DOE Awards Contract For Fuel Cell Development To Delphi Automotive And Battelle Team.(Brief Article)

Delphi Automotive Systems and Battelle have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive a 10-year, $74.6 million cost-share contract from the DOE to assist in the further development of solid oxide fuel cell technology. The announcement was made by Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham.

According to the DOE, exact cost sharing and other terms of the agreement will be negotiated over the next several weeks. Delphi, in cooperation with Battelle Columbus Operations, has submitted a joint proposal to the DOE for a 10-year project to develop cost-effective solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems.

The team approach combines Delphi's systems integration engineering capability, manufacturing expertise, and access to automotive and related markets with Battelle's internationally recognized experience in solid oxide fuel cell and microsystem technologies, and knowledge of the energy markets.

"We're very excited that the Department of Energy selected our proposal for the further development of fuel cell technology," said Guy C. Hachey, president, Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems. "We strongly believe in the potential of this technology and are focused through this project to solve issues that will help usher fuel cell power into the mainstream. This cost- sharing contract will allow Delphi to continue to build upon our previously announced work on solid oxide fuel cells."

Delphi and Battelle received one of four cost-sharing contracts awarded by the DOE, each focused on differing developmental areas for fuel cells and totaling $271 million.

Delphi and Battelle's project is aimed at developing and testing a solid oxide design that can be mass produced at a low cost for automotive and truck auxiliary power units, distributed power generation and military markets. The project will be based on a 5-kilowatt system that is adapted to operate on a variety of fuels.

"We believe that the technology of SOFC is advancing to the point of permitting the development of products with the performance required for both automotive and distributed power applications," says Jeff Colwell, deputy general manager, Battelle Automotive Technology. "We are pleased that the DOE program will accelerate the development of commercially viable systems in the next decade."

Print Get the Mag Weekly Updates