- Email: [email protected]
Blue World takes stake in MEA manufacturer Danish Power Systems
NEWS vehicles. The engine includes its own fully integrated compressor and unique, patented controls for ease of integration and operation. The company’s PEM fuel cell stack technology incorporates uncoated metal plates that it says provide superior resistance to shock and vibration, and an open flow-field architecture for high power density and efficiency. Nuvera Fuel Cells – which also has a European office and testing facility in Milan, Italy – manufactures heavy-duty, zero-emissions hydrogen PEM fuel cell engines to meet the rigorous needs of industrial vehicles and other transportation markets [e.g. FCB, August 2017, p4 and January 2019, p14]. The company is a subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Group [January 2015, p3], which designs, engineers, manufactures, sells, and services a comprehensive line of lift trucks and aftermarket parts marketed globally primarily under the Hyster® and Yale® brands.
mm have been developed, in addition to a very compact and light all-plastic valve with a weight of only 300 g and a bore diameter of 25 mm. The cathode valves can provide air volumes of up to 750 kg/h, and absolute charging pressures of up to 400 kPa (4 bar, 58 psi). The materials selected and combined for this application guarantee the necessary resistance to hydrogen as well as high-purity water, and the new cathode valve contains an electric motor drive with plenty of reserve power. On the waterenriched exhaust-air side of the cathode, it offers the necessary operational reliability so that no functional impairments can occur, even under freezing conditions. A number of features have been developed specifically with regard to micro leakage when used as a stack isolation valve, including the use of a high-stability sealing elastomer.
Nuvera Fuel Cells: www.nuvera.com
Pierburg: www.rheinmetall-automotive.com/en/brands/pierburg
Rheinmetall develops fan for automotive stacks, receives order
G
erman-based technology group Rheinmetall is expanding its automotive product portfolio in the direction of new driveline systems, including the development of a recirculation fan for unused hydrogen within an automotive fuel cell stack. Rheinmetall already offers a range of products for battery electric vehicles, and its current development efforts include components for alternative powertrains, such as fuel cells. Within this context, Rheinmetall Automotive is developing a recirculation fan for hydrogen not yet consumed within the fuel cell stack. Its Pierburg subsidiary has now won an order from a major (but unnamed) German vehicle manufacturer. Pierburg will supply cathode electric valves that will be used in fuel cell electric vehicles built by this premium automaker, which plans to commence production in 2022. This innovative generation of electric flap systems was developed at the Pierburg facility in Berlin, and will be used to control the inlet and exhaust air mass flows as well as for the extremely tight shutoff of the fuel cell stack. Pierburg has made use of its long experience in developing and manufacturing throttle and control valves; its first fuel cell cathode valves were developed several years ago. In view of the broad capacity range of fuel cell stacks and the resulting air mass requirements, cathode valves with a diameter of up to 57
12
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Rheinmetall Automotive: www.rheinmetall-automotive.com/en
companies to establish the Pure Power Pool consortium, a one-stop-shop for the supply of hydrogen fuel cell systems [August 2019, p11], and is currently installing a stack manufacturing robot that will boost production capacity to 5000 fuel cell units per annum [June 2019, p14]. Schäfer Elektronik is an established manufacturer of power supply systems for industrial applications, in particular for the oil & gas, defence, industrial automation, power generation, rail, and automotive segments. The idea of using fuel cell power plants in EV charging stations is attracting growing interest: AFC Energy aims to launch its alkaline fuel cell based CH2ARGE™ system later this year [July 2019, p11, and see page 13 in this issue], and Ideanomics is partnering with Palcan to deploy the latter’s methanol-to-hydrogen reforming technology in combination with PEM fuel cells for upgrading existing conventional filling station networks [August 2019, p11]. Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH: www.proton-motor.de/gb Schäfer Elektronik GmbH:
