PEMFC system and low-grade bioethanol processor unit development for back-up and off-grid power applications
In this project a cost-competitive, energy-efficient and durable integrated PEMFC based power system operating on low-grade (crude) bioethanol will be developed for back-up and off-grid power generation. Back-up and off-grid power is one of the strongest early markets for fuel cell technology today. Wireless communication systems are rapidly expanding globally, and the need for reliable, cost-competitive and environmentally sustainable back-up and off-grid power is growing, especially in developing countries. Cost-competitive PEMFC power system compatible with crude bioethanol would allow direct use of easily transported and stored, locally produced sustainable and low-emission fuel also in developing countries, further adding value and increasing the number of potential applications and end-users for fuel cell and hydrogen technology. The PEMBeyond system will basically consist of the following functions integrated as a one complete system: a) Reforming of crude bioethanol, b) H2 purification, c) Power generation in PEMFC system. Optimized overall system design combined to use of improved system components and control strategies will lead to improvements in cost, efficiency and durability throughout the complete system. Latest automotive reformate compatible PEMFC stacks will be used, possessing high potential to reducing stack manufacturing costs. On top of this, the stacks as a part of a low-grade H2 compatible fuel cell system design will allow both FC system simplifications (e.g. no cathode humidifier needed) and complete system simplifications (e.g. higher CO ppm and lower H2% allowed) leading to decreased cost. Optimizing the target H2 quality used will be an important task with the regard to overall system cost, efficiency and durability. An extensive techno-economic analysis will be carried out throughout the project to ensure attractiveness of the concept. A roadmap to volume production will be one of the main deliverables of the project.
External links:
CORDIS link, Project’s website
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Large scale demonstration of substitution of battery electric forklifts by hydrogen fuel cell forklifts in logistics warehouses
HAWL project aims at demonstrating competitiveness, technical maturity and user acceptance of hydrogen fuel cell powered forklift trucks fleets in a logistics warehouse environment in Europe, as an alternative to battery powered trucks operation.
Electric forklift trucks have gained popularity in Europe due to efficiency of engines, absence of noise and of emissions at point of use. The main issue they have to address is battery management. Limited autonomy of batteries and voltage drops at end of discharge lead to complex battery swapping, and recharge processes.
A few fuel cell initiatives have started in Europe in the material handling segment, however nearly all operators use a mix of forklift trucks of different types and no fuel cell vendor has yet proposed a wide enough range of products to allow a full warehouse fleet conversion, necessary to suppress battery operations and obtain the benefits expected from the technology.
The new generation of fuel cell products and refuelling infrastructure that HyPulsion, Air Liquide and OEMs intend to develop in the frame of the HAWL project, are expected to bring productivity gains for the end users, due to faster and simpler refuelling and longer expected autonomy, while reaching the cost and performance targets needed for wide commercialization.
The HAWL consortium, which gathers major companies in the field of fuel cells, forklift trucks, hydrogen distribution and dispensing and warehouse logistics, will undertake to prove productivity gains and reach or exceed economic breakeven in operations, using the technology on full fleets.
The consortium within a 3-year time frame will:
- Solve relevant safety and acceptance issues,
- Pass required certification steps,
- Obtain necessary operating permits,
- Deploy and operate 200 Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 trucks, as well as refuelling systems in multiple warehouses,
- Jointly measure, assess and demonstrate the actual productivity;
The consortium has set up a funding scheme where the grants for technology providers are used to accelerate product development, while the grants for end-users are used to limit deployment risks by helping finance local work and maintenance for the duration of the demonstration.
All individual members of the consortium have a direct interest in further development of the technology, no commercial restriction is agreed between the partners and a specific communication effort is undertaken within the program. These characteristics combined with the market audience of the consortium as a whole should maximize the dissemination potential of any positive result of the HAWL demonstration program.
The HAWL project is a unique opportunity for the consortium members and for the European industry to start the first full size deployments of fuel cells technology in the material handling vehicle segment.
