Capabilities

Throughout its nearly 20-year history, Breakthrough Technologies Institute (BTI), through its programs including Fuel Cells 2000 and the Bus Rapid Transit Policy Center, has provided key services to companies, organizations, and governments in the areas of clean energy technology and sustainable transportation.  The collective experience of our staff makes us a vital resource for U.S. and international stakeholders seeking specialized reports, consulting, or connections to the industry, among other services.

Our capabilities include:

• Coalition Building – In 1993, BTI executive director Bob Rose formed the U.S. Fuel Cell Council (now the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association), the world’s preeminent fuel cell trade association.  In 2003, Bob authored Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: The Path Forward, a commitment from 26 companies to answer the call from Congress for a national fuel cell and hydrogen strategy.  Since then, BTI has been instrumental in forming groups (e.g. Taiwan Fuel Cell Partnership, Women in Fuel Cells) and convening stakeholders within the industry for high level discussions and workshops.

• Public Outreach – BTI staff have formulated agendas and arranged speakers for conferences worldwide, including the Fuel Cell Investment Summit and the annual f-cell conference in Stuttgart, Germany.  For the past two years, we have been responsible for organizing a pavilion of U.S. companies for the Fuel Cell Expo in Tokyo, an event that draws major industry players each year.  BTI also reaches a wide audience with our original materials.  Our by-lined articles are featured in trade journals, local newspapers, and international publications.  In addition, BTI has an extensive online media reach with over 11,000 subscribers to our monthly Fuel Cell Technology Update, 5,000 members of the Fuel Cells group on LinkedIn, and many more followers of our social media outlets. 

• Research & Analysis – Our original reports for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) identify strategic opportunities and challenges that face the fuel cell industry and communicate the technology benefits and successes of the industry.  For four consecutive years, BTI has provided DOE with an annual market report, business case report, state report, and policy update, all of which are well-received by the industry and generate interest from the media in fuel cell technology.  Our sustainable transportation program has provided the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) with A Report on Hydrogen Bus Demonstrations Worldwide and another on The Potential for Bus Rapid Transit to Reduce Transportation-Related CO2 Emissions.  BTI recently authored a report to the Danish Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells that provided guidance on entering the U.S. market and securing business partnerships in the fuel cell industry, and has also provided market research to companies looking for potential avenues for their fuel cell products.

• Networking – We have extensive access to the fuel cell industry and have spent years building strong connections with companies, associations, and government organizations involved with fuel cells.  In the U.S., we have worked closely with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and DOE.  Internationally, our past collaborations include Aussie Aid, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), and the Danish Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.  BTI is a member of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) and the Sustainable Energy Coalition (SEC).  BTI also maintains key positions on advisory groups such as DOE’s Hydrogen Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC) and the Fuel Cell Seminar.  Increasingly, we are involved in connecting potential customers with fuel cell companies and forging collaborations between the investment community and the fuel cell industry.

• Strategic Planning — BTI’s Bus Rapid Transit Policy Center, under the direction of Bill Vincent has been a preeminent resource for BRT-related information for many years.  The Center is involved in ongoing information sharing to transit agencies and organizations such as the World Bank, ITDP,  and the NRDC, and remains a consultant to the city of Jakarta for their BRT project.

We are always looking for new partnerships and opportunities.  If you are interested in any of the services that BTI provides, please contact us at info@fuelcells.org.