Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide (QTWW) 10-Q 7 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 06, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'QTWW	'
Entity Registrant Name	'QUANTUM FUEL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE, INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001166380	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	23,276,264

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,614,689	$6,254,359
Accounts receivable, net	6,867,282	8,418,559
Inventories, net	7,495,509	5,011,780
Prepaid and other current assets	1,564,272	1,629,668
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	584,206	1,324,945
Total current assets	22,125,958	22,639,311
Property and equipment, net	9,911,080	5,091,959
Restricted assets held in escrow	0	316,038
Goodwill	12,400,000	12,400,000
Deposits and other assets	861,669	523,437
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	23,417,416	25,033,797
Total assets	68,716,123	66,004,542
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	5,309,104	7,179,463
Accrued payroll obligations	1,250,593	1,154,346
Deferred revenue	1,415,207	2,223,903
Accrued warranties	488,138	399,171
Derivative instruments	20,000	2,415,000
Other accrued liabilities (Note 12)	1,098,496	496,726
Debt obligations, current portion	176,170	3,946,582
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	1,251,055	1,894,476
Total current liabilities	11,008,763	19,709,667
Debt obligations, net of current portion	10,028,617	7,794,289
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	19,849,442	21,520,634
Stockholders’ Equity (Note 9):	'	'
Common stock, $.02 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 23,306,116 shares issued, of which 23,295,491 are outstanding and 10,625 are held in treasury at June 30, 2014; 37,475,000 shares authorized,18,885,878 shares issued, of which 18,875,253 are outstanding and 10,625 are held in treasury at December 31, 2013	465,709	377,505
Additional paid-in-capital	513,900,824	492,360,165
Accumulated deficit	-486,139,102	-475,502,703
Accumulated other comprehensive loss in discontinued operations	-398,130	-255,015
Total stockholders’ equity	27,829,301	16,979,952
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$68,716,123	$66,004,542

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.02	$0.02
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	37,475,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	23,308,221	18,885,878
Common stock, shares outstanding	23,285,431	18,875,253
Common stock, treasury	22,790	10,625

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$6,618,223	$8,697,297	'	$21,103,144	$19,183,458
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues	6,800,328	5,969,004	'	17,506,336	13,386,227
Gross margin	-182,105	2,728,293	'	3,596,808	5,797,231
Research and development	2,224,009	1,203,444	'	5,378,521	4,508,981
Selling, general and administrative	2,220,369	2,472,515	'	7,305,729	8,496,425
Total costs and expenses	4,444,378	3,675,959	'	12,684,250	13,005,406
Operating loss	-4,626,483	-947,666	-947,666	-9,087,442	-7,208,175
Interest expense, net	-397,414	-1,238,331	'	-1,632,661	-4,315,612
Fair value adjustments of derivative instruments, net	22,000	-2,935,629	'	2,005,864	-2,651,629
Other expenses (Note 12)	0	0	'	-1,765,000	-5,998
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	-5,001,897	-5,121,626	'	-10,479,239	-14,181,414
Income tax expense	0	0	'	-1,600	-1,600
Loss from continuing operations	-5,001,897	-5,121,626	'	-10,480,839	-14,183,014
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-198,132	-411,006	'	-155,560	-2,817,606
Net loss attributable to stockholders	-5,200,029	-5,532,632	-5,532,632	-10,636,399	-17,000,620
Per share data-basic and diluted:	'	'	'	'	'
Loss from continuing operations	($0.21)	($0.34)	'	($0.47)	($1.05)
Loss from discontinued operations	($0.01)	($0.02)	'	($0.01)	($0.21)
Net loss attributable to stockholders	($0.22)	($0.36)	'	($0.48)	($1.26)
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'
Basic and diluted	23,290,453	15,181,666	'	22,115,183	13,527,420
Comprehensive loss:	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss attributable to stockholders	-5,200,029	-5,532,632	-5,532,632	-10,636,399	-17,000,620
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-138,946	61,058	'	-143,115	-239,825
Reclassification of accumulated foreign currency translation in connection with disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	0	'	8,127
Comprehensive loss attributable to stockholders	($5,338,975)	($5,471,574)	'	($10,779,514)	($17,232,318)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'	'
Net loss	($10,636,399)	($17,000,620)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation on property and equipment	1,061,273	787,937
Impairment of assets of discontinued operations held for sale	434,768	2,508,076
Share-based compensation charges	397,250	355,461
Fair value adjustments of derivative instruments	-2,005,864	2,651,629
Interest on debt obligations	706,219	2,418,799
Provision for bad debt	-199,071	461,271
Inventory obsolescence	296,793	169,727
Loss on sale of assets of discontinued operations	0	212,791
Equity in losses of affiliates	'	0
Other non-cash items	0	103,315
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,978,250	-1,323,602
Inventories	-2,780,522	-1,084,889
Other assets	-563,927	171,953
Accounts payable	-1,831,984	1,771,959
Deferred revenue and other accrued liabilities	-272,778	1,513,819
Net cash used in operating activities	-13,415,992	-6,282,374
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases and development of property and equipment	-5,880,394	-2,378,891
Proceeds from asset sales of discontinued operations, net of selling costs	0	1,037,982
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	0	1,300
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,880,394	-1,339,609
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants	16,620,375	7,506,907
Common stock and warrant issuance costs	-1,391,001	-667,840
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	5,122,285	189,275
Borrowings on capital lease arrangement	316,038	1,368,296
Payments on capital leases	-635,722	-507,390
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	2,500,000	831,917
Payments on debt obligations	-4,384,883	-8,741,060
Taxes paid in lieu of restricted stock issued and distributed	-63,015	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt and warrants	0	12,500,000
Debt and warrant issuance costs	0	-834,289
Other	-25,524	-23,260
Net cash provided by financing activities	18,058,553	11,622,556
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-26,450	-70,338
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	-1,264,283	3,930,235
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	7,031,981	2,013,738
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	5,767,698	5,943,973
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period:	'	'
Continuing operations	5,614,689	5,556,284
Discontinued operations	153,009	387,689
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$5,767,698	$5,943,973

Background_and_Basis_of_Presen

Background and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Background and Basis of Presentation	'
	Background and Basis of Presentation
	Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (collectively referred to as “Quantum,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a leader in the innovation, development and production of compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel storage systems and the integration of vehicle system technologies including engine and vehicle control systems and drivetrains.
	We were formed as a Delaware corporation in October 2000, and became a publicly traded company on July 23, 2002. Our common stock trades on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “QTWW.” Our headquarters and principal operations are located in Lake Forest, California.
	We classify our business operations into three reporting segments: Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems, Renewable Energy and Corporate. The Renewable Energy business segment, consisting entirely of the operations of Schneider Power Inc. (Schneider Power), is classified as discontinued operations as discussed further below.
	•	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems. Our Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems segment generates revenues from two sources: product sales and contract services. Product sales are derived primarily from the sale of storage tanks and packaged fuel storage modules and systems for a variety of heavy, medium and light-duty trucks and passenger vehicles. This segment produces advanced light-weight CNG storage tanks and supplies these tanks, in addition to fully-integrated natural gas storage modules and systems, to truck and automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), fleets, dealerships and aftermarket and OEM truck integrators. Our high-pressure CNG and hydrogen storage tanks use advanced composite technology and are capable of storage at up to 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi). Contract services revenue is generated by providing engineering design and support to OEMs and other customers specializing in natural gas retrofits and material science, governmental agencies and other customers, so that our fuel systems and advanced propulsion systems integrate and operate with our customers CNG, hybrid or fuel cell applications. For hybrid and plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) applications, we provide powertrain engineering, electronic control, software strategies and system integration. We also design, engineer and manufacture refueling systems and dispensers.
	•	Renewable Energy. Our Renewable Energy segment consists solely of the business operations of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Schneider Power. Schneider Power, previously headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and now administered from our Lake Forest, California facility beginning in January 2014, is an independent wind power producer and holder of interests in certain renewable energy projects. We committed to a plan to sell the assets and operations of Schneider Power in 2012. To date, we have completed the sale of certain assets of Schneider Power and are actively pursuing the sale of all of the remaining Schneider Power assets, including the 10.0 megawatt (MW) Zephyr wind farm operating asset. As a result of these actions and our expectations for a completion of a sale of the remaining assets and operations within the next year, we report the historical activities and balances of Schneider Power as discontinued operations held for sale (Note 2).
	•	Corporate. The Corporate segment consists solely of general and administrative expenses incurred at the corporate level that are not directly attributable to the Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems or Renewable Energy business segments. Corporate expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, share-based compensation costs and related general and administrative costs for executive, finance, legal, human resources, investor relations, and our board of directors.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, for interim financial reporting. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These adjustments consist of normal and recurring accruals, as well as non-recurring charges. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., and Schneider Power. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 14, 2014, and all of our other filings, including Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC after such date and through the date of this report.
	All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to the historical amounts to conform to the presentation of the current period.
	In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we have evaluated subsequent events. For purposes of these condensed consolidated financial statements, subsequent events are those events that occurred after the most recent balance sheet date presented but before the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued or available to be issued.
	We prepare our unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates include assessing our liquidity needs over a reasonable period of time, collectability of accounts receivable, estimates of contract costs and percentage of completion, the use and recoverability of the carrying amounts and fair value of assets held for sale, long-lived assets, investments and goodwill, including estimates of future cash flows and market valuations associated with asset impairment evaluations, the fair value of derivatives associated with warrants, the realization of deferred taxes, useful lives for depreciation and amortization periods of assets and provisions for warranty claims, among others. The markets for our products are characterized by competition, technological development and new product introduction, all of which could impact the future realizability of our assets. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Reverse Stock Split
	On July 30, 2013, we implemented a reverse stock split pursuant to which all classes of our issued and outstanding shares of our common stock at the close of business on such date were combined and reconstituted into a smaller number of shares of common stock in a ratio of 1 share of common stock for every 4 shares of common stock. The reverse stock split did not affect our 20,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the reverse stock split.
	Liquidity
	Our historical operating results, capital resources and financial position, in combination with current projections and estimates, were considered in management's plan and intentions to fund our operations over a reasonable period of time, which we define as the twelve month period ending September 30, 2015. For purposes of liquidity disclosures, we assess the likelihood that we have sufficient available working capital and other principal sources of liquidity to fund our operating activities and obligations as they become due and the likelihood that we will be able to maintain compliance with the required provisions contained within our debt instruments over the twelve month period.
	Our principal sources of liquidity as of September 30, 2014 consisted of consolidated cash and cash equivalents of $5.8 million and up to $2.5 million of availability under our line of credit.
	Based on current assumptions and estimates, we may have to raise capital over the next twelve months to cover our existing operations and obligations. The actual amount of capital that we may have to raise, if any, is dependent upon (i) our ability to meet our current operating plan, (ii) the timing of cash collections on existing accounts receivable from AGI (see Note 3), and (iii) the success of our efforts to sell the remaining assets of Schneider Power, over the next several months.
	We believe that we will be able to raise a sufficient level of additional capital over the next twelve months, if necessary, to meet all of our obligations as they become due and continue to execute on our business plan initiatives; however, we cannot provide any assurances that we be able to secure additional funding on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Our inability to achieve our current operating plan or raise capital to cover any shortfall would have a material adverse affect on our ability to meet our obligations as they become due without substantial disposition of assets or other similar actions outside the normal course of business.
	Our long-term future cash requirements will depend on numerous factors, including our revenue base, profit margins, product development activities, market acceptance of our products, future expansion plans and ability to control costs.
	New Accounting Pronouncement
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 outlines principles that govern revenue recognition at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2017. ASU 2014-09 may be applied retrospectively for each period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized in the opening retained earnings balance in 2017. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations-Schneider Power	'
	Discontinued Operations
	Our Renewable Energy segment consists solely of the business operations of Schneider Power.
	Since August 2012, we have been actively looking for buyers for the assets and operations of Schneider Power. On May 13, 2013, we completed the sale of Schneider Power’s 1.6 MW Providence Bay wind farm. On May 29, 2013, we announced that we had entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the 10.0 MW Trout Creek development project, which sale will occur in two phases. The closing for the first phase, which resulted in the sale of a majority interest in the Trout Creek wind farm project, occurred on September 18, 2013. The sale of the remaining interest in the Trout Creek wind farm project is expected to be completed during 2015, subject to the project achieving commercial operation. We are also actively pursuing the sale of other Schneider Power assets, including the 10.0 MW Zephyr wind farm operating asset that was acquired by Schneider Power in April 2012 and which represents a substantial portion of the remaining assets and liabilities of Schneider Power as of September 30, 2014.
	As a result of these actions and our expectations for a completion of a sale of the business within the next year, we report the historical activities and balances of Schneider Power as discontinued operations.
	Operating Results and Balances
	The unaudited historical operating results of Schneider Power, classified as discontinued operations, are as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenue		$	302,019		$	397,307		$	1,803,847		$	1,943,615
	Costs and expenses:
	Cost of sales		144,962			148,977			440,011			497,646
	Selling, general and administrative		36,791			153,630			136,002			681,929
	Research and development		—			—			—			16,872
	Impairment of long-lived assets (1)		—			—			434,768			2,508,076
	Loss on sale of assets		—			159,034			—			212,791
	Total costs and expenses		181,753			461,641			1,010,781			3,917,314
	Operating income (loss)		120,266			(64,334		)	793,066			(1,973,699		)
	Interest expense, net		(318,398		)	(346,672		)	(949,110		)	(1,071,753		)
	Other, net		—			—			484			227,846
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		$	(198,132	)	$	(411,006	)	$	(155,560	)	$	(2,817,606	)
	-1	We measure each disposal group of Schneider Power at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The fair value measurements are based on available Level 3 inputs such as market conditions and pending agreements to sell the assets. Based on assessments that we updated during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, we determined that the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets of certain disposal groups were above their fair values, net of selling costs. As a result, we recognized goodwill impairment charges of $0.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and impairment charges of $2.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, of which $1.6 million is related to goodwill, $0.8 million is related to intangible assets and $0.1 million is related to property and equipment.
	The unaudited condensed balance sheets of Schneider Power, classified as discontinued operations held for sale, are as follows:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Current Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	153,009		$	777,622
	Accounts receivable, net		90,695			328,730
	Prepaid and other current assets		340,502			218,593
	Total current assets		$	584,206		$	1,324,945
	Non-Current Assets:
	Property and equipment, net (1)		$	20,971,935		$	22,016,644
	Intangible asset, net (2)		1,502,810			1,577,672
	Goodwill (3)		2,275			452,682
	Deposits and other assets (4)		940,396			986,799
	Total non-current assets		$	23,417,416		$	25,033,797
	Current Liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$	278,897		$	291,730
	Other accrued liabilities		82,532			344,919
	Current portion of debt obligations (5)		889,626			1,257,827
	Total current liabilities		$	1,251,055		$	1,894,476
	Non-Current Liabilities:
	Debt obligations, net of current portion (5)		19,849,442			21,520,634
	Total non-current liabilities		$	19,849,442		$	21,520,634
	-1	Consists mainly of wind turbine assets of the 10.0 megawatt Zephyr Wind Farm acquired in April 2012.
	-2	Consists of project assets associated with Schneider Power's renewable energy portfolio and power purchase agreements associated with the Zephyr Wind Farm.
	-3	Represents goodwill ascribed to the Zephyr Wind Farm acquisition in April 2012.
	-4	Consists mainly of the fair value of contingent consideration associated with the sale of the Trout Creek wind farm project and three development projects.
	-5	Consists of a credit facility due to a secured project lender in connection with the acquisition of the Zephyr Wind Farm as discussed below.
	Zephyr Wind Farm - Samsung Debt
	In connection with Schneider Power's acquisition of Zephyr and its 10 MW wind farm in April 2012, Schneider Power assumed a CAD $22.7 million credit facility owed to Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. related to the project (Samsung Debt). The significant terms of the Samsung Debt, as amended, are as follows: (i) scheduled maturity of January 31, 2023, (ii) interest at 6.5% per year, (iii) nineteen semi-annual payments of principal and interest in the approximate amount of CAD $1.1 million commencing on January 31, 2014, (iv) a principal balloon payment in the approximate amount of CAD $2.6 million on each of January 31, 2018 and July 31, 2018, (v) a principal balloon payment in the approximate amount of CAD $5.6 million on July 31, 2022, and (vi) a final payment in the approximate amount of CAD $5.1 million on January 31, 2023.
	As of September 30, 2014, the total amount of the Samsung Debt was CAD $23.2 million, which consisted of CAD $22.1 million of principal, CAD $0.8 million of unamortized premium and CAD $0.3 million of accrued interest.
	The Zephyr term loan is secured by substantially all of Zephyr's assets and a pledge of all of the shares of Zephyr Farms Limited.
	The conversion rate of one CAD to one US Dollar was 0.895 to 1.0 as of September 30, 2014 and 0.940 to 1.0 as of December 31, 2013.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Net accounts receivable of continuing operations consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Customer accounts billed	$	4,452,870		$	8,268,171
	Customer accounts unbilled	2,606,932			549,072
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(192,520		)	(398,684		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	6,867,282		$	8,418,559
	We assess the collectability of receivables associated with our customers on an ongoing basis and, historically, any losses have been within management’s expectations.
	Included in accounts receivable at September 30, 2014 is $2.8 million associated with billed and unbilled amounts due from Advanced Green Innovations, LLC and its subsidiaries, which include ZHRO Solutions LLC (collectively “AGI”). Of this amount, $1.0 million was beyond the contractual dates for payment as of September 30, 2014. AGI has informed us that they are experiencing liquidity constraints which have caused delays in payments to us in connection with services provided. Although we believe the amounts outstanding are fully realizable and have not recorded a specific allowance against the AGI receivable, we will continue to assess the collectability on an ongoing basis.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories of continuing operations consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Materials and parts	$	9,359,030		$	6,495,599
	Work-in-process	129,737			1,146,589
	Finished goods	2,180,697			1,246,753
		11,669,464			8,888,941
	Less: Provision for obsolescence	(4,173,955		)	(3,877,161		)
	Inventories, net	$	7,495,509		$	5,011,780

