December 27, 2020 in Carolyn Fortuna
ABB announced the launch of a strategic partnership with AFC Energy to create the next generation of high-powered, sustainable electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions for locations with network constraints. The effort combines ABB’s energy storage solution and DC EV fast chargers with AFC Energy’s high-efficiency, zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell.
The partners say that with this approach, pollution-free electricity is available by combining the most abundant element in the universe (hydrogen) with ordinary air (oxygen) – the only other by-product being 100% pure water. The companies claim that their strategic collaboration will provide a fully autonomous high-power EV charging system that will provide an end-to-end solution for high-power charging locations with limited network connection.
ABB image
Extending hydrogen power systems for EV chargers
AFC Energy is a supplier of hydrogen power generation technology, which, according to the company, can provide clean electricity for both on- and off-grid applications. The company’s standard solution provides power for the charging infrastructure where traditionally a diesel generator would be used.
The partnership with ABB is the UK’s first listed strategic collaboration with a global OEM. Developed at AFC Energy’s research and manufacturing facilities in the UK, hydrogen energy systems (H-Power) use a patented design to ensure the highest efficiency, robust design and economical operation while being pollutant-free and greenhouse gases.
The company’s website states: “A key feature in the operation of an alkaline fuel cell is the remarkable role that the Hydroxyl group (OH ion) contributes to the successful operation of the cell. The importance of the Hydroxyl group is true, regardless of whether it is a liquid electrolyte fuel cell or a solid anion exchange membrane fuel cell. “
Noting that hydrogen is an important and abundant energy carrier, whose conversion into electricity via a fuel cell dates back more than 100 years, AFC Energy also recognizes that the fuel cell industry and the hydrogen economy have been challenged on 2 main fronts to bring this clean vector energy to the market:
- the degree of hydrogen required for the effective operation of the fuel cell is often measured as an ultra-pure scientific grade (99.999% H2) and comes at a significant price; and,
- the charging of precious metals present in the fuel cell electrode generally results in a very expensive catalytic conversion of hydrogen to electrons.
Each of these characteristics directly affects the accessibility of energy produced from hydrogen. The company claims that all of this can be achieved without loss of performance and efficiency. After a decade of research and development, they are bringing H-Power technology platforms to the market, establishing an emission-free solution to the world’s energy challenges.
AFC Energy’s alkaline fuel cell technology works by electrochemically combining hydrogen and oxygen in a non-combustion process. In doing so, it produces electricity, heat and water. The electrical generation will be continuous, while the fuel cells are supplied with a continuous source of hydrogen and oxygen (from the air) to support the reaction of the fuel cell. Supported by electrochemical manufacturer and distributor Industrie De Nora SpA, AFC Energy’s patented alkaline fuel cell offers the flexibility to use low-grade hydrogen streams (in some cases measured by 75% when breaking ammonia) with the opportunity to displace precious metals fully or to a greater extent than the alternative fuel cells on the market today.
Hydrogen fuel cells: ready for prime time?
The real key to understanding where the hydrogen fuel cell fits is to first understand where the hydrogen will come from and how it will be extracted.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. It converts hydrogen and oxygen into water, producing electricity and heat in the process. A fuel cell (like a battery) has a positive and a negative side. Hydrogen is injected on the negative side creating a direct current. Oxygen is injected on the positive side by conducting electrons on the negative side and combining them with hydrogen and oxygen ions to form pure water.
A classic Lynch article describes a key problem with hydrogen.
“Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it is not readily available. Hydrogen usually exists as part of something else (water, natural gas, methanol, etc.). As a result, it must be extracted from these other substances and this requires energy. Here is the dilemma. If we use fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, propane, methanol, etc.) to extract hydrogen, we are NOT really addressing the problem. We are still burning fossil fuels, polluting the atmosphere and delaying the transition to the hydrogen economy. The ideal solution is for the energy needed to extract hydrogen to come from a renewable energy source. “
For hydrogen to reach its potential as an environmentally friendly energy source, it is vital that your supply chain is greener. Almost all the hydrogen in the world comes from natural gas or coal. Green hydrogen will be needed to displace hydrogen from fossil fuels.
A new report, “The Hydrogen Hype: Gas Industry Fairy Tale or Climate Horror Story?” was launched by a coalition of groups in Europe that includes Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) and Food and Water Action Europe. The main conclusions of the report show that the main participants in the hydrogen lobby are fossil gas companies. Hydrogen has its challenges. It is already widely used in industry and almost all hydrogen today is produced from fossil fuels.
Final thoughts
Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that by 2040 there will be just under 500 million EVs. Of these, 58% will be sales of new passenger vehicles and 47% of the global fleet will be electric. They will need an adequate charging infrastructure to become a social norm, so the limitations of the current network will need to be eliminated. The global electric vehicle charging market is expected to reach $ 140 billion in 2030, growing at an estimated 31.2% CAGR, and power grid updates will be critical to facilitate this level of deployment.
The collaboration between ABB and AFC Energy aims to support the provision of the necessary charging infrastructure to meet this growing demand in remote regions where lack of network access is an issue. The press release states that “it will result in a new solution that will provide a safe, efficient, flexible and reliable local energy supply with zero emissions, and will be ready for deployment initially in the UK, Europe, the United States and elsewhere, in the second half of 2021. ”Naturally, the goal would be for the source fuel to be locally produced green hydrogen.
Check out this article by our CleanTechnica friend, Paul Martin, for further discussion on the subject.
Do you appreciate the originality of CleanTechnica? Consider becoming a CleanTechnica member, supporter or ambassador – or a Patreon patron.
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter or weekly newsletter to never miss a story.
Do you have a tip for CleanTechnica, want to announce or suggest a guest to our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
16-month Tesla Model 3 SR + review
About the author
Carolyn Fortuna Carolyn Fortuna (them, them), Ph.D. is a writer, researcher and educator with a lifelong dedication to eco-justice. She won awards from the Anti-Defamation League, the International Literacy Association and the Leavy Foundation. As part of the divestment of its portfolio, it bought 5 shares of Tesla. Please follow her Twitter and Facebook.