External links:
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Development of a Portable Internal Reforming Methanol High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell System
The complexity of the balance of plant of a fuel cell-fuel processor unit challenges the design/development/demonstration of compact and user friendly fuel cell power systems for portable applications. An Internal Reforming Methanol Fuel Cell (IRMFC) stack poses a highly potential technological challenge for High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (HT-PEMFCs) in portable applications. It aims at opening new scientific and engineering prospects, which may allow easier market penetration of the fuel cells. The core of innovation of IRMFC is the incorporation of a methanol reforming catalyst in the anode compartment or in between the bipolar plates of a High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (HT-PEMFC). In order to obtain an economically technologically viable solution, low-cost materials with certain functional specifications within 200-220oC (electrolytes, catalysts and bipolar plates) and production techniques, with easy maintenance and high durability will be employed. Taking advantage of the innovative outcomes of the ending FCH-JU IRAFC 245202 project, the functionality of MeOH-fuelled integrated 100 W system will be demonstrated. IRMFC partnership brings together specialists in catalysis (FORTH, UMCS, ZBT, IMM), HT polymer electrolytes (UPAT, ADVENT, FORTH), as well as the technological know-how to design, construct and test balance-of-plant components and HT-PEMFC stacks (IMM, ZBT, ENERFUEL, JRC-IET, ADVENT). Special role is adapted throughout the project for end-user/system integrators (ENERFUEL, ARPEDON) with respect to emerging portable applications. In particular Advent’s joint development with HT PEM dedicated and recognized industrial partners like Enerfuel (USA) gives the ability to adopt and integrate the advanced technological know-how of the two companies toward the manufacture of a product that will have all assets to penetrate fuel cell early market business.
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SOFC APU For Auxiliary Road-truck Installations
SAFARI aims to design, optimise and build 5 100We SOFC stacks, and to integrate them into 2 truck cab power systems comprising both rapid heating planar SOFC from ALM and micro tubular SOFC from ADE, together with a battery and appliances found in a modern truck manufactured by IVECO. Additional components of the system are a gas processor to clean up the molecules from liquefied natural gas (LNG) plus other equipment for Balance of Plant (BoP) and heater/chiller. All these components will be constituents of a fuel cell unit which will first be tested in the lab and, after further miniaturisation, in a truck platform. SAFARI is primarily focussed on trucks at HAR who run a fleet of LNG trucks, but the project will also consider other options including buses and delivery vehicles using LNG. Trials will be undertaken in the UK especially to comply with approvals for codes and standards, as well as assessing the economic fleet potential. LNG was selected as the fuel because it is increasing in importance for trucks across the EU, with lower costs and much lower emissions than diesel trucks. Also, LNG is widely available throughout the EU with long-term supplies guaranteed for the next two centuries. The SOFC was chosen because it can operate readily on LNG, while providing low emissions, low noise and good heat/chilling available. In addition it is modular with potential for extending truck applications. The main benefit for the truck manufacturer is reduced emissions from LNG boil-off.
External links:
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Development of Auxiliary Power Unit for Recreational yachts
In Europe there is a very narrow technology base in portable fuel cell systems which can be applicable for various areas like emergency and remote power, recreational applications, personal portable power and educational devices. The PURE project targets these markets with the primary focus on maritime applications with a device, which will be portable, low weight and volume, based on improved HT PEM fuel cell technology. This proposal describes the project in which a fuel cell system will be designed, build, tested and demonstrated with emphasis on meeting all major technical requirements the codes and standards required to be integrated in a maritime application.
The objective of the PURE project is to create a system fuelled by propane/LPG, which is converted into a hydrogen rich stream and subsequently fed into a HT PEM stack based on PBI technology. In the end the system delivers electric power to a cover the hotel power demand of a small yacht. The use of off-the-shelf, mass-produced components and design practices both developed in previous European funded projects will result in a small system which is low cost and able to reach the specifications.
The consortium gathered to work in this project is a combination of partners who have experience in:
- Defining the market requirements, codes and standards of the system
- Translating these requirements into technical specifications and models
- Designing and building prototype systems
- Testing and validating the systems in laboratory environment and through real life demonstration in a yacht.
This covers the value chain of the system under discussion.
The final result will be two working prototypes of the PURE system, which will be demonstrated under laboratory environmental condition and in a real ship to show that it is robust enough to be ready for the next phase of field trials.
