Asian Tech Press (Jan 20) -- Reuters reports that General Motors said it plans to expand its hydrogen fuel cell business beyond cars to provide hydrogen-powered generators for construction sites, music festivals, data centers, and the military.

GM executives said the widespread use of hydrogen fuel cells will allow GM to leverage and expand its existing hydrogen fuel investments and improve the technology. Charlie Freese, executive director of GM's Hydrotec business, said, "Think about places that don't have permanent power generation facilities but need clean energy." GM, however, declined to disclose expected revenues for the new business.

GM executives said that the hydrogen fuel cell systems would be assembled by GM's joint venture with Honda in Brownstown, Mich. Utah-based Renewable Innovations will build the generators and plan to begin production next year.

Charlie Freese said GM's goal is to increase the use of green hydrogen and hopes costs will come down. He said that the company also wants to work with infrastructure providers to install more local hydrogen production systems and reduce the need for expensive hydrogen transportation.