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PowerCell wins first marine order for its S3 prototype stacks
NEWS to deliver a new dual capability H2Station® to provide hydrogen fueling for cars and buses in Riga [October 2016, p9, and see page 10]. In other news, Ballard’s European subsidiary has installed a hydrogen fuel cell backup power system for telecom operator Telia in Norway, in a project to extend backup power to 72 h in selected communities [see page 6]. Ballard Power Systems, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 454 0900, www.ballard.com Solaris Bus & Coach: www.solarisbus.com Rigas Satiksme: www.rigassatiksme.lv/en
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Loop Energy launches range-extender for heavy-duty vehicles
C
anadian fuel cell developer Loop Energy has introduced a new range-extender power module for heavy-duty electric transport vehicles. The company says that its unique fuel cell design is ideal for powering heavyduty transit buses and Class 6 to 8 trucks with zero emissions. Fuel cell range-extenders, or auxiliary power units (APUs), use onboard hydrogen to extend the range of battery electric systems. The Loop module provides a breakthrough in terms of cost and power density, making range extension economically viable for a broad array of applications. Following a three-year development period, the Loop power module is now being integrated by an original equipment manufacturer, and will begin in-service operation in 2017. The patented eFlow® fuel cell developed by Loop – which was previously called PowerDisc Development Corporation [FCB, March 2016, p3, and see the PowerDisc feature in March 2014] – features a radically improved design. By optimising air flow inside the fuel cell, the eFlow design produces far greater power density than industry-standard fuel cells. This higher power density allows Loop to simplify and significantly increase the efficiency of the fuel cell stack and system. The 56 kW Loop fuel cell power module offers a power density of 213 W/litre, to more than triple the range of battery electric vehicles. The turnkey module contains the air compressor and controls, enabling a drop-in solution for manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks and transit buses who want increased power and range but at a reduced cost.
4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
‘Loop’s range-extender system has unlocked the cost, power, efficiency and durability parameters customers require for their heavyduty electric powertrain systems,’ says product development director Rob Wingrove. ‘We can reduce the size of the battery pack and the fuel cell, thereby closing the economic gap with fossil-fuel powertrains.’ Earlier this year Loop won funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada to accelerate deployment of its new powertrain in heavy-duty trucks [FCB, March 2016, p3], and subsequently announced a collaboration agreement with Hunan CRRC Times Electric Vehicle Co Ltd in China to develop zero-emission power systems for heavy-duty transportation applications such as trucks [June 2016, p3]. Loop Energy, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 222 3400, www.loopenergy.com
the ship’s range, with hydrogen seen as a way for the marine sector to gain access to a fossilfree energy solution. The ship will be fitted with a system that includes onboard hydrogen production using solar electric power, hydrogen gas storage, and two fuel cells for a total power output of 80 bhp. There is plenty of interest in the use of fuel cells for marine applications [see the feature in FCB, May 2010]. In Norway, CMR Prototech is planning to install hydrogen fuel cells on a car ferry [May 2016, p3]. Sandia National Labs in California reports that it is technically possible to build a high-speed, hydrogenpowered ferry for service in San Francisco Bay [November 2016, p5]. And the German e4ships project recently reported on fuel cell systems tested in seagoing vessels [October 2016, p5]. PowerCell Sweden AB, Gothenburg, Sweden. Tel: +46 31 720 3620, www.powercell.se
Swiss Hydrogen SA, Fribourg, Switzerland. PowerCell wins first Tel: +41 26 552 0430, www.swisshydrogen.ch marine order for its S3 Toshiba hydrogen fuel prototype stacks cell system out to sea, owerCell Sweden has received its Pfirst marine order for two 30 kW builds hydrogen centre
PowerCell S3 prototype stacks from Swiss Hydrogen, which will install them on a ship powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Swiss Hydrogen is partnering with PowerCell to develop PEM fuel cell systems for a wide range of applications. This new order comprises two PowerCell S3 prototypes that will be part of a system developed and adapted to the marine environment. The order is a result of the collaboration the two companies agreed earlier this year [FCB, May 2016, p10]. They are also involved in a Swiss project to build a fuel cell powered heavy truck [see the News Feature on pages 14–15]. ‘The marine industry is a very interesting area, in which our capacity to deliver electricity without emissions is extremely important,’ says Per Wassén, CEO of PowerCell. ‘We are responsible for the fuel cells, and Swiss Hydrogen will manufacture the system and conduct adjustments to certify it for the marine environment. The advantage is that our fuel cell stacks are modular, and in this way we can get in a few hundred horsepower where it is required in marine applications.’ PowerCell has previously received numerous requests regarding marine applications, but this is the first time that its higher-power S3 stacks will be tested with a partner in a marine environment. The fuel cells will quadruple
T
oshiba’s Energy Systems & Solutions Company (ESS) in Japan has integrated its hydrogen PEM fuel cell system into an experimental boat, which will be used to identify the issues in seaborne use of such systems. Toshiba has also begun construction of a new Hydrogen Application Center at its Fuchu Complex in Tokyo. The fuel cell powered boat, the Raicho N, was developed as part of a joint research project with NREG Toshiba Building, part of the Nomura Real Estate Group, and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. ‘We installed two stationary pure hydrogen fuel cells on the boat as Toshiba for the first time, both with an output of 3.5 kW,’ explains Hiroyuki Ota, general manager of the ESS new energy solution projects team. ‘We now have the boat that runs on clean energy sources with zero carbon emission, which produces high power output in a short period of time.’ The Raicho N, which is 14 m (46 ft) long and has a cruising speed of 8 knots (15 km/h), began experimental proving tests in October. NREG Toshiba Building and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology will identify the issues in seaborne use of pure hydrogen fuel cell systems, with the aim of commercialising the vessel by 2020. The results will also be reflected
December 2016
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Loop Energy launches range-extender for heavy-duty vehicles
C
anadian fuel cell developer Loop Energy has introduced a new range-extender power module for heavy-duty electric transport vehicles. The company says that its unique fuel cell design is ideal for powering heavyduty transit buses and Class 6 to 8 trucks with zero emissions. Fuel cell range-extenders, or auxiliary power units (APUs), use onboard hydrogen to extend the range of battery electric systems. The Loop module provides a breakthrough in terms of cost and power density, making range extension economically viable for a broad array of applications. Following a three-year development period, the Loop power module is now being integrated by an original equipment manufacturer, and will begin in-service operation in 2017. The patented eFlow® fuel cell developed by Loop – which was previously called PowerDisc Development Corporation [FCB, March 2016, p3, and see the PowerDisc feature in March 2014] – features a radically improved design. By optimising air flow inside the fuel cell, the eFlow design produces far greater power density than industry-standard fuel cells. This higher power density allows Loop to simplify and significantly increase the efficiency of the fuel cell stack and system. The 56 kW Loop fuel cell power module offers a power density of 213 W/litre, to more than triple the range of battery electric vehicles. The turnkey module contains the air compressor and controls, enabling a drop-in solution for manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks and transit buses who want increased power and range but at a reduced cost.
