Two Clean Hydrogen Partnership projects are paving the way to the deployment of fuel cell generators that can replace mobile diesel generators for less polluted, quieter cities and events, and sustainable low-carbon energy in remote areas.
Zero-pollution generators
Although most urban air pollution comes from transport, other activities make a significant contribution. Diesel generators – or gensets – used for construction sites, outdoor events and off-grid locations are one such polluting source, producing harmful particles, greenhouse gases and noise. Fuel cells can be a disruptive solution, providing clean, silent mobile power.
The EVERYWH2ERE project, funded by the FCH JU, has designed light, low-pollution 25kWe and 100kWe generators with proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and safe pressurised hydrogen technology. The consortium is integrating EU-manufacturers components into seven low-carbon “plug and play” gensets.
In the ALKAMMONIA project, FCH JU-funded researchers have produced components for a European version of efficient alkaline fuel cell mobile generation. The project’s transportable units crack (high-energy density ) ammonia into hydrogen and are 60% recyclable, making them a sustainable source of zero-carbon power, particularly in remote areas.
Demand demonstration
EVERYWH2ERE plans to tour its seven gensets around construction sites, music festivals and events in Europe to demonstrate their economic viability and safety. Project partners will use the results to fine-tune the prototype device before moving to commercialisation in 2025. Two gensets have already been built and validated and are ready for the demonstration campaign.
Meanwhile, a life-cycle analysis by ALKAMMONIA has demonstrated a business case for different applications of alkaline fuel cell generators. Project partner AFC Energy has since launched and demonstrated a scalable 20kW electric vehicle fuel cell charger using alkaline fuel cell technology capable of using hydrogen from cracked ammonia to provide affordable off-grid power.
Ready-to-use solutions
Research, industry and local authority partners joined forces in two FCH JU projects for mobile power generators, one based on PEM fuel cells, the other on alkaline fuel cells using hydrogen from ammonia.
The goal?
To develop and demonstrate sustainable, cost-efficient, hydrogen-fuelled gensets using 100% European technology.
Key results?
Zero-carbon, silent mobile generators that can supply clean, quiet “plug and play” power in cities and off-grid regions, with PEM models ready for demonstration at construction sites and festivals, and ammonia-fuelled models close to commercialisation.