Industrialized fuel cell technology ready to deliver emissions-free power in a variety of fields
– systems from PowerCell on board as Sweden’s first hydrogen refuse truck is deployed
When Sweden’s first emissions-free hydrogen-powered refuse truck is deployed in Gothenburg today, it will have a fuel cell system on board developed by PowerCell Sweden AB. The refuse truck’s power system is based on PowerCell’s industrialized fuel cell technology. The electrification provided by the hydrogen-electric powertrain means that, just like its diesel or natural gas-powered counterpart, the refuse truck can complete a full work shift without needing to be refueled.
PowerCell Sweden AB has developed fuel cells and fuel cell systems since the mid-1990s and is today world-leading in the field. From its leading technological position, the company has developed industrialized fuel cell-based power solutions for a wide variety of applications in the automotive segment (on-road and off-road) and the stationary and marine segments. When the world’s first hydrogen-electric flight of a commercial airplane took place in September last year, a fuel cell system from PowerCell was on board.
The hydrogen-electric refuse truck being deployed today by the waste management and recycling company Renova in Gothenburg was developed jointly by PowerCell Sweden, Renova, Scania and JOAB. Electricity produced on board by the fuel cell system will propel the vehicle, and power the loading and compression of the refuse. The heat generated will be used to heat the cab. A truck powered by fuel cells features the same driveability, range, up-time and payload capacity as a diesel-powered truck but does not give rise to any emissions other than water. Nor does the time required to fuel the vehicle differ substantially compared with a regular diesel-powered truck.
“One of the many advantages of fuel cells and hydrogen gas is that they have a minimal impact on the customer’s operational processes. The refuse truck in question is clear proof of this – just like its diesel or natural gas-powered counterpart, it can complete a full work shift without needing to be refueled. Ensuring that the transition to sustainable power production entails the smallest possible change to customers’ operational procedures will be crucial if a broad phase-out of fossil fuel is to gain momentum” says Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Sweden AB.
The refuse truck was developed with funding from the Swedish Energy Agency within the framework of the Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation Programme (FFI). FFI is a partnership programme run jointly by the Swedish state and the Swedish automotive industry that funds research, innovation and development with an emphasis on climate, the environment and safety. KTH Royal Institute of Technology also participated in the development.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Berkling
CEO, Powercell Sweden AB (publ)
Tel: +46 (0) 31 720 36 20
E-mail: richard.berkling@powercell.se
About Powercell Sweden AB (publ)
PowerCell Sweden AB (publ) develops and produces fuel cell stacks and systems for stationary and mobile applications with a world-class energy density. The fuel cells are powered by hydrogen, pure or reformed, and produce electricity and heat with no emissions other than water. As the stacks and systems are compact, modular and scalable, they are easily adjusted to any customer need.
PowerCell was founded in 2008 as an industrial spinout from the Volvo Group. The share (PCELL) is since 2014 subject to trade at Nasdaq First North Growth Market, Stockholm. G&W Fondkommission is Certified Adviser, e-mail: ca@gwkapital.se, Tel: +46 (0)8 503 000 50.