ARCI develops PEMFC system for Disaster Management

The International Advanced Research for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad has developed a fuel cell technology called Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The ARCI, Hyderabad is an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST). It has developed an in-house PEMFC systems in the power range of 1 to 20 kiloWatt (kW) for Disaster Management.

About Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells

The Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells has been developed by ARCI in the power range of 1 to 20 kiloWatt (kW). The in-house PEMFC system has operational capability at low-temperatures with applications in decentralised power generation systems. It has been observed that when an Emergency Operation Centres (EOC) would be backed with 10 kW system along with fuel cell stack, air moving sub systems, power control devices and control and monitoring system will perform as a natural disaster management measure. This system backing EOC is expected to provide immediate support during the Golden Hour of the disaster. The Fuel cell systems provides sustainable electricity using hydrogen gas without the need of grid power as required by conventional battery backup systems.