External links:
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SOFC Auxiliary Power In Emissions/Noise Solutions
This project aims to design, optimise and build several 200W mSOFC stacks and to integrate them into hybrid power systems comprising the fuel cell, a battery and appliances found in a recreational vehicle (RV). Additional components of the system are a gas processor to clean up the autogas propane fuel plus other equipment for electrical, mechanical and control balance of plant (BOP). All these components will be constituents of an entire fuel cell power generator which will first be tested in the lab and, after further optimisation and miniaturisation, in an RV platform. The project is primarily aimed at the RV platform from Auto sleepers, an SME based in the UK, but other applications such as boats, ambulances and environmental testing vehicles will also be studied. Propane was chosen as the the fuel because of its superior energy density compared to hydrogen and methanol, and also because it is the generally preferred fuel for auxiliary systems on RVs, such as cookers, fridges and water heaters. Auto gas propane is widely available at filling stations throughout Europe. The SOFC was chosen because it can convert propane while also providing low noise, low emissions and heat for hot water supply.
The overall objectives are:
Develop the fuel cell power supply to fit the RV
Test the Auto gas propane fuel
Study the needs of the market to reduce the risks of commercialisation
Improve the SOFC in terms of materials, lifetime, performance and costs
Innovate on noise reduction and emissions
Provide several fuel cells for testing optimisation and proving
To test long term durability and cycling for obtaining approvals
To disseminate by getting real users to apply the new device and report results across Europe
Impact will be substantial because the general public will be using these RVs. Also three special conferences will be organised to disseminate information, ten refereed publications will be submitted and patents will be published on the innovations.
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Integrated low temperature methanol steam reforming and high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell
Hydrogen is foreseen to be the energy vector of the future. However, there are still significant barriers to store and transport hydrogen, especially in small portable applications. The success of a portable Fuel Cell system depends to a large extent on the fuel supply that should be accomplished in a cost-effective and comfortable manner.
The present project proposes a power supply comprising a methanol steam reformer and high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) operating at the same temperature. The heat integration of these two units originates an increase of up to 14% of the overall efficiency; when reformer and fuel cell operate at the same temperature, the heat involved in the endothermic steam reforming reaction can be supplied by the highly exothermic fuel cell. Moreover, the heat integration also originates a much simpler and compact unit and then robust power supply that can meet and exceed the targets defined by the project call. Because the catalyst characteristics and the low operating temperature, the reformer originates a reformate stream poor in CO (<0.1%), which increases the performance and lifetime of the fuel cell. This remarkable improvement is primarily possible because the development achieved by a team member of a very high active methanol steam reforming catalyst family that can catalyze effectively this reaction at temperatures as low as 170°C.
The new integrated power supply will be a landmark in the development of a fuel cell power supply for mass consumption.
Additionally, it is considered the development and study of a composite palladium membrane for incorporating in the reformer and of an ionic liquid supported polymer membrane selective for CO2 removal from reformate streams operating up to 200°C and the characterization of developed catalysts towards the low temperature steam reforming of dimethyl ether. These are fundamental developments needed for the foreseen new generation of combined power supplies.
External links:
CORDIS link, Project’s website
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LiquidPower
The LiquidPower project addresses the topic “SP1-JTI-FCH.2011.4.3 aiming on developing a new generation fuel cell systems for the early markets of back-up-power/telecom (BT) and material handling vehicles (MH) as well as a new innovative hydrogen supply method based on onsite methanol reforming. The LiquidPower project objectives are:
R&D of a fuel cell system for Back-up-power and Telecom applications (BT), reaching full commercial market targets by 2015.
R&D of a fuel cell system for material handling vehicles (MH), reaching full commercial market targets by 2015.
R&D of a methanol reformer for onsite Hydrogen supply, enabling supply of low cost hydrogen for the early markets of BT and MH. Focus on reduced system cost and improved efficiency and outlet pressure.
For each of the developed technologies, laboratory tests are to be conducted in order to validate reaching of the technical and market targets.
Continued R&D efforts are to be planned and secured initiated as well as securing patents on the developed technologies.
The participating companies are to plan and secure initiation of following commercialisation & product maturation in order to ensure a commercial exploitation of the developed technologies.
Project results and experiences are to be disseminated throughout Europe to the hydrogen and fuel cell industry as well as the BT and MH industries, in order to identify further collaboration partners up- and downstream the value chain.
External links:
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Integrated hydrogen power packs for portable and other autonomous applications
The proposed HYPER System is a scalable and flexible portable power platform technology representing significant advances in terms of fuel cell development, hydrogen storage and associated supply. R&D will generate both new scientific knowledge and new technologies for exploitation. Specifically the project will:
• Focus on developing a system based on application specific operational and performance targets, informed by early and ongoing end user intelligence;
• Embed cost improvement and design for manufacture within the development pathway to optimise material and assembly costs and meet key cost targets;
• Demonstrate complete application specific prototypes in the field with end users;
• Deliver a market ready system that is flexible in design, and cost effective, for rapid roll out across multiple applications.
