GenCell launches grid-independent hydrogen EV charging solution EVOX
16 September 2022
Israel-based GenCell Energy, a provider of hydrogen and ammonia to power fuel cell solutions, launched GenCell EVOX, a new off-grid EV charging solution that leverages alkaline fuel cells, hydrogen and ammonia to power technologies. The solution has been designed to resolve range anxiety and grid limitations by generating green, grid-independent, on-site power that can charge EVs anytime, anywhere.
As EVs consume a growing amount of electricity, and forecasts point to an enormous increase in the number of EVs entering the vehicle pool each year, the demand for electricity is expected to increase. Meeting these increased demands for electricity is already placing significant financial and logistical stress on power grids; developing the necessary electrical infrastructure to accommodate this demand will involve highly expensive investment of time and financial resources.
The GenCell EVOX solution, which is currently in deployment to deliver EV charging services to several commercial parking projects in Israel, helps overcome this shortage of electricity and grid stress, both in remote locations where transmission infrastructure is lacking as well as in densely populated areas where the demand for a large quantity of EVs puts high pressure on the grid.
The GenCell EVOX solution can service up to 10 75kW DC fast chargers. Leveraging the proven hydrogen-based fuel cell technology used in the GenCell BOX with up to 920 kWh stored as hydrogen together with a 372 – 500kWh energy storage device, each GenCell EVOX solution generates a reliable, uninterrupted flow of power in any weather conditions to ensure that the charging station has sufficient power to charge vehicles visiting the station at any time.
In the case of hybrid charging stations combining multiple power resources for optimal cost, efficiency and performance, GenCell’s energy management software monitors and manages the use of different resources at different times to optimize the charging operations.
Each charging solution has the power to charge dozens of EVs per day at DC power rates of between 50kW to 150kW, typically enabling each vehicle to reach a charge of 80% energy capacity within 12 – 30 minutes anywhere, anytime, independent of the grid.
The official launch of GenCell EVOX follows the deployment of GenCell’s first off-grid EV charging stations in June 2022, implemented with E.V. Motors Pure Energy the EV charging subsidiary of E.V. Motors Ltd., at key locations across Israel’s roadways in a deal valued at US$5 million.
Those who have consistently opposed fuel cell technology as not as 'pure' as batteries and so on are really going to get their knickers in a twist about needing fuel cells to provide the power for EVs in many locations, and especially for fast charging.
Posted by: Davemart | 16 September 2022 at 11:09 AM
This would make even more sense if they used the NH3 for refrigeration in the convenience stores next to the EV chargers.
Posted by: Gryf | 16 September 2022 at 02:51 PM
@Gryf:
One imagines that once they have the basic system up and running they will be able to install frills to make it even better.
Although it would not itself need grid connection to function, it could also provide valuable emergency peak load power to others if it was chosen in some locations to tie it in.
Posted by: Davemart | 17 September 2022 at 01:51 AM
Hey Gryf
If you have time, do have a look at this thread, and in particular the links I give there to the use of ammonia as an energy vector, in the context of shipping, but many of the considerations especially toxicity and energy efficiencies will apply more widely:
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2022/09/20220915-topsoe-1.html
as the figures and analyses given will mean a great deal more to you than I.
Its even more widespread use than currently, and in particular its use in combustion engines, seems to be a bit tricky, and as a fuel or energy vector certainly needs handling with a great deal of respect, more so than some alternatives, although they have their own drawbacks, in particular for instance methanol which releases CO2.
Posted by: Davemart | 17 September 2022 at 02:01 AM
Davemart:
Thanks for the link.
The Solid Oxide FC may be the best combination. A Solar powered EV Charging station and Convenience store with an rSOEC + NH3 Energy Store + NH3 Refrigeration would supply HVAC, freezers and refrigerated cases at high efficiency.
This is already being done for supermarkets, so just scale down a little.
https://www.cleanegroup.org/fuel-cells-for-supermarkets/
https://www.bloomenergy.com/news/stop-shop-to-convert-40-stores-to-bloom-energy-alwayson-microgrids-to-better-serve-customers-during-severe-weather-and-power-outages/
Posted by: Gryf | 17 September 2022 at 08:11 AM
The GenCell EVOX is also a good solution to my concept. This is an Alkaline FC which according to the web site is reaching up to 60% efficiency (up to 87% combined heat and power).
Posted by: Gryf | 17 September 2022 at 08:53 AM
Yeah, the possibility of utilising 'waste' heat is often overlooked by those seeking to make a point about alleged inefficiency of systems using liquid fuels and hydrogen.
Not only are those sorts of combined efficiencies possible, they are routinely hit by for instance hundreds of thousands of home fuel cells installed in Japan over the last decade or so to provide both electricity and hot water.
Posted by: Davemart | 17 September 2022 at 10:00 AM
Here is progress in non-precious metal alkaline electrolysis:
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2022/ee/d2ee01922a?page=search
Posted by: Davemart | 17 September 2022 at 10:28 AM
I love the Hydrogen Cars concept and your article brings a lot of new info about it.
https://www.facebook.com/hydrogencar
Posted by: VRGameShop | 18 September 2022 at 03:16 PM