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SFC expands EFOY Comfort distribution in Canada, Croatia
NEWS Jenné, High V.LO-City project coordinator. ‘The European Network of Clean Hydrogen Bus Centres of Excellence is an essential step in this direction.’ High V.LO-City project: www.highvlocity.eu European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch-ju.eu Busworld Academy: http://academy.busworld.org
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
PM’s HyRange passed for buses, light-duty vehicles in Germany
M
unich-based Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH reports that its HyRange PEM fuel cell system, integrated in a Newton™ electric truck, has received official approval and homologation for road service from the German authorities. The German authorisation, in accordance with European Regulation 79/2009 on type approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles, covers the HyRange fuel cell system as well as the vehicle platform. The vehicle can now be operated without limitation in Europe. The HyRange range-extender system, developed by Proton Power, has been integrated into the world’s first battery/fuel cell electric commercial vehicle in the 7.5–12 tonne class, based on the Newton truck built by Smith Electric Vehicles [FCB, October 2013, p2]. The vehicle was tested in Germany for 24 months in order to prove its reliability. Germany currently has 15 hydrogen fueling stations in operation, and plans to expand the network to 100 stations by the end of 2018, and 400 stations by 2023 [FCB, October 2013, p6]. ‘We are very pleased to have finalised the complex process of road approval for our HyRange system,’ says John Wall, chairman of Proton Motor’s parent company, UK-based Proton Power Systems. ‘This allows the regular operation of the vehicle with our fuel cell range-extender, and significantly extends the operating range and onboard power of an electric truck.’ ‘It also opens the door for the operation of such vehicles in commercial applications, and demonstrates to customers that HyRange is ready for regular operation,’ continues Wall. ‘The HyRange system addresses the needs of bus and light-duty vehicle manufacturers. The continued expansion of filling stations in Germany and Europe will support the market
4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
introduction of hydrogen fuel cell technology for mobile applications.’ The company recently launched its newgeneration 30 kW PM400 PEM fuel cell stack, which offers the capability of realising higher power classes, potentially up to 250 kW in multi-stack systems [FCB, December 2013, p9]. And Proton Power Systems has just been contracted to undertake a feasibility study for a maritime fuel cell application for an Asia-Pacific based customer [see page 4]. Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, Puchheim, Germany. Tel: +49 89 7127 62650, www.proton-motor.de Proton Power Systems Plc, UK: www.protonpowersystems.com
SFC expands EFOY Comfort distribution in Canada, Croatia
G
erman-based SFC Energy has further expanded its international EFOY marine dealer network. Western Marine Company is the new Canadian distributor for EFOY Comfort direct methanol fuel cells, and it has announced a new marine cooperation with Stal d.o.o., a Croatian company specialising in nautical equipment. Vancouver, BC-based Western Marine is a distributor of marine parts and accessories serving wholesale customers throughout Canada. Its extensive inventory includes over 35 000 items from more than 350 manufacturers around the world, which are supplied to customers in both the commercial and recreational marine sectors. The company exhibited EFOY Comfort fuel cells during the Toronto International Boat Show in January. SFC Energy announced its new marine cooperation with Stal, a well established marine distributor in the Adriatic region, at the recent ‘boot 2014’ marine exhibition in Düsseldorf. With immediate effect, Stal will make SFC Energy’s full portfolio of EFOY Comfort fuel cell generators and EFOY fuel cartridges available to marine and leisure customers in Croatia and neighbouring regions. ‘Croatia is a very attractive marine market, with a lively community of boat owners living there or spending their summers in the Adriatic waters,’ says Stal owner Miran Grom. ‘They require reliable, silent off-grid power for their cruises along our coasts. The EFOY Comfort is the perfect power source for them.’ ‘We are excited to further grow our dealer network in the Mediterranean region,’ says Dr Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy. ‘Our EFOY
Comfort fuel cell generators are already strong in the Scandinavian marine markets [FCB, August 2010, p9], in the Caribbean, in Italy and France. Now boat owners in the eastern part of the Mediterranean will also benefit from the service and sales support of Stal.’ EFOY Comfort fuel cell generators offer decisive advantages over other off-grid power supplies such as diesel generators, solar modules, or wind generators. Integrated in a separate small compartment on the boat, they constantly monitor the charge state of the onboard battery, automatically recharging it whenever required [FCB, May 2013, p3]. More than 50 motorhome manufacturers and sailboat and motor boat producers [FCB, February 2013, p4] throughout Europe offer EFOY with their vehicles or boats. SFC Energy has already sold more than 28 000 fuel cells worldwide [see the SFC Energy feature in FCB, January 2013]. SFC Energy AG, Brunnthal/Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 673 5920, www.sfc.com or www.efoy-comfort.com Western Marine Company: www.westernmarine.com Stal d.o.o.: www.stal.hr (in Croatian)
Proton Power to study Asia-Pacific maritime fuel cell feasibility
P
roton Power Systems has been contracted to undertake a feasibility study for a maritime fuel cell application on behalf of an unnamed Asia-Pacific based customer, under a contract worth E297 000 (US$405 000). The maritime feasibility study is aimed at generating onboard power, and will be finalised by September. When complete it is expected to result in an order for several hundred units. Proton Power has considerable know-how in maritime-based fuel cell applications. The FCS Alsterwasser tourist boat has been operated in Hamburg harbour for the last five years, powered by a 50 kW hydrogen PEM fuel cell system supplied by its German-based subsidiary Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH [FCB, October 2008, p4]. ‘The demand for emissions-free systems in the Asia-Pacific region is growing dramatically,’ says John Wall, chairman of Proton Power. ‘Our expertise will allow solutions in maritime as well as mobile and stationary products for the Asia-Pacific markets.’ Proton Motor specialises in industrial fuel cells, offering complete fuel cell and hybrid
