PowerCell and Semcon in cooperation around automated manufacturing of fuel cells
PowerCell Sweden AB (publ) has initiated a cooperation with the international technology company Semcon around automated manufacturing of fuel cells using robots. The aim is to make the production more efficient and to reduce cost and improve the quality.
The English version is an in house-translation. In case of any discrepancy, the Swedish text will prevail.
During the first phase Semcon will deliver a test concept, production equipment and also provide installation and deployment of a semi-automatic test production. The robots will be delivered early October. Before the robots are installed at PowerCell, Semcon will run virtual simulations, visualizing and testing the entire production process.
Within the German project Autostack Industire, PowerCell has been given the responsibility for the design of a fuel cell stack for vehicles that can be put into mass production, and for the development of an assembly line for series production of fuel cells. Autostack Industrie, ASI, is an industrial collaboration project that is partly funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transportation and Digital Infrastructure and PowerCell was appointed partner to the project in 2017. The aim of the project is to develop a cost-competitive fuel cell stack for European electric vehicles with commercial introduction after 2020. Other partners in the project are BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen and the European part of Ford. Autostack Industrie has been granted 21.3 MEUR in funding within the frame of the German governmental program National Innovation Programme Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology, NIP (Nationales Innovationsprogramm Wasserstoff und Brennstoffzellentechnologie).
Fuel cells the best alternative
The cooperation with Semcon around automated manufacturing is a first important step in PowerCell’s effort to start large-scale mass production of fuel cells.
“The climate change as well as the increasing emissions of particles and NOx from the traffic, puts the transport sector in front of a choice as simple as brutal: change or risk your own future”, Per Wassén, CEO of PowerCell said. “Fuel cells running on hydrogen offer a possibility to electrify without loss of payload capacity or range and with about the same fueling times as for fossil fuels. Since it is easy to produce hydrogen from both wind and solar power, the combination of fuel cells and hydrogen offer a possibility to change to truly sustainable transports in a way that few other technologies currently can match.”
Semcon also views the fuel cell technology as a promising alternative to fossil fuels.
“We are facing a profound transformation where the society has to change to a more sustainable energy production”, Markus Granlund, CEO of Semcon said. “Fuel cells will play a crucial role in replacing fossil fuels. Together with PowerCell we can make a big difference in the quest for a more sustainable society.”
For further information, please contact:
Per Wassén
CEO, PowerCell Sweden AB (publ)
Phone: +46 (0) 31 720 36 20
Email: per.wassen@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 Stockholm with G&W Fondkommission as Certified Adviser.