2022 Hy FCell International Expo & Conference

by Juan Palencia | Oct 12, 2022 | Technical articles

The 2022 edition of @fuelcell, the annual event for hydrogen and fuel cell experts, has come to an end. The meeting provides an extensive overview for international markets, industries and technological advancements in the hydrogen and fuel cell sector. It was a pleasure for the SynerHy team to attend once again and to share experiences with the companies and partners within the sector.

This time the trade show was held in the new and modern facilities at Messe Stuttgart, with a unique combination of conferences and international exhibitions.

SynerHy highlights the following insights from the 2022 edition:

  • We have already discussed in other blog articles the most likely costs to be reduced in a FC are those related to the BoP, but the trade show highlights the importance of serial production of Bipolar Plates (24% of the total FC cost), the importance of coating and post-coating of bipolar plates to increase stack efficiency and to reduce hydrogen consumption.
  • The progress in everything related to the balance of plant, such as electric turbo fuel cell air compressors, air and water-cooled systems, water separator, etcetera.
  • Among the components, the Flow meter from @Allengra, based on ultrasonic technology and capable of identifying H2 concentrations in different blending samples with natural gas, struck our attention. The Norwegian company Hystar offers a variety of PEM electrolysers in its Vega & Mira lines. In addition, Bosch Group has entered the “war” by developing high-power PEM electrolysers (see photo) and has formed a joint venture with Qingling Motors to manufacture Hydroge Powertrain Systems in Asia and to start volume production of fuel cell systems.

Figure 1. High-power PEM electrolyser by Bosch

  • In the field of testing and certification, we were able to greet and learn about the new hydrogen testing laboratory of TÜV SÜD in Munich led by Martin Sekura, focus on ensuring compliance of hydrogen components with all relevant standards and directives and ensure all safety and performance aspects are covered.

Highlights from the Main Plenary include:

  • The eFlow Fuel Cell from Loop Energy ensures a higher and more uniform current density in its stack due to the 10 X better uniformity of current density of its bipolar plates (see photo). The result is a battery that outperforms its competitors up to 16% lower fuel consumption and up to 90% more peak power (very important).
  • The best talk in our opinion was given by the head of strategy department of the Volvo Group (Dr. Staffan Lundgren). He analyzed the need for technological coexistence in heavy transport, the need to adapt the technology to the local sources of each region and the objectives to use fossil free steel in the Swedish group’s vehicles. Cellcentric is a joint venture between Volvo Group and Daimler Group that develops H2 technologies.
  • Stellantis is developing its mid-size and large VAN models to 2025 with ambitious plans (see image for details). The group has 3 VANs: Opel Vivaro Hydrogen, Peugot e-Expert Hydrogen and Citröen E-Jumpy Hydrogen.