The HYPER System can be readily customised to meet a range of application specific requirements including: power output, energy (or runtime), fuelling options, and cost (capex and opex). The system is based on a modular LT PEM fuel cell system with a common interface to use with alternative hydrogen supply modules. Two generic types of (interchangeable) hydrogen storage module will be developed: a bespoke gaseous hydrogen storage module; and a solid-state hydrogen storage module based on nanostructured hydrogen storage materials.
Two proof of concept HYPER Systems will be developed and demonstrated; 100We portable power pack/field battery charger, and a 500We (continuous) range extender for a UAV. This will validate the scalability and robustness of the system whilst addressing early market opportunities that are aligned with the direct commercial interests of the Consortium Partners.
The Consortium will provide a European supply chain, and early routes to market, for the subsequent commercial exploitation of the HYPER System.
External links:
CORDIS link, Project’s website
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HyLIFT-EUROPE – Large scale demonstration of fuel cell powered material handling vehicles
The aim of HyLIFT-EUROPE is to demonstrate more than 200 fuel cell material handling vehicles and associated refuelling infrastructure at 5-20 sites across Europe, making it the largest European trial of hydrogen fuel cell material handling vehicles so far and the world’s first large scale demonstration of airport tow tractors. This will continue efforts of the ongoing FCH JU supported HyLIFT-DEMO project.
In the HyLIFT-EUROPE project the partners will demonstrate fuel cell systems in material handling vehicles from the partners STILL and MULAG and potentially from non-participating OEMs. STILL will purchase fuel cell systems from suppliers according to the FCH JU purchasing rules (“principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness”). MULAG will integrate fuel cell systems from the partner DTP. Fuel cell vehicles from other non-participating OEMs may also be demonstrated depending on identified customer needs. The high volume combined with the FCH JU support is enabling a cost-neutral demonstration operation for vehicle-users. Dialogues have been established with 33 vehicle-users with a combined fleet of 2,097 vehicles of the types targeted for demonstration.
At the vehicle-user sites 5-20 hydrogen refuelling stations (HRSs) will be deployed using the latest technology by Air Liquide. To arrive at the target hydrogen price of 8-12 €/kg (average target < 10 €/kg) dispensed at the pump, vehicle deployment locations will be chosen close to hydrogen production locations whenever possible in order to arrive at the lowest hydrogen supply cost.
External links:
CORDIS link, Project’s website
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Demonstration Project for Power Supply to Telecom Stations through FC technology
FC and H2 may represent an enabling technology for a wider diffusion of Radio Base Station “energized” by renewable energy sources. While the expected higher energy efficiency already has an attractive potential for these applications, the energy storage potential of H2 (either locally produced or stored in bottles) is even more interesting as it could extend significantly the number of hours of unattended operation which very much determines the overall energy cost for these installation. This is an instrumental feature of H2 and FC which could favour the further diffusion of mobile applications in remote sites.
To clearly demonstrate this potential a minimum of 17 sites of really operating off-grid Radio Base Stations will be equipped with an integrated power generation system using Fuel Cell technology and H2 and tested for a significant period. This very large demonstration program will be used to assess the readiness of available technological solution to make the potential viable and demonstrate the industrial readiness of the fuel cell technology in this early market. These units will demonstrate a level of technical performance (start-up time, reliability, durability, number of cycles) that qualifies them for market entry, thereby accelerating the commercialization of this technology in Europe and elsewhere.
The RBSPoweredFCH2 Project consortium integrates different EU FC and H2 related technology maker with a market leader for Telecom Systems and with R&D institution. This peculiar opportunity is also fundamental to pursue a bottom-up approach which allows to modify the energy requirements and load profile of the energy utilization to fit in an optimum way the performances expected for the Fuel Cell system.
The demonstration project will involve the benchmarking of different technical configurations for fuel cells integrated with other local Renewable Energy sources (mainly PV but also wind). One of the key factor for this off-grid application market.
External links:
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Pre Normative Research on the in-door use of fuel cells and hydrogen systems
This project addresses the issue of safe indoor use of hydrogen and fuel cells systems (priority 4.6 of the call FCH-JU-2010-1) for early markets (forklift refuelling and operation, back-up power supply, portable power generation, etc.): It aims to provide scientific and engineering knowledge for the specification of cost-effective means to control hazards specific to the use of hydrogen indoors or in confined space and developing state-of-the-art guidelines for European stakeholders.
