BEND, Ore., 23 Nov. 2007. IdaTech plc, a global fuel cell solutions provider, announced the installation and operation of the 3kW Tactical Fuel Cell Generator (TFCG) developed for the US Army. Designed to operate on military fuels, the prototype system was delivered to the Army Communications-Electronics Research Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, for comprehensive test and evaluation by the CERDEC Fuel Cell Team and has operated successfully and without operational issues since delivery in mid-September.
IdaTech was awarded the contract for a second year of development to further develop the TFCG system earlier this year. The successful installation of the TFCG indicates additional progress towards providing defense organizations with a quiet fuel cell based power generator for tactical missions.
The initial Factory Acceptance Test was done at IdaTech facilities and witnessed by Army CERDEC. Early testing at Ft. Belvoir, VA, included the processing of JP-8, Jet A and diesel (DF2) distillates. Earlier in 2007, IdaTech announced its contract win for a second year of development. This next phase has been initiated with the objective to evolve the TFCG to a more military compliant status.
Says Hal Koyama, IdaTech president and CEO, "In addition, diesel is one of the world's most commonly available fuels. This technology has potentially widespread non-military applications such as the replacement of small diesel generators with quieter, more reliable and more efficient diesel-fueled fuel cell systems."
