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[October 2003]
Webasto and H C Starck Develop SOFC Stacks for Auxiliary Power Units
Webasto Thermosysteme GmbH (Stockdorf, Germany) and H C Starck GmbH (Goslar, Germany) have signed an agreement to jointly develop solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks. The agreement began in September. The cooperation is focused on the development of high temperature SOFCs for automotive applications. The partners plan to establish a basis for later serial production.
The SOFC stacks will be used in auxiliary power units (APUs) to generate electricity on board of vehicles, independently from the main engine. APUs will cover the rising demand for electrical power in today's vehicles. They operate at a high efficiency and provide continuous power even when the engine is turned off.
Webasto has been developing an APU system for some years. The systems will generate electricity from liquid fuels using high temperature fuel cells.
H C Starck and its subsidiary InDEC produce SOFCs, components and materials. The majority of InDEC (Petten, Holland) was acquired by Starck in early 2003.
The partners work closely together with the Fraunhofer Institute of Ceramic Technologies and Sintered Materials (IKTS) in Dresden, Germany. Among others, IKTS helps the partnership to integrate the single cells into stacks and to qualify the stacks for automotive applications. The institute has a longstanding experience in the development of SOFC stacks and contributes a broad range of ceramic technologies.
ENDS