The first customers will evaluate the products during extended field tests in the areas of traffic systems, remote sensor applications, camping and outdoor equipment. Production capacity for 2002 is 1,000 units. From mid-2002 on, the system will be obtainable on order for additional customers.
This start-up of the production facility again demonstrates SFC's leading position in commercializing DMFC systems. Further-more, it indicates once again that commercialization of fuel cell systems starts in the portable sector.
The team around SFC founder and CEO Manfred Stefener is the first to realize the process of converting methanol directly into electricity, and to translate this into a complete miniaturized product.
SFC obtains the necessary components from its world-wide network of suppliers and development partners. In the production facility in Brunnthal near Munich, the system is finally assembled, equipped with the fuel tank and tested.
Many applications in the areas of traffic systems, remote sensors, camping and outdoor equipment.
Manfred Stefener: "We are following two parallel approaches. We keep on miniaturizing our systems for small applications like laptop computers and camcorders. At the same time, we launch our present technology generation in markets where we can already provide remarkable customer benefit. Our first product is the ideal power supply solution for mobile traffic lights, remote sensors, camping and outdoor equipment and other grid-independent applications."
The product is equipped with an exchangeable fuel tank that provides 2.5 kWh of electric energy at up to 100 W power output. Dr Jens Müller, Director Research and Development: "This system operates from sub-zero temperatures up to 40° C and thus makes a perfect stand-alone power supply in many remote situations." Furthermore, SFC's products reduce the high operation and maintenance costs associated with today's batteries: spare batteries, replacement batteries, and chargers are obsolete. The SFC fuel tank can be replaced within a few seconds, even during operation. The dream of a fuel cell concept "liquid fuel in - electricity out" has become true.