AFC Energy PLC (AIM:AFC, OTC:AFGYF), the hydrogen power generation specialist, has made a significant breakthrough in reducing the operating costs of its S Series fuel cell, as demonstrated in the recent 30kW H-Power generator factory acceptance test (FAT) conducted with Speedy Hydrogen Solutions.
During this FAT, technology showcased a 16% reduction in hydrogen fuel consumption compared to its predecessor, the 2023 H-Power Tower.
This improvement not only signifies a leap in fuel efficiency but also lowers the operating costs for AFC Energy's customers. This achievement is in addition to the previously announced 50% reduction in the 2024 generator's capital cost (per kW) when compared to the 2023 model.
The performance of the S Series fuel cell was measured against "in the field" data gathered from customer deployments of the H-Power Tower last year.
The data confirms the high efficiency of AFC Energy's air-cooled generator technology, which is attributed to its unique integration of proprietary fuel cell stack and generator balance of plant design.
"Lowering the total cost of ownership of fuel cell generators is a key prerequisite to industry-wide adoption," said AFC chief executive Adam Bond.
"Last year, field data suggested that AFC Energy's H-Power Towers were, operationally, only 14% more costly than diesel generators based on European hydrogen prices, highlighting the importance of fuel efficiency in generator performance and reducing this cost gap.
"AFC Energy's high efficiency, high power dense S Series fuel cell generators are setting the standard for industry's transition to a hydrogen-fuelled future".