The EU has a long standing, broad, and relatively well funded programme in fuel cell research. Research has primarily focussed on polymer fuel cells (PEMFCs), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), for transport, portable and stationary applications. Much of the work to date has addressed basic research and development challenges, with significant levels of activity in the major European research laboratories such as Riso and Julich, partnered with industry and supported by academic institutions. The organisation Fuel Cell Europe aims to promote fuel cells as one of the key technology solution for the European sustainable energy system in transport, stationary power and portable application.
The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) is a public private partnership supporting research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) activities in fuel cell and hydrogen energytechnologies in Europe. It was established in May 2008. The aim of the FCH JU is to accelerate the market introduction of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, realising their potential as an instrument in achieving a carbon-lean energy system. Most of the EU funding in the fuel cell area is now co-ordinated through this body. The FCH JU awards proposal on an annual basis.
The British Standards Institution has a committee, GEL/105, “Fuel Cell Technologies”, which mirrors the work of the International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Committee on Fuel Cells (IEC/TC 105), and adopts the European Standards as appropriate with minimum modifications as British Standards. A list of current fuel cell British standards is given at the end of this section.
The British Standards Institution (www.bsigroup,com) has a committee,GEL/105, “Fuel Cell Technologies”, which mirrors the work of the International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Committee on Fuel Cells (IEC/TC 105), and adopts the European Standards as appropriate with minimum modifications as British Standards. A list of current fuel cell British standards is given at the end of this section.
British Fuel cell standards
Project |
Objectives |
Action Line |
Type of Action |
UK Participants |
Co-ordinator and Partners |
Total Funding |
EU Funding |
Duration |
Annual Spend |
PEMICAN https://www.pemican.eu/ | PEMFC with low cost core shell catalysts for automotive applications | FCH JU | FCH JU 256798 | Imperial College | CEA | €3.96m | €1.86m | 36 months from Apr 1 2011 | €1.3m |
ENE.FIELD http://enefield.eu/about/ | The Ene.field project will be a major step to overcoming the challenges of commercializing fuel cell technology used in Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) mode in residential buildings. The project allows a group of Europe’s leading mCHP developers to embark on a large field validation of the technology under a common analysis framework. Ene.field will deploy and monitor around 1,000 new installations of residential fuel cell CHP across 12 key member states | FCH JU | | British Gas, Ceres Power, Imperial College, Element energy | Cogen Europe | €5.29m | €2.593m | 60 months from 1 Sep 2012 | €1.0m |
TOWERPOWER | Ammonia fuelled back up fuel cell power systems for telecoms applications. | FCH JU | FCH JU 279190 | Diverse Energy, Balton CP, Renewtech | Diverse Energy | €9.4m | €4.9m | 36 months from Nov 11 | €3.1m |
LASER-CELL http://www.laser-cell.eu/ | Laser processed substrates for alkaline fuel cells | FCH JU | FCH JU 278674 | AFC Energy | AFC Energy | €2.9m | €1.4m | 36 months from Dec 11 | €1m |
METSAPP http://www.metsapp.eu/ | Metal supported SOFCs | FCH JU | FCH JU 278257 | St Andrews University | Topsoe fuel cells | €8m | €3.4m | 36 months from Nov 11 | €2.7m |
SOFT-PACT | Large scale demonstration of SOFC generators | FCH JU | FCH JU 278804 | EON UK, Ideal Boilers Ltd | EON UK | €10.3m | €4m | 39 months from July 11 | €3.4m |
FCGEN | Develop and demonstrate a proof-of-concept complete fuel cell auxiliary unit on-board a truck | FCH-JU | FCH JU277844 | Johnson Matthey | Volvo | €10.3m | €4.3m | 36 months from Jan 11 | €3.4m |
High V. LO-City http://highvlocity.eu/ | Deployment the latest generation of FCH buses in public transport operations | FCH JU | FCH-JU No 278192 | Aberdeen city council | Van Hool | €31.6m | €13.5m | 60 months from Jan 12 | €6.2m |
HyQ | Studies to support Regulation Codes and Standards organisations in order to normalize an acceptable fuel quality for PEMFCs | FCH JU | FCH JU 256773 | Element energy, NPL, CCS Global | CEA | €3.7m | €1.4m | 36 months from Mar 11 | €2.2m |
HYFACTS http://www.hyfacts.eu/ | Develop and initiate dissemination of training material for Regulators and Public Safety Officials related to hydrogen technologies | FCH JU | FCH JU 256823 | HSL, CCS Global, Ulster University | TUV-SUD | €4m | €2m | 30 months from Feb 11 | €1.5m |
SUAV http://www.suav-project.eu/SUAV.html | Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power System development and integration into a Mini-UAV | FCH JU | FCH JU 278629 | Adelan, EADS UK, Birmingham University | HyGear fuel cell systems | €4.2m | €2.1m | 36 months from Dec 11 | €1.4m |
STAMPEM | Stable and low cost Manufactured bipolar plates for PEM Fuel Cells | FCH JU | FCH JU 303449 | Teer Coatings Ltd, Miba Coatings Group | Stiftelsen SINTEF, Norway | €5.2m | €2.6m | 36 months from July 12 | €1.7m |
PUMA MIND | Physical bottom Up Multiscale Modelling for Automotive PEMFC Innovative performance and Durability optimization | FCH JU | FCH JU 303419 | Vodera Ltd | CEA. France | €4.1m | €2.3m | 36 months from Dec 12 | €1.4m |
IMPACT | Improved lifetime of automotive application fuel cells with ultra-low pt-loading | FCH JU | FCH JU 303452 | ITM Power, Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells Limited | DLR, Germany | €8.8m | €3.9m | 42 months from Nov 12 | €2.5m |
SWARM | Demonstration of Small 4-Wheel fuel cell passenger vehicle Applications in Regional and Municipal transport | FCH JU | FCH JU 303485 | University of Birmingham, University of Coventry, Birmingham city council | PLANET, Germany | €17.6m | €7.0m | 48 months from Oct 12 | €4.4m |
TriSOFC | Durable Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Tri-generation system for low carbon Buildings | FCH JU | FCH JU-2011-303454 | University of Birmingham | University of Nottingham, UK | €2.7m | €1.48m | 36 months from Aug 12 | €0.9m |
T-CELL | Innovative SOFC Architecture based on Triode Operation | FCH JU | FCH JU 298300 | MANTIS Deposition LTD | Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, Greece | €3.4m | €1.8m | 36 months from Sep 12 | €1.1m |
HyLIFT | Large scale demonstration of fuel cell powered material handling vehicles | FCH JU | FCH-JU 303451 | Element Energy | Ludwig-B lkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, Germany | €20.3m | €9.3m | 48 months from Jan 13 | €5.1m |
HYPER | Integrated hydrogen power packs for portable and other autonomous applications | FCH JU | FCH JU 303447 | University of Glasgow | Orion Innovations, UK | €3.9m | €2.2m | 36 months from Sep 12 | €1.3m |
SAPIENS | SOFC Auxiliary Power In Emissions/Noise Solutions | FCH JU | FCH-JU 303415 | Auto-Sleepers | Adelan Ltd, UK | €2.27m | €1.59m | 36 months from Nov 12 | €0.7m |
Hyindoor | Pre Normative Research on the in-door use of fuel cells and hydrogen systems | FCH JU | FCH JU 278534 | CCS Global Group Ltd, Health and Safety Lab, University of Ulster | L Air Liquide S.A | €3.7m | €1.5m | 36 months from Jan 12 | €1.2m |