Calor Gets into Fuel Cells
Calor Gas Ltd has announced that it has signed
a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Voller Energy Group
plc, a leading commercial developer and manufacturer of portable
fuel cell systems, to work together to develop the market for
fuel cell generators and battery chargers with hydrogen derived
from lpg. The MOU is for an initial period of two years, and
will then continue indefinitely unless terminated by either party.
Paul
Blacklock, marketing manager at Calor, said: “Fuel
cell technology is rapidly developing and will clearly be of
benefit in rural areas where mains gas is not available, and
where the quality of electricity supplies is often poorer. As
we move towards a vision of a distributed energy infrastructure,
lpg fuel cells will increasingly play a vital role.”
Fuel
cells offer an alternative to conventional energy generation
from petrol or diesel. There has been speculation that a ‘hydrogen
economy’ will emerge, replacing the current ‘carbon
economy’ as carbon based fossil fuels, such as coal, gas
and oil, become scarce.
However, in spite of repeated government
initiatives, hydrogen is still only available from specialist
suppliers and there are
no immediate plans to make hydrogen broadly accessible to consumers.
By contrast, lpg is widely available.
Fuel cells work by converting
the chemical energy in hydrogen to electrical energy by combining
it with oxygen across a special
membrane. The outputs from the reaction are electricity, heat
and water.
Voller Energy is initially targeting commercially
attractive areas, including cordless power tools, temporary buildings,
leisure
boating, recreational vehicles and military markets. It has said
it is on target to achieve production of its first commercial
product by the end of 2007.
Stephen Voller, CEO of Voller Energy, said: “We are very
excited by the potential opportunities offered by the relationship
with Calor Gas. They are an ideal partner as we seek to develop
portable fuel cells charged by hydrocarbons. With over 10,000
outlets in the UK and a strong presence in our key chosen markets,
this agreement offers both companies benefits from the development
of this important environmentally friendly technology.”
The
initial scope of the joint development will also include the
potential development of new style canisters, possibly disposable,
for use in generators and battery chargers, and health and
safety considerations.
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2006 News
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