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Arup reports hydrogen can be catalyst for decarbonising the UK
NEWS Mobility Ecosystems’ call for tenders. The solution is designed to meet environmental, industrial, and economic challenges. First, renewable hydrogen-driven mobility will improve air quality across the nine priority areas. With 80% of the hydrogen sector stakeholders located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, developing hydrogen-driven mobility will give momentum to this premium industrial sector and help ensure its longevity. And in economic terms, the project will create jobs in the AuvergneRhône-Alpes region, as well as regional training centres to provide young people with support in accessing clean-mobility jobs and securing employment in the zero-carbon industry. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region: www.auvergnerhonealpes.fr [in French] Michelin: www.michelin.com/en Engie Cofely: www.engie-cofely.fr [in French] ADEME: www.ademe.fr/en
Horizon unveils ultrathin bipolar plates for automotive fuel cells
S
ingapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies has announced a breakthrough in PEM fuel cell stack technology, with ultra-thin bipolar plates that deliver high power density and offer significant cost-reduction potential, in particular targeting automotive fuel cells. Horizon’s latest high power density, automotive fuel cell stacks are made using its 1.1 mm thick graphite bipolar plates. The company says that these patent pending, state-of-the-art plates exhibit performance superior to that of conventional metal bipolar plates and typical graphite bipolar plates. The new stack design achieves superior reactant supply, water removal and heat transfer under high current density, even compared to state-of-the-art 3D flow channel structures, according to Chen Jie, CTO of Horizon Group. Horizon’s R&D centre in Shanghai, China has optimised materials and design configurations for bipolar plates and membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs), to achieve a continuous power density of 1.5 W/cm2 at 0.6 V per cell in a full-size short stack, doubling the power density of some commercial automotive fuel cells. Further power density improvement to 1.8 W/cm2 is expected in the future. Commercial production of Horizon’s new 60–100 kW, high power density, low-cost automotive fuel cell stacks will commence before the end of 2019. George Gu, Chairman of Horizon Group, points out that cell power density per cm2
June 2019
is more important than volume power density when considering the commercial attractiveness of fuel cell systems. Doubling power density means not only doubling volume power density but also halving material cost, laying a foundation for near-term, large-scale commercialisation of fuel cell electric vehicles. Horizon will combine this breakthrough in bipolar plate technology with recent investments in highly automated manufacturing processes for fuel cell stacks and key materials, with a view to helping its customers achieve excellent cost structures for both FCEV and fuel cell power plant applications. The company recently signed Memoranda of Understanding with global customers for 1000 automotive fuel cell systems, and fuel cell power plants to generate in excess of 40 MW from byproduct hydrogen. Two years ago Horizon established a joint venture in China to construct a facility in Rugao, Jiangsu Province to produce 10–30 kW modules for FCEVs [April 2017, p11]. Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies: www.horizonfuelcell.com
Arup reports hydrogen can be catalyst for decarbonising the UK
A
new report by multinational consultancy Arup outlines the steps needed for a successful UK hydrogen economy by 2035. The report says that hydrogen has a potentially significant role to play in decarbonising the whole energy system, and that this could provide a blueprint for other countries seeking to do the same. Establishing a Hydrogen Economy: The Future of Energy 2035 highlights progress in demonstrating the use of hydrogen for transport and heat, and emphasises the need for more policy progress and collaboration between government, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders to shape future demand, change consumer perception, and create the strong supply chains needed to allow the hydrogen economy to thrive. The report is the result of extensive consultations and workshops with industry stakeholders including investors, government, transport bodies, and multinational companies that examined the challenges and opportunities of using hydrogen. The report, supported by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), outlines clear steps needed for the UK to fully embrace hydrogen, in a joined-up system approach with a balance of hydrogen and renewable electricity. These include stronger collaboration between government and private organisations, where industry needs to be
clear with the government about what is needed to create a unified approach to policy, and sufficient engagement with consumers. In addition, network capacity should be incrementally increased – demand-led, with production planned to keep pace – and there should be a focus on quickly delivering high-profile projects – such as hydrogen use in transport – to build confidence, experience, and a supply chain needed to tackle more complex challenges. Arup is lead consultant on four hydrogen projects in the UK, including Hy4Heat, which will establish if it is technically possible, safe, and convenient for consumers to replace methane with hydrogen in existing domestic properties. The company was also recently appointed by the Port of Auckland to explore hydrogen use for transport in New Zealand [FCB, January 2019, p8]. Arup: www.arup.com Report (PDF): https://tinyurl.com/arup-h2-uk-2035 Arup, Hy4Heat project: www.arup.com/projects/hy4heat
Nel launches largescale containerised PEM electrolyser
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el Hydrogen Electrolyser, a subsidiary of Norwegian-based Nel ASA, has launched its M Series containerised Proton™ PEM electrolyser, which offers the same robustness and reliability as the company’s conventional M Series units while enabling faster and more flexible installation. The containerised version of the M Series will be delivered as standard 1 and 2 MW (200 and 400 Nm3/h) configurations. Scaling up from the 1 MW platform to the 2 MW platform and allowing multiple units to be integrated easily in the field was a key consideration during the product’s development. ‘We have spent considerable effort over the last year to finalise the design of our M Series Proton PEM electrolyser in a containerised version,’ says Anders Søreng, CTO of Nel. ‘We are already experiencing significant interest for this solution in the market.’ Nel has more than 3500 reliable, costefficient alkaline and PEM water electrolysers installed around the world, serving a wide range of applications at small to large scales. The company also offers renewable hydrogen solutions and hydrogen fueling stations [see page 9, and the In Brief item on page 5]. Nel, containerised PEM electrolysers: www.nelhydrogen.com/product/m-series-c