February 2014
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
PM’s HyRange passed for buses, light-duty vehicles in Germany
M
unich-based Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH reports that its HyRange PEM fuel cell system, integrated in a Newton™ electric truck, has received official approval and homologation for road service from the German authorities. The German authorisation, in accordance with European Regulation 79/2009 on type approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles, covers the HyRange fuel cell system as well as the vehicle platform. The vehicle can now be operated without limitation in Europe. The HyRange range-extender system, developed by Proton Power, has been integrated into the world’s first battery/fuel cell electric commercial vehicle in the 7.5–12 tonne class, based on the Newton truck built by Smith Electric Vehicles [FCB, October 2013, p2]. The vehicle was tested in Germany for 24 months in order to prove its reliability. Germany currently has 15 hydrogen fueling stations in operation, and plans to expand the network to 100 stations by the end of 2018, and 400 stations by 2023 [FCB, October 2013, p6]. ‘We are very pleased to have finalised the complex process of road approval for our HyRange system,’ says John Wall, chairman of Proton Motor’s parent company, UK-based Proton Power Systems. ‘This allows the regular operation of the vehicle with our fuel cell range-extender, and significantly extends the operating range and onboard power of an electric truck.’ ‘It also opens the door for the operation of such vehicles in commercial applications, and demonstrates to customers that HyRange is ready for regular operation,’ continues Wall. ‘The HyRange system addresses the needs of bus and light-duty vehicle manufacturers. The continued expansion of filling stations in Germany and Europe will support the market
4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
introduction of hydrogen fuel cell technology for mobile applications.’ The company recently launched its newgeneration 30 kW PM400 PEM fuel cell stack, which offers the capability of realising higher power classes, potentially up to 250 kW in multi-stack systems [FCB, December 2013, p9]. And Proton Power Systems has just been contracted to undertake a feasibility study for a maritime fuel cell application for an Asia-Pacific based customer [see page 4]. Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, Puchheim, Germany. Tel: +49 89 7127 62650, www.proton-motor.de Proton Power Systems Plc, UK: www.protonpowersystems.com
SFC expands EFOY Comfort distribution in Canada, Croatia
G
erman-based SFC Energy has further expanded its international EFOY marine dealer network. Western Marine Company is the new Canadian distributor for EFOY Comfort direct methanol fuel cells, and it has announced a new marine cooperation with Stal d.o.o., a Croatian company specialising in nautical equipment. Vancouver, BC-based Western Marine is a distributor of marine parts and accessories serving wholesale customers throughout Canada. Its extensive inventory includes over 35 000 items from more than 350 manufacturers around the world, which are supplied to customers in both the commercial and recreational marine sectors. The company exhibited EFOY Comfort fuel cells during the Toronto International Boat Show in January. SFC Energy announced its new marine cooperation with Stal, a well established marine distributor in the Adriatic region, at the recent ‘boot 2014’ marine exhibition in Düsseldorf. With immediate effect, Stal will make SFC Energy’s full portfolio of EFOY Comfort fuel cell generators and EFOY fuel cartridges available to marine and leisure customers in Croatia and neighbouring regions. ‘Croatia is a very attractive marine market, with a lively community of boat owners living there or spending their summers in the Adriatic waters,’ says Stal owner Miran Grom. ‘They require reliable, silent off-grid power for their cruises along our coasts. The EFOY Comfort is the perfect power source for them.’ ‘We are excited to further grow our dealer network in the Mediterranean region,’ says Dr Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy. ‘Our EFOY
Comfort fuel cell generators are already strong in the Scandinavian marine markets [FCB, August 2010, p9], in the Caribbean, in Italy and France. Now boat owners in the eastern part of the Mediterranean will also benefit from the service and sales support of Stal.’ EFOY Comfort fuel cell generators offer decisive advantages over other off-grid power supplies such as diesel generators, solar modules, or wind generators. Integrated in a separate small compartment on the boat, they constantly monitor the charge state of the onboard battery, automatically recharging it whenever required [FCB, May 2013, p3]. More than 50 motorhome manufacturers and sailboat and motor boat producers [FCB, February 2013, p4] throughout Europe offer EFOY with their vehicles or boats. SFC Energy has already sold more than 28 000 fuel cells worldwide [see the SFC Energy feature in FCB, January 2013]. SFC Energy AG, Brunnthal/Munich, Germany. Tel: +49 89 673 5920, www.sfc.com or www.efoy-comfort.com Western Marine Company: www.westernmarine.com Stal d.o.o.: www.stal.hr (in Croatian)
Proton Power to study Asia-Pacific maritime fuel cell feasibility
P
roton Power Systems has been contracted to undertake a feasibility study for a maritime fuel cell application on behalf of an unnamed Asia-Pacific based customer, under a contract worth E297 000 (US$405 000). The maritime feasibility study is aimed at generating onboard power, and will be finalised by September. When complete it is expected to result in an order for several hundred units. Proton Power has considerable know-how in maritime-based fuel cell applications. The FCS Alsterwasser tourist boat has been operated in Hamburg harbour for the last five years, powered by a 50 kW hydrogen PEM fuel cell system supplied by its German-based subsidiary Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH [FCB, October 2008, p4]. ‘The demand for emissions-free systems in the Asia-Pacific region is growing dramatically,’ says John Wall, chairman of Proton Power. ‘Our expertise will allow solutions in maritime as well as mobile and stationary products for the Asia-Pacific markets.’ Proton Motor specialises in industrial fuel cells, offering complete fuel cell and hybrid
February 2014