Calgary, Alberta - Compressed natural gas and hydrogen cylinder manufacturer Dynetek Industries Ltd. of Calgary has announced that it has signed a research and development contract for a new, innovative and lightweight hydrogen storage system for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). The development will include improvements in the cylinder weight, performance and costs. 

The company said that the improvements envisioned in the research project will bring it a step closer to storage targets set out by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Two unnamed “large international” vehicle OEMs are funding 50 per cent of the costs of the project, for total contributions of up to US$750,000. The contract calls for research, prototype establishment, prototype development and design verification, to be completed by late 2009.

“This contract reflects Dynetek’s reputation in system development and supply of entire system solutions, and is an important step in the development of the next generation of hydrogen storage,” said Dr. Christian Rasche, Dynetek president and CEO.