Longlived_Assets

Long-lived Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Long-lived Assets	'
	Long-lived Assets
	Property and equipment
	Changes in property and equipment of continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Balance at			Additions		Transfers			Depreciation			Balance at
		January 1,											September 30,
		2014											2014
	Property and equipment in service, gross	$	32,789,612		$	—	$	6,115,956		$	—		$	38,905,568
	Accumulated depreciation	(29,795,556		)	—		—			(1,061,273		)	(30,856,829		)
	Construction in progress:
	Plant equipment and other	2,097,903			5,880,394		(6,115,956		)	—			1,862,341
	Total property and equipment, net	$	5,091,959		$	5,880,394	$	—		$	(1,061,273	)	$	9,911,080
	Goodwill
	The carrying amount of goodwill of continuing operations reported in our Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems business segment was $12.4 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Indicators of Impairment
	We believe that no event or circumstance currently exists that would indicate a potential impairment of the carrying values of property and equipment, goodwill, or any other significant long-lived operating asset as of September 30, 2014.

Debt_Obligations

Debt Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Obligations	'
	Debt Obligations
	Our debt obligations for continuing operations consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Obligations to Secured Lenders:
	Convertible Notes: $10,475,000 principal, $217,066 accrued interest, net of unamortized discount of $4,837,733 at September 30, 2014; $11,000,000 principal, $62,944 accrued interest, net of unamortized discount of $5,671,145 at December 31, 2013	$	5,854,333		$	5,391,799
	Capital lease obligation: $1,813,441 principal and $15,801 accrued interest at September 30, 2014; $2,449,163 principal and $23,724 accrued interest at December 31, 2013	1,829,242			2,472,887
	Line of Credit: $2,500,000 principal and $1,302 accrued interest at September 30, 2014; $3,831,917 principal and $11,735 accrued interest at December 31, 2013	2,501,302			3,843,652
	Obligations to Other Creditors:
	Other obligations	19,910			32,533
	Debt obligations of continuing operations, current and non-current	10,204,787			11,740,871
	Less: Current portion of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount	(176,170		)	(3,946,582		)
	Debt obligations of continuing operations, non-current	$	10,028,617		$	7,794,289
	Convertible Notes
	On September 18, 2013, we received gross proceeds of $11,000,000 in connection with the closing of a private placement of 2.0% secured convertible promissory notes (Convertible Notes) and warrants to purchase up to 3,411,235 shares of our common stock (September 2013 Warrants). Net proceeds from the transaction, after placement agent fees and other transaction costs, were $10,420,898.
	The lead investor, who indirectly purchased $10,000,000 of the Convertible Notes, has the right to appoint one member to our board of directors for as long as the lead investor beneficially owns at least 5.0% of our common stock. Effective October 24, 2013, Mr. Timothy McGaw, who also participated in the offering and purchased $50,000 of the Convertible Notes, was appointed by the lead investor and currently serves on our board of directors. Certain of our executives and board of directors (Related Parties) also participated in the offering, including W. Brian Olson, our Chief Executive Officer and Bradley Timon, our Chief Financial Officer.
	The significant terms of the Convertible Notes are as follows: (i) scheduled maturity date of September 17, 2018, provided, however, during the 30-day period beginning on September 18, 2016, and upon notice provided by the holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Notes, the holders have the option to require us to redeem the principal and interest then outstanding under the Convertible Notes within 90 days thereafter, (ii) accrues interest at 2.0% per annum, payable upon the earlier of conversion or maturity, (iii) the outstanding principal under the Convertible Notes is convertible into shares of our common stock at a fixed conversion price of $2.3824 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution provisions, at any time until maturity at the option of the Convertible Note holders, (iv) we have the right to pay the accrued interest in cash or stock (if we elect to pay in stock, then the number of shares to be issued in payment of the interest will be based on the conversion price), and (v) the Convertible Notes are subject to redemption in connection with a change in control transaction.
	Our obligations under the Convertible Notes are secured by a second lien on substantially all of the operating assets used in our continuing operations and provide for an event of default if our common stock is not listed on NASDAQ or another national securities exchange as well as other customary events of default.
	In connection with the private placement, we filed a resale registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes and exercise of the September 2013 Warrants, which became effective on December 23, 2013. We agreed to pay the holders of the Convertible Notes liquidated damages not to exceed 12% of the gross proceeds received by us if, under certain circumstances, the registration statement is suspended or no longer effective.
	The transaction documents contain a provision that prohibits any investor from converting or exercising any portion of the Convertible Notes or September 2013 Warrants, as applicable, if after giving effect to such conversion or exercise, the investor would beneficially own more than 19.99% of our issued and outstanding shares on a post-conversion/exercise basis unless and until such time that our stockholders approve the transaction. On May 15, 2014, our stockholders approved the transaction at our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, thus, the 19.99% beneficial ownership limitation no longer applies.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, certain of the holders of the Convertible Notes converted $525,000 of outstanding principal. As a result, these holders received a combined total of 220,364 shares of our common stock in satisfaction of the principal portion converted. We elected to pay the $3,361 of accrued interest related to the converted principal in cash.
	At September 30, 2014, the total amount of principal and interest due to Related Parties, including Mr. McGaw, under the Convertible Notes was $484,922, which consisted of $475,000 of principal and $9,922 of accrued interest.
	Capital Lease Obligation
	On November 6, 2012, we entered into an equipment sale and leaseback financing arrangement that provided us with access to a total of $3,250,000 to finance the acquisition of certain equipment to be employed in our continuing operations. The arrangement calls for payments of $111,846 on or before the fifteenth of each month through October 15, 2015 and a final payment of $691,846 on November 6, 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we made total payments of $1,006,610, of which $370,887 represented the implied interest cost.
	We have the option to prepay the present value of the remaining scheduled lease obligations at any time in a lump sum. The discount rate used to calculate the lump sum will depend on the timing of the prepayment as follows: (i) 18.0% if the prepayment is made prior to November 7, 2014, and (ii) 23.0% if the prepayment is made on or after November 7, 2014.
	The lease obligation is secured by the equipment that is acquired under the arrangement.
	The following table sets forth the total minimum lease payments under the capital lease arrangement for equipment along with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of September 30, 2014:
	Three months ending December 31, 2014	$	335,537
	Twelve months ending December 31, 2015	1,810,300
	Total minimum lease payments	2,145,837
	Less: Amount representing interest	(332,396		)
	Total present value of net minimum lease payments	1,813,441
	Less: Current portion of the present value of minimum lease payments	(1,033,666		)
	Capital lease obligation, net of current portion	$	779,775
	Line of Credit
	At December 31, 2013, the significant terms of our $5.0 million revolving line of credit (Line of Credit) with Bridge Bank, National Association (Bank) consisted of the following: (i) scheduled maturity date of May 7, 2014 , (ii) variable interest rate at the greater of 5.25% or the bank’s prime rate, plus 2.00%, (iii) annual facility fee of $50,000, and (iv) maximum borrowing capacity dependent upon our levels of eligible accounts receivables and inventories and our compliance with a financial covenant that we were required to meet in order to continue to have the ability to draw down under the Line of Credit. This covenant consisted of a minimum asset coverage ratio of 1.35 to 1.00 of unrestricted cash balances maintained at the bank plus eligible accounts receivables above the level of advances outstanding. The interest rate was subject to adjustment to the bank's prime rate, plus 2.5%, in the event our asset coverage ratio fell below 1.35 to 1.00 at the end of each month until the asset coverage ratio was met.
	On March 14, 2014, we and the Bank amended the Line of Credit pursuant to which, among other things, (i) the maturity date was extended to March 14, 2016, (ii) the asset coverage ratio financial covenant was deleted in its entirety, (iii) the interest rate was reduced to the Bank's prime rate, plus 0.5%, and (iv) a covenant requiring us to maintain at least $1.5 million of cash and cash equivalents at all times through maturity was added. We incurred $25,000 of debt issuance costs in connection with this amendment.
	On February 19, 2014, we repaid the outstanding balance on the Line of Credit of $3.8 million. On September 25, 2014, we borrowed $2.5 million under the Line of Credit which remained outstanding as of September 30, 2014.
	As of September 30, 2014, the maximum borrowing capacity was $2.5 million, of which $180,000 was reserved for letters of credit and credit card services.
	The Bank has a senior secured first position on substantially all of the assets used in our continuing operations, other than certain equipment acquired under the capital lease arrangement described above.
	Collateral and Covenants
	We were in compliance with all existing covenants and other requirements of our debt instruments as of September 30, 2014.
	Debt Maturities
	The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities of our long term debt obligations of our continuing operations for each of the following years until maturity:
	Twelve months ending	Debt Maturities			Amortization of			Net Maturities of Debt
	September 30:				Discount			Obligations
	2015	$	1,068,675		$	(892,505	)	$	176,170
	2016	3,281,779			(1,087,246		)	2,194,533
	2017	—			(1,316,067		)	(1,316,067		)
	2018	10,692,066			(1,541,915		)	9,150,151
		$	15,042,520		$	(4,837,733	)	$	10,204,787

