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Symbio unveils higher power H2Motiv L kit for larger vehicles
NEWS / EDITORIAL and will deploy a hydrogen station at a new bus depot in Houdain, serving a planned fleet of six fuel cell buses [June 2018, p4]. Engie: www.engie.com/en GNVERT: www.engie.fr/gaz-naturel/gnvert [in French] McPhy: https://mcphy.com Symbio: www.symbio.one/en Alphabet: www.alphabet.com/en-ww Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking: www.fch.europa.eu
Hyundai partners with Audi to develop FCEV components business
H
yundai Motor Group in South Korea and Audi AG in Germany have entered into a multi-year patent cross-licensing agreement, covering a broad range of fuel cell electric vehicle components and technologies, to accelerate development towards volume production. The agreement signed by Hyundai Motor Company and Audi also covers and benefits both companies’ affiliates, including Kia Motors and Audi’s parent company Volkswagen. The partnership will leverage collective fuel cell technology R&D capabilities to elevate their presence in the FCEV market, so the agreement also includes mutual access to fuel cell components. As a first step, Hyundai Motor will grant Audi access to parts based on Hyundai’s know-how accumulated from development of the ix35 Fuel Cell as well as the NEXO [FCB, January 2018, p2]. The companies will also explore opportunities for the next step in their collaboration, which will aim to lead industry standards in fuel cell technology as well as accelerate FCEV development. Audi – now responsible for fuel cell technology development within the Volkswagen Group – will also be able to take advantage of Hyundai’s FCEV parts supply chain [May 2018, p15]. Hyundai Motor Company has been offering SUV-class FCEVs since 2013 [March 2013, p2], and currently sells them in 18 countries. Hyundai Motor also plans to strengthen its competitiveness in the fuel cell components industry, engaging in new business opportunities created by the partnership. Hyundai Mobis – the Group’s parts and service operation, including for FCEVs – is expected to expand its role in developing and supplying proprietary core components for Hyundai and Kia FCEVs.
July 2018
Last year Mobis established the first integrated production system for FCEV core components [September 2017, p11]; its plant in Chungju currently has a production capacity of 3000 powertrain fuel-cell complete (PFC) modules per annum. PFC modules comprise stacks, drive motors, power electronic components, and hydrogen supply units. Mobis will boost the plant’s capacity to tens of thousands of PFC modules when market demand grows sufficiently. The Volkswagen Group’s Fuel Cell Competence Center is located at Audi’s Neckarsulm site [October 2016, p10]. Audi plans small series production of a full-size SUV FCEV in the early 2020s [see page 2]. Audi unveiled its A7 Sportback h-tron Quattro concept in 2014 [December 2014, p2], and the Audi h-tron quattro concept car in 2016 [February 2016, p2]. Hyundai Motor Group: www.hyundaimotorgroup.com Hyundai NEXO: www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/eco/nexo Hyundai Mobis: http://en.mobis.co.kr Audi, h-tron quattro concept: https://tinyurl.com/htron-quattro
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Symbio unveils higher power H2Motiv L kit for larger vehicles
T
he H2Motiv L hydrogen kit from French-based Symbio is designed to optimise the performance of batterypowered, heavy-duty urban vehicles such as refuse collection vehicles, street washers, and buses. The system optimises recharging time as well as battery life in all seasons, in addition to boosting the cargo volume and payload of these vehicles. Symbio has built on its expertise and successful track record in commercialising hydrogen fuel cell range-extender systems for cars and light vans, to design the nextgeneration H2Motiv L hydrogen kit. The kit is based on a 40 kW hydrogen fuel cell designed to fit into vans, heavy-duty vehicles, buses, as well as SUVs, i.e. for taxi usage. This provides a power source that recharges the vehicle’s batteries in about 10 minutes, leading to a battery life that is three times greater compared to its equivalent, regardless of the season (or use of heating). The compactness of the kit results in a lower impact on the loading weight and volume, making the vehicle similar to
EDITORIAL
M
