100kW automotive fuel cell architecture on show at JSAE 2015

Intelligent Energy’s 100kW architecture will be available to vehicle manufacturers through technology licensing programmes and joint development agreements. The company’s stack technology offers an outstanding power density of 3.5kW/l (volumetric) and 3.0kW/kg (gravimetric), and is engineered for low cost, high volume series production.

The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan will already be familiar with Intelligent Energy’s innovations, following an existing collaboration with Suzuki Motor. The partnership introduced the world’s first type approved fuel cell powered scooter, which utilises Intelligent Energy’s 4kW fuel cell systems. The two companies have also established a joint venture that manufactures stacks and fuel cell systems from a ready to scale production facility in Japan.

“Extensive research, engineering, cost reduction and test activities have been carried out by our Motive division to help provide a solution for the automotive industry, which has been seeking a new, high power fuel cell architecture,” says James Batchelor, Managing Director, Motive, Intelligent Energy. “We have over 25 years experience developing high power density, scalable fuel cell systems and have already forged collaborative commercial partnerships with major vehicle manufacturers: our 100kW architecture will provide impetus for the evolution of next-gen FCEVs.” 

“Our proprietary, Evaporatively-Cooled (EC) technology is a crucial enabler for achieving new, high stack power densities,” continues Batchelor. “Intelligent Energy’s EC design negates the requirement for individual cooling channels between cells. This reduces the mass and provides packaging and weight advantages when compared to conventional liquid-cooled fuel cell stacks.”