Free - receive our print magazine
The Hydrogen Journal news & articles Social network RSS news feed Hydrogen news on a map About The Hydrogen Journal Links to hydrogen energy websites Links to hydrogen energy events Contact us SISTER PUBLICATIONS
Carbon Capture Journal Digital Energy Journal Tanker Operator
FuelCell Energy to develop fuel cells for unmanned underwater vehicles
Fuel Cells, Aug 10 2012 (The Hydrogen Journal)
- FuelCell Energy Inc of Connecticut has won a $3.8m contract from the US Navy to develop a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) / battery power system for unmanned underwater vehicles.
The fuel cell must be capable of generating 1,800 kWh of electricity during a 70 day mission, with no exhaust discharged.
It will use liquid fuel, and not require any air.
"We expect to apply knowledge gained from this project into a range of other applications including maritime applications of fuel cells and auxiliary power units," said Tony Leo, Vice President Application Engineering Advanced Technology Development, FuelCell Energy, Inc.
"Developing a compact solid oxide fuel cell balance of plant with a liquid fuel, will not only have potential for deployment in defense-related applications, but has viability as power systems for use in commercial underwater vehicles, marine vessels, and remote-sites."
This system uses stored oxygen to react with the water.
The SOFC fuel cell stack is based on the technology developed by Versa Power Systems, an SOFC developer that is partially owned by FuelCell Energy.
Other team partners include the Energy Systems Division of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Yardney Technical Products, Inc., Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
