Pedego Electric Bikes and SiGNa Chemistry Demonstrate Battery-Fuel Cell Solution for Electric Bicycles
26 September 2010
Pedego Electric Bikes and SiGNa Chemistry have developed an ultra-high-performance range extender for electric bicycles. The battery-fuel cell hybrid system is compatible with all existing Pedego bicycles and batteries.
For every 1.5 lbs. of weight a rider carries, an additional 700 watt-hours of energy is available (compared to ~350 watt-hours for an ultra-high performance lithium-polymer battery at a weight of 7 lbs.). The Pedego – SiGNa hybrid system utilizes the battery for peak conditions such as acceleration and hill climbing, while the fuel cell extends the operating range of a Pedego bicycle by more than 40 miles (64 km) for each additional cartridge.
Riders can carry additional cartridges which are real-time hot-swappable. A key innovation is the use of sodium silicide to liberate hydrogen from water as needed by the hybrid fuel cell. (Earlier post.) This process happens at a very low pressure of less than 30 psi.
SiGNa Chemistry, Inc., a green chemical technology company, has developed a suite of heterogeneous reagents and catalysts that make reactive metals more efficient, safer, and cost effective. These products are fundamental components used for general synthesis in the pharmaceutical, petrochemical, specialty chemical and environmental remediation industries as well as provide the ability to enable portable fuel cells by producing pure low-pressure hydrogen gas on demand from a safe, stable dry powder at room temperature.
Strangely there are no illustrations of just what this FC looks like and how it resides on a bicycle. But the chemistry is interesting. Sounds like their spent slurry is a harmless metal silicate which can be recycled.
The key to these on-demand reactive H2 systems is to make a "hot swappable" cartridge. This system claims to have done that and we'd be very interested to see a video demo of it in operation.
The SiGNa site says, "Produces more than 9 wt.% hydrogen upon reaction with water." Not really a lot considering H2 volumetric energy. But enough apparently for this range extender function. Next steps please.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 26 September 2010 at 10:44 AM
I ride some e-zip 450 watt bikes that a local Walmart closed-out for $200 each. The 14 pound LA battery pack has 24v X 10Ah = 240 watt hrs -> 17 watt hr/lb.
If true and affordable, a 700 watt hr/1.5lb fuel cell = 467 watt hr/lb -> a game changer.
Posted by: kelly | 26 September 2010 at 11:00 AM
This combo should up scalable to produce enough energy for an ultra light small city car. If so, it may become another alternative to ICE units..
Posted by: HarveyD | 26 September 2010 at 03:43 PM
I have an e-zip, they are great fun, but the range and weight are an issue. Get one that weighs less, goes farther and does not cost much and they would sell.
Posted by: SJC | 26 September 2010 at 07:54 PM
This system is intriguing. For years we have watched the FC developers fool around with Na Borohydride and its attendant slurry problems. It appears these guys have a better chemistry with less volatile waste. BUT, strapping in to an FC like the Trulite FCS 300 and mounting that on a bicycle??
The Trulite retail unit weighs 24 pounds! Granted you can remove some power electronics to lower size and weight but we have yet to see the generator/FC package.
Still, there are other ways to dissociate water.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 27 September 2010 at 05:44 PM
The SLAs on the e-zip weight 24 pounds and there is a place for two of them. The same capacity with lithium might be 7 pounds and then 24 pounds for the FC and fuel is not bad when it increases range a lot.
Posted by: SJC | 27 September 2010 at 09:38 PM
The fuel cell system as demonstrated at Interbike was 11 lbs. It mounted directly on top of the existing battery using the same mount as if you added a second battery. Many electric bicycles in the industry have this type of battery mount. The fuel cell will also be available with a bracket to mount on common racks. The actual fuel cell weight will be less than 6 lbs. We are seeking established OEMs as beta customers for trials in mid-2011. Please contact us at www.signachem.com Thank you for your interest! Andy Wallace with SiGNa Chemistry
Posted by: Andrew Wallace | 01 October 2010 at 09:16 AM