Development Projects
Columbia Hydrogen Fueling Station
A Hydrogen fueling station, planned to be completed before the summer of 2009, will support statewide
infrastructure development for early market deployment and hydrogen and fuel cell development. Infrastructure
development is a critical component in the race to compete in a hydrogen economy, and the Collaborative is
making crucial steps with projects like this fueling station to transform Columbia into a Fuel Cell District.
LiftOne / Hydrogenics Fuel Cell Forklifts
A collaboration between Hyrdogenics, LiftOne, a Division of Carolina Tractor, and the USC-Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative created six fuel cell powered forklifts. These forklifts have been identified as a viable near term market for application for the industry, and this project’s goal was to "seed" the market by providing
integrated fuel cell forklifts to six South Carolina’s businesses. The $1.5 million dollar project has sparked
significant industry recognition and several follow-on applications.
XRT Fuel Cell Power Systems
This project is benefitting first responders with new advanced technology that will help them improve their response in emergencies by providing reliable, predictable off-grid power for critical applications from a fuel cell. It also will create real world data to train service personnel and help the region establish a leadership role in developing regulations and infrastructure for the new hydrogen economy.
Midlands Technical College Fuel Cell Project
The Midlands Technical College Fuel Cell Project is aimed at creating a curriculum and lab space to help train a viable workforce of fuel cell technicians. Currently, two additional labs are being constructed to supplement the training program, which started in the fall of 2006. The saying holds that industry goes where opportunity exists. In a growing industry like fuel cells, market opportunities are just one ingredient in the recipe for success. By offering a technically savvy workforce of fuel cell technicians, Columbia attracts top companies to the region that need a host of technologists and technicians to support the creation of intellectual capital and its commercialization.