Loop Energy and Fraunhofer ISE Testing Demonstrates the Potential of Innovative eFlow™ Flow Field Design to Increase Hydrogen Production in Electrolyzers
March 06 2023 - 5:30AM
Business Wire
Loop Energy™ (TSX: LPEN), a designer and manufacturer of
hydrogen fuel cell solutions, has completed third-party validation
of the use of its patented eFlow™ technology in PEM electrolyzers.
In partnership with Fraunhofer USA, testing was conducted by the
German Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, and has
demonstrated a fuel cell architecture with trapezoid flow field
design can enhance temperature uniformity. When incorporated into
conventional PEM electrolysis cells, this bipolar plate
architecture demonstrates it can increase hydrogen production. Loop
Energy is now seeking industry partners to develop a full-scale
electrolyzer prototype for commercial validation.
Results show that eFlow architecture creates a more stable and
uniform operating environment in the PEM water electrolysis test
cells compared to conventional flow fields with parallel channels,
resulting in greater hydrogen production and improved efficiency.
Testing also shows the enhanced uniform operating environment
should have a beneficial impact on durability.
“Results from the validation process show that the new flow
field technology has the potential to surpass typical levels of
hydrogen production that we see in the industry today and supports
green hydrogen production to become increasingly economically
viable,” said Fraunhofer ISE Head of Department Chemical Energy
Storage, Dr. Tom Smolinka. “The difference we have seen from
current electrolyzer performance with conventional parallel flow
field is that the adapted design appears to create more uniform
temperature distribution could make it an enabling technology for
some of the advanced materials needed to really increase the
economics of electrolyzers and green hydrogen.”
Encouraged by the results, Loop Energy and Fraunhofer ISE are
inviting expressions of interest from potential industry partners.
Interested parties will partner with the two companies in designing
and manufacturing an electrolyzer prototype to verify eFlow’s
benefits for producing hydrogen on a commercial scale. All
expressions of interest can be directed to Loop Energy Chief
Commercial Officer, George Rubin.
“The completion of third-party validation is an important
milestone for Loop Energy as we explore how eFlow can transform the
hydrogen production sector,” said Loop Energy President & CEO,
Ben Nyland. “We’re extremely pleased to partner with Fraunhofer ISE
and draw on their long-lasting experience in cell and stack design
for PEM water electrolysis. The results have been encouraging, and
we’re excited to begin the search for strategic partners to support
us as we innovate electrolyzer technology.”
Currently, Loop Energy’s proprietary eFlow technology is applied
in its fuel cell products to offer unmatched levels of fuel
efficiency. Its tapering channel design enables eFlow to provide
improved uniform current density and increases gas velocity to
deliver superior thermal and water management. With the new
discovery that eFlow can benefit hydrogen production efficiency, it
expands the patented technology’s potential use across the hydrogen
energy vertical.
Global demand for hydrogen production is projected to grow by
more than US$1 trillion by 20501. As a result, both new and
existing hydrogen producers are searching for a competitive
advantage to meet rising demand.
Ben Nyland will share details of this development at CERAWeek on
March 6 and 7 alongside Thomas Schuelke, president of Fraunhofer
USA, which also acts as project partner. In addition, Dr. Tom
Smolinka and Loop Energy Chief Scientist, Dr. Sean Mackinnon will
present the technical results at Hannover Messe on April 17.
Requests for meetings at either event can be coordinated with Ethan
Hugh.
Loop Energy’s management team will share more details on its end
of year financial results call on March 30. Call details can be
found on Loop Energy’s website.
About Fraunhofer ISE
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, based in Germany, is the world's
leading organization for application-oriented research. With its
focus on key technologies of relevance to the future and on the
exploitation of results in business and industry, it plays a
central role in the innovation process. As a guide and stimulus for
innovative developments and scientific excellence, it helps shape
our society and our future. Founded in 1949, the organization
currently operates 76 institutes and research facilities in
Germany. More than 30,000 employees, most of them trained in the
natural sciences or engineering, produce the annual research volume
of 2.9 billion euros. Of this, 2.5 billion euros is spent on
contract research. Further information:
www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en
About Fraunhofer USA
Fraunhofer USA, Inc., a legally independent US affiliate founded
by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, is an R&D organization working with
industry, universities, and state and federal governments on
contract R&D projects. Fraunhofer is in the high-tech
problem-solving business and utilizes world class scientific and
engineering expertise to engage in complex R&D projects across
many different disciplines. Through Fraunhofer USA, U.S. clients
can connect to the 79 research units throughout the U.S. and
Germany with over 30,000 employees, predominantly scientists and
engineers. www.fraunhofer.org
About Loop Energy Inc.
Loop Energy is a leading designer and manufacturer of hydrogen
fuel cell systems targeted for the electrification of commercial
vehicles, including light commercial vehicles, transit buses and
medium and heavy-duty trucks. Loop Energy’s products feature the
company’s proprietary eFlow™ technology in the fuel cell stack’s
bipolar plates. eFlow is designed to enable commercial customers to
achieve performance maximization and cost minimization. Loop Energy
works with OEMs and major vehicle sub-system suppliers to enable
the production of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. For more
information about how Loop Energy is driving towards a
zero-emissions future, visit www.loopenergy.com.
Forward Looking Warning
This press release contains forward-looking information within
the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflect
management’s current expectations and projections regarding future
events. Particularly, statements regarding the Company’s
expectations of future results, performance, achievements,
prospects or opportunities or the markets in which we operate is
forward-looking information, including without limitation, purchase
orders, cost reduction, profitability and revenue targets; our
future growth prospects and business outlook including without
limitation the expected demand for our products, the allocation of
resources and funds, the expected timeline for profitability, the
planned growth of our customer base and the expected growth of our
operations globally. Forward-looking information is based on a
number of assumptions (including without limitation assumptions
with respect the current and future performance of the Company’s
products, growth in demand for the Company’s products, the
Company’s ability to execute on its strategy, achieve its targets
and progress existing and future customers through the Customer
Adoption Cycle in a timely way, and is subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control
and could cause actual results and events to vary materially from
those that are disclosed, or implied, by such forward-looking
information.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230306005095/en/
Loop Energy Investor Inquiries: Natalie Arseneau | Tel:
+1 604.222.3400 Ext. 418 | investors@loopenergy.com
Loop Energy Business Inquiries: George Rubin | Tel:
+1.604.828.8185 | grubin@loopenergy.com
Loop Energy Media Inquiries: Ethan Hugh | Tel: +1
604.306.4277| ethan.hugh@loopenergy.com Lucas Schmidt | Tel:
+1.778.791.8756 | lucas.schmidt@loopenergy.com
Fraunhofer ISE Inquiries: Dr. Tom Smolinka | Tel:
+49.761.4588.5212 | tom.smolinka@ise.fraunhofer.de Diana Bribach |
Tel: +49.761.4588.2804 | diana.bribach@ise.fraunhofer.de
Fraunhofer USA Inquiries: Elliott Sprehe | Tel:
+734.927.3984 | esprehe@fraunhofer.org
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