The Queen’s – RMC Fuel Cell Research Centre (FCRC), located in Innovation Park, is Canada’s leading university-based centre for research critical to the commercialization of Fuel Cell applications.
Nearly 50 researchers are involved in efforts focused on the improvement of materials, design, manufacturing processes, and cost. The FCRC is internationally recognized and is engaged in international and commercial collaborations. Recently, for example, it displayed a 600 W compact-fuel reformer at the Auto Parts Manufacturer’s Association’s annual conference and is exploring research collaborations on fuel cell powered vehicles and their associated value chains. Some technology which was spun off from the centre is owned by Acumentrics Canada, a division of Acumentrics Corporation that is located in Innovation Park.
There are a wide variety of fuel cells for use in very diverse applications (Proton Exchange Membrane, Solid Oxide, Molten Carbonate Direct Fuel, Direct methanol). Most fuel cells are in the beginning stages of commercialization. Commercialization still remains challenging. Performance (start-up, shutdown, load variability), reliability (dangerous electrolytes, sensitivity to fuel contaminants, manufacturing), and durability must be improved and the cost (platinum electrodes or requirements to deal with high temperatures) must be reduced before they can compete with existing technology (except in special situations where you need more power than batteries can provide and you are in a special environment like a space-craft or enclosed spaces that must be kept clean).
High-profile projects: low-carbon hydrogen supply (reduce greenhouse gas emissions), zero-emissions fuel-cell transit, 1MW Enbridge natural gas turbine- molten carbonate fuel cell demonstration project in Toronto.
People: Brant Peppley, Director; Kunal Karan, Associate Director; Jon G. Pharaoh, Associate Director
