Nordic Power Systems

First Step to Kilowatt Solid Acid Fuel Cell Diesel APU Taken by Norwegian-Californian Partnership

torgeir — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:03:51 +0000

SAFCell, Inc. (Pasadena, CA) has successfully achieved the second technical milestone on its 18 month development contract with Nordic Power Systems (NPS, Norway) to deliver solid acid fuel cell (SAFC) stacks for incorporation into NPS’ diesel auxiliary power units (APUs). In the first week of August, 2010, SAFCell delivered a 250 W stack to NPS’ testing facility in Porsgrunn, Norway. The SAFC stack was integrated and tested with NPS’ proprietary cool flame diesel reformer system, converting the chemical energy of the diesel fuel directly into electrical power. Combining these two advanced technologies will result in lighter, and less costly, diesel fuel cell systems that NPS plans to market for both mobile and stationary auxiliary power applications.

The SAFC stack was operated on both dilute hydrogen and NPS’ diesel reformate with insignificant difference in performance between the two fuel streams. This result was particularly impressive as it showed that the fuel cell could operate with up to 10% CO without any effect on the performance. The performance confirmed previously demonstrated SAFC tolerances to high levels of impurities that “poison” other lower temperature fuel cell technologies and dramatically decrease their performance. “This confirms that SAFCell’s stacks are scalable to the sub-kilowatt level and very robust for use with conventional fuels,” stated SAFCell’s founder and CEO, Dr. Calum Chisholm.

“We are very excited by the results demonstrated so far by using this new innovative fuel cell technology in combination with our reformate gas from conventional fuels ,” said Dr. Dag Overbo, the Technology Director for Nordic Power Systems. He also stated that “incorporating SAFCell’s stacks may simplify our overall system and lead to both weight and efficiency gains.”

The technology has been developed at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the project is run with support from the Norwegian Research Council. NPS has signed an exclusive license agreement with Caltech for future commercialization of SAFC stacks for use with diesel and bio diesel fuels.

NPS moves towards industrialisation

Henning Hovland — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:59:19 +0000

In a recent board meeting the decision was taken to move forward with NPS plans for industrialisation of the APU technology. SIVA, a Norwegian public property company, has offered to erect a production facility for NPS in Hoyanger, Norway.

Final negotiations will be entered into with SIVA in order for an assembly line to be operative by 1.1.2012. The intention is to co-locate the APU activities with the production of cool flame reformers and exhaust cleaning systems for ships engines handled by NPS’ mother company Cool Flame Technologies AS.

PRESS RELEASE: NEW FORCE IN FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION ESTABLISHED

Henning Hovland — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:55:10 +0000

Nordic Power and Marshall Land Systems Collaborate for Unique Fuel Cell Technology

Cambridge, March 15, 2010; A new force in environmentally friendly, fuel cell technology has been established in the UK following the signing of a co-operation agreement between Marshall Land Systems of Cambridge, UK and Nordic Power Systems of Hoyanger, Norway.The new team will be focussing on delivering high quality, efficient, ruggedised and silent diesel fuel cell generators for the land and naval defence environments in the UK. Development of the generators will take place in both Norway and the UK.

Tor Geir Engebretsen, Chief Executive of Nordic Power Systems, commented: “We are delighted to be teaming with Marshall Land Systems as they have both the technical skills and market knowledge to help us deliver our unique power solution to the UK. This agreement is a great vote of confidence in our company and our technology.”

“Marshall Land Systems is always interested in new technologies and innovations, Nordic Power’s fuel cell generators are a very good fit with our present solutions and we see many opportunities to exploit this technology in the defence market. Not only are the generators efficient but they significantly reduce logistic costs and are an excellent match for the needs of the armed forces,” said Peter Callaghan, Chief Executive of Marshall Land Systems.

He added: “This announcement is confirmation of our commitments to provide the best solutions we can for the armed forces and to meet our Offset obligations in Norway and comes rapidly on the heals of our announcement of the establishment of a new office at Torp Airport in Norway.”

The fuel cell generators are based on a patented Nordic Power technology, named “Cool Flame” and adapted for the demands of defence users. The generators will be capable of producing a range of power outputs to drive a wide variety of electronic equipment and provide auxiliary power units.

About Marshall Land Systems

Marshall Land Systems (MLS) is part of Marshall Group, a large (£750M) family owned independent group of companies involved in the automotive, aerospace and land systems areas. Headquartered in Cambridge UK, Marshall Group can trace its history back to 1909.

Further information is available at www.marshall-ls.com

Tor-Geir Engebretsen

Eskild — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:42:37 +0000

Engebretsen has been with the Norsk Hydro group for 19 years and has a university degree in business administration. He has completed a number of Hydro top management programmes, including executive management training at IMD, Lausanne. As a Senior Vice President he was member of the top management team and responsible for organisation/HR for a number of large restructuring and M&A / integration projects.

He left the Hydro Group in 2002 in order to start his own consulting business. With main focus on business development, M&A and restructuring, Engebretsen has provided strategic consulting to large clients like Hydro Oil and Energy, Hydro Aluminium, Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) and Scandinavian Airlines.

He joined Nordic Power Systems late 2006 as Managing Director and part owner.

Dag Øvrebø

Eskild — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:37:09 +0000

Dr Øvrebø holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Strathclyde University, Scotland, and a MSc and PhD in ceramic materials from Leeds University, England. He joined the Norsk Hydro Group, Corporate Research Centre, in 1990 as a Research scientist working on projects related to inert cathodes for aluminium electrolysis, fuel cells, battery materials and catalysts for the fertilizer industry. He joined Hydro Technology Ventures as Technology

Director in October 2002 with focus on start up companies within the energy field, in particular fuel cells and renewable energy. Since January 2005 he has been back at the Hydro Research Centre, serving as Chief Engineer for a number of different projects, one being responsible for sourcing batteries and completion of the Smart electrical vehicle prototype for Miljøbil Grenland.

