New York fuel cell developer WATT Fuel Cell (WATT) is to move its manufacturing operations to Mount Pleasant Township, Pennsylvania, US.
The maker of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) components acquired 39,000 sq. ft. space in April when it bought solid oxide fuel cell developer Pittsburgh Electric Engines. According to WATT, implementing the company’s manufacturing techniques with the Pittsburgh Electric Engines’ technology could reduce manufacturing costs by as much as 75%.
The $2.3 million project is expected to add 33 jobs over the next three years.
WATT’s fuel cells operate on natural gas, diesel, propane and renewable fuels. They are designed to provide portable power and can be used as emergency backup power for municipalities, battery charging for recreational vehicles and offshore marine power, and remote sensor power.
WATT recently received a 20-month, $2.1m contract from the US Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center to design and build a commercial-grade additive manufacturing line, an increase the production capacity for tubular cell components for SOFC systems.
“This U.S. Department of Defense program is a significant milestone for WATT and we are excited to see the last four years of advances in our technology come together in a system for the military market. We will be delivering a complete and operable alpha system,” said Paul DeWald, vice president of engineering at WATT.
