Dana makes major move in hydrogen

Long one of the world’s primary suppliers of components and systems for mobile equipment applications, Dana Inc. is taking some major steps toward the other end of the spectrum by developing technology that will be key providing the hydrogen needed for a hydrogen economy.

Dana announced the development of metallic bipolar plates specifically engineered to maximize the performance and accelerate the commercialization of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers used to produce hydrogen fuel. (Photo: Dana)

The company has announced the development of metallic bipolar plates specifically engineered to maximize the performance and accelerate the commercialization of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers used to produce hydrogen fuel. Debuting at Hannover Messe this week, Dana said the bipolar plates will leverage Dana’s more than two decades of design-to-manufacturing experience with similar components for fuel cell stacks used in mobile applications.

Dana’s integrated bipolar plates are made of steel or titanium with various coating options used as surface treatment of the active area. They also improve stack efficiency through better flow field design and reduced electrical losses, and they feature integrated molded sealing to prevent permeability at operating pressures of up to 50 bar.

Currently in prototype testing with global manufacturers of electrolyzers and electrolysis stacks, the bipolar plates will be ready for commercial production by the end of 2023.

“Dana is committed to developing innovations that are helping to propel the energy transition,” said Antonio Valencia, president of Dana Power Technologies and Global Electrification. “These new bipolar plate designs for hydrogen electrolyzers demonstrate how we can readily adapt our portfolio of advanced technologies to serve new markets and applications.”

In addition to introducing the company’s latest innovations for electrolyzers at Hannover Messe, Dana will showcase its end-to-end capabilities for designing, engineering, testing and producing metallic bipolar plates and graphite fuel cell plates for mobile and stationary applications.

As one of the only suppliers offering capabilities for both metallic and composite designs, Dana said it will supply nearly 2 million bipolar plates this year with integrated seals and coatings for a wide range of advanced fuel-cell engine configurations.

To support growing global demand, Dana is installing the largest production line for metallic bipolar plates in Europe at the company’s existing facility in Neu-Ulm, Germany. Scheduled to commence high-volume production later this year, the plant will be capable of producing up to 8 million metallic bipolar plates annually.