IIT WINS KEY ROLE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT

The Renewable Energy Program at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) will play a key role in helping develop the state of Illinois’ first hydrogen fueling station powered by renewable sources. In partnership with the Illinois Coalition, IIT has received nearly $23,000 in grant funds from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. The project, to be powered in part by solar and wind energy, will be housed at Rockford's Greater Northwest Chicagoland Regional Airport and represents the Foundation's first investment in fuel cell technology.

IIT researchers will specifically be developing a system design that will take the hydrogen generated by both solar panels and wind turbines and channel it to provide stationary heat and power for an airport building and transportation fuel for zero emission airport vehicles.

“We are thrilled to be on the leading edge of this technology and demonstrate to the world that renewable energies from the sun and wind can be successfully harnessed to fuel vehicles and power facilities,” said Dr. Said Al-Hallaj, research associate professor and coordinator of IIT’s renewable energy programs.

IIT’s participation is part of a larger initiative dubbed “Illinois 2H2;” a hydrogen and fuel cell technology partnership, which last March announced plans to develop a corridor of hydrogen powered fueling stations and education centers along U.S. Interstate Highway 90. This so-called "Hydrogen Highway" is a long-range plan to move Illinois toward greater use of hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles and power-generation applications.

IIT will also host a statewide “Hydrogen Highway” kickoff conference, June 24, 2004, at The McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 3201 S. State St., focused on hydrogen and other fuel-cell products for transportation, stationary, and portable power. Hydrogen fuel is expected to eventually replace gasoline as the world's primary fuel source - a more efficient, clean burning, and plentiful source than oil.

"The Rockford hydrogen fueling station is a critical step in building a hydrogen highway across Illinois," said Chris Tynan of the Coalition's Illinois 2 H2 partnership. "We have the industry, resources and skills to make Illinois a center of hydrogen fuel cell technology - a move that can stimulate jobs and fuel economic growth for decades to come."

The Rockford airport project is the second hydrogen fueling station to be proposed along I-90 since the Coalition report was released. The first, at the Gas Technology Institute's suburban Des Plaines headquarters, should break ground in late 2004.

The grant was matched by more than $100,000 in in-kind contributions from partner organizations including the Illinois Coalition, Aerotecture Inc., Rock Valley College and the global law firm Latham and Watkins. The investment covers a six to nine month planning and design phase of the project. The expectation is that the grant period will serve the dual purpose of creating a specific project at the airport while providing a template for future projects. After the grant is complete, construction and financing will be the next major hurdles, with construction expected to begin in early 2005.

For more information on the June 24 conference, the Hydrogen Highway initiative and IIT renewable energy programs, please visit this Web site: www.iitcare.org.

About Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois Institute of Technology, also known as Illinois Tech, is a private, technology-focused, research university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, science, architecture, business, design, human sciences, applied technology, and law. One of 16 institutions that comprise the Association of Independent Technological Universities (AITU), Illinois Tech offers exceptional preparation for professions that require technological sophistication, an innovative mindset, and an entrepreneurial spirit.