EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies and Akkodis have launched on-road testing of the NM20 PEM fuel cell stack, integrated into a 40-ton hydrogen truck for logistics deployment. The EKPO Akkodis collaboration assigns Akkodis responsibility for developing, integrating and assembling the fuel cell electric powertrain, with real-world operating data to feed directly into NM20 stack refinement.

The NM20 delivers up to 400 kW from a single stack with a service life of more than 25,000 operating hours. Integrated as a one-stack, one-system architecture in the demonstration truck, the stack achieves a system output of up to 360 kW at 61% efficiency, with the architecture also suited to megawatt-scale applications beyond road transport.

Dr Thomas Klukas, CEO of Akkodis Germany, said the partnership combined technology, system architecture, hardware and software to deploy hydrogen technology in heavy-duty transport. Dr Stefan Dwenger, Managing Director of EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, said data from the truck’s operation would provide valuable insights for fuel cell technology refinement and advance the industrialisation of hydrogen powertrains.

The project also constitutes a component of EKPO’s systems engineering approach, validating fuel cell stack interactions with the balance of plant, control system and thermal management at an early stage. Data from the project is also applicable to stationary power generation, marine applications and off-highway machinery.

Source: ElringKlinger