简介: |
Research and Development on
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Technology in Europe
and the Prospect and Challenge for the
Commercialization of Fuel Cell Vehicles
Guenther G. Scherer*
TUM CREATE, 1 CREATE Way, #10-02 CREATE Tower, Singapore 138602
*Adjunct Professor, Energy Research Center @ Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Former Head, Electrochemistry Laboratory, Paul Scherer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
Abstract:
In Europe Fuel Cell research for mobile applications has been continuously carried out over more than 20 years, since Daimler from Germany started collaboration with Ballard from Canada around the year 1990. Other major European automotive companies have followed that trend over the years, among others due to some concerted action and support by the European Community, e.g. for fuel cell buses. First fleets of European Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) are planned to be released by 2017 (Daimler) of 2020 (BMW). In addition, major non-European companies promised to deliver FCVs even earlier, e.g., Toyota in 2015, onto European Streets.
The presentation describes the present situation of FCVs research in Europe in general, and in Germany in particular, where FCVs have to face a strong competition by Electric Vehicles (EVs) based on battery technology. Further, fuel logistics for H2-fueled FCVs is another challenge for the introduction of FCVs to a “mass” market. This impediment might be alleviated by the request to store surplus electricity from renewable electricity generation, considering H2 as one of the storage means.
Brief resume:
Based on his education in chemistry and in electrochemistry in particular during his diploma and doctoral studies and his experience gained in industry, Dr. Scherer has developed a wide knowledge in the area of electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Dr. Scherer has led a major research team at Paul Scherrer Institute, which is well established in the international community, guided many doctoral students, and lectured at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zuerich. He has managed many international research projects in this area and he served on many national and international advisory and review boards. Currently he is a senior investigator at TUM CREATE in Singapore. |
