Hydrogenics Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems, has announced a contract award by the Department of National Defence Canada (DND) to advance into the next stage of development of its chemical hydride-fuelled, portable fuel cell power programme. The use of fuel cells for the powering of military devices has distinct advantages over conventional power technologies, including reduced weight and the ability to operate at zero noise and emissions levels. This contract award follows Hydrogenics’ successful completion of Phase I of the project that involved the evaluation of a hydrogen supply subsystem and the design of an integrated, hydrogen-fuelled PEM fuel cell power generator. Following the new contract award, Hydrogenics will build multiple 500-watt, compact power generators, designed to charge batteries and directly power applications in the field. Hydrogenics’ proprietary chemical hydride system will generate and store hydrogen for the power generators. The company expects to deliver the prototype systems by the end of the year.
