AFC Energy PLC (AIM:AFC, OTC:AFGYF, FRA:QC8) said operating data from the deployment of its hydrogen power generator as the primary power source in the charging of Extreme E's race vehicles in the first three races of the 2021 season is already being used to support wider partner discussions as well as highlighting areas for future development.
The emissions-free car racing series is providing “a global reference point for sport and industries considering the switch to zero-emission hydrogen power technology to displace the incumbent use of diesel generators”, the company said.
Extreme E's ODYSSEY-21 race vehicles are being refuelled with green hydrogen created on-site by AFC’s fuelling system, which incorporates micro electrolysers, multiple mobile solar arrays and hydrogen storage technology.
AFC said the location of the three races to date in Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Greenland has highlighted the technology's robust operating performance in extreme weather conditions of desert, arctic and high humidity.
“System integration is a key market value proposition in the way AFC Energy collaborates with its partners, and in the case of Extreme E, the company has not only shown capability in fuel cell generators, but also in bringing to fruition a unique onsite green hydrogen generator,” the company said.
“Working with multiple technologies that include micro electrolysers, metal hydride storage and mobile solar arrays, AFC Energy has enabled Extreme E to be the world's first sporting event not only utilising zero emission power generators, but also generating its own green hydrogen on site for consumption over the race weekend.”
Alejandro Agag, founder and chief executive of Extreme E, said AFC’s technology “has already proved to be a game-changer right from our first race event in Saudi Arabia in April. As our first location, this was incredibly challenging for everyone involved – not only were we positioned completely remotely within the desert of AlUla, no roads, no infrastructure at all – but it was very hot and there was so much dust which would affect any sensitive machinery.
“Since then, Extreme E has raced in Senegal and Greenland - you couldn't get more diverse and remote than those two places – from sand, heat and humidity on a beach in Lac Rose, to racing next to an Arctic ice cap in Kangerlussuaq. AFC Energy has managed these situations and kept our cars fully powered. We are setting the standard for clean fuel provision in any situation – there's no excuses left for industry to not be 'clean' now, we know it can be done, we've proved it.”
Adam Bond, AFC’s chief executive, said the deployment of the technology was a first of its kind “and shows what can be done today in moving the world to zero-emission technologies”.
“Governments and industries alike are realising that without immediate investment in genuinely sustainable power technologies, there is little to no chance of us mitigating the change we are today witnessing in rising global temperatures and extreme weather events. AFC Energy's technology and capability is ready to play a key role in addressing climate change, the most pressing issue facing the world today."
The next Extreme E race is in Sardinia on 23-24 October