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 Dr. Gerald Weber (right), Managing Director of Operations AIRBUS GmbH, formally opened the Aerotec Fuel Cell Test Centre in Hamburg, which has been set up to test fuel cell systems for use on board commercial aircraft. He is seen here in front of Intelligent Energy's fuel cell auxiliary power unit (APU) with the Centre's Managing Director, Rainer Feddersen.
Airbus has already been investigating how hydrogen fuel cells can provide power for aircraft and previously tested a hydrogen and oxygen-based fuel cell system on board their A320 test aircraft. The fuel cell system powers the aircraft’s back-up hydraulic and electric power systems, as well as operating the ailerons. Intelligent Energy first demonstrated its aviation credentials when it provided the system to Boeing which powered the world's first manned fuel cell aircraft. Intelligent Energy CEO, Henri Winand said “The advantage of incorporating hydrogen fuel cell technology into aviation is multifaceted and part of the movement towards more electric aircraft. Not only do fuel cells reduce emissions and decrease fuel consumption but as we move to a lower carbon economy, the airlines can diversify their fuel supply base, becoming less exposed to volatility in fuel prices.”
The APU is designed around Intelligent Energy’s core fuel cell system which is already utilised both in automotive applications such as the London hybrid taxi and in distributed power work with Scottish and Southern Energy plc. The hydrogen fuel cell, which will be installed into a fleet of zero emission London taxis by 2012, was demonstrated to UK Energy Minister, David Kidney MP. The minister met with Dr Winand, to discuss the importance of greater investment in UK-based clean technology innovation. He operated the fuel cell with a simple press of a button, instantly generating around 30 kilowatts of energy - enough to provide propulsion to the iconic London taxi. The same core fuel cell could contribute to OFGEM’s requirement for major investment in new energy infrastructure which will secure energy supplies and help to reach climate change targets.
 With Suzuki Motor Corporation, Intelligent Energy unveiled their latest joint development in clean fuel transport systems at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show – the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter. At the Motor Show nearly half the world premieres were environmentally friendly vehicles. The scooter uses the latest version of Intelligent Energy’s unique and proprietary PEM fuel cells, which are light, compact and well-suited to mass manufacture.
“The zero-emissions Burgman scooter is the latest product of the successful commercial relationship between Suzuki and Intelligent Energy”, commented Dr. Winand. “They can be widely available to everyone in the near future and, with a mass market of about 40 million units per annum, there is a lot to go after. As part of this process, Intelligent Energy and Suzuki will continue to work on clean fuel cell powered motorcycles and plan to hold demonstrations of the fuel cell scooter in the near future”.
Intelligent Energy has raised $30 million to accelerate the commercialisation of its fuel cell power systems into its targeted mass markets. The company has appointed Murali Arikara as its Executive Vice President for Emerging Markets. Increased consumer spending and infrastructure investment are fuelling growth in many emerging economies, such as China, Brazil, Russia and India, making this an ideal time for business expansion. “Emerging markets present exciting opportunities for the deployment of our clean power technologies, and the interest we have already received from potential partners is very encouraging,” said Mr Arikara.
Dr Winand added: “All our target markets offer very significant growth opportunities on a global scale and with this new investment we will continue to accelerate the commercialisation phase of our business plan by driving the delivery of our partners’ clean fuel and power products to their consumer markets.”
www.intelligent-energy.com
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