|
 We
continue to improve the durability of our POWERSTACK™ MC250
fuel cell power module, while ramping up for small volume production
of the POWERSTACK™ MC250 and negotiating with prospective users and/or
business partners to develop and test prototypes for pre-commercial
use.We currently have two fuel cell powered products available for limited-quantity orders: the 2.4 kW model E8 fuel cell power generator and FREEDOM, the AFC powered golf car. |
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 The
E8 Portable Generator (as detailed on the Alkaline Fuel Cell
Power Generator page) is the first portable Alkaline Fuel Cell generator
that utilizes the POWERSTACK™ MC250 fuel cell module. This generator
was unveiled in December 2003 and provides 2.4 kW nominal power at
48 V DC. With an efficiency of over 50% which is unequalled by any
other device in its class, and several times higher than the efficiency
of conventional generators fuelled by gasoline. Applications of this
generator are many and include portable power for worksites, backup
power for mission critical applications and even use in uninterruptible
power supply systems with long endurance. |
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 The
Alkaline Fuel Cell Powered Golf Car was completed in March
2001 after six  months
of concentrated effort. The converted Golf Car is powered by the 1.0
kW E6 Alkaline Fuel Cell Generator. The Freedom electric golf
car has a rated top speed of 19 mph (31 kph) , a curb weight of 930
lbs before conversion, and typically lasts 8-10 hours between charges
under typical usage. The converted AFC Powered Golf Car has a reduced
curb weight of 760 lbs and with a 33-litre carbon fibre hydrogen tank
will last up to 3 days between refills under the same typical usage.
The hydrogen tank can be refilled in less than 2 minutes from a pressurized
hydrogen source. With the introduction of the E7 generator, plans
are to convert a street worthy Golf Car to travel at higher speeds
and expand the role of the current golf car. The
fuel cell powered golf car has advantages of both competing technologies,
the battery powered and gasoline powered, and none of their disadvantages:
it has the smooth, silent operation of the electric golf car, and
can be refuelled in minutes, just like the gasoline model. It is lighter
than the battery model, and fuel cell keeps the voltage at a constant
level – that means better acceleration and hill climbing, and no fading
away so familiar to the battery car users. There is no noxious exhaust
or engine noise. |
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Alkaline
Fuel Cells (AFCs) currently have the capability to build and run
generator systems that produce up to 10 kW with efficiency and performance
that is leading the industry. AFCs currently in development are
most suited to smaller scale applications in the three main energy
markets and these are the types of market we initially target: