Peugeot Citroen unveils smallest auto fuel cell
PSA
Peugeot Citroen has announced its GENEPAC fuel cell product - the smallest automotive fuel cell available so far.PSA chairman Jean-Marie Folz stresses that fuel cell technology is still at an early stage, and that diesels and biofuel diesel were the best short term solution, with hybrid diesels a viable mid-term solution.
Developed in partnership with the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the 80 kw GENEPAC (GENerateur Electrique a Pile A Combustible) is about the size of a small suitcase (see picture) and weighs about 80 kg. A video describing the GENEPAC's design and operation is available here.
The initial application for the GENEPAC will be in a "range extender" vehicle - a battery/fuel cell combination in which a 20 kw fuel cell provides steady power for the car, with the batteries kicking in to provide extra power as required.
The major barrier to widespread use of fuel cells is their cost - driven by reliance on platinum or gold as a key component of the fuel stack modules. However, PSA Peugeot Citroen hope to cut the current cost of fuel cell production in half by 2010, bringing the technology within reach for practical automotive applications.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DaJinius 1:59AM (1/12/2006)
This fuel cell appears to have very high power density. However, it is going to take a LOT more than cutting costs by 50% to get fuel cells into production pricing levels. ICEs in autos cost roughly
$50/kW, and i think it is safe to say that FC stacks currently cost almost 50x more per kW. Another issue is the size of the heat exchangers necessary to dissipate due to the low temperature difference between the fuel cell operating temp & ambient temperature. This is true even if the fuel cell is utilizing a high temp proton exchange membrane (100F+). I don't wanna even go into the complexity, size & reliability of fuel reformers or, the larger issue, hydrogen generation.
However, its good to know that progress is
continuing to be made.
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NManiac 4:47AM (1/12/2006)
I won't be as technical as guy in the last comment, just to point out that PSA chairman's name is Jean-Martin Folz, not Jean-Marie.
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