WASHINGTON, 6 October 2006. A new transportable fuel cell system for military installations will be shown for the first time at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) show in Washington between October 9 and 11.
The fuel cell system is designed to save between 50 and 80 percent in fuel use. Developed by Ansaldo Fuel Cells, a Finmeccanica company, Ansaldo's transportable fuel cell can use any logistics fuel and can also turn waste into energy. The Ansaldo fuel cell is stealthy, with no moving parts in the fuel stack, very low noise, and no burning or smoke.
The fuel cell, designed in Italy, is transportable by air on a C-130 or C-27 and by flatbed truck. The fuel cell offers high efficiency in electrical power generation, jow emissions, high reliability, and low maintenance costs compared to conventional diesel generators or micro turbines. In addition, the fuel cell is capable of producing heating and air conditioning as well as electrical power.
There are currently three Ansaldo Fuel Cell installations operating, two in Italy and a third in Spain. A fourth installation, in Istanbul, Turkey will go on-line in November. Additional generating plants, some using biomass for fuel, are scheduled in the coming year.
