Artist's rendition of 500 kWe Proton Exchange Membrane fuel
Fuel cells and associated equipment are universally projected to be a multi-billion dollar market over the next several years. INL has established working relationships with a number of commercial entities, DOD, and DOE in this market. In particular, INL has demonstrated the ability to successfully assemble and operate combined reformer and fuel cell systems using heavy hydrocarbons (i.e. various diesels) as the fuel source. INL has also demonstrated the ability to design integrated packaged systems that meet customer specifications. While INL does not have unique technology in fuel cells or reforming, it does have the recognized ability to take commercially available hardware and successfully assemble this hardware in innovative packages that work. In accomplishing the testing of hardware, INL has established working relationships with a number of fuel cell and reformer manufacturers. These relationships can be built upon to allow this testing capability to continue to expand.
Fuel cells, other support hardware for fuel cells (e.g. reformers), and support services for fuel cells (e.g. testing of systems) comprise a large and rapidly growing market. Over the next five years the federal government is expected to expend in the range of $5 billion in this market area for activity that is within the scope of INL capabilities. Industry is projected to spend approximately twice that amount, albeit that much of that money will be spent on internal programs. The budgets in this area are growing at a rate of 5 - 10% per year on an average.
- Contacts:
- Lyman Frost, (208) 526-2941, Send E-mail