technology, products, and services - Freie Universität Berlin

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.
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