Powercell recruits design engineers for mechanical design and process modelling.

PowerCell is providing the power source based on its platform for future automotive Fuel Cell products. An 8 cell large concept stack, first of its kind, has been integrated into the Spiros IV car which will race in Germany (Lausitz) on May 26-28. PowerCell is proud of being partner in the KTH ECO cars team encouraging students, researchers and the industry to find the most energy efficient ideas for vehicle propulsion. Spiros IV is fueled by hydrogen which is transformed to electrical power via the Fuel Cell.

The experiences from the KTH ECO cars team will contribute to the ongoing development program on this next generation platform which is also being developed for reformate fuels.

The Shell Eco-marathon challenges high school and college student teams from around the world to design, build and test energy efficient vehicles. With annual events in the Americas, Europe and Asia, the winners are the teams that go the farthest distance using the least amount of energy.

PowerCell will be present at the Hydrogen + Fuel cell exhibition in Hannover. Booth no D66/3.

Power Cell is now taking the step from a development company into a commercial company. Within one year, a unique business center focused on developing, testing  and manufacturing fuel cells has been built up. Preparations for series production of fuel cells are to be completed by the New Year with actual production beginning in 2011.

- We have a global potential customer base, where we cooperate with numerous companies in many industries.” says Torbjörn Assarsson, President & CEO of PowerCell. Mutual confidentiality agreements prevent revealing specific details, but customers include industries involved in telecom stations, material processing and automotives for example.
- Further new and unexpected applications may also develop for us that even lie beyond our current market and sphere of strategic planning.
- I am convinced that fuel cell technology is on the threshold of a wide breakthrough  although the market and this whole new industry remain dynamic. It is an exciting but demanding task of creating a new business that I think will significantly challenge our flexibility and adaptability.
The world’s third largest industrial investment in fuel cells went to PowerCell last year. As the new fuel cell test center, the largest of its kind in Northern Europe,  continues to be built up in the Hisingen area of Gothenburg, , cross-border cooperation continues in parallel aiming at developing a new national fuel cell cluster in Sweden.
- We are of course very pleased that our new facility will become a fuel cell center for customers, companies, research institutes, universities and colleges, “says Torbjorn Assarsson.

Looking ahead
While PowerCell powers ahead towards fuel cell manufacturing and commercialization,, future product development continues. For example, we are combining the fuel cell stack with our fuel conversion processor in an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) system for backup power of telecommunication stations, trucks and ships when the primary engine is not operating.
- Different fuels such as diesel, gasoline or biofuels, reformed into hydrogen, drive the fuel cells . The efficiency is high. A complete APU system will produce electricity with the only waste products being water, heat and a reduced amount of carbon dioxide while toxins such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide or particulates are completely eliminated.

“We create quiet environment-friendly electricity, period.” says Torbjörn Assarsson.

Power Cell Company Summary

Power Cell is a company in Gothenburg, which produces and sells fuel cell stacks (provide electricity from hydrogen and oxygen) as well as develops new technology in fuel conversion and power units. The company is jointly owned by Volvo Technology Transfer, OCAS Ventures, Midroc New Technology and Fourier transform.

This article is published 2010-11-20 at Dagens Industri. Search for “Vätgas och Bränsleceller” or read the article in Swedish here.

PowerCell’s fuel cell stack technology is based on more than 15 years of R&D work within the Volvo Group. Powercell’s stack platform has a unique design that enables operation on either reformate or pure hydrogen and allows for cost-effective and reliable power generation. Our strategy is to provide customers with innovative and reliable products. We work on understanding the needs of OEM’s, system integrators and end users, and challenge ourselves to provide a flexible and environmental friendly solution.

PowerCell stack platform design

Features:                                                                                                                      

•   – Fast start up power                                                                                                                         
•   – Compact design for high power density                                                                                                 
•   – Scalability
•   – Patented design
•   – Robust construction
•   – High fuel efficiency
•   – Liquid-cooled
•   – Runs on both reformate and hydrogen gas
•   – Zero emissions 

Basic data:

•   – RATED GROSS POWER (kW): 1 – 7
•   – OPERATING AMBIENT TEMPERATURE (C): 0-70C
•   – DESIGNED LIFETIME 10 000h
•   – CAN HANDLE GASES WITH AT LEAST 40% H2 AND UP TO 50 PPM CO 
•             

 PowerCell Sweden AB was founded as a spin-off from Volvo Group in 2008 with the objective of bringing fuel cell and fuel converter technology to full commercialization. Powercell recently moved into a 5000 sqm facility in Gothenburg Sweden that combines laboratories, research & development and production under one roof.