Warranties

Warranties	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Warranties	'
	Warranties
	We offer a warranty for production level storage systems, tanks, component parts and other alternative fuel products shipped to our customers. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending on the customer requirements; however, CNG systems are generally sold with a warranty of two years or 200,000 miles. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our warranty provisions and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim.
	We generally disclaim all warranties on our prototype component parts and systems. At our discretion or under certain programs, we may provide for the replacement cost or perform additional tests of prototype component parts subsequent to product delivery. We include an estimate of these types of arrangements as part of our warranty liability. We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary.
	Changes in our product warranty liability for continuing operations are as follows:
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	399,171
	Warranties issued during the period	131,582
	Settlements made during the period	(42,615		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	488,138

Derivative_Instruments_and_Fai

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	'
	Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
	We measure our financial assets and liabilities in accordance with Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures under GAAP, which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. GAAP describes three different valuation techniques to be used in determining fair value for financial assets and liabilities: the market, income or cost approaches. The three valuation techniques are consistent with generally accepted valuation methodologies. The hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value from market based assumptions to entity specific assumptions are as follows:
	Level 1: Inputs based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.
	Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	Level 3: Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the instrument’s valuation.
	Our derivative instruments are measured on their respective origination dates, at the end of each reporting period and at other points in time when necessary, such as modifications, using Level 3 inputs under accounting guidance for measuring fair value. We do not report any financial assets or liabilities that we measure using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs and there were no transfers in or out of Level 3 inputs for all periods reported.
	The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value for the derivative instrument liabilities using Level 3 inputs:
			Oct-06			Feb-11			Jan-13			Total Derivatives
			Warrants (1)			Warrants			Warrants
	Balance at January 1, 2014		$	2,344,000		$	9,000		$	62,000		$	2,415,000
	Settlement associated with warrant exercises		(387,920		)	—			—			(387,920		)
	Fair value adjustments		693,920			26,000			20,000			739,920
	Balance at March 31, 2014		2,650,000			35,000			82,000			2,767,000
	Settlements associated with warrant exercises		(1,216		)	—			—			(1,216		)
	Fair value adjustments		(2,648,784		)	(34,000		)	(41,000		)	(2,723,784		)
	Balance at June 30, 2014		$	—		$	1,000		$	41,000		$	42,000
	Adjustments resulting from change in value of underlying asset and passage of time recognized in earnings		—			(1,000		)	(21,000		)	(22,000		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014		$	—		$	—		$	20,000		$	20,000
	-1	Warrant contracts expired on April 27, 2014.
	We determined the fair values of the derivative instrument liabilities associated with certain warrant contracts primarily based on option-pricing mathematical models generally referred to as “Black-Scholes” and “Monte Carlo” option-pricing models. These models determine the value of the derivative instruments based on complex mathematical formulas that assume that returns on our underlying stock are normally-distributed and that risk-free interest rates and stock volatilities will remain constant over the term of the contract. We use the Black-Scholes model to calculate the value of the derivative instrument liabilities associated with warrant contracts in which the contractual terms are fixed. For derivative warrant contracts that incorporate contingent terms, including exercise price reset provisions for the warrant contracts issued on October 27, 2006, we utilized the Monte Carlo model through its expiration which is similar to the Black-Scholes model; however, the Monte Carlo model simulates several thousand possible (but random) price paths for the underlying value of the derivative instruments. These random price paths were then averaged to determine the value of the derivative instruments as of the reporting date.
	The fair value of derivative instrument liabilities measured with Level 3 inputs are revalued quarterly. The assumptions used in the calculations under our option pricing models for the following periods were as follows:
			Oct-06		Feb-11	Jan-13
			Warrants (2)		Warrants	Warrants
	30-Sep-14
	Annual volatility (1)		*		42.10%	51.50%
	Risk-free rate		*		0.36%	1.43%
	Dividend rate		*		—%	—%
	Closing price of Quantum stock		*		$3.72	$3.72
	Exercise price		*		$24.00	$2.84
	31-Dec-13
	Annual volatility (1)		33.60%		40.60%	51.20%
	Risk-free rate		0.09%		0.38%	1.75%
	Dividend rate		—%		—%	—%
	Closing price of Quantum stock		$7.80		$7.80	$7.80
	Exercise price		$1.51		$24.00	$2.84
	-1	Annual volatility is based on the historical average of our identified peer group for a period consistent with the remaining term of the contract.
	-2	Warrant contracts expired on April 27, 2014.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders’ Equity
	Authorized Shares
	On May 15, 2014, our stockholders approved an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 37,475,000 to 50,000,000.
	Our authorized shares of capital stock consist of the following: (i) 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.02 par value, and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, 0.001 par value.
	Effective December 31, 2013, General Motors Holdings, LLC (“GM Holdings”), the only holder of our issued and outstanding Series B Stock, exchanged all 12,499 of its shares of Series B Common Stock for 12,499 shares of our common stock, $0.02 par value per share. As a result of such exchange, there are no longer any issued and outstanding shares of our Series B Stock. On February 26, 2014, our certificate of incorporation was amended to retire the 25,000 authorized shares of Series B common stock.
	Stock Incentive Plans
	On October 27, 2011, our stockholders approved our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (2011 Plan). The 2011 Plan replaced our 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (2002 Plan) and awards can no longer be issued under the 2002 Plan; however, awards issued under the 2002 Plan prior to its termination remain outstanding in accordance with their terms.
	Both stock incentive plans provide that awards of stock options and shares of restricted stock may be granted to directors, employees and consultants. The terms of the awards are established by the administrator of the plans, our Compensation Committee. The stock options generally expire ten years after the date of grant or 30 days after termination of employment, vest ratably at a rate of 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date and have an exercise price at least equal to the market price of our stock at the date of grant. Outstanding restricted stock awards typically either vest at a rate of 33.33% on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date or cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.
	The 2011 Plan initially provided for an aggregate of 775,000 shares available for grant, subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, stock dividend, or other similar change in our common stock or our capital structure. The 2011 Plan contains an “evergreen” provision under which beginning on January 1, 2013, the number of shares available for grant under the 2011 Plan increases annually by an amount equal to the lesser of (x) 125,000 shares, (y) 3.0% of the number of shares outstanding as of such first day of each year or (z) a lesser number of shares determined by our Board of Directors.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, a total of 245,600 shares of restricted stock and 214,100 stock options were issued under our 2011 plan to our directors, executive officers and employees . As of September 30, 2014, after including the effects of grants, forfeitures and the evergreen provision, we had 198,175 shares available for issuance under the 2011 Plan.
	Stock Options
	Below is a summary of the options activity:
			Number of			Weighted				Weighted
			Shares			Average				Average
						Exercise				Remaining
						Price				Contractual Term
										(In Years)
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014		278,645			$	9.01
	Granted		214,100			$	4.35
	Exercised		(5,184	)		$	2.33
	Forfeited		(9,225	)		$	10.65
	Expired		(12,446	)		$	41.63
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2014		465,890			$	9.01			8.9
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2014		433,845			$	9.33			9
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2014		127,691			$	25.2			9.1
	Share-based Compensation
	The share-based compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock of continuing operations included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and in the financial information by reportable business segment in Note 11 is:
			Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems				Corporate				Total
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Cost of product sales		$	3,651			$	—			$	3,651
	Research and development		54,359				—				54,359
	Selling, general and administrative		9,009				113,072				122,081
	Total share-based compensation		$	67,019			$	113,072			$	180,091
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Cost of product sales		$	6,161			$	—			$	6,161
	Research and development		16,888				—				16,888
	Selling, general and administrative		3,975				57,347				61,322
	Total share-based compensation		$	27,024			$	57,347			$	84,371
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Cost of product sales		$	18,349			$	—			$	18,349
	Research and development		106,731				—				106,731
	Selling, general and administrative		20,735				251,435				272,170
	Total share-based compensation		$	145,815			$	251,435			$	397,250
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Cost of product sales		$	16,964			$	—			$	16,964
	Research and development		61,758				—				61,758
	Selling, general and administrative		11,377				218,697				230,074
	Total share-based compensation		$	90,099			$	218,697			$	308,796
	Warrants
	A summary of warrant activity and warrants outstanding, reportable in the equivalent number of shares of our common stock that can be purchased upon exercise of the warrants, is as follows
	Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2014		10,852,747
	Exercised		(1,828,232	)
	Expired (1)		(497,720	)
	Warrants outstanding at September 30, 2014		8,526,795
	-1	Includes warrants issued on October 27, 2006 that expired on April 27, 2014.
	Warrant Exercises
	Information on warrant exercises during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
	Original Warrant Issuance Date		Exercise Price				Warrants Exercised			Shares Issued (1)			Cash Proceeds
	27-Oct-06		$	1.51		-2	48,466			39,839			$	—
	12-Oct-11		$	3.32			25,754			25,754			85,503
	21-Dec-11		$	4.88			510,129			510,129			2,489,430
	March 21, 2012; Series "B"		$	4.08			554,425			554,425			2,262,054
	June 22, 2012 and June 28, 2012		$	3.4			491,279			297,448			—
25-Jul-12		$	3.56			74,136			42,057			—
18-Sep-13		$	2.3			124,043			124,043			285,298
Total						1,828,232			1,593,695			$	5,122,285
-1	Where the shares issued amount is less than the warrants exercised amount, the difference is due to a portion of these warrant exercises being exercised pursuant to a cashless exercise provision contained in the warrant contract.
-2	See Note 12 regarding impact of litigation on exercise price.
A summary of our outstanding warrants as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:
Issue Date		Expiration Date		Shares Subject to			Exercise				References
				Outstanding			Price at End
				Warrants			of Period
June 22, 2007		December 22, 2014		64,392			$	167.2			(a)
August 25, 2008		August 25, 2015		349,741			$	154.4			(a)
April 30, 2010 through July 1, 2010		April 30, 2015 through		55,473			$	72.8
		1-Jul-15
October 13, 2010 and October 19, 2010		October 13, 2015 and		9,037			$	53.6
		19-Oct-15
February 18, 2011		February 18, 2016		189,836			$	26.28
February 18, 2011; Series “B”		February 18, 2016		98,481			$	24			(a)
June 15, 2011		June 15, 2016		361,458			$	15.4
June 15, 2011		June 15, 2018		11,250			$	12.48
June 15, 2011		June 15, 2018		30,064			$	15.4
June 20, 2011		June 20, 2016		14,269			$	15.6
June 20, 2011		June 20, 2018		31			$	15.6
July 6, 2011		July 6, 2016		104,929			$	15.4
August 23, 2011		August 23, 2016		28,750			$	15.4
September 29, 2011		September 29, 2016		4,782			$	3.32
October 12, 2011		October 12, 2016		115,314			$	3.32
October 17, 2011 through October 21, 2011		October 17, 2016 through		19,138			$	10.56
		21-Oct-16
November 2, 2011		November 2, 2014		134,998			$	8.48
December 21, 2011		December 21, 2016		819,851			$	4.88
January 19, 2012		January 19, 2017		33,187			$	4.88
March 20, 2012; Series “B”		March 21, 2017		1,311,000			$	4.08
March 21, 2012; Series “B”		March 21, 2017		735,900			$	4.08
May 3, 2012; Series “B”		March 21, 2017		27,612			$	4.08
June 14, 2012; Series “B”		March 21, 2017		51,112			$	4.08
May 8, 2012		May 7, 2019		50,000			$	3.6
June 22, 2012 and June 28, 2012		June 22, 2017 and June 28, 2017		572,860			$	3.4
July 25, 2012		July 25, 2017		34,888			$	3.56
24-Jan-13		25-Jul-18		11,250			$	2.84			(a)
18-Sep-13		18-Mar-19		3,287,192			$	2.3
Total warrants outstanding at September 30, 2014				8,526,795
None of the outstanding warrant contracts contain exercise price reset provisions.
(a)	The warrants issued on June 22, 2007, August 25, 2008, February 18, 2011 (Series “B”) and January 24, 2013 contain contractual provisions that could potentially require us to net-cash settle the value of the remaining outstanding warrants in the event of a change in control or other fundamental change. Since the contractual provisions that could require us to net-cash settle the warrants are deemed not to be within our control under applicable accounting guidance, equity classification is precluded. As such, we consider these warrants to be derivative instruments that are classified as current derivative liabilities at fair value on the dates of the consolidated balance sheets presented. A summary of the changes in the fair values marked to market during the periods presented on the condensed consolidated statements of operations are disclosed in Note 8.
Shares Available
The number of authorized shares available for future issuance as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:
	Common Stock			Preferred Stock
Shares Authorized	50,000,000			20,000,000
Less shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014	(23,285,431	)		—
Less shares designated as of September 30, 2014 for issuance under:
Stock options (1)	(664,065	)		—
Warrants outstanding	(8,526,795	)		—
Conversion of principal under convertible notes (2)	(4,396,823	)		—
Undesignated shares available	13,126,886			20,000,000
-1	Includes all of the options outstanding plus 198,175 shares remaining that are available for issuance under the 2011 Plan.
-2	Represents the number of shares issuable upon conversion of $10.5 million of principal maturing on September 18, 2018 under the Convertible Notes at a fixed conversion price of $2.3824 per share.
Stockholders’ Equity Roll-forward
The following table provides a condensed roll-forward of stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
		Common			Total Equity
		Shares
		Outstanding
Balance at January 1, 2014		18,875,253			$	16,979,952
Share-based compensation		245,600			397,250
Issuance of common stock to investors		2,357,500			15,270,238
Issuance of common stock in satisfaction of debt principal		220,364			525,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with stock option and warrant exercises		1,598,879			5,499,390
Taxes paid in lieu of restricted stock issued and distributed		(12,165	)		(63,015		)
Foreign currency translation		—			(143,115		)
Net loss		—			(10,636,399		)
Balance at September 30, 2014		23,285,431			$	27,829,301
On February 20, 2014, we completed an underwritten public offering in which we received total gross proceeds of $16.6 million from the sale and issuance of 2,357,500 shares of common stock to investors at $7.05 per share. The number of shares sold in the offering includes the underwriter’s full exercise of the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 307,500 shares of common stock. The net proceeds we received, after underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, were $15.3 million.

