A 100 kW automotive fuel cell architecture from Intelligent Energy provides vehicle manufacturers with a new option for their next generation of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs).
The architecture has been developed in response to increasing market demand for next generation, high power automotive fuel cell solutions and is the result of extensive research, engineering, cost reduction and test activities undertaken by Intelligent Energy’s Motive division.
Designed to deliver primary motive power within an electric driveline, the 100 kW fuel cell architecture and core technology will be available to vehicle manufacturers through technology licensing programs and joint development agreements.
The 100 kW platform offers power density of 3.5 kW/l (volumetric) and 3.0 kW/kg (gravimetric), whilst being engineered for low cost, high volume series production.
The key enabler for these high power densities is the company’s proprietary, evaporatively-cooled (EC) technology. Compared to conventional liquid-cooled fuel cell stacks, the EC design removes the need for individual cooling channels between each cell. This delivers an advantage in terms of stack mass and volume, and translates into in-vehicle packaging and weight advantages.
Additionally, Intelligent Energy already has non-exclusive, collaborative commercial relationships in place with a number of global vehicle manufacturers.
James Batchelor, Managing Director of Intelligent Energy’s Motive division, said: “Our capability and proven technology provides a cost-effective opportunity for any vehicle manufacturer without a presence in this fuel cell power-band to jump ahead of its competitors. Our 100 kW platform provides automotive OEMs with a fast-track route to our next generation evaporatively-cooled stack technology, integrated into a compact system architecture.”
The 100 kW architecture is being announced at a time when consumer awareness of FCEVs is growing, boosted by new vehicles being launched by Toyota, Hyundai and Honda.
Batchelor added: “The concept, design, technology elements and IP package are all in place to enable the platform to be applied to customer vehicle programs today.”
Intelligent Energy has a long association with the automotive industry, including an eight-year relationship with the Suzuki Motor Corporation. The collaboration has seen the introduction of the world’s first type approved fuel cell powered scooter, powered by 4 kW fuel cell systems that are based on Intelligent Energy’s complementary air-cooled (AC) technology. The two companies have also established a joint venture business that manufactures stacks and fuel cell systems from a ready to scale production facility in Japan.