aritime fuel cell applications are being developed for a wide range of marine vessel sizes, and in a number of locations. In this issue, for example, we report on ABB and Ballard Power Systems signing a Memorandum of Understanding to develop next-generation, MW-scale PEM fuel cell power systems for the marine market, with an initial focus on the cruise ship segment [page 4]. The partners will leverage existing kW-scale fuel cell technologies, and optimise them to create a pioneering 3 MW solution suitable for powering larger ships. Last autumn ABB deployed a 100 kW Ballard system for onsite power in New York City, before transferring it onboard a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship [December 2017, p6]. Ballard is also providing the fuel cell power systems for the HySeas III consortium, which has been awarded EU funding support to bring to market the world’s first zero-emission, seagoing ferry powered by fuel cells using ‘green’ hydrogen from renewable sources [page 5]. The vessel will operate in and around the Orkney archipelago, off the northern coast of Scotland, where it will combine with the Surf ’n’ Turf hydrogen project to provide a hydrogen refueling facility [see the News Focus in October 2017]. And in the US, the California Air Resources Board is funding a project to deploy a hydrogen fuel cell powered, high-speed passenger ferry in San Francisco Bay [page 14]. The 70 ft (21 m) aluminium hull catamaran – powered by 360 kW of Hydrogenics PEM fuel cell power modules in combination with lithiumion battery packs – will be operated as part of the Red and White fleet. The project came out of the earlier SF-BREEZE project, which was coordinated by researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in California [News Focus in August 2017, p12]. On a smaller scale, the University of Toronto has won the 2017–2018 Hydrogen Student Design Contest with its Motion+ design, which outlines a system to fuel luxury hydrogen-powered yachts from a dockside hydrogen production and refueling facility using a PEM electrolyser plugged into the electric grid [In Brief, page 5]. Other recent maritime fuel cell news items include Norwegian-based Hyon receiving approval-in-principle from DNV GL for its module-based fuel cell solutions adapted for maritime use, based on the PowerCell MS-100 hydrogen PEM fuel cell system [June 2018, p1]. Also in Norway, transport operator Boreal Sjø and Wärtsilä Ship Design are collaborating to develop a hydrogen fuel cell powered ferry that will operate on a commercial route in southwestern Norway [March 2018, p6].
Steve Barrett
Fuel Cells Bulletin
3
NEWS a conventional internal combustion engine model, with much the same performance. The H2Motiv L kit has been specially adapted to address the challenges of manufacturers who wish to position themselves in the zero-emission mobility market. The fuel cell unit meets the highest automobile standards (durability, shock resistance, vibration, hot or cold weather etc.), and auxiliary functions are optimised for the system’s operation (power conversion, cooling, preheating, air compression). It can be quickly integrated into existing battery or hybrid powered vehicles, because the hydrogen fuel cell and auxiliary functions are ‘pre-integrated’, and its ultra-compact design means it can be easily integrated into a wide range of electric vehicles. Symbio’s hydrogen fuel cell kits can be incorporated into various mobile platforms, including utility vehicles, vans, buses, heavy goods vehicles, and boats. There are several hundred of these vehicles – for the most part, light utility vehicles such as the Kangoo ZE H2 van – on the roads in France and across Europe [e.g. FCB, February 2017, p1 and January 2018, p2]. Symbio: www.symbio.one/en
Nedstack to deliver key components for 50 Chinese heavy vehicles
D
utch fuel cell manufacturer Nedstack has received a first order for delivering the key components for 50 PEM fuel cell systems for application in the Chinese heavy-duty commercial vehicle market. This first batch of 50 units is part of a total committed volume of 200 units, resulting from business activities undertaken by the Chinese joint venture – called HuaHe – that Nedstack and its associated system partner HyMove signed with Huaxia, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles (Dongfeng Trucks) and related entities last December [FCB, January 2018, p4]. These systems, based on Nedstack’s and HyMove’s existing technology, will be assembled in the localised joint venture plant in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, which was opened recently. The deliveries will start during Q4 of 2018. ‘This order demonstrates the strategic cooperation with leading companies in the hydrogen market and local OEMs for the development and production of fuel cell technology for commercial vehicle applications in China,’ says Arnoud van de Bree, CEO of Nedstack. Nedstack – spun out from AkzoNobel in 1999 – manufactures long-lifetime PEM fuel 4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