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'
	Earnings (Loss) Per Share
	We compute net income (loss) per share by dividing the net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. We consider common equivalent shares from the exercise of stock options, warrants and conversion of debt in the instance where the shares are dilutive to net income (loss). The effects of stock options, warrants and convertible debt were anti-dilutive for all periods presented.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerators for basic and diluted loss per share data:
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(5,001,897	)	$	(5,121,626	)	$	(10,480,839	)	$	(14,183,014	)
	Net loss from discontinued operations	(198,132		)	(411,006		)	(155,560		)	(2,817,606		)
	Net loss	$	(5,200,029	)	$	(5,532,632	)	$	(10,636,399	)	$	(17,000,620	)
	Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share data—weighted-average shares	23,290,453			15,181,666			22,115,183			13,527,420
	Basic and diluted per share data:
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.47	)	$	(1.05	)
	Net loss from discontinued operations	(0.01		)	(0.02		)	(0.01		)	(0.21		)
	Net loss	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.36	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(1.26	)
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, shares of common stock potentially issuable upon the exercise of options and warrants and from the potential conversion of debt were excluded in the computation of diluted per share data, as the effects would be anti-dilutive.

Business_Segments_and_Geograph

Business Segments and Geographic Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments and Geographic Information	'
	Business Segments and Geographic Information
	Business Segments
	We classify our business into three reporting segments: Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems, Renewable Energy and Corporate. Due to our plan to dispose of Schneider Power within the next 12 months, the Renewable Energy business segment, consisting entirely of the operations of Schneider Power, is classified as discontinued operations (see Note 2).
	The chief operating decision maker allocates resources and tracks performance by the reporting segments. We evaluate performance based on profit or loss from operations before interest, non-operating income and expenses, and income taxes.
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems Segment
	Our Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems segment is a leader in the development and production of CNG fuel storage systems and the integration of alternative fuel vehicle system technologies including engine and vehicle control systems and drivetrains.
	This segment designs and manufactures advanced light-weight CNG storage tanks and supplies these tanks, in addition to fully-integrated natural gas storage systems, to truck and automotive OEMs and aftermarket OEM truck integrators. These high-pressure CNG and hydrogen storage tanks use advanced composite technology and are capable of storage at up to 10,000 psi. This segment's powertrain engineering, system integration, vehicle manufacturing, and assembly capabilities provides fast-to-market solutions to support the integration and production of natural gas fuel and storage systems, hybrid, fuel cell, and specialty vehicles, as well as modular, transportable hydrogen refueling stations.
	This segment generates revenue from two sources: product sales and contract services. Product sales are derived primarily from the sale of storage tanks and packaged fuel system modules for CNG applications. Contract services revenue is generated by providing engineering design and support to OEMs and other customers, so that our fuel systems and advanced propulsion systems integrate and operate with our customers' CNG, hybrid or fuel cell applications. Contract services revenue is also generated from customers in the aerospace industry, material science, and other governmental entities and agencies.
	We expense all research and development when incurred. We will continue to require significant research and development expenditures over the next several years in order to increase the commercialization of our products for natural gas, hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell and other alternative fuel applications.
	Corporate Segment
	The Corporate segment consists of general and administrative expenses incurred at the corporate level that are not directly attributable to the Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems or Renewable Energy reporting segments. Corporate expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, share-based compensation costs and related general and administrative costs for executive, finance, legal, human resources, investor relations and our board of directors.
	Geographic Information
	Our long-lived assets as of September 30, 2014 related to our continuing operations are primarily based within our Lake Forest, CA facilities and long-lived assets related to our discontinued operations are primarily located in Ontario, Canada.
	Financial Information by Business Segment
	Selected financial information of continuing operations by business segment is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems:
	Net product sales	$	5,048,445		$	6,730,267		$	14,680,433		$	14,964,543
	Contract services	1,569,778			1,967,030			6,422,711			4,218,915
	Total revenues	$	6,618,223		$	8,697,297		$	21,103,144		$	19,183,458
	Cost of Revenues
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems:
	Cost of product sales	$	5,713,080		$	4,695,734		$	13,312,589		$	10,759,978
	Cost of contract services	1,087,248			1,273,270			4,193,747			2,626,249
	Total cost of revenues	$	6,800,328		$	5,969,004		$	17,506,336		$	13,386,227
	Gross Margin
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems:
	Net product sales	$	(664,635	)	$	2,034,533		$	1,367,844		$	4,204,565
	Contract services	482,530			693,760			2,228,964			1,592,666
	Total gross margin	$	(182,105	)	$	2,728,293		$	3,596,808		$	5,797,231
	Operating Expenses
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems:
	Research and development	$	2,224,009		$	1,203,444		$	5,378,521		$	4,508,981
	Selling, general and administrative	744,459			912,731			2,453,515			3,305,364
	Total	$	2,968,468		$	2,116,175		$	7,832,036		$	7,814,345
	Corporate:
	Selling, general and administrative	1,475,910			1,559,784			4,852,214			5,191,061
	Total operating expenses	$	4,444,378		$	3,675,959		$	12,684,250		$	13,005,406
	Operating Loss
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems	$	(3,150,573	)	$	612,118		$	(4,235,228	)	$	(2,017,114	)
	Corporate	(1,475,910		)	(1,559,784		)	(4,852,214		)	(5,191,061		)
	Total operating loss	$	(4,626,483	)	$	(947,666	)	$	(9,087,442	)	$	(7,208,175	)
	Capital Expenditures
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems	$	1,326,313		$	581,958		$	5,857,670		$	1,523,216
	Corporate	—			—			22,724			4,554
	Total capital expenditures	$	1,326,313		$	581,958		$	5,880,394		$	1,527,770
	Depreciation
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems	$	412,530		$	261,144		$	1,044,197		$	756,985
	Corporate	6,899			10,321			17,076			30,952
	Total depreciation	$	419,429		$	271,465		$	1,061,273		$	787,937
	Identifiable assets by reporting segment are as follows:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Identifiable Assets
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems		$	36,509,038		$	31,727,999
	Renewable Energy - Held for Sale		24,001,622			26,358,742
	Corporate		8,205,463			7,917,801
			$	68,716,123		$	66,004,542

