It appears the US hasn’t completely turned its back on hydrogen fuel with the Department of Energy announcing that it will award nearly $7million over five years for cost analyses to support research and development efforts for fuel cells and hydrogen storage systems.
The projects will look into lifecycle cost analyses of existing and conceptual fuel cell systems both for transportation and stationary applications including backup power and forklifts.
It is hoped they will provide data to help DOE focus its future research and development on the fuel cell components and manufacturing processes that deliver the greatest gains in efficiency. The cost analyses will be conducted by designing the system and conceptualising its manufacturing process. The design of the systems and manufacturing is vetted at National Laboratories, as well as through patent and literature research, presentation for developers and peer review.
The projects that have been awarded are:
- Directed Technologies, Inc: Picks up $3million for two projects, one focused on transportation fuel cell systems; the other on hydrogen storage systems.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Picks up $1.9million to develop total cost models for low and high temperature stationary fuel cell systems.
- Battelle Memorial Institute: Receives up to $2million to provide cost assessments for stationary fuel cell applications up to 25kW, including forklifts, backup power units, primary power and combined heat and power systems.
