Helion Hydrogen Power Delivers One of Most Advanced Fuel Cell Systems to French University-CNRS Lab

HELION Hydrogen Power, a French fuel cell manufacturer, will  deliver the latest generation of its containerized FC-RackTM fuel cell system to the  Environment Sciences laboratory, a joint laboratory between the University of Corsica  and the CNRS. 

Highlights

• For the third phase of the MYRTE* project, HELION will deliver a  100 kW fuel cell system, increasing the power capacity to 250 kW  from fuel cells powered by 550 kWp solar panels of the platform.
• This sophisticated system is also able to achieve a very high  efficiency, by recovering the heat emitted, particularly by the fuel  cell. The use of an adsorption machine extends the possibilities of  cold-generation to air-condition the buildings of the University of  Corsica. Other elements such as hot water management and  additional turbocharger enable to achieve one of the highest yields  ever achieved for an industrialized system.
• With this new unit, MYRTE energy platform will be the largest  operating green hydrogen ecosystem in France. MYRTE will serve as  a global technological marvel, showcasing the know-how of the  French ecosystem of which, HELION Hydrogen Power is one of the  spearheads.
• The hydrogen system of MYRTE project has been fully designed,  manufactured, and maintained by HELION for the past 10 years,  which also makes it one of the most experienced systems in the  world.

In the forthcoming days, this new hydrogen recovery unit will interface with  the MYRTE energy platform. Located not far from Ajaccio, the MYRTE platform  is the largest operating green hydrogen ecosystem in France. Result of a partnership between the University of Corsica, the CEA, the CNRS and HELION  Hydrogen Power company, it is financed by the Corsican Territorial  Collectivity, the French state, and Europe.  

Thanks to this new acquisition, the platform will benefit from the latest innovations in the world of hydrogen. First, it will receive the FC-RackTM hydrogen / air fuel cell system from HELION which will reinforce the existing electricity production capacity, bringing  the total power to 250 kW. Lithium batteries integrated into the system will optimize  daily storage and later, a charging station for hydrogen cars will complete the  installation. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. 

A unique fuel cell system coupled to an adsorption machine 

This new 100 kW electric unit has a cooling function thanks to an adsorption machine.  By recovering the heat produced by the fuel cell, this cogeneration process aims to cool down the electrical room and, consequently, to improve the efficiency of the system.  In addition to technical prowess, this function could eventually meet a new use by connecting the adsorption machine to the building in order to cool the premises. It can  also be adapted to provide air-conditioning to the cabins on-board boats powered by HELION Hydrogen Power hydrogen fuel cells. 

An increase in power and complexity of HELION systems 

Vincent MAHEO, President of HELION Hydrogen Power, a subsidiary of ALSTOM,  declares: « As a historic partner of the University of Corsica, we have already  demonstrated the capacity and flexibility of HELION’s teams to produce complex  systems at the cutting edge of hydrogen technology. In the past, HELION supplied the  entire hydrogen chain of this platform. This new achievement, which marks the third  stage of the project, demonstrates all our know-how in the design and manufacture of  zero-emission systems with high added value. It will be our technological showcase  and many foreign customers have already asked us if they could take a look at this  system».  

The solutions offered by HELION address a power range from 100 kW to several  megawatts, both for stationary markets and for heavy mobility. In addition: “Our  objective is now to make our fuel cells designed for high power applications available  to all, by increasing production guaranteeing quality at the lowest cost.

MYRTE : the largest green hydrogen production and storage platform in  France 

Since 2012, MYRTE has been using hydrogen as a means for storing renewable energy.  More than 500 kWp of photovoltaic panels are connected to a hydrogen chain  (electrolyzer, storage, fuel cell) to ensure continued power supply during peak  consumption.  

By taking this new step, the SPE laboratory of the University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli  and the CNRS confirm their place as pioneers in this innovative technology and their capability of partially solving the question of energy supply in island environments and  essential for the energy transition. “This flexible experimental platform is intended to  practically support research and scientific training on the one hand, but also to initiate  technology transfers to industrial partner companies on the other hand. It is now a  question of Corsica taking advantage of its lead on these emerging technologies to put  it at the service of its territory and its economic development as well as to establish its  international influence.” – Quote from Christian CRISTOFARI, Vice President Transition  at the Università di Corsica.  

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* Mission hYdrogène Renouvelable pour l’inTégration au réseau Electrique, project led by the University  Pasquale-Paoli (Corsica, France)