Siemens cell passes test

has successfully tested a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology that incorporates its high power density technology being developed under the US Department of Energy’s (DOE)

(SECA).

A prototype 5kW-class complete system using the SECA technology has operated for 2,800 hours and continues to operate at the Siemens facility near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It has met or exceeded all of the DOE technical and economic objectives for Phase 1 of the SECA program.

According to a statement, the successful operation of the SECA system is especially noteworthy because there has been no degradation of cell or system performance during the period of operation. With lifetime a key factor in the commercialisation of fuel cells, Siemens’ program is the only SECA program believed to have achieved no cell degradation during extended operation. While the test duration required by the DOE was 1,500 hours, the system continues to be operated to determine lifetime, peak power and efficiency potential as the performance of the cells improve. They will also be put through further tests in the coming months to assess the robustness of the new stack technology.