European Fuel Cell Forum 2011

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European Fuel Cell Forum 2011 28 June -1 July 2011, Lucerne Switzerland
A0404
PEMFCs compared to other technologies for air
independent energy supply
Thomas Nietsch, Olivier Verdu
HELION-AREVA
Domaine du Petit Arbois
Bâtimet J. Verne, BP 71
FR-13545 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 4 / France
Tel.: +33-4-4290-3898
Fax: +33-4-4290-8197
olivier.verdu@areva.com
Abstract
This work compares PEMFCs with other technologies suitable for air independent energy
storage, potentially usable in manned or unmanned underwater vehicles, satellites and
other space application.
In a first round a list of over 30 technologies was drawn up and down selected to a smaller
number for a more detailed investigation. Most important down selection criteria are the
technology readiness level and operating conditions compatible with the envisaged
applications. The down selected technologies were compared in terms of performance,
costs and technology readiness as off today and a forecast for the near future is given of
wide range of applications or mission profiles.
The considered performance characteristic includes energy per weight (specific energy,
kWh/kg), energy per volume (energy density, kWh/l), number of charge / discharge cycles
and life time. The gathered economical characteristics are the specific installation costs
(€/kW or €/kWh), operating and maintenance costs. These costs might include direct costs
for the vehicle as well as indirect costs for infrastructure, etc.
The performance data in this work are not performances related to specific suppliers but to
the technology itself and as such generic data. Supplementary volume, weight and costs
for the balance of plant, infrastructure and maintenance are added to find the complete
systems performance. This was done by using our own experience, results and the
companies general experience and database.
By doing this we were able to identify the most suitable technologies of the envisaged
application based on today’s performance and for most likely expected future
performances. These are Li based batteries for high power at lower energy; metal sea
water batteries for very low power over very long time (high energy) and PEMFC based
systems for reasonable power at high energy.
Parts of the work were carried out under the European Defence Agency (EDA) project
“Energy supply for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (ESUUV) Reference Nº 09-R&T-006.
The other consortium members were ECA and Nexter.
PEMFC Applications A04 - 4/8
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European Fuel Cell Forum 2011 28 June -1 July 2011, Lucerne Switzerland
A0405
Uninterruptible Power Supply with
PEM Fuel Cell Technology
Ulrike Trachte, Mirko Kleingries, Beat Wellig
Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture
CC Thermal Energy Systems & Process Engineering
Technikumstrasse 21, CH-6048 Horw
Tel.: +41-41-3493-249
Fax: +41-41-3493-960
ulrike.trachte@hslu.ch
Abstract
Important technical functions such as telecommunication services are protected against
grid failures by uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. In most cases the emergency
power is provided by lead acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries are sensitive with regard to
variations in temperature, difficult to control and contain harmful materials.
A more environment-friendly alternative are fuel cells (FC). In this project the lead acid
batteries of an UPS system were replaced by a commercial PEM FC System and � to
avoid any batteries � the delayed start-up behaviour of the FC was bridged with super
capacitor technology.
The aim of the project was to prove the functional, efficient and reliable operation of the FC
system under real conditions and over a long-term period. For this reason the system was
connected to a real operating base station of a telecommunication service provider near
Lucerne from January 2006 until end of 2009. The field test included monthly grid failure
simulations of 5x5 minutes and 2x20 minutes as well as several 4 hour simulations.
Hydrogen was supplied by two 50 l pressure cylinders which were able to provide a standalone
operation of the installation for about 6 hours.
Approximately 350 start-ups including two real outages confirmed the functionality and
reliability of the system. Under the load of the base station the FC system started with a
reliability of 100%. At the end of the tests a decrease of the FC voltage of about 3.3% was
observed. An amount of electrical energy of about 470 kWh was provided. The FC system
was still fully operational at this time.
The project was realised with two industrial partners and the financial support of the Swiss
federal office of energy (SFOE). During the project period of more than three years an
increasing number of FC producers and UPS suppliers became aware that the application
of FCs as a back-up system responds to critical market demands and developed ready-tomarket
products. Hence, for the FC UPS application, it is no longer the question of
functionality but of a successful market entry.
This early market is now supported by the FC and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU)
Program. The Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture takes part in the
EU-project ‘Fuel cell field test demonstration of economic and environmental
viability for portable generators, backup and UPS power system applications’ (FITUP) to
demonstrate the application readiness for these back-up systems and to contribute to a
widespread acceptance of this new technology.
PEMFC Applications A04 - 5/8