VTT develops a unique fuel cell system: trials under way

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology is showing promise with regard to future electricity production. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has built a system that uses fuel cells to produce grid electricity from natural gas. What makes the system unique is that the electric power produced comes from a single 10 kW planar SOFC stack. The technology is being developed as part of the Tekes Fuel Cell Programme.

Construction of the large SOFC power plants of the future will require high-power fuel cell stacks. This is the first time a 10 kW power class planar SOFC fuel stack is being operated as part of a complete fuel cell system.

The system is currently undergoing endurance testing to determine component reliability, durability and development needs. Some of the system’s components are prototypes developed at VTT that have not yet reached mass production. Since the beginning of November 2010 the system has completed more than 1,500 hours of reliable and continuous operation. The electricity produced equates to the average annual consumption of five apartments in an apartment block.

SOFC fuel cell technology is an extremely low-emission energy source. The SOFC technology can be used to utilize a wide range of different fuels, including biogas, which is normally difficult to exploit efficiently using other technologies.

Lappeenranta University of Technology and Aalto University are among those participating in the project, which is coordinated by VTT and jointly funded by Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation and Finnish industrial companies. Development of the system’s power electronics, used in transforming direct current produced by the SOFC into alternating current suitable for the grid, was carried out at Lappeenranta University of Technology. Aalto University has participated in the unit’s mechanical design. The SOFC stack for the system was supplied by Versa Power Systems Inc. of Canada.

Apart from funding, Finnish companies are also involved in development and gathering of experience regarding the application of their own products to SOFC systems. Wärtsilä Finland Oy, among others, is exploiting experiences garnered under the research project in its own SOFC system development work.

Additional information:

Research Scientist Matias Halinen
Tel. +358 20 722 6590; matias.halinen@vtt.fi
Chief Research Scientist Jari Kiviaho
Tel. +358 20 722 5298; jari.kiviaho@vtt.fi
Further information on VTT:
Senior Vice President
Olli Ernvall
Tel. +358 20 722 6747
olli.ernvall@vtt.fi
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is the biggest contract research organization in Northern Europe. VTT provides high-end technology solutions and innovation services. From its wide knowledge base, VTT can combine different technologies, create new innovations and a substantial range of world-class technologies and applied research services, thus improving its clients' competitiveness and competence. Through its international scientific and technology network, VTT can produce information, upgrade technology knowledge and create business intelligence and value added to its stakeholders.

All latest news from the category: Power and Electrical Engineering

This topic covers issues related to energy generation, conversion, transportation and consumption and how the industry is addressing the challenge of energy efficiency in general.

innovations-report provides in-depth and informative reports and articles on subjects ranging from wind energy, fuel cell technology, solar energy, geothermal energy, petroleum, gas, nuclear engineering, alternative energy and energy efficiency to fusion, hydrogen and superconductor technologies.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

Lighting up the future

New multidisciplinary research from the University of St Andrews could lead to more efficient televisions, computer screens and lighting. Researchers at the Organic Semiconductor Centre in the School of Physics and…

Researchers crack sugarcane’s complex genetic code

Sweet success: Scientists created a highly accurate reference genome for one of the most important modern crops and found a rare example of how genes confer disease resistance in plants….

Evolution of the most powerful ocean current on Earth

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current plays an important part in global overturning circulation, the exchange of heat and CO2 between the ocean and atmosphere, and the stability of Antarctica’s ice sheets….

Partners & Sponsors