Specific knowledge gaps need to be closed in the areas of indoor hydrogen accumulations, vented deflagrations, and under-ventilated jet fires. A focus on foreseeable release conditions for fuel cell systems in the prescribed power range and enclosure characteristics related to early markets will feed the precise formulation of analytical, numerical and experimental studies to be performed in the project.
The generated knowledge will be described in the state-of-the-art safety guidelines including contemporary engineering tools and recommendations to provide safe introduction of fuel cells and hydrogen in early markets.
The recommendations will be formulated for integration into ongoing or new Regulations Codes and Standards activities to be implemented at national and international levels.
The consortium includes key players in the field comprising industry (Air Liquide, HFCS), research organisations (CEA, KIT-G, HSL, JRC, NCSRD), academia (UU), and an actor in RCS development (CCS Global Group).
The outputs of the project will be disseminated to the hydrogen safety community through different channels including international and national associations (IA-HySafe, EHA, EIGA, etc.), standard development organisation (ISO, CEN, etc.), national regulators (e.g. HSE/HSL in the UK) and educational/training programs (e.g. MSc course in Hydrogen Safety Engineering and International short course and advanced research workshop series “Progress in Hydrogen Safety“ at Ulster).
External links:
CORDIS link, Project’s website
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Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power System development and integration into a Mini-UAV
SUAV aims to design, optimise and build a 100-200W mSOFC stack, and to integrate it into a hybrid power system comprising the mSOFC stack and a battery. Additional components of the system are a fuel processor to generate reformate gas from propane and other electrical, mechanical and control balance of plant (BoP).
All these components will be constituents of an entire fuel cell power generator which will first be tested in the lab and, after further optimisation and miniaturisation, in a mini UAV platform. SUAV is primarily aiming at platforms like the CopterCity UAV platform from Survey Copter (France) but will consider other options (in particular fixed wing vehicles) too.
Propane was chosen as the fuel due to its superior energy density compared to hydrogen, whichever storage technique is used. The SOFC was chosen since it can convert reformate (i.e. CO/H2-mixtures) to electricity, as compared to other types of fuel cell that require very pure hydrogen, which significantly reduces fuel processing.
The design of the mSOFC power generator will be primarily driven by the weight and volume available in the mini-UAV. The project intends to optimise mission duration, while efficiency is of less concern. It will open opportunities for exploitation in other light-weight man-portable applications.
External links:
CORDIS link, Project’s website
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Improved Durability and Cost-effective Components for New Generation Solid Polymer Electrolyte Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
The main objective of the DURAMET project is to develop cost-effective components for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) with enhanced activity and stability in order to reduce stack costs and improve performance and durability. The project concerns with the development of DMFCs for application in auxiliary power units (APU) as well as for portable systems. The target temperature for DMFCs in APU applications is 120-130 °C. To overcome the methanol cross-over and dehydration problems of perfluorosulphonic membranes, such as Nafion, or the slow start-up and electrolyte leaching in hot methanol solution of phosphoric acid-doped polybenzoimidazole membranes, the efforts for APU applications will be focused on new polyphosphonic acid functionalised polymers. Cost-effective sulphonated polysulfone hydrocarbon membranes with better resistance than Nafion to methanol cross-over as well as to the drag of Ru ions will be developed for portable applications. For both applications improved durability electro-catalysts will be developed with the aim to reduce costs, degradation and noble metals content. The work will address the development of cost-effective Pd catalysts or noble metal-free materials, the latter especially for high temperature applications. These systems will be dispersed on Ti-suboxides supports in order to stabilize the metallic phase through a strong metal-support interaction (SMSI). This will reduce electrochemical corrosion phenomena which in most cases are promoted by the degradation of carbonaceous supports. To validate the new membranes and electro-catalysts materials, specific development of membrane-electrode assembly will be carried out with tailored hydrophobic-hydrophilic electrode characteristics. The new developed components will be thus validated in short stacks to assess their performance and durability under practical operation. Specific attention will be devoted to the exploitation, dissemination and the training of young researchers.
