North Carolina
Fuel Cell Alliance
The North Carolina Fuel Cell Alliance (NCFCA) was founded in the summer of 2004 at the spurring of the N.C. Energy Policy Council. Research performed by the Energy Center at Appalachian State University revealed a considerable fuel cell presence in the state. To harness this emerging industry's presence a group of stakeholders was brought together representing industry, academia, and government organizations.
The Inaugural Meeting of the NCFCA, held in June 2004 in Raleigh, brought together 24 NC-based stakeholders including DuPont Fuel Cells, Porvair Fuel Cell Technology, Scribner & Associates, Microcell Corp., Alternative Energy Corp., N.C. State, N.C. Solar Center, N.C. A&T, Appalachian State University, NC State Energy Office, NC Department of Commerce, and several state legislators. The feedback from participants in this introductory meeting was highly positive and unanimously recommended future meetings.
By January 2005 the list of fuel cell stakeholders had nearly doubled, and the second NCFCA meeting had nearly 40 attendees. The additional attendees include representatives from Concurrent Technologies, INI Power, and Liquida Technologies. This meeting featured company presentations, Keynote Speaker Dr. Robert McMahan, and group discussion on ways to support fuel cell development in the state. As a result of this discussion the Alliance plans to draft a letter to the Utilities Commission in support of interconnection standards that would allow fuel cells to connect the power grid.