AFC Energy commissions two fuel cell systems at AkzoNobel plant > Fuel Cell Dispatch

AFC Energy commissions two fuel cell systems at AkzoNobel plant

Fuel cell developer AFC Energy reported today that it has completed the commissioning of two commercial-scale fuel cell systems at AkzoNobel’s chlor-alkali plant in Bitterfeld, Germany.

The latest success follows completion of the firm’s HAZOP study and the commissioning of its first Beta system in the UK in August.

AFC said that over the next months these Beta systems will be equipped with electrodes and used for trials using industrially-produced hydrogen.

The firm’s low-cost alkaline fuel cell systems use hydrogen to produce clean electricity as well as heat and water. The fuel cells are targeted at large-scale industrial applications, with the objective of producing the lowest possible unit cost electricity.

“The company will now be able to begin demonstrating electricity generation in the field from industrially produced hydrogen,” said Ian Balchin, AFC’s executive deputy chairman. “We are grateful for the support and expertise we have received from AkzoNobel, and look forward to continuing our close working relationship with them to advance System performance. Electricity produced from the Beta Systems will be used by AkzoNobel in its own operations offering the prospect of reduced energy costs and lower carbon emissions by avoiding carbon- based fuels.”

AFC’s shares were down 0.15 per cent at 33.95 pence each in early trading today.