Year 2006
MICRO/PORTABLE
Pre-commercial fuel cells are now moving from Angstrom Power Inc of Canada.
These are micro hydrogen fuel cell demonstration packages at 2W/5V or 1W/5V.FCIA
brought into Australia the first bike light powered by a 1W micro hydrogen fuel
cell in Feb.2006.Since then Angstrom have released a commercial torch powered by
the same 1W fuel cell. UltraCell using
methanol will commercially release their units ending year 2006 powering laptops
by example. Jadoo Power will release a US$2000 power package for video cameras
and for
military surveillance equipment, after April 2006.Jadoo have licensed
Millennium Cell's technology early in year 2006,and Protonex shortly after. What
Jadoo will do here is attempt to make a disposable fuel canister. Jadoo fuel
cell has released their 100watt PEM fuel cell power plant for ~US$1000.It is
modular, high tech, and reliable.Its metal hydride hydrogen storage canisters
give a digital read out on how much hydrogen is left.A refueling station as well
can be purchased.The basic package would retail for around US$2000.
China now has several fuel cell manufacturers which are producing PEM fuel cells for educational markets 200%-300% cheaper than European units, and 100watt,200watt,300watt to 50kW fuel cell stacks and engines. China as well have manufacturers making the PEM membrane and MEAs, both being the "heart" of the PEM fuel cell. China is not the world leader at this point in time however are moving towards PEM fuel cells which are 20%-30% more powerful in near future. China is as well working on enabling issues like cheaper metal hydride storage cylinders and regulators in packages. There are a number of companies manufacturing portable fuel cell units at 100watt to 1kW being PEM and methanol fuel cells. The prices again from Europe are still fairly high, and will have to come down quickly as the Chinese will be very competitive up to 1kW within 12 months, and will have cheaper regulators with their metal hydride storage cylinders. One would have thought that European manufacturers would have reduced their educational fuel cell prices, particularly now when a model fuel cell car kit can be purchased in Australia for A$79 from China. However if European manufacturers seek to learn the "hard way" then so be it.
Those companies which are most persistent , hard working, innovative and have the best financial and marketing strategies will succeed. Will the consumer seek disposable cartridges to satisfy their fuel cells, powering their laptops and mobile phones. The need is definitely there, its just a question of reading the market the best way. The most power, smallest and cheapest usually will "win the day" as like for mobile phones. It may start with methanol fuel cells and then reusable hydrogen canisters may then begin, or other disposable type/s.
Another important point is that whilst China doesn't lead the "technology stakes" right now, their innovation has driven costs right down and given affordability to millions throughout the world that otherwise would not have been able to purchase educational fuel cell products. Secondly, their 12watt PEM fuel cells are very cheap at ~A$375 wholesale, and adding their soon to be released metal hydride canisters and cheaper dedicated regulators for these PEM fuel cells, secondary, college and university students suddenly can afford much more powerful fuel cell systems to "play with".So a flow on takes place from the educational fuel cells to more powerful projects and hence real fuel cell and fuel cell/battery hybrid model car building and racing programs can begin, and replace the solar car programs.China should develop such before the end of year 2006,and in year 2007 "let the races begin".Further progression again takes place with the PEM fuel cell units at 100watt-300watt.
Enter Hydra Fuel Cell Corp[US]. Believe it or not Hydra are going to release a 1kW PEM modular fuel cell at ~US$650/kW, in the last quarter of year 2006.So in year 2007 we have a PEM fuel cell at ~US$650/kW and US$400/kW via mass production. I can see people now scrambling for the hydrogen storage cylinders or natural gas reformers, for at these prices we are powering the average house, let alone golf cart, scooter, wheelchair, forklift, motorbike...and so on.
Year 2007 now looks to be quite interesting.
Stephen Zorbas