External links:
CORDIS link, Project’s website
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Sustainable Hydrogen Evaluation in Logistics
Materials handling vehicles are currently powered by either electric motors based on lead-acid batteries or combustion engines employing diesel or liquefied petroleum gas. A number of disadvantages have been encountered with these current power systems and many efforts have been undertaken to find new ways to power the vehicles.
Here, fuel cells offer advantages over the competing electrochemical technology, including sustained high performance over the operating period and faster time to return the system to a full state.
The overall purpose of the SHEL project is to demonstrate the market readiness of the technology and to develop a template for future commercialization of hydrogen powered fuel cell based materials handling vehicles for demanding, high intensity logistics operations.
This project will demonstrate 10 FC forklift trucks and associated hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across 4 sites in Europe. Real time information will be gathered to demonstrate the advantages of using fuel cells to current technologies and fast procedures will be developed to reduce the time required for product certification and infrastructural build approval. Moreover, to ensure the widest dissemination of the results, the project will build a comprehensive Stake Holder Group of partners to pave the way for wider acceptance of the technology.
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Development of an Internal Reforming Alcohol High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Stack
The main objective of the proposal is the development of an internal reforming alcohol high temperature PEM fuel cell. Accomplishment of the project objective will be made through: • Design and synthesis of robust polymer electrolyte membranes for HT-PEMFCs, which will be functional within the temperature range of 190-220oC. • Development of alcohol (methanol or ethanol) reforming catalysts for the production of CO-free hydrogen in the temperature range of HT PEMFCs, i.e. at 190-220oC. • Integration of reforming catalyst and high temperature MEA in a compact Internal Reforming Alcohol High Temperature PEMFC (IRAFC). Integration may be achieved via different configurations as related to the position of the reforming catalyst. The proposed compact system does away with conventional fuel processors and allows for efficient heat management, since the “waste” heat produced by the fuel cell is in-situ utilized to drive the endothermic reforming reaction. The targeted power density of the system is 0.15 W/cm2 at a cell voltage of 0.7 V. Thus, the concepts of a catalytic reformer and of a fuel cell are combined in a single, simplified direct alcohol (e.g. methanol) High Temperature PEM fuel cell reactor. The heart of the system is the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a high-temperature proton-conducting electrolyte sandwiched between the anodic (reforming catalyst + Pt/C) and cathodic Pt/C gas diffusion electrodes. According to the configuration and the operating conditions described above, the IRAFC is expected to be autothermal, highly efficient and with zero CO emissions. In addition, the direct consumption of H2 by the MEA (fuel cell) and the electrochemical promotion effect is expected to enhance the kinetics of reforming reactions, thus facilitating the efficient operation of the reforming catalyst at temperatures below 220°C.
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European demonstration of hydrogen powered fuel cell forklifts
The overall purpose and ambition of HyLIFT-DEMO is to conduct a large scale demonstration of hydrogen powered fuel cell materials handling vehicles, which enables a following deployment and market introduction starting no later than 2015.
The HyLIFT-DEMO project objectives are:
- To conduct the demonstration of at least 11 units of fuel cell forklifts and fuel cell tow tractors with an integrated 3rd generation fuel cell system,
- To conduct the demonstration of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure at end-user sites throughout Europe where the fuel cell material handling vehicles are to be demonstrated,
- To conduct accelerated laboratory durability tests on fuel cell systems to validate life time and sensitivity to vibration exposure, reaching 4,000 hours in laboratory,
- To validate value proposition & reaching of commercial and environmental targets by conducting data acquisition from the demonstration operation and validating reaching of performance targets on durability, efficiency and costs for 3rd generation technology,
- To plan and secure initiation of R&D of 4th generation commercial products by ensuring that R&D of 4th generation fuel cell and hydrogen refuelling technology is initiated onwards reaching full commercial targets,
- To plan and ensure initiation of a commercial market deployment by end of 2015 of hydrogen powered fuel cell forklifts and develop suggestions for deployment support mechanisms,
- To secure RCS for enabling commercialisation by identifying future Regulation, Codes & Standard needs in order to enable commercial high volume certification & use of hydrogen powered fuel cell material handling vehicles and
- To disseminate project results throughout Europe to the hydrogen and fuel cell industry as well as the material handling industry, motivating national and regional actors to also initiate development and commercialisation activities within the area.
