GM to broaden electrification using hydrogen

General Motors has announced new commercial applications of its Hydrotec fuel cell technology, including a mobile power generator (MPG) for EV fast charging.

Hydrotec projects under development, from heavy-duty trucks to aerospace and locomotives, are being planned for use beyond vehicles for power generation using GM’s Generation 2 Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes.

These include an MPG to provide fast-charge capability for EVs without installing permanent charge points, an Empower rapid charger to help retail fuel stations add affordable DC fast charging without expanding the grid, and a palletised MPG to quietly and efficiently power military camps and installations.

The Empower rapid charger, powered by eight GM Hydrotec power cubes, consumes hydrogen from internal tanks and can DC fast charge as many as four vehicles simultaneously starting at 150kW, estimated to fully charge them in 20 minutes. More than 100 EVs can potentially be charged by the Eempower rapid charger before the unit would need to be resupplied with hydrogen.

Renewable Innovations plans to deploy 500 Empoer rapid chargers across the US by the end of 2025.

These fuel cell generators could ultimately replace gas and diesel-burning generators with fewer emissions at worksites, buildings, movie sets, data centres, outdoor concerts and festivals, GM says. They could also back up or temporarily replace grid-sourced electricity for residential and small commercial enterprises during power disruption.

The power generators range from 60kW to 600kW output, along with low noise and heat signatures.

“Our vision of an all-electric future is broader than just passenger vehicles or even transportation,” GM’s Hydrotec executive director Charlie Freese says.

“Our energy platform expertise with Ultium vehicle architectures and propulsion components and Hydrotec fuel cells can expand access to energy across many different industries and users, while helping to reduce emissions often associated with power generation.”

GM is supplying Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes to Renewable Innovations of Lindon, Utah to build the MPG.

A demonstration of the technology as an EV mobile charging station, funded in part by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Centre, is expected in mid-2022.

The California Energy Commission is funding a separate demonstration of four additional MPGs through its Mobile Renewable Backup Generation Systems program to show how hydrogen-based mobile power can help offset the loss of energy during planned power shutoffs used to mitigate wildfires throughout the state.

This demonstration is being led by the Electric Power Research Institute – an independent, non-profit energy research and development organisation – collaborating with stakeholders like GM and Renewable Innovations to help ensure the public has safe, reliable, affordable and equitable access to hydrogen-generated electricity.