He joined Nordic Power Systems summer 2007.

Erik Høyem

Eskild — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:58:17 +0000

Höyem holds an MSc in Electronical Engineering from Eidgenössch Technische Hochschule in Zürich. He was Product Manager of his family owned company distributing electronic components from leading suppliers in the first 10 years of his career. The company was acquired by Ericsson AB, where Mr Høyem continued to serve in a number of international management positions for the next 10 years.

Later Mr Høyem hold different leading positions with Norwegian Telenor, before he started a consulting business called New Energy Systems AS in 2001. Since then he has acted as a strategic consultant for a number of large industrial clients focusing on new energy technologies related to hydrogen, fuel cells, wind power and others, as well as technologies involving the use of bio fuels.

In September 2006 he founded Nordic Power Systems AS together with a few partners. He has acted as marketing Director since January, 2007.

The Board of Directors of Nordic Power Systems AS:

Henning Hovland — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 09:47:06 +0000

Kjell Ivar Myrvang (chairman)

Jan Otto Ringdal

Tor Geir Engebretsen

Klaus Michael Lucka

Haakon Ø Karlsen

Erik R Høyem

Petter Sortland

Innovations in Fuel Cell Technology and Diesel Fuel Reforming Join Forces to Develop Quieter, Cleaner Power Generation

Henning Hovland — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:04 +0000

Nordic Power Systems (NPS, Norway) and SAFCell, Inc. (Pasadena, CA) have signed a development contract, under which SAFCell will develop and deliver solid acid fuel cell (SAFC) stacks for incorporation into NPS’ diesel auxiliary power units.
Over an 18 month period, SAFCell will develop and test 1.2 kW SAFC stacks that are highly optimized for use with NPS’ proprietary cool flame diesel reformer. Combining these two advanced technologies will result in lighter, quieter, less costly, and higher performing diesel fuel cell systems that NPS plans to market for both mobile and stationary auxiliary power applications.

Fuel cell systems convert energy from fuels into electrical power. At the core of each fuel cell is a special material, called the electrolyte, which allows the production of electricity through efficient electrochemical processes, as opposed to typical fuel combustion. The composition of the electrolyte differentiates one fuel cell type from another.

As a result of this development contract, NPS and SAFCell will hold exclusive license to patented solid acid electrolyte technology, developed at the California Institute of Technology by SAFCell’s founder and CEO, Dr. Calum Chisholm, in collaboration with other Institute scientists.

NPS develops efficient, environmentally friendly fuel cell power packs that enable nearly silent and emission-free power generation from commercially available fuels. NPS’ cool flame reformer innovation allows for onboard, on-demand diesel or biodiesel reforming in fuel cell systems, thus opening a variety of markets for fuel cell applications. As a preparation for commercial introduction of the power packs, NPS is currently delivering its first demonstrators to selected partners.

SAFCell, Inc. develops scalable solid acid fuel cell stacks for applications requiring tens of watts to tens of kilowatts. Operating at mid-range temperatures around 250°C, SAFCell’s stacks tolerate fuel impurities that pose obstacles to other fuel cell technologies. This allows SAFCell stacks to run more easily on commercially available gas fuels (e.g., propane and butane) or liquid fuels (e.g, methanol, diesel and bio-oils), greatly reducing the overall fuel cell system complexity and cost.

Dr. Calum Chisholm (USA)

SAFCell, Inc, CEO

+1.626.795.0029 x101

www.safcell-inc.com

NPS presents its silent diesel fuel cell power generator

Henning Hovland — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:53:32 +0000

Nordic Power Systems (NPS) will at this years’ DSEi, to be held in London 8-11 September 2009, show the first silent diesel fuel cell power generator (APU) of its kind.While fuel cells normally is fuelled by hydrogen NPS has developed a fully integrated generator (APU) running on diesel. A prototype with 1 kW electric output will be displayed. The system is virtually emission free apart from CO2, which is reduced significantly due to high efficiency. A separate sulphur cleaning unit is under development allowing the APU to be operated on high sulphur diesel/JP 8.

The uniqueness of the technology is the reforming of hydrocarbon fuels to a hydrogen rich gas in combination with high temperature PEM fuel cell. It provides silent watch functionality, high efficiency giving reduced logistics costs and the option to use the APU as a combined power and heating unit.

NPS plans for low volume commercial introduction by second half of 2010.

You will find Nordic Power Systems at stand no 1489.

Pls find technical specifications of the APU (here)

as well as information on DSEi (here)

NPS technology presented to EU officials as part of future climate solutions

Henning Hovland — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:57:15 +0000

The EU Commission hosted last month the so called ” Open Days – European Week of Regions and Cities” with main focus on the subject ”Global Challenges – European responses”. A high number of EU officials and specially invited guests from many countries attended.

Nordic Power Systems had been specially invited to present their technology. The presentation given under the headline ”Fuel cells – a new sustainable energy solution” focused on fuel cell generators representing major environmental improvement compared to conventional power systems based on diesel- or petrol combustion engines.

The presentation were followed by an exhibition of relevant technologies and a dedicated investors forum. Member of the EU Commission and responsible for Regional Affairs,

Mrs Danuta Hübner, attended the presentation. After the presentation she met with Mr Tor Geir Engebretsen, CEO of Nordic Power Systems (Mrs Hübner dressed in red) and other Norwegian EU representatives.