4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
‘Loop’s range-extender system has unlocked the cost, power, efficiency and durability parameters customers require for their heavyduty electric powertrain systems,’ says product development director Rob Wingrove. ‘We can reduce the size of the battery pack and the fuel cell, thereby closing the economic gap with fossil-fuel powertrains.’ Earlier this year Loop won funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada to accelerate deployment of its new powertrain in heavy-duty trucks [FCB, March 2016, p3], and subsequently announced a collaboration agreement with Hunan CRRC Times Electric Vehicle Co Ltd in China to develop zero-emission power systems for heavy-duty transportation applications such as trucks [June 2016, p3]. Loop Energy, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Tel: +1 604 222 3400, www.loopenergy.com
the ship’s range, with hydrogen seen as a way for the marine sector to gain access to a fossilfree energy solution. The ship will be fitted with a system that includes onboard hydrogen production using solar electric power, hydrogen gas storage, and two fuel cells for a total power output of 80 bhp. There is plenty of interest in the use of fuel cells for marine applications [see the feature in FCB, May 2010]. In Norway, CMR Prototech is planning to install hydrogen fuel cells on a car ferry [May 2016, p3]. Sandia National Labs in California reports that it is technically possible to build a high-speed, hydrogenpowered ferry for service in San Francisco Bay [November 2016, p5]. And the German e4ships project recently reported on fuel cell systems tested in seagoing vessels [October 2016, p5]. PowerCell Sweden AB, Gothenburg, Sweden. Tel: +46 31 720 3620, www.powercell.se
Swiss Hydrogen SA, Fribourg, Switzerland. PowerCell wins first Tel: +41 26 552 0430, www.swisshydrogen.ch marine order for its S3 Toshiba hydrogen fuel prototype stacks cell system out to sea, owerCell Sweden has received its Pfirst marine order for two 30 kW builds hydrogen centre
PowerCell S3 prototype stacks from Swiss Hydrogen, which will install them on a ship powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Swiss Hydrogen is partnering with PowerCell to develop PEM fuel cell systems for a wide range of applications. This new order comprises two PowerCell S3 prototypes that will be part of a system developed and adapted to the marine environment. The order is a result of the collaboration the two companies agreed earlier this year [FCB, May 2016, p10]. They are also involved in a Swiss project to build a fuel cell powered heavy truck [see the News Feature on pages 14–15]. ‘The marine industry is a very interesting area, in which our capacity to deliver electricity without emissions is extremely important,’ says Per Wassén, CEO of PowerCell. ‘We are responsible for the fuel cells, and Swiss Hydrogen will manufacture the system and conduct adjustments to certify it for the marine environment. The advantage is that our fuel cell stacks are modular, and in this way we can get in a few hundred horsepower where it is required in marine applications.’ PowerCell has previously received numerous requests regarding marine applications, but this is the first time that its higher-power S3 stacks will be tested with a partner in a marine environment. The fuel cells will quadruple
T
oshiba’s Energy Systems & Solutions Company (ESS) in Japan has integrated its hydrogen PEM fuel cell system into an experimental boat, which will be used to identify the issues in seaborne use of such systems. Toshiba has also begun construction of a new Hydrogen Application Center at its Fuchu Complex in Tokyo. The fuel cell powered boat, the Raicho N, was developed as part of a joint research project with NREG Toshiba Building, part of the Nomura Real Estate Group, and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. ‘We installed two stationary pure hydrogen fuel cells on the boat as Toshiba for the first time, both with an output of 3.5 kW,’ explains Hiroyuki Ota, general manager of the ESS new energy solution projects team. ‘We now have the boat that runs on clean energy sources with zero carbon emission, which produces high power output in a short period of time.’ The Raicho N, which is 14 m (46 ft) long and has a cruising speed of 8 knots (15 km/h), began experimental proving tests in October. NREG Toshiba Building and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology will identify the issues in seaborne use of pure hydrogen fuel cell systems, with the aim of commercialising the vessel by 2020. The results will also be reflected
December 2016