Emerging DMFC Power

The scope of the project is to develop, design and construct a 1-kW direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) unit for back-up power, auxiliary power and micro combined heat and power solutions, and to demonstrate this system by long-term application in an end-user environment. This will be important steps in the provision of a DMFC solution, which is ready for the commercial market as an alternative to existing product types, offering the benefits of clean energy, no noise and high efficiency, together with the conveniences of a liquid fuel. The project consortium consists of the fuel-cell research and development company IRD, which is the project owner; DGC, which has great knowhow within emissions and certifications; and the utility company TRE-FOR, which is the end user of the product. The initial market for the DMFC unit is as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) within IT/telecom. The size of the target market segment exceeds 1,000 units in Denmark, and in the US the total telecom back-up market is upwards of USD 2 billion/yr. Getting established in this market constitutes a huge opportunity for the consortium and Denmark, and this project will enable IRD and partners to be among the first-movers in the DMFC market