Lyngby, 18 December 2008
Fuel cells are one of the key elements in the efficient end sustainable energy systems of the future. A new project from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation now aims directly at the development of commercial applications in the form of a new type of highly efficient and robust fuel cells.
The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is one of the most promising technologies for increasing efficiency and reducing emission in the future generation of electricity. At the same time, new technology means that the fuel cell can be integrated with other system components in a more compact, user-friendly and cost-efficient unit.
The project has a budget of 30 million DKK, 15 of which are financed by the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation. The project aims to establish the technological and commercial basis for the introduction of the world’s first reliable and cost-efficient metal-based SOFC product. Meeting this vision requires initiatives in several directions:
- Increased lifespan
- Integration of the fuel cells in compact and user-friendly systems
- Introduction of cost-efficient production methods of scale
The first commercial SOFC market is expected to be an auxiliary power unit (APU), where the fuel cells will replace small, inefficient and polluting diesel generators for production of electricity and heat in eg trucks, boats and campers.
The Director of Innovation at Topsoe Fuel Cell Niels Christiansen explains: ”Denmark leads the development of the next generation of so-called metal-based fuel cells, which to a great extent stems from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation’s earlier support of this technology. With the new projects we see a unique possibility to bring the technology to a level where commercial applications may be realised. In the project, thin film and nano technologies known from the semiconductor business will be used in the deposition of critical layers in the fuel cell.”
Project participants include a private owned company, a research centre and two GTS institutes: Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S, Fuel Cells and Solid State Chemistry Division at Research Center Risø DTU, Technological Institute and FORCE Technology.
Contact
Helge Holm-Larsen, Director of Business Development
tel. +45 4527 2168, mobil +45 2275 4168 or by e-mail at hhl@topsoe.dk