Fuel cell auxiliary power unit
A fuel cell auxiliary power unit (FC-APU) is a fuel cell based auxiliary power unit on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are mainly used in trucking, aviation, marine and recreational vehicles.[http://www.navigantresearch.com/research/fuel-cells-for-auxiliary-power-unit-applications fuel cells for auxiliary power unit applications] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002722/http://www.navigantresearch.com/research/fuel-cells-for-auxiliary-power-unit-applications |date=2013-12-03 }}
Market
Trucks
Around 300,000 refrigerator trucks with auxiliary power units are on the road in the United States, according to a 2013 estimate.[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130823163826.htm Refrigerated trucks to keep their cool thanks to fuel cell technology] In recent years, truck and fuel cell manufacturers have teamed up to create, test and demonstrate a fuel cell APU that eliminates nearly all emissions {{cite news|first=Christie-Joy |last=Broderick |author2=Timothy Lipman |author3=Mohammad Farshchi |author4=Nicholas Lutsey |author5=Harry Dwyer |author6=Daniel Sperling |author7=William Gouse |author8=Bruce Harris |author9=Foy King |title=Evaluation of Fuel Cell auxiliary Power Units for Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks |year=2002 |publisher=Elsevier Sciences Ltd. |url=http://www.uctc.net/papers/587.pdf |work=Transportation Research Part D |pages=303–315 |access-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403131809/http://www.uctc.net/papers/587.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-03 }} and uses diesel fuel more efficiently.{{cite journal | title = Delphi truck fuel-cell APU to hit road in 2012 | journal = Vehicle Electrification | date = 2010-05-12 | first = Paul | last = Weissler| url=http://articles.sae.org/8222/ | url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160528144211/http://articles.sae.org/8222/ | access-date = 2011-09-27 | archive-date = 2016-05-28 | quote = and Delphi says it will have a 5-kW APU on the market in 2012. }}
In 2008, a DOE sponsored partnership between Delphi Electronics and Peterbilt demonstrated that a fuel cell could provide power to the electronics and air conditioning of a Peterbilt Model 386 under simulated "idling" conditions for 10 hours. This solid oxide fuel cell can directly accept diesel{{cite news | first = Mike | last = Jacobs | title = Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Successfully Powers Truck Cab and Sleeper in DOE-Sponsored Test | date = 2009-03-19 | publisher = National Energy Technology Laboratory | url = http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2009/09017-Fuel_Cell_Powers_Commercial_Trucks.html | work = NETL: News Release | access-date = 2011-09-27 | archive-date = 2012-02-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120202095614/http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2009/09017-Fuel_Cell_Powers_Commercial_Trucks.html | url-status = dead }} using an integrated endothermic reformer.{{cite web |title=XII.4 Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Diesel Auxiliary Power Unit Demonstration |url=https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/docs/hydrogenprogramlibraries/pdfs/progress11/xii_4_rosenblatt_2011.pdf?sfvrsn=9309d48c_1}} Delphi has said the 5 kW system for Class 8 trucks will be released in 2012,{{update inline|date=August 2015}} at an $8000–9000 price tag that would be competitive with other "midrange" two-cylinder diesel APUs, should they be able to meet those deadlines and cost estimates. In 2013, DOE announced a similar project giving grants to Nuvera and Plug Power Inc., though this project is based on hydrogen-powered fuel cells.
Research
- RDSO started a project to develop fuel cell assisted Auxiliary power units in diesel-electric locomotives of Indian Railways.[http://www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/Spec-Fuel-cell%20assisted-APU-revised-draft-01-02-12.pdf Fuel cell assisted APU system for diesel-electric locomotives]
- PowerCell is testing an autothermal reformer and a PEM fuel cell stack to convert diesel fuel into electricity for trucks.[http://www.greencarcongress.com/2013/05/powercell-20130521.html PowerCell unveils 3kW PowerPac fuel cell APU that converts diesel into electricity]