LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Hydrogen power generation company AFC Energy updated the market on its new, high power density fuel cell system 'HydroX-Cell(S)' on Thursday, reporting that new heavy motive applications including shipping and rail were demonstrating "strong interest" in the technology platform.
The AIM-traded firm said successful development works this year meant the technology remained on target for initial release in 2022.

It said it had successfully scaled up to single commercial scale fuel cell operation, with performance still reflecting that of market-leading PEM fuel cell systems, adding that a design for an initial short stack, multi-fuel cell system of less than 10kW had been completed, with prototype system validation expected later in the year.

The company said its internal capacity to produce HydroX-Cell(S) electrodes had increased, and a pilot fabrication process for the production of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) was under development.

AFC had also recruited new, "highly skilled" members of staff to the HydroX-Cell(S) development team.

"With Covid-19 lockdowns worldwide bringing the unintended, yet beneficial improvement in air quality, now more than ever there is a drive from government and industry towards a sustainable power and transportation sector where Hydrogen has a clear role to play," said chief executive officer Adam Bond.

"The HydroX-Cell(S) system has been the subject of much interest since the beginning of the Covid lockdown, both for its ability to be fueled by low grade hydrogen, such as that derived from ammonia, but also for its prospective ability to operate free from platinum group metals."

Bond said that, through early engagement with original equipment manufacturers and prospective industry partners on its "market leading" anion exchange membrane technology, AFC believed the market for an alkaline high-power density fuel cell was "vast", further validating its progress in the area.

"To this end, we are today pleased to positively report our ongoing progress in achieving the stated timeline of 2022 for system deployment."

At 1223 BST, shares in AFC Energy were up 3.18% at 23.22p.

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