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Litigation
	Management and our legal counsel periodically review the probable outcome of pending proceedings and the costs reasonably expected to be incurred. We accrue for these costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
	On June 6, 2013, Iroquois Master Fund Ltd (Iroquois) filed suit against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the Complaint).  In the Complaint, Iroquois asserted that the registered direct offering we completed on May 16, 2013 triggered the full-ratchet anti dilution reset provision contained in its October 2006 Warrant contract and, as a result, the exercise price of its October 2006 Warrant should have been adjusted downward to $0.932 and the number of shares underlying its October 2006 Warrant proportionately increased. Although we did adjust the exercise price to $1.5142 effective as of August 2, 2013 and increased the number of warrants pursuant to our interpretation of the applicable provisions of the October 2006 Warrant, Iroquois claimed that we were in breach of the warrant contract due to our refusal to honor the lower exercise price and higher number of shares claimed by Iroquois.
	In connection with the Complaint, Iroquois asserted that it was entitled to either (i) monetary damages (which Iroquois estimated to be approximately $4.1 million as of November 4, 2013) or (ii) in the alternative, either (a) specific performance in the form of delivery by us of 810,805 October 2006 Warrants exercisable at $0.932 per share with equitable modifications to the terms of the October 2006 Warrants to compensate Iroquois for the alleged delay in issuance, plus the return of $542,564 Iroquois claims it overpaid when it exercised its October 2006 Warrants, or (b) 852,220 shares of our common stock.  Iroquois also requested interest at 9% per annum on any monetary award and recovery of its attorney’s fees and other related expenses, if successful.
	A bench trial was held on May 20 and 21, 2014. On May 23, 2014, the Court concluded that a reset did occur on May 16, 2013, but rejected Iroquois’s position with respect to the appropriate reset price. The Court determined that the exercise price of the October 2006 Warrant should have been reset to $1.4284 on May 16, 2013, and reset again to $1.2488 on August 2, 2013, the date the holder of the May 2013 Warrant exercised the Exchange Feature contained in the May 2013 Warrant.
	On June 17, 2014, the Court issued its Decision and Order, wherein the Court denied Iroquois’ request for specific performance damages but did grant Iroquois’ request for monetary damages, prejudgment interest and attorney’s fees, subject to further computation and review of those amounts. On June 24, 2014, the Court issued a Judgment in favor of Iroquois for monetary damages in the amount of $1,015,440, plus interest. Iroquois has also filed a motion with the Court seeking to be awarded approximately $750,000 in legal costs and expenses.
	The total amount that we expect to incur in connection with the Iroquois litigation is $1,858,349, consisting of (i) $1,765,440 in monetary damages, legal fees and other expenses and (ii) $92,909 in interest related expenses. We recorded these amounts in our condensed unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss in the first nine months of 2014 in other expenses and interest expense, respectively. On September 3, 2014, we paid $1,108,349 in cash for monetary damages and interest. The Court has not yet ruled on Iroquois' motion related to reimbursement of its legal fees and expenses.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Historical Operating Results of Schneider Power Classified as Discontinued Operations	'
	The unaudited historical operating results of Schneider Power, classified as discontinued operations, are as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenue		$	302,019		$	397,307		$	1,803,847		$	1,943,615
	Costs and expenses:
	Cost of sales		144,962			148,977			440,011			497,646
	Selling, general and administrative		36,791			153,630			136,002			681,929
	Research and development		—			—			—			16,872
	Impairment of long-lived assets (1)		—			—			434,768			2,508,076
	Loss on sale of assets		—			159,034			—			212,791
	Total costs and expenses		181,753			461,641			1,010,781			3,917,314
	Operating income (loss)		120,266			(64,334		)	793,066			(1,973,699		)
	Interest expense, net		(318,398		)	(346,672		)	(949,110		)	(1,071,753		)
	Other, net		—			—			484			227,846
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		$	(198,132	)	$	(411,006	)	$	(155,560	)	$	(2,817,606	)
	-1	We measure each disposal group of Schneider Power at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The fair value measurements are based on available Level 3 inputs such as market conditions and pending agreements to sell the assets. Based on assessments that we updated during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, we determined that the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets of certain disposal groups were above their fair values, net of selling costs. As a result, we recognized goodwill impairment charges of $0.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and impairment charges of $2.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, of which $1.6 million is related to goodwill, $0.8 million is related to intangible assets and $0.1 million is related to property and equipment.
Unaudited Balance Sheets of Schneider Power, Classified as Discontinued Operations Held for Sale	'
	naudited condensed balance sheets of Schneider Power, classified as discontinued operations held for sale, are as follows:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Current Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	153,009		$	777,622
	Accounts receivable, net		90,695			328,730
	Prepaid and other current assets		340,502			218,593
	Total current assets		$	584,206		$	1,324,945
	Non-Current Assets:
	Property and equipment, net (1)		$	20,971,935		$	22,016,644
	Intangible asset, net (2)		1,502,810			1,577,672
	Goodwill (3)		2,275			452,682
	Deposits and other assets (4)		940,396			986,799
	Total non-current assets		$	23,417,416		$	25,033,797
	Current Liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$	278,897		$	291,730
	Other accrued liabilities		82,532			344,919
	Current portion of debt obligations (5)		889,626			1,257,827
	Total current liabilities		$	1,251,055		$	1,894,476
	Non-Current Liabilities:
	Debt obligations, net of current portion (5)		19,849,442			21,520,634
	Total non-current liabilities		$	19,849,442		$	21,520,634
	-1	Consists mainly of wind turbine assets of the 10.0 megawatt Zephyr Wind Farm acquired in April 2012.
	-2	Consists of project assets associated with Schneider Power's renewable energy portfolio and power purchase agreements associated with the Zephyr Wind Farm.
	-3	Represents goodwill ascribed to the Zephyr Wind Farm acquisition in April 2012.
	-4	Consists mainly of the fair value of contingent consideration associated with the sale of the Trout Creek wind farm project and three development projects.
	-5	Consists of a credit facility due to a secured project lender in connection with the acquisition of the Zephyr Wind Farm as discussed below.

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable of Continuing Operations	'
	Net accounts receivable of continuing operations consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Customer accounts billed	$	4,452,870		$	8,268,171
	Customer accounts unbilled	2,606,932			549,072
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(192,520		)	(398,684		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	6,867,282		$	8,418,559

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories of Continuing Operations	'
	Inventories of continuing operations consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Materials and parts	$	9,359,030		$	6,495,599
	Work-in-process	129,737			1,146,589
	Finished goods	2,180,697			1,246,753
		11,669,464			8,888,941
	Less: Provision for obsolescence	(4,173,955		)	(3,877,161		)
	Inventories, net	$	7,495,509		$	5,011,780

Longlived_Assets_Tables

Long-lived Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Changes in Property and Equipment	'
	Changes in property and equipment of continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Balance at			Additions		Transfers			Depreciation			Balance at
		January 1,											September 30,
		2014											2014
	Property and equipment in service, gross	$	32,789,612		$	—	$	6,115,956		$	—		$	38,905,568
	Accumulated depreciation	(29,795,556		)	—		—			(1,061,273		)	(30,856,829		)
	Construction in progress:
	Plant equipment and other	2,097,903			5,880,394		(6,115,956		)	—			1,862,341
	Total property and equipment, net	$	5,091,959		$	5,880,394	$	—		$	(1,061,273	)	$	9,911,080

Debt_Obligations_Tables

Debt Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Obligations	'
	Our debt obligations for continuing operations consist of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Obligations to Secured Lenders:
	Convertible Notes: $10,475,000 principal, $217,066 accrued interest, net of unamortized discount of $4,837,733 at September 30, 2014; $11,000,000 principal, $62,944 accrued interest, net of unamortized discount of $5,671,145 at December 31, 2013	$	5,854,333		$	5,391,799
	Capital lease obligation: $1,813,441 principal and $15,801 accrued interest at September 30, 2014; $2,449,163 principal and $23,724 accrued interest at December 31, 2013	1,829,242			2,472,887
	Line of Credit: $2,500,000 principal and $1,302 accrued interest at September 30, 2014; $3,831,917 principal and $11,735 accrued interest at December 31, 2013	2,501,302			3,843,652
	Obligations to Other Creditors:
	Other obligations	19,910			32,533
	Debt obligations of continuing operations, current and non-current	10,204,787			11,740,871
	Less: Current portion of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount	(176,170		)	(3,946,582		)
	Debt obligations of continuing operations, non-current	$	10,028,617		$	7,794,289
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases	'
	The following table sets forth the total minimum lease payments under the capital lease arrangement for equipment along with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of September 30, 2014:
	Three months ending December 31, 2014	$	335,537
	Twelve months ending December 31, 2015	1,810,300
	Total minimum lease payments	2,145,837
	Less: Amount representing interest	(332,396		)
	Total present value of net minimum lease payments	1,813,441
	Less: Current portion of the present value of minimum lease payments	(1,033,666		)
	Capital lease obligation, net of current portion	$	779,775
Scheduled Maturities of Debt Obligations	'
	The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities of our long term debt obligations of our continuing operations for each of the following years until maturity:
	Twelve months ending	Debt Maturities			Amortization of			Net Maturities of Debt
	September 30:				Discount			Obligations
	2015	$	1,068,675		$	(892,505	)	$	176,170
	2016	3,281,779			(1,087,246		)	2,194,533
	2017	—			(1,316,067		)	(1,316,067		)
	2018	10,692,066			(1,541,915		)	9,150,151
		$	15,042,520		$	(4,837,733	)	$	10,204,787

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Changes in Product Warranty Liability	'
	Changes in our product warranty liability for continuing operations are as follows:
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	399,171
	Warranties issued during the period	131,582
	Settlements made during the period	(42,615		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	488,138

Derivative_Instruments_and_Fai1

Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in Fair Value of Derivative Instrument Liabilities using Level Three Inputs	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value for the derivative instrument liabilities using Level 3 inputs:
			Oct-06			Feb-11			Jan-13			Total Derivatives
			Warrants (1)			Warrants			Warrants
	Balance at January 1, 2014		$	2,344,000		$	9,000		$	62,000		$	2,415,000
	Settlement associated with warrant exercises		(387,920		)	—			—			(387,920		)
	Fair value adjustments		693,920			26,000			20,000			739,920
	Balance at March 31, 2014		2,650,000			35,000			82,000			2,767,000
	Settlements associated with warrant exercises		(1,216		)	—			—			(1,216		)
	Fair value adjustments		(2,648,784		)	(34,000		)	(41,000		)	(2,723,784		)
	Balance at June 30, 2014		$	—		$	1,000		$	41,000		$	42,000
	Adjustments resulting from change in value of underlying asset and passage of time recognized in earnings		—			(1,000		)	(21,000		)	(22,000		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014		$	—		$	—		$	20,000		$	20,000
	-1	Warrant contracts expired on April 27, 2014.
Assumptions used in Calculating Fair Value of Derivative Instrument Liabilities Measured with Level Three Inputs	'
	The fair value of derivative instrument liabilities measured with Level 3 inputs are revalued quarterly. The assumptions used in the calculations under our option pricing models for the following periods were as follows:
			Oct-06		Feb-11	Jan-13
			Warrants (2)		Warrants	Warrants
	30-Sep-14
	Annual volatility (1)		*		42.10%	51.50%
	Risk-free rate		*		0.36%	1.43%
	Dividend rate		*		—%	—%
	Closing price of Quantum stock		*		$3.72	$3.72
	Exercise price		*		$24.00	$2.84
	31-Dec-13
	Annual volatility (1)		33.60%		40.60%	51.20%
	Risk-free rate		0.09%		0.38%	1.75%
	Dividend rate		—%		—%	—%
	Closing price of Quantum stock		$7.80		$7.80	$7.80
	Exercise price		$1.51		$24.00	$2.84
	-1	Annual volatility is based on the historical average of our identified peer group for a period consistent with the remaining term of the contract.
	-2	Warrant contracts expired on April 27, 2014.