cells for heavy-duty transport and for stationary applications such as power plants and telecom backup power [see the feature in August 2014]. In 2016 the company worked with HyMove to install a fuel cell range-extender system in a hybrid electric bus in the Netherlands [October 2016, p2], and it has partnered with HySA Systems to manufacture PEM fuel cell components and systems in South Africa [July 2016, p10]. Nedstack: www.nedstack.nl
environments and at high altitudes, enabling deployments in exacting missions worldwide. The Protonex FCair™ line of commercial UAV power systems builds on this defence heritage for civilian applications such as agriculture, asset inspection, surveillance, and search & rescue. Protonex Technology: www.protonex.com Ballard Power Systems, UAV Fuel Cell Power Solutions: www.ballard.com/markets/uav US Naval Research Laboratory: www.nrl.navy.mil
HyMove: www.hymove.nl Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles: www.dongfengtrucks.com
US Navy orders 13 Protonex fuel cells to power UAV field trials
M
assachusetts-based Protonex Technology has received purchase orders from the US Navy for a total of 13 fuel cell propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone platforms. Deliveries of the fuel cell propulsion systems are expected to take place during 2018. Protonex – a subsidiary of Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems [FCB, February 2018, p11] – has supplied PEM fuel cell propulsion systems for the successful Ion Tiger fuel cell powered UAV programme [June 2013, p5], and is now providing a variant of its 600 W PEM fuel cell propulsion system for the subsequent Hybrid Tiger UAV programme. This continues a productive relationship with the US Navy that began in 2006. ‘We have been working with the US Navy for a decade to optimise our fuel cell propulsion system and deliver key benefits, including long range, quiet operation, high reliability, minimal vibration, and low maintenance,’ says Phil Robinson, VP of Unmanned Systems at Protonex. ‘It is exciting to put our innovative design to the ultimate test in rigorous operating conditions with an important customer.’ The Hybrid Tiger UAV was designed by the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to explore new power system technologies for UAV propulsion. High-efficiency hydrogen PEM fuel cells from Protonex, in combination with other technologies, are expected to enable greater endurance than the 26 hours demonstrated by Ion Tiger in 2009 [December 2009, p4]. Protonex fuel cell UAV propulsion systems are used by the US Department of Defense to enhance flight duration and range, while minimising audible noise. The rugged and reliable systems are designed to operate in all types of
Ballard, ABB in deal to develop MW-scale marine power fuel cells
C
anadian-based Ballard Power Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with engineering multinational ABB, to develop next-generation, MW-scale PEM fuel cell power systems for the marine market, with an initial focus on the cruise ship segment. ABB and Ballard will leverage existing kW-scale PEM fuel cell technologies, and optimise them to create a pioneering MW-scale solution suitable for powering larger ships. With an electrical generating capacity of 3 MW (4000 hp), the new system will fit within a single module no larger than a traditional marine engine running on fossil fuels. The jointly designed, developed, and validated fuel cell power system is anticipated to play a significant part in accelerating the industrywide adoption of sustainable solutions for marine e-mobility, and help shipowners meet the increasing demands for clean operations. ‘The rapidly evolving marine market represents an exciting growth opportunity for zero-emission fuel cell technology,’ says Rob Campbell, Chief Commercial Officer at Ballard Power Systems [see also page 5]. ‘And Ballard’s prior development and deployment of MW-scale containerised PEM fuel cell systems for land-based use [FCB, November 2012, p6 and August 2015, p4] gives us the critical experience and knowledge to collaborate effectively on the development of clean energy solutions for key marine market applications.’ The multi-year collaboration will include joint market development, systems design and development, as well as systems testing and validation. The goal will be development of commercially ready MW-scale, containerised PEM fuel cell power systems for the marine market, with an initial focus on the cruise ship segment. These systems could be used in a variety of ways, including provision of power
