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Title: Manufacturing Readiness and Cost Impacts for PEM Stack and Balance of Plant

Journal Article · · ECS Transactions (Online)

The results of two Manufacturing Readiness Assessments of PEM fuel cell stacks and material handling equipment (MHE) and backup power (BUP) PEM fuel cell systems are given. Design modifications of fuel cell systems were made because the initial, 2008 designs did not fully meet the operational requirements of the markets. This situation indicates the 2008 risk elements were overstated.For 2010 BUP and MHE fuel cell systems, manufacturers had not reached the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) defined in the 2008 MRA Report at 1,000 units per year per manufacturer.For fuel cell stacks, LRIP was demonstrated by more than one manufacturer.The federal tax incentive program has compensated for the initial high cost of fuel cell systems.The Balance-of-Plant (BOP) has not evolved as rapidly as the PEM fuel cell stack manufacturing readiness.The BOP in 2014 is as costly as the fuel cell stack for MHE applications.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Fuel Cell Technologies Office
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1226253
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5900-62450
Journal Information:
ECS Transactions (Online), Vol. 64, Issue 3; Conference: Presented at the 2014 ECS and SMEQ Joint International Meeting, 5-9 October 2014, Cancun, Mexico; Related Information: ECS Transactions; ISSN 1938-6737
Publisher:
Electrochemical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English