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation Expense Related to Stock Options and Restricted Stock	'
	The share-based compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock of continuing operations included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and in the financial information by reportable business segment in Note 11 is:
			Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems				Corporate				Total
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Cost of product sales		$	3,651			$	—			$	3,651
	Research and development		54,359				—				54,359
	Selling, general and administrative		9,009				113,072				122,081
	Total share-based compensation		$	67,019			$	113,072			$	180,091
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Cost of product sales		$	6,161			$	—			$	6,161
	Research and development		16,888				—				16,888
	Selling, general and administrative		3,975				57,347				61,322
	Total share-based compensation		$	27,024			$	57,347			$	84,371
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Cost of product sales		$	18,349			$	—			$	18,349
	Research and development		106,731				—				106,731
	Selling, general and administrative		20,735				251,435				272,170
	Total share-based compensation		$	145,815			$	251,435			$	397,250
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Cost of product sales		$	16,964			$	—			$	16,964
	Research and development		61,758				—				61,758
	Selling, general and administrative		11,377				218,697				230,074
	Total share-based compensation		$	90,099			$	218,697			$	308,796
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	'
	Below is a summary of the options activity:
			Number of			Weighted				Weighted
			Shares			Average				Average
						Exercise				Remaining
						Price				Contractual Term
										(In Years)
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014		278,645			$	9.01
	Granted		214,100			$	4.35
	Exercised		(5,184	)		$	2.33
	Forfeited		(9,225	)		$	10.65
	Expired		(12,446	)		$	41.63
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2014		465,890			$	9.01			8.9
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2014		433,845			$	9.33			9
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2014		127,691			$	25.2			9.1
Warrant Activity and Warrant Outstanding	'
	A summary of warrant activity and warrants outstanding, reportable in the equivalent number of shares of our common stock that can be purchased upon exercise of the warrants, is as follows
	Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2014		10,852,747
	Exercised		(1,828,232	)
	Expired (1)		(497,720	)
	Warrants outstanding at September 30, 2014		8,526,795
	-1	Includes warrants issued on October 27, 2006 that expired on April 27, 2014.
	Warrant Exercises
	Information on warrant exercises during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
	Original Warrant Issuance Date		Exercise Price				Warrants Exercised			Shares Issued (1)			Cash Proceeds
	27-Oct-06		$	1.51		-2	48,466			39,839			$	—
	12-Oct-11		$	3.32			25,754			25,754			85,503
	21-Dec-11		$	4.88			510,129			510,129			2,489,430
	March 21, 2012; Series "B"		$	4.08			554,425			554,425			2,262,054
	June 22, 2012 and June 28, 2012		$	3.4			491,279			297,448			—
	25-Jul-12		$	3.56			74,136			42,057			—
	18-Sep-13		$	2.3			124,043			124,043			285,298
	Total						1,828,232			1,593,695			$	5,122,285
	-1	Where the shares issued amount is less than the warrants exercised amount, the difference is due to a portion of these warrant exercises being exercised pursuant to a cashless exercise provision contained in the warrant contract.
	-2	See Note 12 regarding impact of litigation on exercise price.
Summary of Outstanding Warrants	'
	A summary of our outstanding warrants as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:
	Issue Date		Expiration Date		Shares Subject to			Exercise				References
					Outstanding			Price at End
					Warrants			of Period
	June 22, 2007		December 22, 2014		64,392			$	167.2			(a)
	August 25, 2008		August 25, 2015		349,741			$	154.4			(a)
	April 30, 2010 through July 1, 2010		April 30, 2015 through		55,473			$	72.8
			1-Jul-15
	October 13, 2010 and October 19, 2010		October 13, 2015 and		9,037			$	53.6
			19-Oct-15
	February 18, 2011		February 18, 2016		189,836			$	26.28
	February 18, 2011; Series “B”		February 18, 2016		98,481			$	24			(a)
	June 15, 2011		June 15, 2016		361,458			$	15.4
	June 15, 2011		June 15, 2018		11,250			$	12.48
	June 15, 2011		June 15, 2018		30,064			$	15.4
	June 20, 2011		June 20, 2016		14,269			$	15.6
	June 20, 2011		June 20, 2018		31			$	15.6
	July 6, 2011		July 6, 2016		104,929			$	15.4
	August 23, 2011		August 23, 2016		28,750			$	15.4
	September 29, 2011		September 29, 2016		4,782			$	3.32
	October 12, 2011		October 12, 2016		115,314			$	3.32
	October 17, 2011 through October 21, 2011		October 17, 2016 through		19,138			$	10.56
			21-Oct-16
	November 2, 2011		November 2, 2014		134,998			$	8.48
	December 21, 2011		December 21, 2016		819,851			$	4.88
	January 19, 2012		January 19, 2017		33,187			$	4.88
	March 20, 2012; Series “B”		March 21, 2017		1,311,000			$	4.08
	March 21, 2012; Series “B”		March 21, 2017		735,900			$	4.08
	May 3, 2012; Series “B”		March 21, 2017		27,612			$	4.08
	June 14, 2012; Series “B”		March 21, 2017		51,112			$	4.08
	May 8, 2012		May 7, 2019		50,000			$	3.6
	June 22, 2012 and June 28, 2012		June 22, 2017 and June 28, 2017		572,860			$	3.4
	July 25, 2012		July 25, 2017		34,888			$	3.56
	24-Jan-13		25-Jul-18		11,250			$	2.84			(a)
	18-Sep-13		18-Mar-19		3,287,192			$	2.3
	Total warrants outstanding at September 30, 2014				8,526,795
Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Shares Available	'
	The number of authorized shares available for future issuance as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:
		Common Stock			Preferred Stock
	Shares Authorized	50,000,000			20,000,000
	Less shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014	(23,285,431	)		—
	Less shares designated as of September 30, 2014 for issuance under:
	Stock options (1)	(664,065	)		—
	Warrants outstanding	(8,526,795	)		—
	Conversion of principal under convertible notes (2)	(4,396,823	)		—
	Undesignated shares available	13,126,886			20,000,000
	-1	Includes all of the options outstanding plus 198,175 shares remaining that are available for issuance under the 2011 Plan.
	-2	Represents the number of shares issuable upon conversion of $10.5 million of principal maturing on September 18, 2018 under the Convertible Notes at a fixed conversion price of $2.3824 per share.
Condensed Roll-Forward of Stockholders' Equity	'
	The following table provides a condensed roll-forward of stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
			Common			Total Equity
			Shares
			Outstanding
	Balance at January 1, 2014		18,875,253			$	16,979,952
	Share-based compensation		245,600			397,250
	Issuance of common stock to investors		2,357,500			15,270,238
	Issuance of common stock in satisfaction of debt principal		220,364			525,000
	Issuance of common stock in connection with stock option and warrant exercises		1,598,879			5,499,390
	Taxes paid in lieu of restricted stock issued and distributed		(12,165	)		(63,015		)
	Foreign currency translation		—			(143,115		)
	Net loss		—			(10,636,399		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014		23,285,431			$	27,829,301

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerators for basic and diluted loss per share data:
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(5,001,897	)	$	(5,121,626	)	$	(10,480,839	)	$	(14,183,014	)
	Net loss from discontinued operations	(198,132		)	(411,006		)	(155,560		)	(2,817,606		)
	Net loss	$	(5,200,029	)	$	(5,532,632	)	$	(10,636,399	)	$	(17,000,620	)
	Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share data—weighted-average shares	23,290,453			15,181,666			22,115,183			13,527,420
	Basic and diluted per share data:
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.47	)	$	(1.05	)
	Net loss from discontinued operations	(0.01		)	(0.02		)	(0.01		)	(0.21		)
	Net loss	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.36	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(1.26	)

Business_Segments_and_Geograph1

Business Segments and Geographic Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Financial Information by Business Segment	'
	Selected financial information of continuing operations by business segment is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems:
	Net product sales	$	5,048,445		$	6,730,267		$	14,680,433		$	14,964,543
	Contract services	1,569,778			1,967,030			6,422,711			4,218,915
	Total revenues	$	6,618,223		$	8,697,297		$	21,103,144		$	19,183,458
	Cost of Revenues
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems:
	Cost of product sales	$	5,713,080		$	4,695,734		$	13,312,589		$	10,759,978
	Cost of contract services	1,087,248			1,273,270			4,193,747			2,626,249
	Total cost of revenues	$	6,800,328		$	5,969,004		$	17,506,336		$	13,386,227
	Gross Margin
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems:
	Net product sales	$	(664,635	)	$	2,034,533		$	1,367,844		$	4,204,565
	Contract services	482,530			693,760			2,228,964			1,592,666
	Total gross margin	$	(182,105	)	$	2,728,293		$	3,596,808		$	5,797,231
	Operating Expenses
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems:
	Research and development	$	2,224,009		$	1,203,444		$	5,378,521		$	4,508,981
	Selling, general and administrative	744,459			912,731			2,453,515			3,305,364
	Total	$	2,968,468		$	2,116,175		$	7,832,036		$	7,814,345
	Corporate:
	Selling, general and administrative	1,475,910			1,559,784			4,852,214			5,191,061
	Total operating expenses	$	4,444,378		$	3,675,959		$	12,684,250		$	13,005,406
	Operating Loss
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems	$	(3,150,573	)	$	612,118		$	(4,235,228	)	$	(2,017,114	)
	Corporate	(1,475,910		)	(1,559,784		)	(4,852,214		)	(5,191,061		)
	Total operating loss	$	(4,626,483	)	$	(947,666	)	$	(9,087,442	)	$	(7,208,175	)
	Capital Expenditures
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems	$	1,326,313		$	581,958		$	5,857,670		$	1,523,216
	Corporate	—			—			22,724			4,554
	Total capital expenditures	$	1,326,313		$	581,958		$	5,880,394		$	1,527,770
	Depreciation
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems	$	412,530		$	261,144		$	1,044,197		$	756,985
	Corporate	6,899			10,321			17,076			30,952
	Total depreciation	$	419,429		$	271,465		$	1,061,273		$	787,937
Identifiable Assets by Reporting Segment	'
	Identifiable assets by reporting segment are as follows:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Identifiable Assets
	Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems		$	36,509,038		$	31,727,999
	Renewable Energy - Held for Sale		24,001,622			26,358,742
	Corporate		8,205,463			7,917,801
			$	68,716,123		$	66,004,542

Background_and_Basis_of_Presen1

Background and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	29-May-13	Apr. 20, 2012
	Segment		Segment			Trout Creek Wind Farm	Trout Creek Wind Farm	Trout Creek Wind Farm
						MW	MW	MW
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock split, conversion ratio	'	0.25	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reporting segments	3	'	3	'	'	'	'	'
Capacity of plant	'	'	'	'	'	10	10	10
Line of credit, remaining capacity	$2,500,000	'	$2,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	'	20,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,767,698	$5,943,973	$5,767,698	$7,031,981	$2,013,738	'	'	'

Discontinued_Operations_Histor

Discontinued Operations Historical Operating Results of Schneider Power Classified as Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	$2,220,369	$2,472,515	'	$7,305,729	$8,496,425
Research and development	2,224,009	1,203,444	'	5,378,521	4,508,981
Loss on sale of assets	'	'	'	0	-212,791
Total costs and expenses	4,444,378	3,675,959	'	12,684,250	13,005,406
Operating income (loss)	-4,626,483	-947,666	-947,666	-9,087,442	-7,208,175
Interest expense, net	-397,414	-1,238,331	'	-1,632,661	-4,315,612
Other expenses (Note 12)	0	0	'	-1,765,000	-5,998
Goodwill impairment	'	'	'	434,768	2,508,076
Segment, Discontinued Operations | Schneider Power	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue:	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	302,019	397,307	'	1,803,847	1,943,615
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of product sales	144,962	148,977	'	440,011	497,646
Selling, general and administrative	36,791	153,630	'	136,002	681,929
Research and development	0	0	'	0	16,872
Asset impairment charges	0	0	'	434,768	2,508,076
Loss on sale of assets	0	-159,034	'	0	-212,791
Total costs and expenses	181,753	461,641	'	1,010,781	3,917,314
Operating income (loss)	120,266	-64,334	'	793,066	-1,973,699
Interest expense, net	-318,398	-346,672	'	-949,110	-1,071,753
Other expenses (Note 12)	0	0	'	484	227,846
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	-198,132	-411,006	'	-155,560	-2,817,606
Goodwill impairment	'	'	'	434,768	1,600,000
Impairment of intangible assets (excluding goodwill)	'	'	'	'	800,000
Impairment of property and equipment	'	'	'	'	$0

Unaudited_Balance_Sheets_of_Sc

Unaudited Balance Sheets of Schneider Power, Classified as Discontinued Operations Held for Sale (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

29-May-13

Apr. 20, 2012

13-May-13

Segment, Discontinued Operations

Segment, Discontinued Operations

Segment, Discontinued Operations

Segment, Discontinued Operations

Segment, Discontinued Operations

Zephyr Farms Limited

Trout Creek Wind Farm

Trout Creek Wind Farm

Trout Creek Wind Farm

Providence Bay Wind Farm

Schneider Power

Schneider Power

Schneider Power

Schneider Power

Schneider Power

MW

MW

MW

MW

MW

Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on sale of assets of discontinued operations

$0

($212,791)

'

'

$0

($159,034)

$0

($212,791)

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current assets:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

5,767,698

5,943,973

7,031,981

2,013,738

153,009

'

153,009

'

777,622

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable, net

6,867,282

'

8,418,559

'

90,695

'

90,695

'

328,730

'

'

'

'

'

Prepaid and other current assets

1,564,272

'

1,629,668

'

340,502

'

340,502

'

218,593

'

'

'

'

'

Total current assets

22,125,958

'

22,639,311

'

584,206

'

584,206

'

1,324,945

'

'

'

'

'

Non-Current Assets:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and equipment, net

9,911,080

'

5,091,959

'

20,971,935

'

20,971,935

'

22,016,644

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible asset, net

'

'

'

'

1,502,810

'

1,502,810

'

1,577,672

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

12,400,000

'

12,400,000

'

2,275

'

2,275

'

452,682

'

'

'

'

'

Deposits and other assets

861,669

'

523,437

'

940,396

'

940,396

'

986,799

'

'

'

'

'

Total non-current assets

'

'

'

'

23,417,416

'

23,417,416

'

25,033,797

'

'

'

'

'

Current liabilities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts payable

5,309,104

'

7,179,463

'

278,897

'

278,897

'

291,730

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued payroll obligations

1,250,593

'

1,154,346

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other accrued liabilities (Note 12)

1,098,496

'

496,726

'

82,532

'

82,532

'

344,919

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of debt obligations

176,170

'

3,946,582

'

889,626

'

889,626

'

1,257,827

'

'

'

'

'

Total current liabilities

11,008,763

'

19,709,667

'

1,251,055

'

1,251,055

'

1,894,476

'

'

'

'

'

Non-Current Liabilities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt obligations, net of current portion

10,028,617

'

7,794,289

'

19,849,442

'

19,849,442

'

21,520,634

'

'

'

'

'

Total non-current liabilities

'

'

'

'

$19,849,442

'

$19,849,442

'

$21,520,634

'

'

'

'

'

