Fuel Cell Testing, Safety & Quality Assurance (FCTESQA)

Fuel cell technology is competing with several other energy conversion technologies currently in use today. Over the past ten years, fuel cells have become the leading technology for hydrogen utilisation as an energy carrier. With fuel cell development underway worldwide, there is a tendency for diverse methodologies to be used. In order to make comparisons between the various kinds of fuel cells and the results obtained under different boundary and operation conditions, it is important to have testing procedures, measurement methods, and test protocols harmonised. Also, common and agreed-upon system parameters, for example, system efficiency, power density, dynamic behaviour, and durability are indispensable for rating and validating improvements in fuel cell technologies thereby contributing to the early and market-oriented development of specifications and pre-standards. Eventually, the experimentally validated and benchmarked procedures, methods, and protocols will be cast in international standards. The Specific Targeted Research Project Fuel Cell Testing, Safety & Quality Assurance (FCTESQA) funded by the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6) of the European Union addresses these issues through international cooperation. The project partners perform pre-normative research, benchmarking, and validation through round robin testing of harmonised, industry wide test protocols and testing methodologies for fuel cells. Three types of fuel cells: polymer electrolyte (PEFC), solid oxide (SOFC) and molten carbonate (MCFC) in stationary applications are tested in world class laboratories. For the first time, internationally agreed harmonised test procedures previously developed and compiled by the predecessor FCTESTNET project (FP5 Research Training Network Fuel Cell Testing and Standardisation) are used to validate and benchmark them at three levels: single cells, fuel cell stacks, and entire systems. The project results are discussed, debated and agreed in co-operative progress meetings and dedicated international workshops under the auspices of the International Partnership for the hydrogen Economy (IPHE) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). It will support to minimise the gap between individual and independent management decision-making within companies and research groups and the outcome and experience of different research activities worldwide with harmonised, validated, and benchmarked procedures following accepted international quality practices.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energ