Energy Department Announces New National Laboratory Collaborations with 38 Small Businesses, Includes Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Manufacturing Companies
Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the 38 small businesses that will collaborate with national lab researchers through the Small Business Vouchers (SBV) pilot. SBV opens the DOE national labs to American small businesses, enabling them to tap into the intellectual and technical resources they need to overcome critical technology challenges for their advanced energy products and gain a global competitive advantage. Eight DOE national laboratories will receive funding to partner with 38 competitively selected small businesses across the country.
The new hydrogen and fuel cell collaborations with small businesses include the following:
Hawaii Hydrogen Carriers – Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) has been awarded $300,000 to work with Hawaii Hydrogen Carriers to analyze the performance and design of low-pressure hydrogen storage systems to power mobile applications of polymer electrolyte membrane hydrogen fuel cells. Using SRNL’s unique modeling and system testing capabilities for metal hydride-based systems will help provide potential partners with realistic performance and cost estimates.
Emerald Energy NW, LLC – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been awarded $160,000 to work with Emerald Energy NW, LLC to fabricate and test a versatile rotary magnetic wheel seal test apparatus with low friction and low loss in collaboration with the PNNL magnetic liquefier team. This project could result in the design of a breakthrough rotary wheel to allow for a more rapid transition to cleaner, domestic, and less expensive gaseous fuels for the transportation sector.
Small businesses are the engine of the U.S. economy, and those working on advanced energy technologies play an important role in ensuring the nation’s energy security and independence. The innovative public-private collaborations formed through SBV are ensuring investments in DOE national labs are maintaining and strengthening U.S. competitiveness long term.
A full list of SBV projects and participating DOE national labs is available at www.SBV.org.
