Electrochemical Approaches to Modular Power Generation Workshop
ARPA-E hosted a workshop entitled “Electrochemical Approaches to Modular Power Generation” on Thursday, June 6, 2013 and Friday, June 7, 2013 in Chicago, IL.
The purpose of the workshop was for ARPA-E to gather input from a diverse range of experts as it considers the creation of a program around technology advances required to increase performance and reduce cost of electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells for power generation in both stationary distributed generation and transportation (fuel cell vehicles) environments. Current ARPA-E thinking is that an intermediate temperature operating range, such as 200 – 500oC, could overcome persistent challenges with low temperature proton exchange membranes (PEM) and high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). ARPA-E will not consider material systems that overlap with other Department of Energy programs, such as Nafion and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The focus will be new materials and device designs that reduce both material and system costs. Specific technical areas of discussion will include:
- Intermediate temperature electrolytes and electrodes
- Novel reforming concepts for the direct conversion of natural gas and/or gasoline
- Hybrid devices such as: combined fuel cell & hydrogen storage, hybrid fuel cell and combustion systems, reversible fuel cells, etc.
- Scalable manufacturing techniques that could enable economical fuel cells at smaller production volumes
Proceedings and workshop slides from the meeting are presented below. View the workshop agenda (pdf).
Day 1:
Thursday, June 6, 2013
11:00 – 12:00 PM
Arrival
Registration, informal discussions
12:00 – 12:15
Lunch, Introductory Presentations
Eric Rohlfing
ARPA-E
12:15 – 1:00
Technology vision, workshop overview
John Lemmon
ARPA-E
1:00 – 1:30
Distributed Generation & Vehicles Overviews
Distributed Generation Applications
Rick Fioravanti
DNV KEMA
1:30 – 1:45
Modular Power Needs for the Military
MAJ Brandon Newell
US Marine Corps
1:45 – 2:00
Logan Grizzel
Toyota
2:00 – 2:10
Prep for Breakout Sessions
Breakout session instructions and guidance
John Lemmon
ARPA-E
2:10 – 2:30
Coffee break
2:30 – 5:00
Parallel Breakout Sessions
Potential Applications for Fuel Cells and Other Electrochemical Devices
Sessions will focus on distributed generation (DG), vehicle, and military applications
6:00 – 7:30
Informal Discussions
Elephant & Castle Pub, ground floor: John Lemmon and ARPA-E staff will be available to discuss ideas with attendees
7:30 - Onward
Dinner
Several group reservations will be made for nearby restaurants, and signup sheets will be available at registration.
Day 2:
Friday, June 7, 2013
7:30 – 8:00 AM
Breakfast, Recap of Day 1
Breakfast
8:00 – 8:20
Recap of Day 1 and first breakout sessions
John Lemmon
ARPA-E
8:20 – 8:30
Novel Technology Ideas
Inorganic Materials for IT Fuel Cells
Eric Wachsman
Univ. Maryland
8:30 – 8:40
New Approaches to C/H Bond Activation
Vy Dong
UC-Irvine
8:40 – 8:50
IT Catalysts and Solid Acid Electrolytes
Calum Chisolm
SAFCell
8:50 – 9:00
New Fuel Cell Manufacturing Ideas
Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh
Fuel Cell Energy
9:00 – 9:10
Prep for Breakout Sessions
Breakout session instructions and guidance
John Lemmon
ARPA-E
9:10 – 9:30
Coffee break
9:30 – 11:30
Parallel Breakout Sessions
Technology-Specific Discussion
Sessions will focus on materials, fuel processing, manufacturing, and hybrid electrochemical systems.
Fuel Processing ReadoutHybrid Readout
Manufacturing Readout
Materials Readout
11:30 – 12:00 PM
Readouts
ARPA-E Program Directors give brief recaps of each breakout session
12:00 – 12:15
Concluding Remarks
Workshop recap and next steps
John Lemmon
ARPA-E