Ricardo fuel cell stack achieves high power output mark

Ricardo fuel cell stack (Photo: Ricardo)

Ricardo has reported that its new, multi-stack hydrogen fuel cell has achieved a net electrical power output of 393 kW.

This is said to indicate a power density of 146 kWe/cubic metre and 4.0 kg/kWe.

The power output was achieved just three months after the initial start up. The company put forward that this was due their virtual engineering ‘toolchain’, which helps to reduce the cost and risk of physical prototyping while accelerating development timelines.

The fuel cell module comprises stacks from Elring-Klinger Plastic Omnium, together with anode, cathode, thermal and electric systems from Ricardo.

Initially developed as part of the Sustainable Hydrogen Powered Shipping Horizon Europe project for the maritime sector, Ricardo’s multi-stack hydrogen fuel cell module is designed to deliver high energy output with zero emissions.

Its modular architecture integrates multiple fuel cell stacks to provide superior power density and scalability, while meeting the energy demands of various applications, including maritime, stationary power generation, rail and off-highway.

“This is a pivotal moment for hydrogen technology,” said Andy Ennever, Ricardo Global head of Fuel Cells. “By reaching this milestone and completing a full transient ship operation test cycle, our multi-stack hydrogen fuel cell technology demonstrates hydrogen’s potential as a clean energy source.

“It also showcases Ricardo’s expertise in designing and engineering the fuel cell module entirely in-house within the timeframe set out by Horizon Europe and achieving sustained maximum power after just three months of development after the initial switch-on.”

Ricardo has also developed a containerised solution which combines multiple fuel cell modules. This can deliver up to 3 MW per container. There is also onboard DC/DC power conversion.

Two containers delivering up to 6 MW is said to be sufficient to power a 50,000 tonne, 1,000 passenger cruise ship.