July 2018
Hyundai partners with Audi to develop FCEV components business
H
yundai Motor Group in South Korea and Audi AG in Germany have entered into a multi-year patent cross-licensing agreement, covering a broad range of fuel cell electric vehicle components and technologies, to accelerate development towards volume production. The agreement signed by Hyundai Motor Company and Audi also covers and benefits both companies’ affiliates, including Kia Motors and Audi’s parent company Volkswagen. The partnership will leverage collective fuel cell technology R&D capabilities to elevate their presence in the FCEV market, so the agreement also includes mutual access to fuel cell components. As a first step, Hyundai Motor will grant Audi access to parts based on Hyundai’s know-how accumulated from development of the ix35 Fuel Cell as well as the NEXO [FCB, January 2018, p2]. The companies will also explore opportunities for the next step in their collaboration, which will aim to lead industry standards in fuel cell technology as well as accelerate FCEV development. Audi – now responsible for fuel cell technology development within the Volkswagen Group – will also be able to take advantage of Hyundai’s FCEV parts supply chain [May 2018, p15]. Hyundai Motor Company has been offering SUV-class FCEVs since 2013 [March 2013, p2], and currently sells them in 18 countries. Hyundai Motor also plans to strengthen its competitiveness in the fuel cell components industry, engaging in new business opportunities created by the partnership. Hyundai Mobis – the Group’s parts and service operation, including for FCEVs – is expected to expand its role in developing and supplying proprietary core components for Hyundai and Kia FCEVs.
July 2018
Last year Mobis established the first integrated production system for FCEV core components [September 2017, p11]; its plant in Chungju currently has a production capacity of 3000 powertrain fuel-cell complete (PFC) modules per annum. PFC modules comprise stacks, drive motors, power electronic components, and hydrogen supply units. Mobis will boost the plant’s capacity to tens of thousands of PFC modules when market demand grows sufficiently. The Volkswagen Group’s Fuel Cell Competence Center is located at Audi’s Neckarsulm site [October 2016, p10]. Audi plans small series production of a full-size SUV FCEV in the early 2020s [see page 2]. Audi unveiled its A7 Sportback h-tron Quattro concept in 2014 [December 2014, p2], and the Audi h-tron quattro concept car in 2016 [February 2016, p2]. Hyundai Motor Group: www.hyundaimotorgroup.com Hyundai NEXO: www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/eco/nexo Hyundai Mobis: http://en.mobis.co.kr Audi, h-tron quattro concept: https://tinyurl.com/htron-quattro
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Symbio unveils higher power H2Motiv L kit for larger vehicles
T
he H2Motiv L hydrogen kit from French-based Symbio is designed to optimise the performance of batterypowered, heavy-duty urban vehicles such as refuse collection vehicles, street washers, and buses. The system optimises recharging time as well as battery life in all seasons, in addition to boosting the cargo volume and payload of these vehicles. Symbio has built on its expertise and successful track record in commercialising hydrogen fuel cell range-extender systems for cars and light vans, to design the nextgeneration H2Motiv L hydrogen kit. The kit is based on a 40 kW hydrogen fuel cell designed to fit into vans, heavy-duty vehicles, buses, as well as SUVs, i.e. for taxi usage. This provides a power source that recharges the vehicle’s batteries in about 10 minutes, leading to a battery life that is three times greater compared to its equivalent, regardless of the season (or use of heating). The compactness of the kit results in a lower impact on the loading weight and volume, making the vehicle similar to
EDITORIAL
M
