power supplies 21
today’s combustion engine-powered cars. In September
2009, nine of the leading motor manufacturers signed
an unprecedented agreement stating their intention to
commercialise fuel cell powered vehicles and expectation
of for their availability to consumers by 2015. If you
thought the automotive future was just battery powered,
then the likes of Toyota, Honda, Daimler, Ford, GM,
Nissan, Renault, Hyundai and Kia all appear to hold a
different view.
Intelligent Energy is presently leading a programme
to produce zero emission Black London Cabs. This
programme is part-funded by the UK Government’s
Technology Strategy Board, with partners Lotus
Engineering, LTI (London Taxis International) and TRW
Conekt. The aim is to see a small fleet of the vehicles in
operation in London by 2012.
The taxis will have a driving range of around 250
miles, sufficient for a full working day’s operation, and
able to out perform the standard vehicles in terms of Fig. 3. The Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell system has been
acceleration. The first of these cabs will be on the test incorporated into the engine-bay space of a motor-glider.
track in early 2010.
Distributed generation (DG: on-site or close to point-
Greener Aviation
of-use electricity production) is seen by many as the best
In the realm of aviation and aerospace, Intelligent Energy means of meeting much of this increased power demand
provided the hydrogen fuel cell system to Boeing that while simultaneously improving efficiency, reducing
powered the world’s first manned fuel cell aircraft in early emissions, and reducing the burden on the existing grid.
2008. DG systems can also be designed to provide electricity
The Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell back to the grid, reducing the need for additional central
system of the Boeing-Intelligent Energy project was generation infrastructure.
incorporated into the engine-bay space of a two-seat
Dimona motor-glider with a 16.3 metre wingspan,
Distributed generation
replacing the internal combustion engine. Fuel cell systems are emerging as one of the main
The system was hybridised with lithium-ion batteries contenders for market share in DG, serving a range of
to power an electric motor coupled to a conventional power demands from watts to megawatts. They are being
propeller. The battery provided the peak power required targeted in particular as CHP units for residential and
to achieve lift-off, while the fuel cell took over entirely to industrial heating and electrical needs. CHP allows the
power the aircraft in steady flight. maximum utilisation of the energy content of the fuel (for
Certain characteristics of PEM fuel cell systems make example natural gas) by using both thermal and electrical
them an ideal candidate as the power-train for unmanned outputs (heat and power).
air vehicles, they are very quiet and have low thermal and A conventional power generation plant is
exhaust signatures. These can be important factors where approximately 35 per cent efficient – the balance is
stealth may be a consideration, such as in military or released as ‘waste’ heat.
homeland security applications. CHP substantially reduces this loss by making use of
the heat produced for the chosen application – industrial,
Electricity Production
commercial or residential. In this way up to about 90 per
Power distribution based on today’s centralised grid cent of the energy can be utilised.
structure results in poor efficiency and high emissions. Without a doubt, a number of factors have converged
Today, around 65 per cent of the fuel used by traditional to result in the present opportunities for fuel cell
coal burning power-generating plants is wasted due to a technology.
combination of inefficient energy conversion and power- As yet, however, there is no ‘silver bullet’ solution.
line losses. Indeed, a range of practical, efficient and economic
The energy sector itself is responsible for 40 per cent technologies will be required, as will an education process
of global CO
2
emissions, with electricity demand for both industry and consumers markets. Nevertheless,
predicted to more than double by 2050. It is also fuel cells are poised to play an important role in the ever-
estimated that $22 trillion of cumulative investment evolving energy landscape. n
will be required in new plant and grid infrastructure to
meet global demand for electricity by 2030 as existing Jon Moore is with Intelligent Energy, Loughborough,
electricity grids have little excess capacity. Leicestershire, UK. www.intelligent-energy.com
www.engineerlive.com
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