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Ohio building head of steam in fuel cell technologies
Employment isn't large yet, but the state has attracted two headquarters and plans for plants and research projects.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Ohio is beginning to assert itself as a center for making components for fuel cells, the power sources used by industry and which the military covets for portable power on the field of battle.
Manufacturing of the fuel cells remains largely concentrated in New York and Connecticut, and the biggest U.S. market is California, the leaders of fuel cell technology companies said.
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But since 2005 Ohio has attracted two headquarters operations, plus commitments for manufacturing plants or research projects in the fuel cell industry. That has been a result of the state's Third Frontier Project, a technology investment program that has provided at least $50 million since 2003 for fuel cell technology to prompt matching private and federal investments and participation by university researchers, according to the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition and the state Department of Development, which administers the Third Frontier program.
"It's not easy to grow a new industry. It takes time, money, hard work and a little luck. But you're starting to see that now," said William J. Dawson, president and chief executive officer of NexTech Materials in Lewis Center, just north of Columbus. His company announced plans last year to collaborate with technology company Plug Power Inc. of Latham, N.Y., to develop solid-oxide fuel cells in Lewis Center.
The effect of fuel cell employment is still slight in a state that has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs in recent years. Companies receiving Third Frontier fuel cell grants had created 34 jobs with an average annual salary of $46,000 by the end of 2005, according to the state Development Department.
The department projects that fuel cell grants made to companies in 2006 will result in about 1,000 new jobs by 2011.
Ohio officials listed these recent developments involving fuel cell or hydrogen fuel companies:
GrafTech International Ltd. relocated its headquarters from Wilmington, Del., to the Cleveland suburb of Parma.
UltraCell Corp. of Livermore, Calif., said it will open a fuel cell production plant near Dayton International Airport.
Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Ltd. announced plans to put its North American headquarters in Canton.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com