Fuel Cells Bulletin
13
Horizon unveils ultrathin bipolar plates for automotive fuel cells
S
ingapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies has announced a breakthrough in PEM fuel cell stack technology, with ultra-thin bipolar plates that deliver high power density and offer significant cost-reduction potential, in particular targeting automotive fuel cells. Horizon’s latest high power density, automotive fuel cell stacks are made using its 1.1 mm thick graphite bipolar plates. The company says that these patent pending, state-of-the-art plates exhibit performance superior to that of conventional metal bipolar plates and typical graphite bipolar plates. The new stack design achieves superior reactant supply, water removal and heat transfer under high current density, even compared to state-of-the-art 3D flow channel structures, according to Chen Jie, CTO of Horizon Group. Horizon’s R&D centre in Shanghai, China has optimised materials and design configurations for bipolar plates and membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs), to achieve a continuous power density of 1.5 W/cm2 at 0.6 V per cell in a full-size short stack, doubling the power density of some commercial automotive fuel cells. Further power density improvement to 1.8 W/cm2 is expected in the future. Commercial production of Horizon’s new 60–100 kW, high power density, low-cost automotive fuel cell stacks will commence before the end of 2019. George Gu, Chairman of Horizon Group, points out that cell power density per cm2
June 2019
is more important than volume power density when considering the commercial attractiveness of fuel cell systems. Doubling power density means not only doubling volume power density but also halving material cost, laying a foundation for near-term, large-scale commercialisation of fuel cell electric vehicles. Horizon will combine this breakthrough in bipolar plate technology with recent investments in highly automated manufacturing processes for fuel cell stacks and key materials, with a view to helping its customers achieve excellent cost structures for both FCEV and fuel cell power plant applications. The company recently signed Memoranda of Understanding with global customers for 1000 automotive fuel cell systems, and fuel cell power plants to generate in excess of 40 MW from byproduct hydrogen. Two years ago Horizon established a joint venture in China to construct a facility in Rugao, Jiangsu Province to produce 10–30 kW modules for FCEVs [April 2017, p11]. Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies: www.horizonfuelcell.com
Arup reports hydrogen can be catalyst for decarbonising the UK
A
new report by multinational consultancy Arup outlines the steps needed for a successful UK hydrogen economy by 2035. The report says that hydrogen has a potentially significant role to play in decarbonising the whole energy system, and that this could provide a blueprint for other countries seeking to do the same. Establishing a Hydrogen Economy: The Future of Energy 2035 highlights progress in demonstrating the use of hydrogen for transport and heat, and emphasises the need for more policy progress and collaboration between government, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders to shape future demand, change consumer perception, and create the strong supply chains needed to allow the hydrogen economy to thrive. The report is the result of extensive consultations and workshops with industry stakeholders including investors, government, transport bodies, and multinational companies that examined the challenges and opportunities of using hydrogen. The report, supported by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), outlines clear steps needed for the UK to fully embrace hydrogen, in a joined-up system approach with a balance of hydrogen and renewable electricity. These include stronger collaboration between government and private organisations, where industry needs to be
clear with the government about what is needed to create a unified approach to policy, and sufficient engagement with consumers. In addition, network capacity should be incrementally increased – demand-led, with production planned to keep pace – and there should be a focus on quickly delivering high-profile projects – such as hydrogen use in transport – to build confidence, experience, and a supply chain needed to tackle more complex challenges. Arup is lead consultant on four hydrogen projects in the UK, including Hy4Heat, which will establish if it is technically possible, safe, and convenient for consumers to replace methane with hydrogen in existing domestic properties. The company was also recently appointed by the Port of Auckland to explore hydrogen use for transport in New Zealand [FCB, January 2019, p8]. Arup: www.arup.com Report (PDF): https://tinyurl.com/arup-h2-uk-2035 Arup, Hy4Heat project: www.arup.com/projects/hy4heat
Nel launches largescale containerised PEM electrolyser
N
el Hydrogen Electrolyser, a subsidiary of Norwegian-based Nel ASA, has launched its M Series containerised Proton™ PEM electrolyser, which offers the same robustness and reliability as the company’s conventional M Series units while enabling faster and more flexible installation. The containerised version of the M Series will be delivered as standard 1 and 2 MW (200 and 400 Nm3/h) configurations. Scaling up from the 1 MW platform to the 2 MW platform and allowing multiple units to be integrated easily in the field was a key consideration during the product’s development. ‘We have spent considerable effort over the last year to finalise the design of our M Series Proton PEM electrolyser in a containerised version,’ says Anders Søreng, CTO of Nel. ‘We are already experiencing significant interest for this solution in the market.’ Nel has more than 3500 reliable, costefficient alkaline and PEM water electrolysers installed around the world, serving a wide range of applications at small to large scales. The company also offers renewable hydrogen solutions and hydrogen fueling stations [see page 9, and the In Brief item on page 5]. Nel, containerised PEM electrolysers: www.nelhydrogen.com/product/m-series-c
Fuel Cells Bulletin
13