Ballard Power Snapshot
Ballard Power Systems envisioned gas-guzzlers going the way of the Edsel; however, that dream has gone up like so much tailpipe exhaust. The company sold its automotive fuel cell assets in 2008 to refocus on other commercial applications for fuel cells. It now makes emission-free proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and systems used in electric buses, forklifts, and as backup power for telecom networks. The stacked thin cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen fuel with oxygen, leaving only water and heat as by-products. Ballard's fuel cell stacks are incorporated into batteries from FirstEnergy, IdaTech, Palcan Fuel Cells, and Plug Power. The company generates about half its sales outside the US.
