AFC Energy receives €6m for alkaline fuel cell energy generation system in UK

UK-based developer of low-cost alkaline fuel cell technology AFC Energy in partnership with Industrial Chemicals have been awarded a European Union grant of €6m for the installation of the largest alkaline fuel cell energy generation system in Essex.

AFC Energy's low cost alkaline fuel cell system will be installed in stages at the ICL's chlor-alkaline chemical plant and is expected to generate about 1MWe of power per annum.

Commenting on the developments AFC Energy chief executive officer Ian Williamson said, "The intended fuel cell installation at ICL will act as a showcase for the economic and environmental benefits of AFC Energy's alkaline fuel cell."

Hydrogen is produced as a waste by-product in ICL's chlor-alkali process and will be used to generate power using AFC Energy's fuel cell system.

The chlor-alkali plant will manufacture chlorine and caustic soda, which can be used in household cleaning products, detergents and water treatment.

The grant is being funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, through the EU's Seventh Framework Program.

This will provide AFC Energy, ICL and their European project partners with about four years' financial support for the project.