hydrogen fuel cell

France’s nuclear and renewables company Areva and critical power supplier Schneider Electric have teamed up for the development of a flow battery storage solution.

The project, funded by the European Union, is aimed to optimise an existing 50kW flow battery prototype made by EnStorage to a 150kW demonstration module. The new energy storage solution will be designed to generate and store electricity from renewable energy by combining hydrobromic acid and hydrogen.

Hydrogen fuel cell developer Altergy Systems has settled a dispute with lead-acid battery maker Enersys, which resolves the outstanding legal challenges tied to an arbitrational panel award issued in May.

On May 13, 2014, the American Arbitration Association issued a $58m award in Altergy’s favour over claims Enersys had tortiously interfered with the sales of its products.

UK hydrogen fuel cell developer AFC Energy is celebrating after extending the longevity of its electrodes to more than six months of continuous operation.

Electrodes are the critical components of a fuel cell, which enable the electrochemical reactions to occur between hydrogen and oxygen (from air) to generate electricity, heat and water. Laboratory trials of electrodes are on-going and further field trials of improved electrodes are scheduled to begin early next month.

At six months longevity, these applications have the potential to generate significant revenues for AFC Energy whilst also opening up new commercial opportunities in additional territories such as Germany, where the company is already carrying out long-term longevity trials with Akzo Nobel, one of the world's largest chemicals groups.

Ian Williamson, CEO of AFC Energy, said: "Our progress will surprise and challenge the power generating industry and we have recently filed six new families of patents to secure our rights. We look forward to pushing electrode life towards 12 months and beyond where we believe we will have a product that is economic globally in all target markets."