External links:
CORDIS link, Project’s website
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Fuel cell field test demonstration of economic and environmental viability for portable generators, backup and UPS power system applications
A total of 19 market-ready fuel cell systems from 2 suppliers (ElectroPS, FutureE) will be installed as UPS/ backup power sources in selected sites across the EU. Real-world customers from the telecommunications and hotel industry will utilize these fuel cell-based systems, with power levels in the 1-10kW range, in their sites. These units will demonstrate a level of technical performance (start-up time, reliability, durability, number of cycles) that qualifies them for market entry, thereby accelerating the commercialisation of this technology in Europe and elsewhere. The demonstration project will involve the benchmarking of units from both fuel cell suppliers according to a test protocol to be developed within the project. It will employ this test protocol to conduct extensive tests in field trials in sites selected by final users in Italy, Switzerland and Turkey. The performance will be logged and analysed to draw conclusions regarding commercial viability and degree to which they meet customer requirements, as well as suggesting areas for improvement. A lifecycle cost analysis using data from the project will be carried out to determine economic value proposition over incumbent technologies such as batteries or diesel generators. The system producers use the results to obtain valuable first hand feedback from customers, optimise their systems as needed, and demonstrate commercial viability. On the other hand, final users from the telecommunications and hotel industry will experience first-hand the advantages of fuel cells for their applications under real world conditions. The optimisation potential is expected from the production process itself, from the installation of a significant amount of fuel cell systems and from the testing. The project will also develop a certification procedure valid in the EU27 under the lead of TÜV Süd.
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MOBILITY WITH HYDROGEN FOR POSTAL DELIVERY
Transport will probably experience its main revolution from the beginning of the industrial age. Developments around thermal engines meet technological limits and fossil origin fuel are more and more disparaged due to their worth impact on environment, climatic evolution and air or noise pollution in the cities.
Research is lead in different ways from years to purpose alternative energies to fossil fuel. Electricity driving and hydrogen fuel cells are promising solutions, but are not largely commercialised yet. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cells face several challenges which need to be overcome: reliability and life time of the fuel cell, distribution networks absence.
MobyPost aims at implementing hydrogen and fuel cell technology at a middle level, based on an environmental respectful strategy, and including a significant experimentation which will enable to proof the viability of the technology and initiate its commercialisation in the field of market niches as material handling vehicles.
MobyPost proposes to develop the concept of electric vehicles powered by fuel cells for delivery application and a local hydrogen production and associated refuelling apparatus from a renewable primary energy source, using industrial buildings to produce hydrogen by electrolysis, roofs of the buildings being covered of photovoltaic solar cells able to supply electrolysis.
In contrast to most of the development strategies existing so far, MobyPost will implement low pressure solutions for hydrogen storage.
The project will lay on experimentation of two fleets of five vehicles, on two different sites for postal mail delivery of La Poste. Development of vehicles and the two refuelling stations associated will be realized considering all certifications processes required in order to implement experimentation in real operating conditions, and taking in account very closely public acceptance towards solutions that will be implemented.
External links:
CORDIS link, Project’s website
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In situ H2 supply technology for micro fuel cells
In the project two novel solutions for fuelling micro fuel cells are studied and developed to a demonstration level. The primary application area is fuel cell based power sources of portable electronic appliances such as cell phones, mp3-players and laptop computers, but also similar niche products. A generally recognized fact is that today’s battery technology is not sufficient for many of those applications despite expected progress in the field due to the increasing number of features implemented. Fuel cell technology provides in principle a solution to the problem by enabling the use of chemical energy storages. The low temperature PEM technology is inherently feasible choice for consumer products because of the close-to-human nature of the applications provided that logistics of hydrogen can be solved. In the project we consider a solution, which combines hydrogen PEM with fuelling technology, where hydrogen is stored in a chemical form in a primary fuel and released in-situ on-demand bases. This provides benefits as to DMFC technology. The fuel cell using hydrogen can be made in a more compact size because of higher volumetric power density. The primary fuel can be stored in a disposable or recycled cartridge, which is changeable and logistically easily available. Two different technologies to produce hydrogen will be considered. One is based on NaBH as the fuel and the other on catalyzed electrolysis of methanol. The project has two main objectives: - Firstly, to show that the both technologies consider are feasible and fulfil the RCS requirements of mobile/portable electronic appliances in consumer markets. - Secondly, to find the best ways to build up logistics for fuelling using disposable or recycled cartridges. The power range targeted in the practical development work for demonstration is 5 – 20 W. Feasibility of the cartridge technologies and applications will be, however, explored in a wider range from 0.5 W up to 100 W level.
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