Proton Power Systems, www.schaeferpower.de/?lang=en Schäfer Elektronik link Blue World takes stake up for EV charging JV in MEA manufacturer K-based Proton Power Systems Plc Uhas entered into a joint venture Danish Power Systems agreement with Schäfer Elektronik GmbH in Germany, to create an integrated system that can provide at least 1 MW of power to supply battery electric vehicle charging stations. The partners will integrate Proton Power’s larger industrial PEM fuel cells with Schäfer’s power electronics, battery, and hydrogen storage systems into a single integrated plug-and-play power unit for EV charging stations. This 1 MW+ system will be available either as a standalone unit or grid-connected, with the latter also able to support the local electric grid if required. Proton Power Systems expects that the electric car industry across Europe will rapidly increase by 2021, leading to greater demand for EV charging stations. In order to achieve a zero-carbon footprint and avoid overloading national electric grids, these charging stations could well be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, to supply the required electric load without undue stress on the electric grid. Proton Power Systems – which operates through its German subsidiary Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH [see the feature in FCB, May 2015] – offers complete fuel cell and hybrid systems and services, from development and production to implementation of customised solutions. Proton Motor recently partnered with two German
D
enmark-based Blue World Technologies has acquired 15% of Danish Power Systems, a developer and manufacturer of membraneelectrode assembly (MEA) technology for high-temperature PEM fuel cells. Blue World aims to utilise DPS’s proven technology to strengthen the market position of its high-efficiency methanol fuel cell systems. Blue World Technologies produces components and systems utilising hightemperature PEM fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) technology combined with integrated methanol reforming, for automotive and mobility applications [FCB, November 2018, p11]. The company aims to become the leading manufacturer of highly energy-efficient methanol fuel cell systems at a competitive price, and the strategic collaboration with Danish Power Systems will bring extensive technical know-how and manufacturing experience that will play a significant part in scaling-up production. Later this year, Blue World will begin construction of a methanol fuel cell factory with a yearly production capacity of 50 000 units [December 2018, p12 and July 2019, p11]. The company is also working closely with
September 2019
NEWS nearby Aalborg University, to strengthen its R&D activities [June 2019, p14]. Blue World’s methanol fuel cell system is applicable to a variety of industries, although the initial focus is on transportation. Methanol is CO2-neutral when produced from renewable sources, and as a liquid fuel it can easily be stored and transported using the existing infrastructure, with only minor adjustments and low investment costs. Earlier this year, Danish Power Systems celebrated its 25th anniversary working on the development and manufacturing of MEA components based on HT-PEM technology. In addition to its MEA production expertise, DPS has a skilled R&D team that is working in close collaboration with experts from some of the world’s leading universities and research institutes to optimise the technology and reduce costs. The company recently signed a cooperation agreement with Chemistry Consulting, to provide enhanced chemical consulting services for Danish industry [June 2019, p12]. Blue World Technologies: www.blue.world Danish Power Systems: www.daposy.com
Nel agrees location for large-scale electrolyser manufacturing facility
N
orwegian-based Nel ASA has secured a new location for its planned expansion of manufacturing capacity for alkaline electrolysers, in Herøya Industrial Park, about 110 km (70 miles) southwest of the capital Oslo. The new, 15 000 m2 (160 000 ft2) location provides a number of benefits, including the potential to further expand production capacity in the future. The initial target production capacity at Herøya will be 360 MW per annum, but the current, planned setup anticipates the new premises achieving a capacity of more than 1 GW per annum. Nel is also examining opportunities to implement an even more advanced production line and manufacturing process, which will have the potential to increase capacity significantly beyond 1 GW per annum. The other functions related to alkaline electrolyser operations will continue from the company’s site in Notodden, 55 km (33 miles) northwest of Herøya. ‘We have been working closely with partners and stakeholders during 2019 with the expansion plans, and have finally concluded that the location of the new manufacturing plant will be Herøya, a world-leading industrial complex with state-of-the-art infrastructure already in place at
September 2019
competitive prices,’ says Jon André Løkke, CEO of Nel [see also pages 8 and 9, and the In Brief item on page 15]. ‘Herøya brings proximity to important partners, holds decades of industrial heritage, and is an attractive industrial hub for current and future colleagues. The available facility at Herøya also provides significant opportunities for scaling up the production.’ Nel Hydrogen – Electrolysers: www.nelhydrogen.com
and architecture, developed by De Nora for exclusive use in AFC Energy’s fuel cell, and positions AFC’s product offering to be one of the lowest-cost fuel cells in the market [see the AFC feature in December 2015]. Since the 12-month test began De Nora and AFC Energy have continued to further enhance electrode performance, for additional improvements in electrode degradation, efficiency, and cost.
