Fuel Cells

The program aims at supporting the development of innovative electric vehicle (EV) solutions like extending range through battery capacity improvements, and battery management, fast charging infrastructure, and mobile charging solutions for emergencies. Two startups shall be supported each year with up to INR 80 lakh each to complete proof of concept and develop prototypes. 

October 31 is the last date to submit proposals for developing economically viable energy storage solutions that can be integrated with appropriate renewable energy sources to provide an uninterrupted power supply for rural households and enterprises.

Indian scientists have developed a low-cost electrocatalyst based on iron, manganese and N-doped carbon derived from fish gills (Fe/Mn/N-FGC) that increased the performance of a homemade rechargeable zinc-air battery when used as the air cathode. The Fe/Mn/N-FGC cathode based battery achieved open-circuit voltage of 1.41 V and a large power density of 220 mW/cm2 at 260 mA/cm2 current density—compared to commercial platinum/carbon based battery’s 1.40 V and 158 mW/cm2—with almost stable charge-discharge voltage plateaus at high current density. 

Fuel cell systems provide sustainable electricity using hydrogen gas without the need of grid power as required by conventional battery backup systems, making them highly useful for applications like Emergency Operation Centres which need to respond immediately during an emergency situation with state-of-the-art communication systems.

German coach company planning start-up Flixbus will test hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on long-distance routes.

The 5.0 KW fuel cell system—developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in partnership with Thermax Limited and Reliance Industries Limited—achieves greater than 70% efficiency, which otherwise may not be possible with other energy sources.