LONDON -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Enhanced Fuel Cell Systems, a project part-funded by the Technology Strategy Board, the UK’s innovation agency, and led by power technology company Intelligent Energy, has demonstrated an increase in fuel cell system power density of more than 30% together with reliable cold-start performance at temperatures down to -20°C.
The collaborative project, which ran from December 2009 to December 2012, focused on enhancing the reliability, durability and performance of Intelligent Energy’s class leading fuel cell engines, as well as reducing system weight. The £2.8 million development project involved collaboration between Intelligent Energy, Dyson Technology, Ricardo and TRW Conekt. The project team also benefited from operational advice from DHL.
An increase in power density of more than 30% was achieved by the project team, delivering an improvement in power output from 30kW to 40kW for the chosen test system without increasing system mass or size. Additionally, through the introduction of a new coolant module developed specifically for the project, cold start performance was consistently achieved at temperatures down to -20°C.
Within the project, Intelligent Energy worked to improve the overall design and integration of the enhanced fuel cell system with Ricardo acting as the customer, providing a comprehensive automotive specification and sign-off at the end of the project. TRW Conekt validated the integrity of the fuel cell modules through vibration and environmental testing, helping to identify and prevent potential problems. Dyson Technology developed a compact, high efficiency compressor (a key subsystem for air delivery into the fuel cell system) based on their digital motor technology, which was engineered to integrate into an existing stack enclosure, a component already designed for mass production.
Supporting Quotes:
James Batchelor, Managing Director for Intelligent Energy’s Motive Division, said: “Fuel cell systems offer one of the most promising solutions to reducing carbon emissions from road vehicles. This collaborative programme between leading industry players helps to accelerate the introduction of our automotive technology at scale with even greater levels of system power density and performance, making our fuel cell systems even more attractive to our OEM customers across the power range that they typically ask for, from below 30kW up to 200kW. With our recent stack power density improvements yet to incorporate, we expect to deliver even greater system-level performance in the near future.”
Mark Taylor, Group Research, Design, Development Operations Director at Dyson said: “Dyson has been developing digital motors for the past fifteen years for use in our own technology. The latest motor has potential far beyond Dyson machines and adapting it for use in hydrogen fuel cells vehicles enthused our engineers and increased our understanding of the technology.”
Mark Garrett, Ricardo plc Chief Operating Officer, added: "Ricardo was pleased to have been able to contribute its vehicle systems integration expertise to this project. Fuel cells offer the prospect of an attractive future low carbon vehicle powertrain solution and are expected soon to be competitive against other advanced technologies for many current transport applications. By bringing together the skills of one of the world's leading fuel cell developers, along with best in class automotive integration and systems development expertise, and the operational guidance of fleet operators, this project has moved fuel cell technology forward towards commercial application."
Chris Macdonald-Bradley, Principal Engineer for advanced testing development at TRW Conekt said: "This project has served to strengthen Conekt’s testing capability and its ability to support organisations that are developing fuel efficient vehicle technologies. The experience we have gained of testing fuel cell subsystems makes Conekt well qualified to design and deliver test regimes that ensure reliability and integrity."
Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, said: “Fuel cell technology has a key part to play in the creation of a low carbon economy for the UK. We have been supporting the process of innovation in this sector for a number of years and are delighted to see that commitment bearing fruit.”
Editors’ Notes
About Intelligent Energy
Intelligent Energy delivers efficient and clean energy technology for the global consumer electronics, automotive and stationary power markets – from compact energy packs for mobile devices, to power-trains for zero-emission vehicles, and stationary power units for the always-on infrastructure.
Our unique technology architecture is used by global blue chip companies to create differentiated, cost-efficient fuel cell power systems for mass market applications. It enables Intelligent Energy and our industry partners to solve the challenges of continuous power and productivity, by creating convenient everyday energy solutions to power your life.
Intelligent Energy operates globally, with offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
About Dyson Technology
Dyson is a technology company which develops all its intellectual property in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and sells it in over sixty countries around the world. Dyson holds over 3,000 patents for over 500 inventions and has been the second highest filer of patents in the UK. A third of all Dyson people are engineers, and they are focused on expanding the current range of fans, hand dryers and vacuum cleaners, and developing completely new technologies.
Over the past fifteen years, Dyson has invested £150m in the development and manufacture of the Dyson digital motor, a highly advanced motor technology which will spawn other Dyson technologies. One third the size of traditional motors but spinning 100,000 times a minute (five times faster than a F1 racing car engine), the motor makes 6,000 minute adjustments a second for optimal performance.
About Ricardo
Ricardo plc is a global, world-class, multi-industry consultancy for engineering, technology, project innovation and strategy. With almost a century of delivering value, we employ over 2300 professional engineers, consultants and staff. Our people are committed to providing outstanding value through quality engineering solutions focused on high efficiency, low emission, class-leading product innovation and robust strategic implementation.
Our client list includes the world's major transportation original equipment manufacturers, supply chain organizations, energy companies, financial institutions and governments. Guided by our corporate values of respect, integrity, creativity and innovation and passion, we enable our customers to achieve sustainable growth and commercial success.
About TRW Conekt
TRW Conekt is a consultancy and engineering test services business that generates new ideas and applies science and technology to product development, manufacture and validation.
Combining the skills of specialist engineers with our in-house UKAS accredited test facility, Conekt is uniquely positioned to offer a complete engineering service from concept design and development through prototype and validation testing to low volume manufacture and systems integration.
Conekt's experienced engineering teams work closely with customers to define the project requirements, taking account of the skills and knowledge of both partners, whether for a part of or the entire product development pipeline.
About the Technology Strategy Board
The Technology Strategy Board is the UK’s innovation agency. Its goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy.
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CONTACT:
Media contacts:
Dr Jon Moore
Intelligent Energy
Tel: +44 (0) 1509 271 271
Email: marketing@intelligent-energy.com
or
Oliver Blair
Dyson
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7833 8244
Email: oliver.blair@dyson.com
or
Anthony Smith
Ricardo
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 382 710
Email: media@ricardo.com
or
Nicola Lloyd
TRW Conekt
Tel: +44 (0) 121 627 4242
Email: conekt-enquiries@trw.com
or
Simon Napper
Technology Strategy Board
Tel: + 44 (0)7881 842583
Email: simon.napper@tsb.gov.uk
Intelligent Energy Automotive Fuel Cells (Photo: Business Wire)