The fuel cell and fuel reformer are combined to form a single unit known as an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit), in simple terms a power or electricity generator. There is widespread demand for this type of APU, with two application areas leading the way: trucks and boats. The main use is not primarily to power the vehicle or craft itself, but rather to supply electricity for all the on-board components.

When it comes to boats, at present the vessel’s conventional diesel engine is used to charge the batteries needed to power such things as the galley and GPS system. When the boat is in port, the engine often has to be started up and run, and this is expensive in terms of fuel consumption and harms the environment. In addition, it is disruptive in that it produces both noise and exhaust emissions. Volvo Penta is therefore highly interested in Powercell’s APU.

As regards trucks, there is considerable potential, primarily in North America. There it is very common for truck drivers to sleep in their cabs, and this requires electricity to power the TV, climate unit, cooking facilities and so on. However, North American legislation limits engine idling for emission reasons, so there is a market for Powercell’s APU, which after all generates far lower emissions.

Other application areas are power generators for households that require back-up power in case storms disrupt power supplies, and telecom masts located in sites far from the national grid.

When it comes to electric hybrid vehicles, they currently have a relatively short range before they need to be recharged with electricity. Here the fuel cell may serve as a back-up battery that starts operating if the hybrid vehicle needs to cover a longer distance between recharging stations.