Intelligent Energy extends capability with new high performance 100kW automotive fuel cell architecture
- Builds upon Intelligent Energy’s successful programmes with its world-class automotive customers
- Provides primary motive power for premium sector and high performance fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)
- Proprietary evaporatively-cooled (EC) technology provides world leading stack power density
- Available to vehicle manufacturers through technology licensing programmes and joint development agreements
An innovative 100kW automotive fuel cell architecture from Intelligent Energy, the energy technology group, provides vehicle manufacturers with a new high performance 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. The system builds upon the company’s successes in developing advanced zero emission solutions both independently and with its world-class automotive customers.
Designed to deliver primary motive power within an advanced electric driveline, the 100kW fuel cell architecture and core technology will be available to vehicle manufacturers through technology licensing programmes and joint development agreements.
The 100kW platform takes full advantage of Intelligent Energy’s superior stack technology, which offers world leadership in power density of 3.5kW/l (volumetric) and 3.0kW/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 a considerable advantage in terms of stack mass and volume, and helps contribute to Intelligent Energy’s leadership in stack power density which translates into in-vehicle packaging and weight advantages.
With 25 years of experience in the development and delivery of high power density, scalable fuel cell systems, 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 100kW platform provides automotive OEMs with a fast-track route to our next generation evaporatively-cooled stack technology, integrated into a compact system architecture.”
Intelligent Energy employs world-class engineers and technology specialists, led by seasoned professionals with expertise in fuel cell technologies and the automotive field. The 100kW 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 programmes today.”
Intelligent Energy has a long association with the automotive industry, including a successful 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 4kW 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.
Ends
About Intelligent Energy
Intelligent Energy Holdings plc is an energy technology group which develops efficient and clean hydrogen fuel cell power systems for the global automotive, consumer electronics, distributed power and generation markets – from powering zero-emission vehicles to compact energy packs for mobile devices and stationary power units for the always-on infrastructure.
Working with international companies, Intelligent Energy aims to embed its technology in mass market applications to solve the challenges of continuous power and productivity, by creating everyday energy solutions to power people’s lives. The Group’s intellectual property and expertise is based around proprietary fuel cell technologies, which are the product of over 25 years of research and development. Its patent portfolio includes more than 400 patents granted (and over 600 patents pending) across more than 300 patent families. The Group also maintains a significant body of confidential know-how and trade secrets.
With its principal facility and headquarters in Loughborough, UK, the company also has operations in India, Japan and Singapore, a commercial office in Silicon Valley, USA, and research facilities in Florida, USA. Intelligent Energy Holdings plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: IEH).
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