Capacity of plant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10

10

10

10

1.6

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 19, 2013

Mar. 19, 2013

Mar. 19, 2013

Mar. 19, 2013

Mar. 19, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

29-May-13

Apr. 20, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

13-May-13

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAD

CAD

Amendment of Debt Agreement

31-Jan-14

July 31,2018

July 31,2022

31-Jan-23

Trout Creek Wind Farm

Trout Creek Wind Farm

Trout Creek Wind Farm

Zephyr Farms Limited

Providence Bay Wind Farm

18-Sep-13

Continuing Operations

Continuing Operations

Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems

Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems

Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems

Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems

Schneider Power [Member]

Schneider Power [Member]

USD ($)

Amendment of Debt Agreement

Amendment of Debt Agreement

Amendment of Debt Agreement

Amendment of Debt Agreement

MW

MW

MW

CAD

MW

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Continuing Operations

Continuing Operations

Segment, Discontinued Operations

Segment, Discontinued Operations

CAD

CAD

CAD

CAD

MW

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment reporting information, expenditures for additions to long-lived assets (depreciated 1/31/2013)

$1,326,313

$581,958

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,880,394

$1,527,770

$1,326,313

$581,958

$5,857,670

$1,523,216

'

'

Number Of Warrants Exercised

'

'

1,828,232

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

124,043

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of assets of discontinued operations held for sale

'

'

434,768

2,508,076

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

434,768

1,600,000

Capacity of plant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10

10

10

10

1.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

2,500,000

'

2,500,000

'

'

'

22,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bank term loan, principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bank Term Loan, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Post Agreement Amendment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Principal Balloon Payment Post Agreement Amendment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,600,000

5,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Final Payment Post Agreement Amendment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized debt premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total amount of debt

10,204,787

'

10,204,787

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued Interest on debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion rate of one CAD to one Dollar

'

'

'

'

0.895

0.94

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net_Accounts_Receivable_of_Con

Net Accounts Receivable of Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Customer accounts billed	$4,452,870	$8,268,171
Customer accounts unbilled	2,606,932	549,072
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-192,520	-398,684
Accounts receivable, net	6,867,282	8,418,559
Advanced Green Innovations, LLC [Member]	'	'
Customer accounts billed	3	'
Contracts Receivable, Claims and Uncertain Amounts	$1	'

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Materials and parts	$9,359,030	$6,495,599
Work-in-process	129,737	1,146,589
Finished goods	2,180,697	1,246,753
Inventory, Gross, Total	11,669,464	8,888,941
Less: provision for obsolescence	-4,173,955	-3,877,161
Inventories, net	$7,495,509	$5,011,780

Changes_in_Property_and_Equipm

Changes in Property and Equipment of Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Movement in Property, Plant and Equipment [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$5,091,959	'	'
Additions	5,880,394	'	'
Transfers	0	'	'
Depreciation	-1,061,273	-787,937	'
Ending Balance	9,911,080	'	'
Goodwill	12,400,000	'	12,400,000
Fuel Storage and Vehicle Systems [Member]	'	'	'
Movement in Property, Plant and Equipment [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Goodwill	12,400,000	'	12,400,000
Property and equipment in service, gross	'	'	'
Movement in Property, Plant and Equipment [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	32,789,612	'	'
Additions	0	'	'
Transfers	6,115,956	'	'
Ending Balance	38,905,568	'	'
Accumulated depreciation	'	'	'
Movement in Property, Plant and Equipment [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	-29,795,556	'	'
Additions	0	'	'
Transfers	0	'	'
Depreciation	-1,061,273	'	'
Ending Balance	-30,856,829	'	'
Plant equipment & other | Construction in Progress	'	'	'
Movement in Property, Plant and Equipment [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	2,097,903	'	'
Additions	5,880,394	'	'
Transfers	-6,115,956	'	'
Ending Balance	$1,862,341	'	'

Continuing_Operations_Detail

- Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	$2.50	$2,500,000	$831,917	'
Debt obligations of continuing operations, current and non-current	10,204,787	10,204,787	'	'
Capital lease obligations	1,829,242	1,829,242	'	2,472,887
Convertible notes	5,854,333	5,854,333	'	5,391,799
Debt obligations of continuing operations, current and non-current	10,204,787	10,204,787	'	11,740,871
Less: obligations classified as current, net of amortization of debt discounts	-176,170	-176,170	'	-3,946,582
Debt obligations of continuing operations, non-current	10,028,617	10,028,617	'	7,794,289
Line of Credit	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt obligations of continuing operations, current and non-current	2,501,302	2,501,302	'	3,843,652
Other Debt Obligations	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt obligations of continuing operations, current and non-current	$19,910	$19,910	'	$32,533

Warranties_Changes_in_Product_

Warranties - Changes in Product Warranty Liability (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	$399,171
Settlements made during the period	-42,615
Ending Balance	$488,138

Debt_Obligations_Continuing_Op

Debt Obligations - Continuing Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Capital Lease Obligation, Principal Amount	$2,036,588	$2,449,163
Convertible Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt obligations, current and non-current, principal	10,475,000	11,000,000
Debt obligations, current and non-current, accrued interest	164,690	62,944
Debt obligations, current and non-current, debt discount	5,037,048	5,671,145
Capital Lease Obligations	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt obligations, current and non-current, accrued interest	19,045	23,724
Line of Credit	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt obligations, current and non-current, principal	'	3,831,917
Debt obligations, current and non-current, accrued interest	'	$11,735

Debt_Obligations_Minimum_Lease

Debt Obligations - Minimum Lease Payments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
Minimum lease payments under capital leases	'
Nine months ending December 31, 2014	$335,537
Twelve months ending December 31, 2015	1,810,300
Total minimum lease payments	2,145,837
Less: Amount representing interest	-332,396
Total present value of net minimum lease payments	1,813,441
Less: Current portion of the present value of minimum lease payments	-1,033,666
Capital lease obligation, net of current portion	$779,775

Debt_Obligations_Scheduled_Mat

Debt Obligations - Scheduled Maturities of Debt Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]	'
Debt Maturities	$15,042,520
Amortization of Discount	-4,837,733
Net Maturities of Debt Obligations	10,204,787
Fiscal Year 2014	'
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]	'
Debt Maturities	1,068,675
Amortization of Discount	-892,505
Net Maturities of Debt Obligations	176,170
Fiscal Year 2015	'
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]	'
Debt Maturities	3,281,779
Amortization of Discount	-1,087,246
Net Maturities of Debt Obligations	2,194,533
Fiscal Year 2016	'
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]	'
Debt Maturities	0
Amortization of Discount	-1,316,067
Net Maturities of Debt Obligations	-1,316,067
Fiscal Year 2017	'
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]	'
Debt Maturities	10,692,066
Amortization of Discount	-1,541,915
Net Maturities of Debt Obligations	9,150,151
Fiscal Year 2018	'
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]	'
Debt Maturities	0
Amortization of Discount	0
Net Maturities of Debt Obligations	$0

Debt_Obligations_Additional_In

Debt Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Mar. 14, 2014

Feb. 20, 2014

Sep. 18, 2013

7-May-12

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 14, 2014

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 06, 2012

Sep. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 18, 2013

Oct. 24, 2013

Nov. 06, 2012

Nov. 06, 2012

Convertible Notes

Convertible Notes

Convertible Notes

Convertible Notes

Prepayment between November Seventh, Two Thousand Thirteen and November Sixth, Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]

Prepayemnt on or after November Seventh, Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]

Lead Investor

Board of Directors [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line Of Credit Facility Additional Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

$5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line credit facility, variable interest rate

'

'

'

5.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line credit facility, rate above prime rate

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Amount

'

'

'

'

'

50,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line credit facility, minimum asset coverage ratio

'

'

'

1.35

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Covernants, Asset Coverage Ratio Benchmark

'

'

'

'

1.35

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit maximum potencial availability

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross sale lease back amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital lease monthly payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

111,846

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital lease final payment

'

'

'

'

'

691,846

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations

'

'

'

'

1,006,610

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Associated with Implied Interest Cost

'

'

'

'

370,887

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital Lease Obligation, Discount Rate for Lump Sum Prepayment Calculation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18.00%

23.00%

Promissory note, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

2.00%

'

'

'

'

Conversion price

'

'

'

'

$525,000

'

'

'

'

'

$2.38

'

'

'

'

Common Stock, Shares, Issued

'

'

'

'

220,364

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued Interest

'

'

'

'

3,361

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Notes Payable, Current

'

'

'

'

484,922

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Payable Principal

'

'

'

'

475,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Payable Interest

'

'

'

'

9,922

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cap on liquidated damages, percentage gross proceeds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Beneficial ownership cap

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19.99%

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock warrants issued

'

'

3,411,235

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Convertible Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,420,898

'

'

'

'

'

Gross proceeds from issuance of debt

'

16,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,000,000

'

10,000,000

50,000

'

'

Ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

'

Debt issuance cost

25,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Lines of Credit

'

'

'

'

3,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reserves for Letters of Credit

'

'

'

'

$180,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes_in_Fair_Value_of_Deriv

Changes in Fair Value of Derivative Instrument Liabilities using Level 3 Inputs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$42,000	$2,767,000	$2,415,000
Settlement associated with warrant exercise	-1,216	'	-387,920
Adjustments resulting from change in value of underlying asset and passage of time recognized in earnings	-22,000	-2,723,784	739,920
Ending Balance	20,000	42,000	2,767,000
Oct-06	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	0	2,650,000	2,344,000
Settlement associated with warrant exercise	-1,216	'	-387,920
Adjustments resulting from change in value of underlying asset and passage of time recognized in earnings	0	-2,648,784	693,920
Ending Balance	0	0	2,650,000
Feb-11	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	1,000	35,000	9,000
Adjustments resulting from change in value of underlying asset and passage of time recognized in earnings	-1,000	-34,000	26,000
Ending Balance	0	1,000	35,000
24-Jan-13	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	41,000	82,000	62,000
Adjustments resulting from change in value of underlying asset and passage of time recognized in earnings	-21,000	-41,000	20,000
Ending Balance	$20,000	$41,000	$82,000

Assumptions_used_in_Calculatin

Assumptions used in Calculating Fair Value of Derivative Instrument Liabilities Measured with Level Three Inputs (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 20, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
		Oct-06	Feb-11	Feb-11	24-Jan-13	24-Jan-13
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Annual volatility	'	33.60%	42.10%	40.60%	51.50%	51.20%
Risk-free rate	'	0.09%	0.36%	0.38%	1.43%	1.75%
Dividend rate	'	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Closing price of Quantum stock	$7.05	$7.80	$3.72	$7.80	$3.72	$7.80
Exercise price	'	$1.51	$24	$24	$2.84	$2.84

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 20, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock split, conversion ratio	'	0.25	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	'	'	50,000,000	37,475,000
Preferred stock, par value	'	'	$0.00	'
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	2,357,500	'	23,308,221	18,885,878
Common stock, par value	'	'	$0.02	$0.02
Gross proceeds from issuance of debt	$16,600,000	'	'	'
Share Price	$7.05	'	'	'
Common Stock Over-Allotment	307,500	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	15,300,000	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	'	'	20,000,000	'
Restricted Stock or Unit Expense	'	'	$245,600	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	'	'	214,100	'
Stock Incentive Plan 2011	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options expiration period	'	'	'10 years	'
Options vesting percentage for first four anniversaries	'	'	25.00%	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance	'	'	775,000	'
Period after termination date during which vested options can be exercisable	'	'	'30 days	'
Possible increase in shares available for grant under stock options (in shares)	'	'	125,000	'
Percentage of possible increase in shares available for grant under stock options based on number of shares outstanding	'	'	3.00%	'
Shares of restricted stock, remaining	'	'	198,175	'
Stock Incentive Plan 2011 | Cliff Vest	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options vesting percentage for first four anniversaries	'	'	33.33%	'
Series B common stock	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	'	'	'	25,000
General Motors Holdings, LLC	'	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	'	'	'	12,499
Common stock, par value	'	'	'	$0.02

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Options Activity (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Number of Shares	'
Options outstanding, beginning balance	278,645
Granted	214,100
Exercised	-5,184
Forfeited	-9,225
Expired	-12,446
Options outstanding, ending balance	465,890
Vested and expected to vest at end of period	433,845
Options exercisable at end of period	127,691
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Beginning balance	$9.01
Granted	$4.35
Exercised	$2.33
Forfeited	$10.65
Expired	$41.63
Ending balance	$9.01
Vested and expected to vest at end of period	$9.33
Options exercisable at end of period	$25.20
Weighted Average Remaining Life (In Years)	'
Options outstanding at end of the year	'8 years 10 months 24 days
Vested and expected to vest at end of period	'9 years
Options exercisable at end of period	'9 years 1 month 6 days

