Grant: Research Networks

Fuel Cells efficiently and cleanly generate electrical power through the electrochemical oxidation of fuels. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are high temperature ceramic systems that offer significant advantages over other power sources, including the more well-known low temperature PEM Fuel Cells. SOFCs have ~80% energy conversion efficiencies when both heat and power are used, can operate on a range of existing fuels, and have lower environmental footprints than traditional combustion based power generating systems. Therefore, there is a large, world-wide incipient market demand for SOFCs for power generation to meet residential, institutional, industrial, and remote requirements, and to serve as the key technology platform for distributed power generation using a variety of Canadian fuels. However, current SOFCs do not yet meet many of the current specifications for commercial exploitation largely due to cost and durability issues. SOFC Canada was established to foster SOFC R&D and commercialization activities in Canada. It encompasses leading scientists and engineers at Canadian universities, government labs, and industry along the full SOFC supply chain. The technical focus is on two highly promising ""made in Canada"" platforms: low temperature, metal-supported, planar technology and high performance microtubular SOFCs. Specific research goals are to reduce the cost of SOFC manufacture, to improve fuel tolerance (using natural gas and diesel), and to substantially increase their lifetimes and ability to sustain cyclical operation. Achievement of these goals will significantly enhance the development of viable commercial products. NSERC Network funding to SOFCC will serve to facilitate this highly collaborative research effort with clear objectives. The synergy of this pan-Canadian group will constitute a force comparable to those active in other countries and generate many highly trained personnel. Technologies developed by the Network will be advanced to the point of commercial deployment over the 5 year life of the NSERC project. Our industrial partners will have the ability to acquire and apply this intellectual property to commercial products based on Canadian technology.