Ballard Awaits Hydrogen Economy

As Ballard Power Systems Inc. sits in a holding pattern awaiting the hydrogen economy boom, it continues to drum up demand while fending off Wall Street's bears.

The Canadian fuel-cell firm, supplemented by development deals with DaimlerChrysler AG and Ford Motor Co., wants to be the leading stack provider by the time commercially viable fuel-cell vehicles are available — which Ballard CEO Dennis Campbell hopes will come near the turn of the decade.

Meantime, the supplier is racking up millions in expenses quarterly trying to slash fuel-cell stack costs while boosting quality, performance and durability, Campbell tells the Automotive Press Assn.

The company's goal is to meet U.S. Dept. of Energy fuel-cell targets set for 2010, thus demonstrating commercially viable powertrains are ready to power the hydrogen economy. The question remains whether demand will match Ballard's ready-to-go technology.

Campbell, who spoke about the dire condition of the environment and the growing energy demands of emerging economies, would like to see more investment in hydrogen research and infrastructure, and a less wishy-washy attitude from auto makers, he says.

Ballard, using numbers from outside firms, predicts $5 trillion over the next 25 years will be needed to keep up with energy demands. Campbell suggests 10% — or $500 billion — be earmarked for hydrogen infrastructure and powerplant research.