Fuel cell: Earlier introduction possible

It would be very good news if this became true: the fuel cell technology may be introduced to the public market earlier than expected originally.

Nuvera Fuel Cells has reached a joint agreement with Fiat Powertrain Technologies and Centro Ricerche Fiat to develop and supply high-efficiency hydrogen fuel cell systems for fuel cell vehicles. The partners will be the exclusive supplier of the new fuel cell powertrain to the Fiat Group, which includes Fiat Auto, Iveco, and Case New Holland. The new partnership is also open to further OEMs worldwide.

"The aim of the project", say the companies, "is to further develop a fuel cell powertrain system that will allow automakers to develop a technically, economically and environmentally viable fuel cell vehicle in the near future." The system will combine the recently released Nuvera Andromeda II stack with the plant and control system developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and Centro Ricerche Fiat. It is said to include all necessary auxiliaries to meet the automotive standards. This includes a low pressure and high efficiency air compressor. The Fiat Panda Hydrogen (photo) is the first vehicle to use the new system.

According to Centro Ricerche Fiat and Fiat Powertrain Technologies, the Andromeda II technology represents one of the most promising fuel cell stacks available today. The companies are convinced that this technology is able to allow OEMs to introduce fuel cell vehicles more quickly than once thought possible.

Centro Ricerche Fiat has underlined that the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system has been developed with an air delivery system that was specifically designed to match the requirements of the fuel cell stack. By designing the air system completely around the fuel cell stack, the purpose-built compressor is said to deliver exactly what the fuel cell system requires across the entire operating range. This should result in a higher efficiency and lower costs, compared to other currently available compressor technologies.

The new fuel cell system operates at low pressure and without external humidification, which should allow simplification of the plant's architecture. The reduction in parts can also contribute to parasitic power losses and a simplification of the system's control, enabling higher efficiency and enhanced reliability.

Related news: Foursprung, alternative energies, fuel cell

Source: all4engineers

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