Fuel Cell Prototyping Center

Collaboration Fuels the Future

Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio, has become a leader in fuel cell education as a result of partnerships it has developed with business and industry, the State of Ohio and federal agencies. The outcome is more than $20 million in grants has been generated over the past eight years to develop fuel cell curricula, support industry research and development, and prepare technicians for the emerging field.

About the Stark State College/LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc.
Fuel Cell Prototyping Center

To help Ohio create and retain high quality jobs, Stark State College has constructed a $4.7 million Fuel Cell Prototyping Center. Completed in the Fall of 2006, the Center is designed for use by emerging and fuel cell-related technology companies to assist them in pre-commercialization prototyping and demonstration stages of the development of fuel cell-based power generation systems.

The charter tenant in the Fuel Cell Prototyping Center was SOFCO and Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc, now LG Fuel Cell Systems, in 2006. The Fuel Cell Prototyping Center was created as part of the Wright Fuel Cell Group, comprised of academic, industry and other collaborators, forming a network to marshal resources to accelerate innovation and commercialization for the fuel cell industry across Ohio.

In addition, Stark State is now offering a fuel cell technology option, one-year technical certificate, certificate of competency and scholarship as part of the mechanical engineering technology program. The option incorporates mechanical, electrical, and chemical technologies to provide education for the application of scientific and engineering principles focused on alternative energy sources and more specifically, fuel cell technology.

To date, Stark State’s fuel cell initiative, including construction, equipment and curriculum development, totals more than $20 million.

Support for Fuel Cell Initiatives at Stark State College

PROJECT	SPONSOR	GRANT AWARD
Fuel Cell Prototyping Center (FCPC) (TECH03-058)	Ohio Department of Development (ODOD)	$2,000,000
FCPC (TECH03-053)	Wright Fuel Cell Group (ODOD funds)	$1,350,000
FCPC	OBR Noncredit Capital Funds	$625,000
FCPC	State Legislature	$250,000
Fuel Cell Technology Laboratory Equipment (P116Z0400525)	U.S. Department of Education	$497,050
Fuel Cell Curriculum Development Project (0402438)	National Science Foundation (NSF)	$780,000
Fuel Cell Workforce Development Project (EA-15524-06-60)	U.S. Department of Labor	$429,536
Upward Bound Math & Science Program (PO47M070008)	U.S. Department of Education	$1,250,000
Great Lakes Fuel Cell Education Partnership (DUE-0802536)	NSF Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program	$1,600,000
Fuel Cell Balance-of-Plant Reliability Testbeds Project (DE-FG36-08GO88111)	U.S. Department of Energy	$787,200
Expansion of Industry/Education Partnerships for Fuel Cell Commercialization (TECH09-015)	ODOD Third Frontier Wright Projects Program	$3,000,000
Development of High Pressure Stack Block Test System for a Fuel Cell Power Module Overhaul Facility (TECH08-084)	ODOD Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program	$834,626
Military SOFC Genset Project (TECH 09-050) (SSCT is subcontractor)	ODOD Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program	$50,000
Fuel Cell Services Learning Center	Federal Government	$1,450,000
Expansion of Stark State’s fuel cell test capabilities	ODOD Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program	$2,800,000
Total Grants Received		$17,703,412
College Allocation		500,000
Total Funds Raised		$18,203,412

View all grants received including funds for completed projects.

Stark State Fuel Cell Information and Events:

Curriculum and Training Supported by NSF Grant

Stark State Fuel Cell Partners:


Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition	Rolls-Royce	LG	Third Frontier Network

Lockheed Martin	TMI Fuel Cell Systems	Stark Development Board