100kW fuel cell architecture offers power density of 3.5kW/l

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 advantage of Intelligent Energy’s stack technology, which offers 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 Evaporatively-Cooled (EC) technology, which 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 in-vehicle packaging and weight advantages.

The 100kW architecture is being announced at a time when consumer awareness of FCEVs is growing, boosted by vehicle launches from Toyota, Hyundai and Honda. 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 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.

Intelligent Energy’s EC system offers atart up from -25°C in under 60 seconds. Novel system architecture and proprietary water management allows the system to function successfully in extreme low temperature environments.

“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,” said James Batchelor, Managing Director, Motive Division, Intelligent Energy. “Our 100kW platform provides automotive OEMs with a fast-track route to our next-gen evaporatively-cooled stack technology, integrated into a compact system architecture. The concept, design, technology elements and IP package are all in place to enable the platform to be applied to customer vehicle programmes today.”