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Low mass, compact Regenerative Fuel Cell System (RFCS) Category: Energy Reference: TDO0157 Broker Company Name: Prekubator TTO Broker Name: Fredrik Fjellså Telephone: +47 51 87 40 26 Email: [email protected] Abstract The RFCS technology is developed for use on large telecom satellites as a low mass alternative to batteries. The technology can be utilized in a wide range of energy storage systems where mass is a critical factor, and especially where discharge times are larger than 1 hour. Description The Regenerative Fuel Cell System (RFCS) uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate power in an electrochemical reaction within a fuel cell, producing electricity and water. The water is converted back to hydrogen and electricity in an electrolyser. The hydrogen can be stored in a pressure tank or in metal hydride with integrated heat storage. The fuel cell, electrolyser and the gas storage system are the main components and the heaviest parts in a RFCS system. The development activities have focused on mass reduction of these components as well as safety and operational aspects. The technology has been tested in a closed loop system, and operated autonomously for 1350 cycles, equivalent to a 15year lifetime of a GEO satellite. The technology can be adapted to different sizes, from a few hundred watts to hundreds of kilowatts. Innovations and advantages of the offer The technology offers high specific energy and power density: • Fuel cell power > 1kW/kg • Electrolyser power >1kW/kg • Electrolyser output pressure: 100 bar • Energy density 250 – 600 Whr/kg (depending on discharge/charge time) • Integrated heat storage Application Typical applications could be: • Autonomous measurement platforms • Autonomous communication stations
