Markets

The Markets for DMFCs

Fuel cell systems are being developed for use in a variety of applications, including stationary power generation, portable applications and transportation. Fuel cell systems have several advantages over conventional power generation systems, including low or no pollution, higher fuel efficiency, quiet operation, potentially lower maintenance costs, lower capital costs, small heat signature and greater flexibility in installation and operation. These advantages enable fuel cells to offer clean and efficient alternatives to the existing polluting and less efficient power sources.

Small Vehicle Markets

SymPowerco believes that the largest users of FE DMFC Hybrid Power Supplies will be Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) of small to medium vehicles such as golf cars, electric motorbikes and tuk-tuks (electric 3-wheeled rickshaws or taxis).

In these types of vehicles, the fuel cell hybrid power system would allow about two thirds of the current battery weight to be eliminated. Golf cars contain over 300 pounds of lead acid batteries in order to provide sufficient energy for two rounds of golf. Because the batteries only last for 2 rounds, busy golf courses often require almost 2 complete fleets of golf cars in order to maintain adequate numbers of available, recharged cars for golfers.

Flowing Electrolyte DMFC-powered hybrid power systems offer the advantage of an onboard battery charger that constantly maintains the battery charge as long as the golf car’s methanol tank is refilled, a simple and safe task that can be performed anywhere. The fuel cell powers the charger and the charger maintains battery charge while the battery provides power for the vehicle’s drive motor. The resulting loss of battery weight means that the lighter golf car is easier on the golf course, requires a lighter frame, requires less energy to run and reduces battery deep-discharge cycles that can limit the battery’s life.

A particular benefit of fuel cell powered hybrid systems is that the power output of the fuel cell needs to be only about 25% to 30% of the power output of the electric motor that drives the vehicle. This is because the fuel cell runs continuously at constant output while the motor must have sufficient power for peak outputs during acceleration and hill-climbing, etc. The battery supplies the energy for these power peaks and the fuel cell “tops off” the battery while the vehicle is stopped, moving downhill or otherwise drawing low power. An added safety and convenience factor is that even in the unlikely event that the battery goes dead, the fuel cell would still be able to “get you home”, but at a lower speed.