The FELICITAS project was focused on developing Fuel Cell (FC) technologies capable of meeting the demands of Heavy-Duty Transport for road, rail and marine applications.
FELICITAS concentrated on two FC technologies most suitable for Heavy-Duty Transport applications: Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFC) and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC).
The objective defined for FELICITAS was the development of fuel cell drive trains capable to meet the demands of heavy-duty transport for road, rail and marine applications. To achieve these objectives the following parameters were chosen:
- Powerful units of more than 200kW electrical output.
- High reliability and long system durability – >10 000 hours operation time.
- High system efficiency > 60%.
- Operating with different hydrocarbon fuels as well as hydrogen.
FELICITAS focused on:
– SOFC technology – given its comparative immaturity appraisal and feasibility of the technology rather than demonstration in real applications,
– Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology – began demonstration on a larger scale to be feasible for powering passenger and heavy-duty vehicles such as inner city buses, but degradation mechanisms in operation and durable system technologies were required.