Herøya Industrial Park: https://eng.heroya-industripark.no
AFC Energy: www.afcenergy.com Industrie De Nora SpA: www.denora.com
AFC, De Nora boost joint development deal CARB annual report after electrode success on rollout of FCEVs, stations in California
U
K-based AFC Energy has strengthened its commercial relationship with Industrie De Nora SpA in Italy, with the signing of the next phase of their Joint Development Agreement, setting updated targets for mass production in advance of commercial deployment. The extended partnership follows the milestone of 12 months’ continuous operation of AFC’s alkaline fuel cell electrode, developed in partnership with De Nora, well on the way to achieving the targeted electrode longevity. Since signing the original JDA three years ago [FCB, August 2016, p1], De Nora and AFC Energy have collaborated to improve the performance of fuel cell electrodes against initially defined operating criteria. The newly announced JDA extension will build on these successes, focusing on further opportunities for enhancing electrode performance and creating the right commercial environment for mass electrode manufacturing. De Nora has commenced work on scalingup the electrode chemistry at its German manufacturing facility, to ensure consistency, replicability, and quality assurance in advance of large-scale electrode orders. The company has confirmed it has the ability to supply requested electrode delivery for the initial placement and commercialisation of AFC Energy’s fuel cell system, including the CH2ARGE™ battery electric vehicle (EV) charger demonstration, expected to be delivered in Q4 of 2019 [July 2019, p11]. To assess electrode longevity, AFC Energy initiated a long-term continuous operations test in August 2018. After 12 months, based on linear regression analysis from the test programme, there have been no significant adverse trends which would indicate that the four-year lifetime target will not be met. The milestone performance demonstrates the potential of the new coating formulation
T
he California Air Resources Board has published its 2019 Annual Evaluation of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Deployment & Hydrogen Fuel Station Network Development, which reports that over the past year the state’s hydrogen stations and FCEV markets have grown in line with projections in the 2018 Annual Evaluation. The period between June 2018 and June 2019 saw the completion of six additional hydrogen stations [FCB, December 2018, p15, February 2019, p9, and June 2019, p15], and the deployment of more than 1500 FCEVs [April 2019, p5]. These positive developments demonstrate the continuing success of the Assembly Bill 8 (AB 8) programme’s funding efforts to date. The next year will be a further demonstration of this success, with as many as 11 additional stations completing construction and opening for retail customer service by the end of 2019. All remaining stations are still projected to be completed by the end of 2020, in line with previous expectations. CARB and the California Energy Commission continue to develop analysis methods that highlight a path to hydrogen fueling network self-sufficiency, with commensurate growth in FCEV deployment. CARB report (57MB PDF): https://tinyurl.com/carb-hrs-fcev-2019
RESEARCH
US DOE funding fuel cell, hydrogen projects
T
he US Department of Energy has recently announced funding for a number of fuel cell and hydrogen R&D projects through several initiatives,
Fuel Cells Bulletin
13
mm have been developed, in addition to a very compact and light all-plastic valve with a weight of only 300 g and a bore diameter of 25 mm. The cathode valves can provide air volumes of up to 750 kg/h, and absolute charging pressures of up to 400 kPa (4 bar, 58 psi). The materials selected and combined for this application guarantee the necessary resistance to hydrogen as well as high-purity water, and the new cathode valve contains an electric motor drive with plenty of reserve power. On the waterenriched exhaust-air side of the cathode, it offers the necessary operational reliability so that no functional impairments can occur, even under freezing conditions. A number of features have been developed specifically with regard to micro leakage when used as a stack isolation valve, including the use of a high-stability sealing elastomer.