Stockholders_Equity_ShareBased

Stockholders' Equity - Share-Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	$180,091	$84,371	$397,250	$308,796
Cost of product sales	'	'	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	3,651	6,161	18,349	16,964
Research and development	'	'	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	54,359	16,888	106,731	61,758
Selling, general and administrative	'	'	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	122,081	61,322	272,170	230,074
Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems	'	'	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	67,019	27,024	145,815	90,099
Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems | Cost of product sales	'	'	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	3,651	6,161	18,349	16,964
Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems | Research and development	'	'	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	54,359	16,888	106,731	61,758
Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems | Selling, general and administrative	'	'	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	9,009	3,975	20,735	11,377
Corporate	'	'	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	113,072	57,347	251,435	218,697
Corporate | Selling, general and administrative	'	'	'	'
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	$113,072	$57,347	$251,435	$218,697

Stockholders_Equity_Warrant_Ac

Stockholders' Equity - Warrant Activity and Warrants Outstanding (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Class of Warrant or Right [Roll Forward]	'
Warrants outstanding, beginning balance	10,852,747
Number Of Warrants Exercised	-1,828,232
Expired	-497,720
Warrants outstanding, ending balance	8,526,795

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of1

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Outstanding Warrant (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Oct-06

12-Oct-11

21-Dec-11

March 21, 2012; Series B

22-Jun-12

25-Jul-12

18-Sep-13

22-Jun-07

25-Aug-08

April 30, 2010 through July 1, 2010

April 30, 2010 through July 1, 2010

April 30, 2010 through July 1, 2010

18-Feb-11

February 18, 2011; Series B

June 15, 2011, first issue

June 15, 2011, second issue

June 15, 2011, third issue

June 20, 2011, first issue

June 20, 2011, second issue

6-Jul-11

23-Aug-11

29-Sep-11

October 17, 2011 through October 21, 2011

October 17, 2011 through October 21, 2011

October 17, 2011 through October 21, 2011

Issuance During Period Eight [Member]

Issuance During Period Eight [Member]

Issuance During Period Eight [Member]

2-Nov-11

19-Jan-12

March 20, 2012; Series B

May 3,2012; Series B

June 4, 2012; Series B

7-May-12

24-Jan-13

Series B

Minimum

Maximum

Series B

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Series B

Series B

Series B

Warranty Liability [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrant Expiration Date

'

'

'

12-Oct-16

21-Dec-16

21-Mar-17

'

25-Jul-17

18-Mar-19

22-Dec-14

25-Aug-15

'

30-Apr-15

1-Jul-15

18-Feb-16

18-Feb-16

15-Jun-16

15-Jun-18

15-Jun-18

20-Jun-16

20-Jun-18

6-Jul-16

23-Aug-16

29-Sep-16

'

17-Oct-16

21-Oct-16

'

13-Oct-15

19-Oct-15

2-Nov-14

19-Jan-17

21-Mar-17

21-Mar-17

21-Mar-17

7-May-19

25-Jul-18

Shares Subject to Outstanding Warrants

$8,526,795

'

'

$115,314

$819,851

$735,900

$572,860

$34,888

$3,287,192

$64,392

$349,741

$55,473

'

'

$189,836

$98,481

$361,458

$11,250

$30,064

$14,269

$31

$104,929

$28,750

$4,782

$19,138

'

'

$9,037

'

'

$134,998

$33,187

$1,311,000

$27,612

$51,112

$50,000

$11,250

Exercise Price at End of Period

'

'

$1.51

$3.32

$4.88

$4.08

$3.40

$3.56

$2.30

$167.20

$154.40

$72.80

'

'

$26.28

$24

$15.40

$12.48

$15.40

$15.60

$15.60

$15.40

$15.40

$3.32

$10.56

'

'

$53.60

'

'

$8.48

$4.88

$4.08

$4.08

$4.08

$3.60

$2.84

Number Of Warrants Exercised

1,828,232

'

48,466

25,754

510,129

554,425

491,279

74,136

124,043

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Issued

1,593,695

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common stock to investors (in shares)

2,357,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common stock in connection with warrant exercises (in shares)

1,598,879

'

'

25,754

510,129

554,425

'

'

124,043

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

5,122,285

189,275

'

85,503

2,489,430

2,262,054

'

'

285,298

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued

'

'

39,839

'

'

'

297,448

42,057

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash Proceeds from Warrant Exercises

$5,122,285

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders_Equity_Shares_Ava

Stockholders' Equity - Shares Available (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	37,475,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	'
Shares, Outstanding	-23,285,431	-18,875,253
Stock options	-465,890	-278,645
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	-8,526,795	-10,852,747
Principal of notes payable	$5,854,333	$5,391,799
Conversion price	$525,000	'
Common stock	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	'	50,000,000
Shares, Outstanding	-23,285,431	'
Stock options	-664,065	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	-8,526,795	'
Conversion of principal under convertible notes	-4,396,823	'
Undesignated Shares Available	13,126,886	'
Principal of notes payable	$10,500,000	'
Conversion price	$2.38	'
Preferred Stock	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	'
Undesignated Shares Available	20,000,000	'
Stock Incentive Plan 2011	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'
Number of shares available for grant	198,175	'

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde

Stockholders' Equity - Stockholders' Equity Roll-forward (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'
Shares forfeited in lieu of taxes paid on restricted stock	'	-12,165	'
Taxes paid in lieu of restricted stock issued and distributed	'	($63,015)	$0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance (in shares)	'	18,875,253	'
Beginning Balance	'	16,979,952	'
Share-based compensation (in shares)	'	245,600	'
Share-based compensation	'	397,250	'
Issuance of common stock to investors (in shares)	'	2,357,500	'
Issuance of common stock to investors	'	15,270,238	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	'	220,364	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	'	525,000	'
Issuance of common stock in connection with warrant exercises (in shares)	'	1,598,879	'
Issuance of common stock in connection with stock option and warrant exercises	'	5,499,390	'
Foreign currency translation	'	-143,115	'
Net loss attributable to stockholders	-5,200,029	-10,636,399	'
Ending Balance (in shares)	23,285,431	23,285,431	'
Ending Balance	$27,829,301	$27,829,301	'

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Comput

Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerators for basic and diluted loss per share data:	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss from continuing operations	($5,001,897)	($5,121,626)	'	($10,480,839)	($14,183,014)
Net loss from discontinued operations	-198,132	-411,006	'	-155,560	-2,817,606
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	-5,200,029	'	'	-10,636,399	'
Net loss attributable to stockholders	($5,200,029)	($5,532,632)	($5,532,632)	($10,636,399)	($17,000,620)
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share data-weighted-average shares	23,290,453	15,181,666	'	22,115,183	13,527,420
Basic and diluted per share data:	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss from continuing operations per share	($0.21)	($0.34)	'	($0.47)	($1.05)
Net loss from discontinued operations	($0.01)	($0.02)	'	($0.01)	($0.21)
Net loss attributable to stockholders	($0.22)	($0.36)	'	($0.48)	($1.26)

Business_Segments_and_Geograph2

Business Segments and Geographic Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	Segment	Segment
	psi	psi
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'
Number of reporting segments	3	3
Hydrogen storage capacity (in Psi)	10,000	10,000

Financial_Information_of_Conti

Financial Information of Continuing Operations by Business Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Segment			Segment
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reporting segments	3	'	'	3	'	'
Total revenue	$6,618,223	$8,697,297	'	$21,103,144	$19,183,458	'
Cost of revenues	6,800,328	5,969,004	'	17,506,336	13,386,227	'
Gross profit	-182,105	2,728,293	'	3,596,808	5,797,231	'
Research and development	2,224,009	1,203,444	'	5,378,521	4,508,981	'
Selling, general and administrative	2,220,369	2,472,515	'	7,305,729	8,496,425	'
Total Costs And Expenses	4,444,378	3,675,959	'	12,684,250	13,005,406	'
Operating income (loss)	-4,626,483	-947,666	-947,666	-9,087,442	-7,208,175	'
Segment reporting information, expenditures for additions to long-lived assets (depreciated 1/31/2013)	1,326,313	'	581,958	'	'	'
Depreciation	419,429	'	271,465	1,061,273	787,937	'
Identified Assets	68,716,123	'	'	68,716,123	'	66,004,542
Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net product sales	5,048,445	6,730,267	'	14,680,433	14,964,543	'
Contract revenue	1,569,778	1,967,030	'	6,422,711	4,218,915	'
Total revenue	6,618,223	8,697,297	'	21,103,144	19,183,458	'
Cost of product sales	5,713,080	4,695,734	'	13,312,589	10,759,978	'
Contract Revenue Cost	1,087,248	1,273,270	'	4,193,747	2,626,249	'
Cost of revenues	6,800,328	5,969,004	'	17,506,336	13,386,227	'
Gross Profit, Goods	-664,635	2,034,533	'	1,367,844	4,204,565	'
Gross Profit, Contract Services	482,530	693,760	'	2,228,964	1,592,666	'
Gross profit	-182,105	2,728,293	'	3,596,808	5,797,231	'
Research and development	2,224,009	1,203,444	'	5,378,521	4,508,981	'
Selling, general and administrative	744,459	912,731	'	2,453,515	3,305,364	'
Total Costs And Expenses	2,968,468	2,116,175	'	7,832,036	7,814,345	'
Operating income (loss)	-3,150,573	'	612,118	-4,235,228	-2,017,114	'
Segment reporting information, expenditures for additions to long-lived assets (depreciated 1/31/2013)	1,326,313	'	581,958	'	'	'
Depreciation	412,530	'	261,144	1,044,197	756,985	'
Identified Assets	36,509,038	'	'	36,509,038	'	31,727,999
Renewable Energy	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Identified Assets	24,001,622	'	'	24,001,622	'	26,358,742
Corporate	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative	1,475,910	1,559,784	'	4,852,214	5,191,061	'
Operating income (loss)	-1,475,910	'	-1,559,784	-4,852,214	-5,191,061	'
Segment reporting information, expenditures for additions to long-lived assets (depreciated 1/31/2013)	0	'	0	'	'	'
Depreciation	6,899	'	10,321	17,076	30,952	'
Identified Assets	8,205,463	'	'	8,205,463	'	7,917,801
Continuing Operations	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information, expenditures for additions to long-lived assets (depreciated 1/31/2013)	'	'	'	5,880,394	1,527,770	'
Continuing Operations | Fuel Storage & Vehicle Systems	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information, expenditures for additions to long-lived assets (depreciated 1/31/2013)	'	'	'	5,857,670	1,523,216	'
Continuing Operations | Corporate	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information, expenditures for additions to long-lived assets (depreciated 1/31/2013)	'	'	'	$22,724	$4,554	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Mar. 14, 2014

Sep. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 14, 2014

Feb. 20, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 05, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 17, 2014

Nov. 04, 2013

Aug. 02, 2013

Jun. 06, 2013

16-May-13

Oct-06

Iroquois Complaint [Member]

Iroquois Complaint [Member]

Iroquois Complaint [Member]

Iroquois Complaint [Member]

Iroquois Complaint [Member]

Iroquois Complaint [Member]

Iroquois Complaint [Member]

Iroquois Complaint [Member]

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Price

'

'

'

'

$7.05

'

$7.80

'

'

'

'

$0.93

$1.51

$0.93

$1.43

Sale of Stock, Price Per Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1.25

'

'

Estimated Litigation Liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,015,440

'

'

'

'

Interest Payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,131

0.09

'

'

'

Cash

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

1,858,349

1,858,349

'

542,564

'

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding

'

'

8,526,795

'

'

10,852,747

'

'

852,220

852,220

'

810,805

'

'

'

Common stock, par value

'

'

$0.02

'

'

$0.02

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrants and Rights Outstanding

'

'

8,526,795

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock warrants issued

'

3,411,235

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, $.02 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 23,306,116 shares issued, of which 23,295,491 are outstanding and 10,625 are held in treasury at June 30, 2014; 37,475,000 shares authorized,18,885,878 shares issued, of which 18,875,253 are outstanding and 10,625 are held in treasury at December 31, 2013

'

'

465,709

'

'

377,505

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common Stock, Shares Authorized

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

37,475,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Legal Costs and Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

750,000

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,765,440

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Expense, Related Party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

92,909

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,108,349

'

'

'

'

'

'