27 December 2020 by Carolyn Fortuna
ABB has announced the launch of a strategic partnership with AFC Energy to create next-generation sustainable electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions for power-constrained locations. The effort combines ABB’s energy storage solution and DC EV high-speed chargers with AFC Energy’s high-efficiency, fuel-free, fuel-efficient fuel cell.
The partners say that, with this approach, pollution-free electricity is available by combining the most common element in the universe (hydrogen) with ordinary air (oxygen) – the only other by-product is 100% pure water. The companies state that their strategic partnership will deliver a fully autonomous, high-power EV charging system that will provide an end-to-end solution for charging sites with a limited network connection.
Image from ABB
Zoom in on Hydrogen Charger Systems for EV Chargers
AFC Energy is a provider of hydropower generation technology, which the company says can supply clean electricity for on- and off-grid applications. The company’s standard solution provides power for charging infrastructure where a diesel generator is traditionally used.
The partnership with ABB is the UK listed company’s first strategic partnership with a global OEM. The H-Power systems, developed in AFC Energy’s UK research and manufacturing facilities, use a patented proprietary design to ensure the highest efficiency, robust design and economical operation while being free from pollution and greenhouse gases.
The company’s website states: ‘An important feature of the action of an alkaline fuel cell is the striking role that the hydroxyl group (OH ion) contributes to the successful functioning of the cell. The importance of the hydroxyl group is true whether it is a liquid electrolyte fuel cell or a solid anionic exchange membrane fuel cell. ‘
Noting that hydrogen is an important and abundant carrier of energy and that the conversion of electricity through a fuel cell dates back more than 100 years, AFC Energy also acknowledges that the fuel sector and the hydrogen economy have been challenged on two important fronts to bring this clean energy . vector to market:
- the degree of hydrogen required for efficient operation of fuel cell is often measured as ultra-pure scientific degree (99.999% H2) and costs a considerable price; and,
- the loading of noble metals present in the fuel cell electrode often caused a very expensive catalytic conversion of hydrogen into electrons.
Each of these properties has a direct impact on the affordability of power produced from hydrogen. The company declares that all this can be achieved without losing performance and efficiency. After a decade of research and development, they bring H-Power technology platforms to market and create a release-free solution to the world’s energy challenges.
AFC Energy’s alkaline fuel cell technology works by combining the electrochemical combination of hydrogen and oxygen in a non-combustion process. In this way it generates electricity, heat and water. Electrical generation will take place continuously while fuel cells are supplied with a continuous source of hydrogen and oxygen (from air) to maintain the fuel cell response. Supported by the electrochemical manufacturer and distributor, Industrie De Nora SpA, AFC Energy’s patented alkaline fuel cell offers the flexibility to use low-grade hydrogen streams (in some cases up to 75% when ammonia is cracked) with the ability to displace precious metals. fully or to a greater extent than alternative fuel cells currently on the market.
Hydrogen fuel cells: ready for prime time?
The real key to understanding where the hydrogen fuel cell fits in is to first understand where the hydrogen comes from and how it is extracted.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical conversion device. It converts hydrogen and oxygen into water to produce electricity and heat. A fuel cell (like a battery) has a positive and a negative side. Hydrogen is injected into the negative side, creating a direct current. Oxygen is injected from the negative side into the positive side and connects it with the hydrogen ions and oxygen to form pure water.
A classic paper by Lynch describes a major problem with hydrogen.
“Although hydrogen is the most common element in the universe, it is not readily available. Hydrogen normally exists as part of something else (water, natural gas, methanol, etc.). As a result, it has to be extracted from these other substances and it needs energy. Herein lies the dilemma. If we use fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, propane, methanol, etc.) to extract the hydrogen, we are NOT dealing with the problem. We are still burning fossil fuels, polluting the atmosphere and slowing down the transition to the hydrogen economy. The optimal solution is that the energy needed to extract hydrogen comes from a renewable source of energy. ‘
In order to utilize hydrogen as an environmentally friendly source of energy, it is essential that the supply chain becomes greener. Almost all the hydrogen in the world comes from natural gas or coal. Green hydrogen will be needed to displace the fossil fuel obtained.
A New Report, “The Hydrogen Hype: Gas Industry Fairy Tale or Climate Horror Story?” was released by a coalition of groups in Europe that includes Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) and Food and Water Action Europe. The main findings of the report show that the main players in the hydrogen portal are fossil gas companies. Hydrogen is not without challenges. It is widely used in industry, and today almost all hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels.
Final thoughts
Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that by 2040 there will be just under 500 million EVs. Of that, 58% will sell new passenger vehicles, and 47% of the global fleet will be electric. They need adequate charging infrastructure to become a social norm, so current network constraints need to be eliminated. The global EV charging market is expected to reach $ 140 billion by 2030, with an estimated CAGR of 31.2%, and upgrading power grids will be critical to facilitate this level of deployment.
The collaboration between ABB and AFC Energy aims to support the delivery of the charging infrastructure needed to meet this growing demand in remote regions where lack of network access is a problem. Their press release states that ‘it will result in a new solution that will provide a safe, efficient, flexible and reliable local power supply, with no emissions, and will initially be ready for implementation in the UK, Europe, United States and elsewhere, by the second half of 2021. ”Obviously, the goal is for the source fuel to be locally green hydrogen.
Check out this article from us CleanTechnica friend, Paul Martin, for more discussion on the subject.
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About the author
Carolyn Fortuna Carolyn Fortuna (they, they), Ph.D. is a writer, researcher and educator with a lifelong commitment to eco-justice. She has won awards from the Anti-Defamation League, The International Literacy Association and The Leavy Foundation. As part of her portfolio sale, she bought 5 shares of Tesla shares. Please follow her Twitter and Facebook.