AFC Energy plc (LON:AFC) has confirmed the successful development and operational validation of its enhanced fuel cell stack and cartridge that incorporates numerous design enhancements initiated over the past 12 months.
The AIM-listed industrial fuel cell power company said the results achieved to date from operating the fuel cell provide outputs closely matching the results observed from months of extensive computational simulation, therefore providing further confidence in overall performance.
READ: AFC Energy eyeing further material improvements in fuel cell performance
The group added that this enhanced fuel cell stack and cartridge has demonstrated the ability to meet multiple power cycling steps without loss of performance.
It also said the latest electrode pairings, developed in collaboration with Industrie De Nora, and tested during December 2017, exhibit significantly extended operational life for the fuel cell electrodes and significantly exceeds the longevity targets it set for 2017.
AFC Energy said, with De Nora it is now planning to undertake ongoing testing work for delivery of an electrode pairing that will achieve a four-year operational life with associated performance warranties.
It added that this will be at a cost which should see AFC Energy's Levelised Cost of Electricity at below US$0.10 per kilowatt hour - excluding the cost of hydrogen which varies from project to project and consistent with previous calculations.
WATCH: AFC Energy looking to be commercially valid and viable by end of 2017
Adam Bond, AFC Energy's chief executive officer, said: “This enhanced fuel cell system upgrade builds on the work of many individuals closely collaborating with our technology partners and is expected to provide the cornerstone of a commercial fuel cell system that is now capable of achieving the Company's PLACE metrics. “
He added: “Completion of this work within a three-year window was always going to be challenging, however, we are today seeing the fruits of our labour as we progress into a very exciting 2018."