Nuvera Fuel Cells: www.nuvera.com
Pierburg: www.rheinmetall-automotive.com/en/brands/pierburg
Rheinmetall develops fan for automotive stacks, receives order
G
erman-based technology group Rheinmetall is expanding its automotive product portfolio in the direction of new driveline systems, including the development of a recirculation fan for unused hydrogen within an automotive fuel cell stack. Rheinmetall already offers a range of products for battery electric vehicles, and its current development efforts include components for alternative powertrains, such as fuel cells. Within this context, Rheinmetall Automotive is developing a recirculation fan for hydrogen not yet consumed within the fuel cell stack. Its Pierburg subsidiary has now won an order from a major (but unnamed) German vehicle manufacturer. Pierburg will supply cathode electric valves that will be used in fuel cell electric vehicles built by this premium automaker, which plans to commence production in 2022. This innovative generation of electric flap systems was developed at the Pierburg facility in Berlin, and will be used to control the inlet and exhaust air mass flows as well as for the extremely tight shutoff of the fuel cell stack. Pierburg has made use of its long experience in developing and manufacturing throttle and control valves; its first fuel cell cathode valves were developed several years ago. In view of the broad capacity range of fuel cell stacks and the resulting air mass requirements, cathode valves with a diameter of up to 57
12
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Rheinmetall Automotive: www.rheinmetall-automotive.com/en
companies to establish the Pure Power Pool consortium, a one-stop-shop for the supply of hydrogen fuel cell systems [August 2019, p11], and is currently installing a stack manufacturing robot that will boost production capacity to 5000 fuel cell units per annum [June 2019, p14]. Schäfer Elektronik is an established manufacturer of power supply systems for industrial applications, in particular for the oil & gas, defence, industrial automation, power generation, rail, and automotive segments. The idea of using fuel cell power plants in EV charging stations is attracting growing interest: AFC Energy aims to launch its alkaline fuel cell based CH2ARGE™ system later this year [July 2019, p11, and see page 13 in this issue], and Ideanomics is partnering with Palcan to deploy the latter’s methanol-to-hydrogen reforming technology in combination with PEM fuel cells for upgrading existing conventional filling station networks [August 2019, p11]. Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH: www.proton-motor.de/gb Schäfer Elektronik GmbH:
Proton Power Systems, www.schaeferpower.de/?lang=en Schäfer Elektronik link Blue World takes stake up for EV charging JV in MEA manufacturer K-based Proton Power Systems Plc Uhas entered into a joint venture Danish Power Systems agreement with Schäfer Elektronik GmbH in Germany, to create an integrated system that can provide at least 1 MW of power to supply battery electric vehicle charging stations. The partners will integrate Proton Power’s larger industrial PEM fuel cells with Schäfer’s power electronics, battery, and hydrogen storage systems into a single integrated plug-and-play power unit for EV charging stations. This 1 MW+ system will be available either as a standalone unit or grid-connected, with the latter also able to support the local electric grid if required. Proton Power Systems expects that the electric car industry across Europe will rapidly increase by 2021, leading to greater demand for EV charging stations. In order to achieve a zero-carbon footprint and avoid overloading national electric grids, these charging stations could well be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, to supply the required electric load without undue stress on the electric grid. Proton Power Systems – which operates through its German subsidiary Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH [see the feature in FCB, May 2015] – offers complete fuel cell and hybrid systems and services, from development and production to implementation of customised solutions. Proton Motor recently partnered with two German
D
enmark-based Blue World Technologies has acquired 15% of Danish Power Systems, a developer and manufacturer of membraneelectrode assembly (MEA) technology for high-temperature PEM fuel cells. Blue World aims to utilise DPS’s proven technology to strengthen the market position of its high-efficiency methanol fuel cell systems. Blue World Technologies produces components and systems utilising hightemperature PEM fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) technology combined with integrated methanol reforming, for automotive and mobility applications [FCB, November 2018, p11]. The company aims to become the leading manufacturer of highly energy-efficient methanol fuel cell systems at a competitive price, and the strategic collaboration with Danish Power Systems will bring extensive technical know-how and manufacturing experience that will play a significant part in scaling-up production. Later this year, Blue World will begin construction of a methanol fuel cell factory with a yearly production capacity of 50 000 units [December 2018, p12 and July 2019, p11]. The company is also working closely with
September 2019
NEWS nearby Aalborg University, to strengthen its R&D activities [June 2019, p14]. Blue World’s methanol fuel cell system is applicable to a variety of industries, although the initial focus is on transportation. Methanol is CO2-neutral when produced from renewable sources, and as a liquid fuel it can easily be stored and transported using the existing infrastructure, with only minor adjustments and low investment costs. Earlier this year, Danish Power Systems celebrated its 25th anniversary working on the development and manufacturing of MEA components based on HT-PEM technology. In addition to its MEA production expertise, DPS has a skilled R&D team that is working in close collaboration with experts from some of the world’s leading universities and research institutes to optimise the technology and reduce costs. The company recently signed a cooperation agreement with Chemistry Consulting, to provide enhanced chemical consulting services for Danish industry [June 2019, p12]. Blue World Technologies: www.blue.world Danish Power Systems: www.daposy.com
