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CONERGY and VOLLER ENERGY Voller Energy is a U.K.based manufacturer of portable fuel cell systems. The company was established in 2002 to produce environmentallyfriendly battery chargers and mobile generators based on patented fuel cell technology for use in cordless tools in the construction industry. Recently, Voller Energy and Conergy AG (Europe’s leading systems supplier of renewable energy) signed a cooperation agreement to develop the market for fuel cell generators used in small-scale off-grid applications, for example in conjunction with solar panels and wind turbines, to provide remote power from sustainable energy sources. On this occasion, Made in Germany interviewed Stephen Voller, CEO of Voller Energy. MADE IN GERMANY: Why is fuel cell technology not more widely known? Stephen Voller: Until now fuel cells have not been commercially viable, because fuel cell companies have tended to be technology-driven rather than market-driven—even though the technology has been around since 1839. MIG: What’s so special about fuel cell technology? SV: Fuel cells are unique in terms of the variety of their potential applications. They can provide energy for systems as large as a utility power station and as small as a laptop. They have several benefits over conventional combustion- Conergy and Voller Energy cross-border cooperation promises rapid commercialization Developing the Market For Fuel Cell Generators based techniques. They produce much smaller quantities of greenhouse gases and none of the pollutants that contaminate the air. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, fuel cells will only emit heat and water as by-products. MIG: Can you explain as simply as possible how a fuel cell works? SV: In principle, a fuel cell operates very much like a battery. But unlike a battery, a fuel cell does not run down or need recharging. It will produce energy in the form of electricity and heat, as long as fuel is supplied. A fuel cell is a solidstate device that generates electricity by chemically combining a fuel with oxygen from Stephen Voller, founder and CEO of Voller Energy, carries the company’s portable fuel cell unit. the air. It does this quietly and efficiently—far more efficiently than a conventional generator. It consists of two electrodes sandwiched around an electrolyte. Oxygen passes over one electrode and hydrogen over the other, generating electricity, water, and heat. Production of Voller Energy VE50 devices. 12 MADE IN GERMANY NO. 5, 2006
MIG: What makes Voller Energy’s fuel cells different? SV: At present, the most costeffective fuel cell technology is the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which runs on hydrogen; its only emission is pure water. At Voller Energy we use a series Conergy AG and Voller Energy Group PLC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to develop the market for fuel cell generators. It is expected this cooperation will lead to rapid commercialization of power from sustainable energy sources. With an expected turnover of more than ¤800 million in 2006, Germany-based Conergy is the largest solar company in Europe and a leading international supplier in other fast growing fields of renewable energies. With more than 1,000 employees on 5 continents, Conergy offers intelligent system technologies for the rapidly growing global energy requirements, to generate electricity, heating, or cooling using various renewable resources. Along with flat plate collectors for sun-powered heating or cooling, Conergy also develops and produces inverters for converting solar direct current into grid-conforming alternating current in all power ranges. In addition to these key high-tech solar technologies, Conergy also produces small wind power generators and patented mounting components for renewable energy systems. Voller Energy is one of the world’s first commercial developers and manufacturers of portable fuel cell systems, of PEM cells connected together in a stack, which is roughly the size of a soft-drink can. Peripheral systems that maintain and utilize the stack are just as important as the stack itself—and this is what distinguishes a fuel cell from a marketable fuel cell. Voller Energy has succeeded in inte- Agreement Between Conergy AG And Voller Energy Group PLC NO. 5, 2006 offering an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel or gasoline electric generators. Voller products can be fuelled by pure hydrogen or liquid petroleum gas (LPG), a mixture of propane and butane generically known as Calor Gas, after the market leading brand of LPG. Collaboration will benefit Voller with the help, support, and expertise of Conergy in photo-voltaic (PV) and wind turbine technology. Conergy will benefit from access to Voller’s expertise in fuel cell systems at its remote wind and solar sites, whose efficiency can be reduced by lack of wind and sun. When required, Voller’s software activates the portable fuel cell in order to maintain a constant power source, so that equipment at remote sites such as surveillance cameras, illuminated road signs, and environment monitoring equipment work continuously. Stephen Voller, Chief Executive of Voller Energy Group PLC, says: “We are extremely excited by the new opportunities offered by the agreement with Conergy, whose expertise in wind and solar technology makes it an ideal partner for Voller, as we take further steps towards developing continuous environmentally friendly energy.” Constant power source is available at construction sites and other off-grid areas. grating electrical control, heat flow management, fuel delivery, and safety systems to make its technology deliverable and commercially competitive. MIG: What is the relevance of fuel cells to the construction industry? SV: The construction industry is expected to become one of the most important markets for fuel cells chargers. The world market for outdoor appliances and power tools is estimated at 85 million units in 2005, growing to 111 million units by 2010. On many construction sites, power is either not available or is turned off for safety reasons. This means that charging batteries used in cordless power tools can be a real problem. While conventional petrol or diesel generators can’t be used indoors or on scaffolding, Voller’s fuel cell generators and battery chargers can be used wherever you are working. MIG: What is the company’s newest product? SV: Voller recently announced the launch of a device that will transform prospects for using portable fuel cell systems in the construction industry. Known as a pyrolyser reformer, it extracts 90 percent of the hydrogen contained in hydrocarbon fuels, such as propane. It is likely to accelerate the adoption of fuel cells in a wide A standard 12 month parts and labor warranty is provided with all Voller Energy products. range of applications, in sectors as diverse as construction, camping, boating, and the military. MIG: When can we expect to see these pyrolyser reformers on construction sites? SV: Voller Energy expects to make a commercial launch by the end of 2007. MADE IN GERMANY 13
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