U.S. Department of Energy has issued a RFI on proposed technical and cost targets for fuel cells designed for portable power applications

Request for Information DE-FOA-0000373

Subject: Request for Information on performance, durability, and cost targets for fuel cells designed for portable power applications

Description: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from stakeholders and the research community on proposed technical and cost targets for fuel cells designed for portable power applications. Note that the intent of this RFI is to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to submit feedback on targets. This RFI is not and will not lead directly to a Funding Opportunity Announcement; therefore the DOE is not accepting applications at this time.

Program Manager / Area: Richard Farmer, Acting Program Manager / Fuel Cell Technologies (FCT) Program.

Background: The DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Program seeks to advance the development and deployment of fuel cells for power generation in a variety of stationary, portable, and transportation applications. In support of this goal, DOE funds a broad range of fuel cell research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities. A detailed description of the program, including technical and cost targets, can be found in the Multi-Year Research, Development and Demonstration Plan at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/mypp/pdfs/fuel_cells.pdf

Fuel cell systems with higher energy density, power density, and specific power than existing technologies for applications less than 250 W are one focus area of DOE’s RD&D activities. It is anticipated that portable power applications such as: battery chargers, consumer electronics, handheld terminals, unattended security devices, notebook PCs, and emergency response mobile communications will provide an early market for fuel cell technologies. A high-energy density alternative to existing technologies is required to fill the increasing gap between energy demand and energy supply for these applications.

DOE is currently working to identify appropriate technical and cost targets for fuel cells for portable power applications. The targets are driven by consumer expectations for the various applications rather than by the operating parameters or constraints of specific technologies. Targets are generally set with industry and market input and help drive the R&D required for improvements in materials, designs, and systems. The proposed targets included in this RFI were developed in a preliminary round of stakeholder input. Further stakeholder input is requested to refine the targets including input from manufacturers.

Purpose: The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback from stakeholders and the research community on proposed performance, durability, and cost targets for portable power fuel cell applications. The proposed targets are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. Responses to the RFI should address one or more of the following:

· Relevance of the proposed targets

· Appropriateness of target values

· Recommendations for testing conditions and protocols

· Adequacy of target table footnotes and/or need for additional supporting information

· Need for on-line and off-line durability targets or power cycling targets

· Recommendations for additional targets

· Status of fuel cell technologies in comparison to targets

· Potential R&D areas

· Total life cycle efficiency impact or emissions reduction potential (e.g. disposal issues, renewable fuels, etc.)

Table 1. Proposed performance, durability, and cost targets for fuel cell systems for portable power applications under 2 W (e.g. portable chargers).

	Units	Estimated 2009 Status	2011	2013
Specific Power[1]	W/kg	3	5	10
Power Density¹	W/L	5	7	15
Energy Density[2]	Wh/L	140	200	300
Cost[3]	$/system	150	125	100
Durability[4]	hours	2000	3500	5000

Table 2. Proposed performance, durability, and cost targets for fuel cell systems for portable power applications between 2 W and 25 W (e.g. portable media players).

	Units	Estimated 2009 Status	2011	2013
Specific Power¹	W/kg	14	25	50
Power Density¹	W/L	13	25	50
Energy Density2	Wh/L	200	400	700
Cost3	$/W	11	10	6
Durability4	hours	900	3500	5000

Table 3. Proposed performance, durability, and cost targets for fuel cell systems for portable power applications between 25 W and 250 W (e.g. laptop computers and outdoor recreational power supplies).

	Units	Estimated 2009 Status	2011	2013
Specific Power¹	W/kg	25	40	50
Power Density¹	W/L	14	70	100
Energy Density2	Wh/L	440	650	1000
Cost3	$/W	20	6	3
Durability4	hours	2000	3500	5000

RFI Guidelines: Comments in response to this RFI must be provided as an attachment to an e-mail message addressed to PPfuelcells@go.doe.gov. All responses to this RFI must be delivered electronically to the aforementioned e-mail address using Microsoft Word (.doc) format. DOE would prefer that responses to this RFI be no more than 5 pages in length excluding tables of proposed targets. Target recommendations should be formatted into tables similar to the ones in this RFI and all fields in the tables should be populated. If a respondent chooses not to provide a recommendation for a target, the text “No Recommendation” or “NR” should be entered in the appropriate field. If a respondent agrees with a proposed target value, the target value should be reproduced in the appropriate field. Targets should represent values required to meet consumer expectations and enable fuel cell commercialization, and should not reflect the abilities or limitations of a particular technology.

Respondents are encouraged to provide current status information along with target suggestions. Proprietary or confidential information is not solicited; however, if provided, it should be clearly marked as such. DOE will not reimburse costs associated with preparing any documents for this RFI. Note that the intent of this RFI is to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to submit feedback on targets. The RFI will not lead directly to a Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Questions regarding the content of the RFI must be submitted through the FedConnect portal. You must register with FedConnect to submit questions and to receive responses to questions. It is recommended that you register as soon after release of the RFI as possible to have the benefit of all responses. More information is available at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/PublicPages/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf. DOE will try to respond to a question within 3 business days, unless a similar question and answer have already been distributed.