Nel agrees location for large-scale electrolyser manufacturing facility
N
orwegian-based Nel ASA has secured a new location for its planned expansion of manufacturing capacity for alkaline electrolysers, in Herøya Industrial Park, about 110 km (70 miles) southwest of the capital Oslo. The new, 15 000 m2 (160 000 ft2) location provides a number of benefits, including the potential to further expand production capacity in the future. The initial target production capacity at Herøya will be 360 MW per annum, but the current, planned setup anticipates the new premises achieving a capacity of more than 1 GW per annum. Nel is also examining opportunities to implement an even more advanced production line and manufacturing process, which will have the potential to increase capacity significantly beyond 1 GW per annum. The other functions related to alkaline electrolyser operations will continue from the company’s site in Notodden, 55 km (33 miles) northwest of Herøya. ‘We have been working closely with partners and stakeholders during 2019 with the expansion plans, and have finally concluded that the location of the new manufacturing plant will be Herøya, a world-leading industrial complex with state-of-the-art infrastructure already in place at
September 2019
competitive prices,’ says Jon André Løkke, CEO of Nel [see also pages 8 and 9, and the In Brief item on page 15]. ‘Herøya brings proximity to important partners, holds decades of industrial heritage, and is an attractive industrial hub for current and future colleagues. The available facility at Herøya also provides significant opportunities for scaling up the production.’ Nel Hydrogen – Electrolysers: www.nelhydrogen.com
and architecture, developed by De Nora for exclusive use in AFC Energy’s fuel cell, and positions AFC’s product offering to be one of the lowest-cost fuel cells in the market [see the AFC feature in December 2015]. Since the 12-month test began De Nora and AFC Energy have continued to further enhance electrode performance, for additional improvements in electrode degradation, efficiency, and cost.
Herøya Industrial Park: https://eng.heroya-industripark.no
AFC Energy: www.afcenergy.com Industrie De Nora SpA: www.denora.com
AFC, De Nora boost joint development deal CARB annual report after electrode success on rollout of FCEVs, stations in California
U
K-based AFC Energy has strengthened its commercial relationship with Industrie De Nora SpA in Italy, with the signing of the next phase of their Joint Development Agreement, setting updated targets for mass production in advance of commercial deployment. The extended partnership follows the milestone of 12 months’ continuous operation of AFC’s alkaline fuel cell electrode, developed in partnership with De Nora, well on the way to achieving the targeted electrode longevity. Since signing the original JDA three years ago [FCB, August 2016, p1], De Nora and AFC Energy have collaborated to improve the performance of fuel cell electrodes against initially defined operating criteria. The newly announced JDA extension will build on these successes, focusing on further opportunities for enhancing electrode performance and creating the right commercial environment for mass electrode manufacturing. De Nora has commenced work on scalingup the electrode chemistry at its German manufacturing facility, to ensure consistency, replicability, and quality assurance in advance of large-scale electrode orders. The company has confirmed it has the ability to supply requested electrode delivery for the initial placement and commercialisation of AFC Energy’s fuel cell system, including the CH2ARGE™ battery electric vehicle (EV) charger demonstration, expected to be delivered in Q4 of 2019 [July 2019, p11]. To assess electrode longevity, AFC Energy initiated a long-term continuous operations test in August 2018. After 12 months, based on linear regression analysis from the test programme, there have been no significant adverse trends which would indicate that the four-year lifetime target will not be met. The milestone performance demonstrates the potential of the new coating formulation
T
he California Air Resources Board has published its 2019 Annual Evaluation of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Deployment & Hydrogen Fuel Station Network Development, which reports that over the past year the state’s hydrogen stations and FCEV markets have grown in line with projections in the 2018 Annual Evaluation. The period between June 2018 and June 2019 saw the completion of six additional hydrogen stations [FCB, December 2018, p15, February 2019, p9, and June 2019, p15], and the deployment of more than 1500 FCEVs [April 2019, p5]. These positive developments demonstrate the continuing success of the Assembly Bill 8 (AB 8) programme’s funding efforts to date. The next year will be a further demonstration of this success, with as many as 11 additional stations completing construction and opening for retail customer service by the end of 2019. All remaining stations are still projected to be completed by the end of 2020, in line with previous expectations. CARB and the California Energy Commission continue to develop analysis methods that highlight a path to hydrogen fueling network self-sufficiency, with commensurate growth in FCEV deployment. CARB report (57MB PDF): https://tinyurl.com/carb-hrs-fcev-2019
RESEARCH
US DOE funding fuel cell, hydrogen projects
T
he US Department of Energy has recently announced funding for a number of fuel cell and hydrogen R&D projects through several initiatives,
Fuel Cells Bulletin
13