Plug Power, Albany NanoTech to integrate nanotech, fuel cells

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 64 KB
• Volume: 2002
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1464-2859
• DOI: 10.1016/s1464-2859(02)12005-0

✦ Synopsis

The US Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) has contracted with Oregon-based IdaTech to develop two, 2 kWe fuel cell systems to power an array of communications and other electronic equipment on a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle ('Humvee'). One of the mobile auxiliary power units will be integrated with the HMMWV-based Command, Control & Communications On-The-Move Combat Vehicle for comprehensive field-testing.

Based on a similar platform to IdaTech's 1.2 kWe FCS 1200™ fuel cell system, the 2 kWe systems will provide on-board power for 'silent watch' field exercises in which quiet operation is essential. The first system was delivered in November, with field trials beginning in January 2003 at the Army's Fort Dix Reservation in New Jersey.

The second system will be delivered by end-2002.

Currently, CECOM is field-testing IdaTech's FCS 1200 system at the Fort Belvoir facility in Virginia. CECOM has demonstrated the selfcontained system at several venues. After successful evaluation of the FCS 1200, CECOM selected IdaTech to develop the 2 kWe APU systems.

The FCS 1200 is a compact portable, 1.2 kWe PEM fuel cell system that incorporates the FPM 20™ fuel processor module, Ballard's Nexa™ power module, a fuel tank, complete balance-ofplant and an optional pure sine-wave inverter.