aritime fuel cell applications are being developed for a wide range of marine vessel sizes, and in a number of locations. In this issue, for example, we report on ABB and Ballard Power Systems signing a Memorandum of Understanding to develop next-generation, MW-scale PEM fuel cell power systems for the marine market, with an initial focus on the cruise ship segment [page 4]. The partners will leverage existing kW-scale fuel cell technologies, and optimise them to create a pioneering 3 MW solution suitable for powering larger ships. Last autumn ABB deployed a 100 kW Ballard system for onsite power in New York City, before transferring it onboard a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship [December 2017, p6]. Ballard is also providing the fuel cell power systems for the HySeas III consortium, which has been awarded EU funding support to bring to market the world’s first zero-emission, seagoing ferry powered by fuel cells using ‘green’ hydrogen from renewable sources [page 5]. The vessel will operate in and around the Orkney archipelago, off the northern coast of Scotland, where it will combine with the Surf ’n’ Turf hydrogen project to provide a hydrogen refueling facility [see the News Focus in October 2017]. And in the US, the California Air Resources Board is funding a project to deploy a hydrogen fuel cell powered, high-speed passenger ferry in San Francisco Bay [page 14]. The 70 ft (21 m) aluminium hull catamaran – powered by 360 kW of Hydrogenics PEM fuel cell power modules in combination with lithiumion battery packs – will be operated as part of the Red and White fleet. The project came out of the earlier SF-BREEZE project, which was coordinated by researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in California [News Focus in August 2017, p12]. On a smaller scale, the University of Toronto has won the 2017–2018 Hydrogen Student Design Contest with its Motion+ design, which outlines a system to fuel luxury hydrogen-powered yachts from a dockside hydrogen production and refueling facility using a PEM electrolyser plugged into the electric grid [In Brief, page 5]. Other recent maritime fuel cell news items include Norwegian-based Hyon receiving approval-in-principle from DNV GL for its module-based fuel cell solutions adapted for maritime use, based on the PowerCell MS-100 hydrogen PEM fuel cell system [June 2018, p1]. Also in Norway, transport operator Boreal Sjø and Wärtsilä Ship Design are collaborating to develop a hydrogen fuel cell powered ferry that will operate on a commercial route in southwestern Norway [March 2018, p6].
Steve Barrett
Fuel Cells Bulletin
3
NEWS a conventional internal combustion engine model, with much the same performance. The H2Motiv L kit has been specially adapted to address the challenges of manufacturers who wish to position themselves in the zero-emission mobility market. The fuel cell unit meets the highest automobile standards (durability, shock resistance, vibration, hot or cold weather etc.), and auxiliary functions are optimised for the system’s operation (power conversion, cooling, preheating, air compression). It can be quickly integrated into existing battery or hybrid powered vehicles, because the hydrogen fuel cell and auxiliary functions are ‘pre-integrated’, and its ultra-compact design means it can be easily integrated into a wide range of electric vehicles. Symbio’s hydrogen fuel cell kits can be incorporated into various mobile platforms, including utility vehicles, vans, buses, heavy goods vehicles, and boats. There are several hundred of these vehicles – for the most part, light utility vehicles such as the Kangoo ZE H2 van – on the roads in France and across Europe [e.g. FCB, February 2017, p1 and January 2018, p2]. Symbio: www.symbio.one/en
Nedstack to deliver key components for 50 Chinese heavy vehicles
D
utch fuel cell manufacturer Nedstack has received a first order for delivering the key components for 50 PEM fuel cell systems for application in the Chinese heavy-duty commercial vehicle market. This first batch of 50 units is part of a total committed volume of 200 units, resulting from business activities undertaken by the Chinese joint venture – called HuaHe – that Nedstack and its associated system partner HyMove signed with Huaxia, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles (Dongfeng Trucks) and related entities last December [FCB, January 2018, p4]. These systems, based on Nedstack’s and HyMove’s existing technology, will be assembled in the localised joint venture plant in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, which was opened recently. The deliveries will start during Q4 of 2018. ‘This order demonstrates the strategic cooperation with leading companies in the hydrogen market and local OEMs for the development and production of fuel cell technology for commercial vehicle applications in China,’ says Arnoud van de Bree, CEO of Nedstack. Nedstack – spun out from AkzoNobel in 1999 – manufactures long-lifetime PEM fuel 4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
