---

Swedish fuel cell technology firm PowerCell is in the final stage of development of its ‘next generation’ fuel cell stack platform, the S2.

According to PowerCell, the S2 covers a larger power range up to 25 kW and maintains the same tolerance towards carbon monoxide (CO) and reformate gas as the present platform, the S1. The new fuel cell will have good stability and a compact and robust design for both automotive and stationary applications, the Gothenburg-based firm says.

PowerCell’s fuel cell stack is designed to work in an auxiliary power unit (APU) environment on reformate gas as well as on a variety of systems running on pure hydrogen, for both automotive and stationary applications. It uses thin metal bipolar plates and state of the art membrane electrode assembly to give a robust and high performance design prepared for serial production from the start.

The S2 platform is designed to complement the first generation fuel cell stack, the S1 (1-5 kW), as it covers a larger power range up to 25 kW, still with the same tolerance towards CO and reformate gas. The S2 uses proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology and is the choice for automotive applications. PEM is the most common technology used today, owing to its reliable and dynamic characteristics that allows for full power output within seconds.

Another feature is the capability for extensive starts and stops. This feature means that battery buffers can be kept to a minimum. PowerCell says its S2 fuel cells stack platform is efficient, unique, patented and designed for low pressure drop.

PowerCell points out that the S2 fuel cells possess a high CO tolerance, which is a key factor to be able to run on reformate gas. This feature is said to have been proven in extensive testing in laboratories as well as in connection with PowerCell reformers in complete APU systems.

"After three years of development, we are pleased to finalize our second fuel cell stack platform, the S2. This platform will complement the first generation fuel cell stack, S1 (1 5 kW), as it covers a larger power range of up to 25 kW. This gives us the possibility to approach other applications and broadening our market potential," said Magnus Henell, CEO at PowerCell.

"The interest from the transport, telecom and other sectors is huge, given these industries’ need to reduce operating expenses while at the same time find power solutions that are clean, sustainable and compliant with ever-stricter environmental legislation. We are now in the phase of selecting which pilot clients to cooperate with for prototype testing," Henell added.