Ballard to supply additional next-gen bus module for Solaris

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Ballard to supply additional next-gen bus module for Solaris

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anadian-based Ballard Power Systems has received a followon order from Solaris Bus & Coach in Poland, for a fuel cell power module to be used in a zero-emission bus planned for deployment in Europe. Ballard’s next-generation FCvelocity®-HD7 power module, which is scheduled for delivery to Solaris later this year, will be incorporated into a new 24 m (80 ft) fuel cell bus design that is bi-articulated, i.e. a very long bus that bends in two places. The first two Solaris buses powered by Ballard’s FCvelocity-HD7 fuel cell power module were presented to Hamburger Hochbahn – transit operator for the German city of Hamburg – as part of an operational trial that began last December [FCB, January 2015, p2]. Solaris manufactures intracity, intercity and special-purpose buses as well as low-floor trams, and is a leading player in the European bus industry. Last November it participated with a number of European bus OEMs in signing a Letter of Understanding which signaled their anticipation of 500–1000 fuel cell buses being put into service in urban centres across Europe between 2017 and 2020 [FCB, February 2014, p2 and December 2014, p3]. Each of the participating manufacturers intends to independently develop, demonstrate, and offer products in accordance with this timeframe. Ballard’s next-generation FCvelocity-HD7 fuel cell power module features a reduced parts count – including fewer moving parts – an integrated air compressor and coolant pump, along with reduced parasitic load. The company is supplying this advanced module to a number of international customers, including for eight buses to be deployed in several Chinese cities [FCB, May 2015, p2], for Škoda Electric trolley buses for Riga in Latvia [FCB, November 2014, p2], to Canadian bus manufacturer New Flyer Industries [FCB, August 2014, p2], and for Van Hool in Belgium [FCB, January 2014, p2]. Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com Solaris Bus & Coach: www.solarisbus.com Solaris bi-articulated fuel cell bus: www.solarisbus.com/busmania/news/#3011

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Fuel Cells Bulletin

TU Delft team test hydrogen race car on Nürburgring circuit

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tudents at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands have given their hydrogen fuel cell powered race car the ultimate test, with a flying lap of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany. Former F1 driver Jan Lammers achieved a lap time of 10m 42.48s in the Forze VI car, even overtaking other cars. The Forze VI raced through 73 challenging corners, completing the 21 km (13 miles) of world-class racing track in under 11 minutes, and thereby setting a new record for a racing car with a hydrogen fuel cell. ‘The successful lap is an enormous motivator for the team,’ says team leader Menno Dalmijn. ‘The circuit is not dubbed ‘The Green Hell’ for nothing, as it pushes all race cars to their absolute limits. With the lap data gathered, the analysis will aid the team in reaching the higher power limits of their racer, which so far has only driven on half power.’ The Forze VI reached a top speed of 170 km/h (105 mph) on the track, but the students believe that it can do much more. With some optimisations and tweaks, the car will theoretically reach a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph), along with 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration in a blistering 4 s. The Forze VI was designed by a group of more than 50 students from TU Delft, who dedicated two-and-a-half years to making a hydrogen-electric racing car, the first of its kind. The car is powered by a 100 kW PEM fuel cell developed by the students, in combination with an energy management system and several supercapacitors. Formula Zero Team Delft has been developing hydrogen technologies since 2008 [FCB, October 2008, p4]. In the coming years, they will go head to head with combustion engines in various races, with the ultimate goal being the 24 Hours of Le Mans, using nothing but hydrogen. Swiss-based GreenGT Technologies had been lined up to enter its GreenGT H2 race car, the first racing hydrogen fuel cell prototype, in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013, but the team withdrew because of insufficient preparation [FCB, July 2012, p11 and June 2013, p5]. But that year did see the Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S race car, featuring a hybrid hydrogen internal combustion engine system, become the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in an international motor race,

June 2015