Microcab to Source Fuel Cells from Serenergy
Microcab Industries Limited of Coventry, UK, and Serenergy A/S of Hobro, Denmark, are pleased to announce an agreement for the supply of 10 Serenus 3kW fuel cell systems for use in Microcab's next generation of demonstration fuel cell hybrid vehicles.
 Serenergy is presently the only European company to have commercialised the High Temperature PEM technology which is used in its fuel cells, and which Microcab considers advantageous for its targeted automotive applications. Compared with the commonly used Low Temperature PEM technology, Serenus fuel cells have a higher internal temperature of 150 C or more, enabling them to operate over a wider range of environmental temperatures, and to use less pure hydrogen fuel. Furthermore, the high temperature exhaust greatly facilitates the use of otherwise wasted thermal energy for heating of the vehicle interior, thus increasing overall system efficiency.
 Microcab employs lightweight construction techniques and fuel cell hybrid powertrains with electric drive in versatile and capable vehicles for light transport operations in urban and suburban areas. The hybrid powertrain architecture combines the power capability of a lithium-ion battery with the energy capability of a hydrogen fuel cell to achieve the necessary vehicle performance with ultra-low energy usage and zero emissions.
Microcab and Serenergy intend to work closely together to develop this and future automotive applications. Initially Serenergy will supply a system module comprising the fuel cell, its control system, and power-conditioning circuitry to supply the hybrid battery and electric drive.
Microcab and its associates will initially manufacture 8 vehicles to the new design, which will be supplied to Coventry University for participation in a 12-month trial as part of the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrator project.
NOTES:
Microcab Industries Limited develops and supplies innovative zero-carbon vehicles for light urban transport. Current development work is enabled by support from the UK Advantage Niche Vehicle R&D Programme, funded by Advantage West Midlands and managed by Cenex.
Contacts: johnj@microcab.co.uk; julia.chance@cenex.co.uk
www.microcab.co.uk www.nichevehiclenetwork.co.uk www.cenex.co.uk
Serenergy A/S is the world's leading manufacturer of HTPEM fuel cells in the kW range. Serenergy designs and produces cost-efficient and highly reliable fuel cells for system integrators.
Contact: psk@serenergy.com
www.serenergy.com
Coventry University, already prominent in automotive design, is developing new activities in the area of low carbon technology within the automotive industry and is a partner in the CABLED consortium.
Contact: ali.bushnell@coventry.ac.uk
www.coventry.ac.uk
The Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrator (CABLED) consortium, supported by the UK Technology Strategy Board and Advantage West Midlands, and led by global engineering consultancy Arup, is undertaking a 12-month demonstration of 110 ultra low carbon vehicles and associated infrastructure. Microcab, assisted by additional funding through Coventry University from the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change, is providing the only hydrogen fuel cell vehicles within the demonstration fleet. CABLED is the largest of eight regional consortia in the Technology Strategy Board's £25m UK-wide demonstrator trial of over 340 ultra low carbon vehicles, which is accelerating the development of new technologies and their adoption by consumers.
Contact: stuart.humphreys@grayling.com
http://cabled.org.uk
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