cells for heavy-duty transport and for stationary applications such as power plants and telecom backup power [see the feature in August 2014]. In 2016 the company worked with HyMove to install a fuel cell range-extender system in a hybrid electric bus in the Netherlands [October 2016, p2], and it has partnered with HySA Systems to manufacture PEM fuel cell components and systems in South Africa [July 2016, p10]. Nedstack: www.nedstack.nl
environments and at high altitudes, enabling deployments in exacting missions worldwide. The Protonex FCair™ line of commercial UAV power systems builds on this defence heritage for civilian applications such as agriculture, asset inspection, surveillance, and search & rescue. Protonex Technology: www.protonex.com Ballard Power Systems, UAV Fuel Cell Power Solutions: www.ballard.com/markets/uav US Naval Research Laboratory: www.nrl.navy.mil
HyMove: www.hymove.nl Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles: www.dongfengtrucks.com
US Navy orders 13 Protonex fuel cells to power UAV field trials
M
assachusetts-based Protonex Technology has received purchase orders from the US Navy for a total of 13 fuel cell propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone platforms. Deliveries of the fuel cell propulsion systems are expected to take place during 2018. Protonex – a subsidiary of Canadian-based Ballard Power Systems [FCB, February 2018, p11] – has supplied PEM fuel cell propulsion systems for the successful Ion Tiger fuel cell powered UAV programme [June 2013, p5], and is now providing a variant of its 600 W PEM fuel cell propulsion system for the subsequent Hybrid Tiger UAV programme. This continues a productive relationship with the US Navy that began in 2006. ‘We have been working with the US Navy for a decade to optimise our fuel cell propulsion system and deliver key benefits, including long range, quiet operation, high reliability, minimal vibration, and low maintenance,’ says Phil Robinson, VP of Unmanned Systems at Protonex. ‘It is exciting to put our innovative design to the ultimate test in rigorous operating conditions with an important customer.’ The Hybrid Tiger UAV was designed by the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to explore new power system technologies for UAV propulsion. High-efficiency hydrogen PEM fuel cells from Protonex, in combination with other technologies, are expected to enable greater endurance than the 26 hours demonstrated by Ion Tiger in 2009 [December 2009, p4]. Protonex fuel cell UAV propulsion systems are used by the US Department of Defense to enhance flight duration and range, while minimising audible noise. The rugged and reliable systems are designed to operate in all types of
Ballard, ABB in deal to develop MW-scale marine power fuel cells
C
anadian-based Ballard Power Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with engineering multinational ABB, to develop next-generation, MW-scale PEM fuel cell power systems for the marine market, with an initial focus on the cruise ship segment. ABB and Ballard will leverage existing kW-scale PEM fuel cell technologies, and optimise them to create a pioneering MW-scale solution suitable for powering larger ships. With an electrical generating capacity of 3 MW (4000 hp), the new system will fit within a single module no larger than a traditional marine engine running on fossil fuels. The jointly designed, developed, and validated fuel cell power system is anticipated to play a significant part in accelerating the industrywide adoption of sustainable solutions for marine e-mobility, and help shipowners meet the increasing demands for clean operations. ‘The rapidly evolving marine market represents an exciting growth opportunity for zero-emission fuel cell technology,’ says Rob Campbell, Chief Commercial Officer at Ballard Power Systems [see also page 5]. ‘And Ballard’s prior development and deployment of MW-scale containerised PEM fuel cell systems for land-based use [FCB, November 2012, p6 and August 2015, p4] gives us the critical experience and knowledge to collaborate effectively on the development of clean energy solutions for key marine market applications.’ The multi-year collaboration will include joint market development, systems design and development, as well as systems testing and validation. The goal will be development of commercially ready MW-scale, containerised PEM fuel cell power systems for the marine market, with an initial focus on the cruise ship segment. These systems could be used in a variety of ways, including provision of power
July 2018