EKPO's Contribution to Europe's Spaceport: Hydrogen-based Power Generation
Key Ideas
- EKPO collaborates with MITIS to deliver fuel cell stacks for a hydrogen-based power generation system at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
- The HYGUANE project aims to replace fossil fuel generators with low carbon technology, providing renewable energy for space propulsion and mobility applications.
- The fuel cell systems developed by MITIS and EKPO will have an initial output of up to 150 kWel, with plans for further systems totaling 1 MWel in the long term.
- The project represents a step towards a pioneering, climate-friendly, and decentralized power generation system with wide-ranging applications.
EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH from Dettingen/Erms, Germany, has delivered fuel cell stacks to Belgian system integrator MITIS SA as part of the HYGUANE project. This project aims to produce renewable and low-carbon hydrogen through water electrolysis powered by a solar farm. The hydrogen will be used to fuel various applications, including Ariane 6, H2 vehicles, and power generators at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. EKPO's fuel cell stacks, such as the NM5-evo and NM12, form the core of the fuel cell systems developed by MITIS. The collaboration targets the replacement of fossil fuel generators with highly efficient low carbon technology, contributing to a climate-neutral power infrastructure in the stationary sector. The planned system output is up to 150 kWel initially, with future plans for systems totaling 1 MWel. This initiative is a significant step towards achieving substantial emissions reductions and promoting a decentralized power generation system that can be applied beyond the project's scope.