UK hydrogen fuel cell company AFC Energy has further extended the longevity of its electrodes to more than nine months of continuous operation.
The milestone, which was reached last week at the company’s laboratory in Dunsfold, Surrey, brings its fuel cell power generation technology closer to achieving full commerciality.
According to AFC Energy, the first industrial applications require a minimum electrode life of three months to be economically viable. This minimum threshold was first achieved by the Company in May 2012.
Ian Williamson, Chief Executive of AFC Energy, said: “We are now within touching distance of reaching our goal of 12 months electrode life. Achieving these targets will allow us to fully commercialise our product.”
Electrodes are the critical components of a fuel cell which enable the electrochemical reactions to occur between hydrogen and oxygen (from air) to generate electricity, heat and water. Laboratory trials of electrodes are on-going and further field trials of improved electrodes are scheduled to begin early next month.
