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 Decades of development work are now coming to fruition as several fuel cell manufacturers initiate volume production.
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited has opened their plant for the production of solid oxide fuel cells in Germany. The volume manufacturing plant with a design capacity of 10,000 fuel cell stacks per year was officially opened by Dr Jens Baganz, State Secretary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
In the UK, Ceres Power has commenced manufacturing operations from the initial production line installed at their mass production facility in Horsham. They are building on the successful completion of the Alpha Phase of their residential CHP programme with British Gas and have secured their first international contract with Bord Gais Éireann. Investment in fuel cell CHP systems will provide an efficient, cost effective way to meet the requirements for new UK infrastructure specified by OFGEM.
Ballard Power is providing the fuel cells for Baxi Innotech. The Baxi Group believes that their fuel cell powered combined heat and power unit is the most efficient form of energy generation and deployment for home use. On the transport side, Ballard's next generation heavy duty fuel cell power module delivers enhanced fuel cell durability and improved efficiency at  a reduced cost, while offering an industry leading 12,000-hour warranty.
Mercedes Benz is launching their first series-produced electric car with a fuel cell on the road. The hydrogen gives a range of up to 400 kilometres and the tanks can be filled simply and quickly in less than three minutes, thanks to a standardised refuelling system.
More news and information from around the world in the winter issue of Fuel Cell Power to follow shortly. |