Internal combustion engines and batteries have traditionally powered off-grid systems and applications. However, hydrogen fuel cells can generate electricity much more efficiently, more quietly, and generate less pollutants than combustion technology. They can also step in where battery solutions are not currently viable, for instance with heavy duty vehicles or where long duration and high power stationary power applications are needed, such as on construction sites.
Dr Nick Avis founded Clean Power Limited to improve the affordability, durability and performance of hydrogen fuel cells. Clean Power has focused on enhancing the design and manufacture of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The company has managed to reduce by 80%, the amount of platinum needed in the system. Clean Power’s much-patented low cost liquid catalyst will help make hydrogen fuel cells commercially viable and its design will address the performance issues.
PEM fuel cells are highly scalable and can provide electrical power ranging from a few 10s of watts to megawatts. They could be utilised in many off-grid applications ranging from stationary power, combined heat and power, and transportation uses such as ships, trains and short haul aviation.
Nick joined the Regional Talent Engines programme in 2023. He says “The financial input will help improve our prototype system. I’m also looking forward to benefiting from the scheme’s business support, mentorship and training, while learning from the other cohort members’ experiences.”
Clean Power is now seeking to raise £2million to scale its technology to 25kWe and enter the stationary power market. In the future, Nick says that the company’s fuel cell architecture should perform well using low density air. This would enable its use in aviation applications at high altitude.
