Proton Motor Fuel Cell Approved in Germany
The search for alternatives to fossil fuels is at a breakneck pace worldwide. Researchers are working with everything from ethanol to solid waste trying to find ways to provide alternative fuel sources to power cars, busses and cities throughout the globe.
For the first time ever, a proton motor fuel cell has been approved in Germany. This is an energy source involving hydrogen fuel-cell technology which is a powerful and fuel efficient source of energy.
In the past, the cost of producing the cells was prohibitive because the cells, called stacks, had to be produced one at a time and they could only be produced in small quantities.
The PM 200 stacks were actually invented to be mass produced, however certain tests had to be completed and approvals had to be given by the government. Now that this has been done, the original idea of automated production, which will be much more cost effective as well as much faster in bringing the product to market so it can be used, will be able to go into effect much sooner.
The stack had to pass leak tests, freezing and thawing tests, pressure tests and more in order to become certified. The stack passed all of these tests without any problem. Now that the certification has been given manufacturing and production at a high level can begin.
Hydrogen is a very versatile source of energy and can be used in many areas. Some of the applications in which the PM 200 stacks can be used are buses, trucks, forklift trucks and an uninterrupted supply for telecommunications systems.
The SM 200 is not only certified for use, but also has an extremely high quality standard. It is the very first product of its kind in the world and the first to create the certification and quality standards that will apply to all hydrogen fuel cell stacks of this type to follow.
At a time when the world is searching for alternative sources of energy, the approval of the SM 200 is exciting and encouraging news.