EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (EKPO) is part of the ‘Gallia’ subsidised project, which is receiving funding in the amount of 4,201,939 euros from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport under the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology. The goal of the project is to develop a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and optimize operating strategies to enable stack lifetimes of 20,000 hours for use in the heavy-duty sector.
EKPO brings comprehensive know-how to the project in cell and stack development and the stack construction field. EKPO is one of four project partners along with Freudenberg Performance Materials SE & Co. KG, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (HZB) and the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW). The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ).
The goal of the project is to develop a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and to optimise operating strategies to enable stack lifetimes of 20,000 hours for use in the heavy-duty sector. For this an analysis of the aging mechanisms is conducted, with a focus on the influences of operational management and the critical interactions of the GDL with other cell components. The combination of simulation and imaging techniques, particularly with regard to water management, are essential tools.
“Alternative drive solutions in the truck sector must of course be suitable for long distances. A high payload, a long range and fast refuelling are some of the most important criteria. Here is where the hydrogen-based fuel cell drive can demonstrate its advantages. Our NM12 stack platform is ideally suitable for heavy-duty applications with high power requirements (>150 kW). Our expertise in stack construction and operation, as well as years of experience in the development and analysis of cells and cell components, whether in terms of performance or degradation, means that we can bring essential skills to the project”, says Dr. Stefan G. Resch, R&D Engineer at EKPO.
The ‘Gallia’ funding project began on 1 January 2022 and will continue for three years in all. In addition to a better understanding of aging phenomena in fuel cells related to the GDL, the project partners and project management hope to develop optimized GDLs and tailor-made operating conditions for heavy-duty applications to achieve a long service life.
About Gallia
The Gallia project (Gas Diffusion Layer for Long Life Applications) is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport under the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology with a total of 4,201,939 euros. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ).
About EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies
EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (EKPO), headquartered in Dettingen/Erms (Germany), is a leading joint venture in the development and large-scale production of fuel cell stacks for CO2-neutral mobility. The company is a full-service supplier of fuel cell stacks and components used in cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, as well as in train and marine applications. The company is building on the industrialisation expertise of two established international automotive suppliers – ElringKlinger and Plastic Omnium.
The aim of the joint venture is to develop and mass-produce high-performance fuel cell stacks in order to further advance CO2-neutral mobility – whether on the road, rail, water or off-road.