. At the charter board meeting of the Wright Center earlier this month, the board passed a resolution authorizing the name change, said John McGrath, executive director of the Wright Fuel Cell Group.
“We want this group to be instantly recognized as the place bringing together fuel cell business and technical communities,” McGrath said.
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. It is expected that 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.
Case broke ground in September on an anchor facility that will further link business and technical communities through cutting edge centralized facilities and expertise. The facility includes laboratories and equipment for applied fuel cell research and testing, and administrative space to encourage industrial relations. In addition, Stark State College of Technology broke ground on October 13 on a new, $5.2 million Fuel Cell Prototyping Center on its campus in Canton. U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, Ohio Gov. Bob Taft and Case School of Engineering Dean Robert F. Savinell, chair of the Wright Fuel Cell Group and a leading fuel cell researcher, were among the dignitaries who attended the event.
Industry partners in the Wright Fuel Cell Group include American Electric Power; Battelle Memorial Institute; Dana Corporation; HydroGen LLC; Keithley Instruments; NexTech Materials Ltd.; Parker Hannifin Corporation; and SOFCo-EFS LLC. Battelle also will support the Wright Group’s commercialization efforts, along with EMTEC.
In addition to the technical and commercial benefits, the educational component of the Wright Fuel Cell Group is extensive, according to McGrath. Training and education are central to the Wright Group strategy in providing a skilled workforce to existing and new industry.
“A trained and retrained workforce will fill newly created jobs,” he said. “Degreed graduates will have opportunities to remain in Ohio and be part of this growing industry. We have already placed students and recent graduates at Ohio companies and filled six new faculty positions at Case, OSU and the University of Toledo, bringing staff, students and new resources to the state.”
But most importantly, McGrath said, the state benefits economically from fuel cell activities.
“The potential economic benefits that fuel cell commercialization can offer Ohio are truly remarkable,” he said. “The Wright Fuel Cell Group is working to put fuel cells on the market through a comprehensive and inclusive 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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