US invests $7m in cost-related research for fuel cells
The US Department of Energy plans to invest nearly $7 million over five years to study cost issues related to fuel cells and hydrogen storage systems.
The funds will go toward four independent analyses aimed at identifying ways to drive down production costs of transportation fuel cell systems, stationary fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage systems. Data from the four projects will be used to help the DOE focus future research and development funding on the fuel cell components and manufacturing processes that can deliver the greatest gains in efficiency.
“These projects will help advance our fuel cell and hydrogen storage research efforts and bring down the costs of producing and manufacturing next-generation fuel cells,” said US Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
The projects receiving funding are:
- Directed Technologies, Arlington, VA — up to $3 million for two projects. Directed Technologies will conduct two cost analyses under these awards — one focused on transportation fuel cell systems and the other on hydrogen storage systems.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA — up to $1.9 million. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will develop total cost models for low- and high-temperature stationary fuel cell systems of up to 250 kilowatts (kW).
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH — up to $2 million. Battelle Memorial Institute will provide cost assessments for stationary fuel cell applications of up to 25 kW, including forklifts, backup power units, primary power, and combined heat and power systems.
