AFC Energy Powers Up World’s First Hydrogen Electric Vehicle Charger
January 17 2019 - 2:00AM
Business Wire
AFC Energy’s CH2ARGETM Gives Green Light To
100% Clean Recharging
AFC Energy (AIM:AFC), the industrial fuel cell power company,
today announced the successful deployment of CH2ARGETM, the world’s
first electric vehicle charger based on hydrogen fuel-cell
technology. The breakthrough by the UK-based energy technology
company could enable 100% clean electricity for future EV
charging.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190116005900/en/
Adam Bond, AFC Energy CEO, charges BMW i8
with world's first fuel cell EV charging system at event in
Dunsfold Park, Surrey, (Photo: Business Wire)
The demonstration of AFC Energy’s CH2ARGE system took place at
Dunsfold Aerodrome, home to the BBC Top Gear test track, and saw a
BMW i8 as the first ever car to be recharged with power generated
by a hydrogen fuel cell. The innovation takes place after 10 years
of fuel cell research development at the AFC Energy
laboratories.
AFC Energy is preparing for the commercialisation of fuel
cell-based EV Charge solutions to meet the growing demand for
environmentally friendly power in the EV market. Traditional
charging causes pollution with electricity from fossil fuels, but
AFC Energy’s CH2ARGE can be 100% emissions free.
The EV market is set to grow rapidly and the UK government has
stated that 50% of new car sales will be EVs by 2030 which will see
nine million EVs on the road. By 2040, 100% of new car sales are
planned to be EVs leading to the entirety of the UK’s fleet of 36
million cars becoming EVs. To recharge the fleet of EVs, the UK
National Grid estimates show this will require generation to be
increased by 8GW, while calculations by AFC Energy show that if one
in 10 of the EVs is being recharged simultaneously the UK’s future
fleet of 36 million cars would have a peak demand surge of 25.7 GW
based on an average EV battery of 57 kWh. This maximum peak demand
equates to approximately half the UK current generational
requirement and is the equivalent of 7.9 new nuclear power stations
or 17,100 wind turbines. Popular venues such as sports centres,
stadiums and supermarkets will also have to scale up EV recharging
solutions; a scenario where 25% of vehicles are EVs and half plug
in to charge while at the venue would require 11.5MW of electricity
generation. Extensive investment in new power stations and upgrade
of the distribution network would be required unless these demands
are met through localised power generation.
AFC Energy is working to provide a solution to the potential
future challenges caused by EV charging and its CH2ARGE system
could potentially deliver locally-generated electricity through
thousands of installations that generate 100% clean electricity. In
contrast, the provision of power through central generation would
require massive investment in new generating capacity and a
re-architecting of the distribution network.
“By 2030, it is estimated that there could be nine million
electric vehicles on the roads of Britain, up from 90,000 today,”
said Adam Bond, Chief Executive Officer at AFC Energy. “For this
transition, we need charging stations to be embedded throughout the
country, as well as seeking innovative solutions to overcome the
severe limitations of centrally generated electricity. By
developing and demonstrating the effectiveness of our hydrogen fuel
cell in the application of EV charging, AFC Energy has shown it is
ready to lead the way not only in solving the challenges of
increased demand for electricity, but also doing so in a truly zero
emissions approach.”
CH2ARGE includes AFC Energy’s small-scale fuel cell connected to
an inverter similar to those used by other major automotive
companies at their Electric Vehicle research centres. The inverter
transfers energy created by the fuel cell to a charger. The system
is supported by a 48V battery pack to assist with peak power
demands. The solution can also be tailored for both on and off grid
applications and scale up as required.
The demonstration CH2ARGE system was sized to provide sufficient
power to charge two EVs concurrently at recharging levels 1,2 or 3.
The system’s inverters are controlled via AFC Energy’s fuel cell
control system which ensures the safe and precise control of the
complete setup. Being integrated into AFC Energy’s control system
means that product solutions can be implemented with Smart Charging
capabilities.
AFC Energy is looking to enter into discussions with potential
OEM partners and suppliers for the production of its CH2ARGE
scalable EV Charge systems for commercial deployment.
About AFC Energy
AFC Energy plc is commercialising an alkaline fuel cell system,
to provide clean electricity for on and off grid applications. The
technology, pioneered over the past ten years in the UK, is in the
process of being deployed in industrial gas plants for grid
generation, as an alternative to diesel generators for localised
power, and as the power source for local electricity needs.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190116005900/en/
TUVA Partners - Public RelationsJames
Kennedyjames.kennedy@tuvapartners.com+44 7809 495 759
Afc Energy (LSE:AFC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Afc Energy (LSE:AFC)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024