Cal State LA and RockeTruck Collaboration on Portable Hydrogen-Powered Generator Expansion
Key Ideas
- Cal State LA and RockeTruck partner to develop portable hydrogen fuel cell generators for clean electric power during emergencies.
- The project, funded by a $345,000 grant from the U.S. DOE, aims to enhance the existing Mobile Fuel Cell Generator system.
- Phase II will focus on creating a smaller, more portable version called MFCG Mini for backup power in hydrogen fueling stations.
- The collaboration between academia and industry is crucial for advancing clean energy solutions and benefiting communities.
Cal State LA has joined forces with RockeTruck, Inc. to work on a cutting-edge project aimed at developing a portable fuel cell generator that runs on hydrogen. This collaboration is part of a larger grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Technology Transfer program. The project, led by David Blekhman, focuses on deploying mobile hydrogen-powered generators during power outages or disasters. The first prototype, a Mobile Fuel Cell Generator, was designed to produce clean electricity using hydrogen. Now, in Phase II, the team will work on creating a smaller, more efficient version, known as the MFCG Mini, which will be able to fit into the bed of a pickup truck. This innovative solution aims to provide backup power to hydrogen fueling stations in case of grid power failures. The collaboration between Cal State LA and RockeTruck highlights the importance of academic-industry partnerships in driving forward renewable energy technologies. The project's ultimate goal is to contribute to building a better grid that can meet the increasing demand for electricity while providing clean, reliable, and secure power to communities, including those in disadvantaged areas.