RCS - AFC Energy Plc - Launch of new facility

AFC EnergyAnnouncement

25/02/2021 07:00

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RNS Number : 2631Q  AFC Energy Plc  25 February 2021

Reach - This is a non-regulatory announcement.

25 February 2021

AFC Energy PLC

("AFC Energy" or the "Company")

Launch of World-Class Anion Exchange Membrane Hydrogen Fuel Cell Test Facility

AFC Energy (AIM: AFC), a leading provider of hydrogen power generation
technologies, is pleased to announce the launch of its dedicated Anion
Exchange Membrane (AEM) Fuel Cell test facility hosted at the Company's Surrey
headquarters in the United Kingdom.

Highlights

·      AFC Energy's high energy-dense fuel cell technology,
HydroX-Cell(S), has been strengthened by the launch of a world class AEM fuel
cell testing and diagnostic facility in the UK.

 

·      Design of the new dedicated AEM fuel cell facility was completed
in the second half of 2020 with full fit out now complete in advance of full
operation.

 

·      The "S" Series AEM hydrogen fuel cell, once complete, will create
the option for heavy motive applications to deploy alkaline chemistry fuel
cells in marine, rail and other heavy motive applications, with cost benefits
derived particularly from low capital cost and fuel flexibility.

 

·      The AEM facility will enhance the timely feedback in performance
of the AlkaMem® anion exchange membrane in fuel cell applications, further
enhancing our development of the membrane for use in other markets.

 

·      The new facility will also support AFC Energy's work in the
integration of an in-house developed anionic conducting ionomer within the AEM
electrode which offers higher ion exchange capacity, and therefore improved
fuel cell performance.

 

·      Pilot fabrication processes for the production of Membrane
Electrode Assemblies (MEA) are now fully established within AFC Energy and the
fabrication method enables consistent MEA production.

 

·      These advancements support the "S" Series Fuel Cell technology
remaining on target for initial release in late 2022.

 

AFC Energy has continued to make positive steps along its roadmap to release
of a pre commercial prototype of its new, high power density
HydroX-Cell(S)(TM) fuel cell system.  AFC Energy has maintained the
progress in the development of its AlkaMem(TM) anion exchange membrane during
Q3 / Q4 2020 despite some challenges arising due to impacts caused by the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the June 2020 update the Company's has designed and today launches its
new HydroX-Cell(S)(TM) Fuel Cell research facility to support the rapid work
scheduled to meet our development plans.

Initial design work has concluded on the stack design for the "S" Series AEM
fuel cell based upon our scaled up MEA. Final build of this unit will be
completed in April and will provide the set-up needed to validate the design
criteria for the modular 10 kW HydroX-Cell(S)(TM) fuel cell stack. The
Company has stated its plans to release early commercial scale
HydroX-Cell(S)(TM) stacks to the market in late 2022 and remains on track to
achieve this timeline.

The work being undertaken on AlkaMem has been equally pleasing in terms of
the developments made; whether in relation to enhancing membrane mechanical
strength, improving the performance and stability of our ionomer, meeting the
challenge of producing consistent MEAs or tuning the preparation steps to
enable a range of membrane thicknesses to be offered. These developments by
the team have maintained the pace needed to achieve our end objectives.

Adam Bond, Chief Executive Officer of AFC Energy, said:

"Our new world class AEM hydrogen fuel cell research facility cements AFC
Energy at the cutting edge of arguably the world's most promising, low cost,
high energy dense fuel cell technology.  We continue to believe this platform
will compete head on with incumbent high energy dense fuel cells in the market
today such as PEM technologies both on cost and performance, but with all the
benefits of our proprietary alkaline chemistry."

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

 AFC Energy plc                                                     +44 (0) 14 8327 6726

 Adam Bond (Chief Executive Officer)

 Iain Thomson (Head of Communications and Stakeholder Management)

                                                                    +44 (0) 7900 205 460

 Tuva Partners - Public Relations

 Alex Brooks

About AFC Energy plc

AFC Energy plc is commercialising a scalable alkaline fuel cell system, to
provide clean electricity for on and off grid applications. The technology,
pioneered over the past twelve years in the UK, is now deployable in electric
vehicle chargers, off-grid decentralised power systems and industrial gas
plants as part of a portfolio approach to the decarbonisation of local
electricity needs.

 

 

 

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