Conference Agenda 2022:
Fuel Cell Design, Development, & Manufacturing
More Speakers Are Still Confirming – Please Check Back For Regular Updates
Conference pass gives you access to all 5 conference tracks, the exhibition hall, and all post-event proceedings
Fuel Cell Design, Development, & Manufacturing
Day1: October 19, 2022
OPENING KEYNOTES - Advanced Technologies in the Fuel Cell Market
9:00 am - 12:20 pm (CET)
9:00 am (CET)
Chairman's Opening

Fabian Kapp
Managing Director
Graebener Bipolar Plate Technologies

9:00 am (CET)
Advanced Submarine Fuel Cell – A Scalable Propulsion System Based on PEM Technology

Dr. Jessica Lück
Head of AIP-Development
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH

The presentation will give an overview about the configuration of the ASFC system, which is based on independent systems with app. 80 kW each, resulting in a scalable total FC power output depending on the required power of the submarine type. Due to the submarine application scenario, the ASFC has special features beyond the usual fuel cell spectrum. The ASFC system is operated with specific gas concentrations, especially higher oxygen contents than usually to be found in the FC community. Further, innovative gas recirculations on anode and cathode side are applied. High reliability by a fault tolerant design and high maintainability through highly modular build-up are of utmost importance. The ASFC system is not only foreseen to operate on board military submarines. Requirements derived from civil applications like subsea power generation have also been considered in the project. For example, this means that the fuel cell system must be able to operate continuously for more than 5 months. With ASFC, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has developed a highly available and high performance FC option with the design sovereignty from cell to system level.
9:25 am (CET)
Stationary Fuel Cells as an Energy Solution for Homes and Small Businesses - Outcomes of the PACE Project

Hans Korteweg
Managing Director
COGEN Europe

PACE will see over 2,800 householders across Europe reaping the benefits of this home energy system. The project will enable manufacturers to move towards product industrialisation and will foster market development at the national level by engaging building professionals and the wider energy community. The project uses modern fuel cell technology to produce efficient heat and electricity at home, empowering consumers in their energy choices. PACE project, which stands for “Pathway to a Competitive European Fuel Cell micro-Cogeneration market”, is co-funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) and brings together European manufacturers, utilities, and research institutes making the products available across 10 European countries.
9:50 am (CET)
From Plate to Process to Plant. Metallic Bipolar Plates for Fuel Cells – How to Choose the Right Production Technology

Fabian Kapp
Managing Director
Graebener Bipolar Plate Technologies

These are the 3 questions that keep us busy: how much does a plate cost? How do the plates have to be produced? And how much does a machine cost? We get to the bottom of these questions and highlight the interaction between plate, production process and plant technology. Further, we show all strategically important steps towards the optimally designed production plant: Starting from engineering with a view to plate design and plant technology via prototyping in the application lab up to the customized production line
Coffee Break -
10:15 am - 10:30 am (CET)
10:30 am (CET)
Heavy-duty Fuel Cell Engine at the Break-Through of Commercialisation

Prof. Dr. Christian Mohrdieck
Chief Commercial Officer
cellcentric

The session will highlight cellcentric as a Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group Company, the technology, the specific requirements for heavy-duty applications, the set-up for high-volume manufacturing and the necessary eco-system for successful commercialization of fuel cells in the heavy-duty (and stationary) sector.
10:55 am (CET)
Light Commercial Vehicle and Unmanned Vessel Demonstrators Using Unique Fuel Cell Technology (PCBFC™)

Dr. Cedric Rouaud
Director of Fuel Cell Systems
Bramble Energy

Global concerns regarding climate change have prompted zero emission vehicles to be mandatory in many markets as soon as 2030.
Battery electric commercial vehicles are becoming significantly more popular. Although they meet the needs for most duty cycles for passenger cars, they do not satisfy all of the use cases,
especially those that cannot afford downtime due to charging time and long distances travel with payload.
There are also significant opportunities for reduction in CO2 emissions in marine and inland waterway vessel which seems to be a market yet to be explored to its full potential. A pure hydrogen fuel cell based powertrain presents a solution to such use cases and is attracting a lot of interests. Bramble Energy’s patented printed circuit board (PCB) fuel cell
technology, the PCBFC™, enables low cost production of hydrogen fuel cell stacks and high specific power. PCB based fuel cell technology also eliminates the need for a de-ionizer in the
system thus simplifying the system and removing the need for service or replacement of the deionizer.
This paper describes Bramble Energy’s liquid-cooled PCBFC fuel cell system applied to a light-duty commercial vehicle demonstrator increasing the zero-emission vehicle range and an Unmanned Surface Vessel as a marine application replacing a diesel generator and thus decarbonizing the marine vessel in the application.
11:20 am (CET)
Holistic Fluid Management for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Applications

Hans-Christian Früh
Head of Business Unit
VOSS Fluid

This presentation gives insights in to what Fluid Management in hydrogen is all about: Beginning with providing hydrogen: Hydrogen Storage Systems: Bespoke Architectures (lines, valves, boss). We will also showcase how to achieve the best gravimetric density on the market. As well as the Balance of Plant Fuel Cell (Integrated Media Modules(Anode/Cathode), Thermomanagement, Valves, Lines Purge and Drain, BoP Energy Harvesting and Utilization). Highlighting approaches shown to achieve the highest energy density.
11:45 am (CET)
Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Electrolyzer Program (ADHEP), Creating the First Multi-GW End-to-End Green Hydrogen Economy by 2030 in Using the Next-generation Electrolyzer Technology

Eng. Anas Aljaidi
CEO
MMEC Mannesmann LLC and ADHEP Representative

The presentation aims to demonstrate the integration of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell or SOEC-based eletrolyzers for hydrogen production in UAE to support the UAE’s hydrogen manufacturing vision to produce hydrogen owing to the local & international increasing market demands. The Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Electrolyzer Program or ADHEP is a consortium unit comprised by MMEC Mannesmann LLC, an Emirati EPC-Technology Integrator company; AVL Schrick GmbH/AVL, The Austrian world-leading technology developer is renowned for its development of Hydrogen & Fuel Generation, SOEC, and Synthetic Fuel systems and various innovative technologies for Hydrogen production, a renowned Fuel Cell manufacturer from Europe. ADHEP is backed and supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.
Lunch Break -
12:10 pm - 1:20 pm (CET)
Project Opportunities
1:20 pm - 5:10 pm (CET)
1:20 pm (CET)
Chairman's Remarks

Cristian Skajem
Head of Communications
TECO2030

1:20 pm (CET)
Hydrogen Quality Through to Fuel Cell Trucks – Providing Solutions for Tomorrow’s Challenges

Sean Crespin
Head of Strategy and Marketing for Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Business
HORIBA

As industry strive to take hydrogen technologies to large scale adoption, enhancements in durability, performance and cost are becoming paramount. HORIBA are working with customers and partners to develop new measurement, testing and analytical solutions that help to efficiently and effectively accelerate adoption and deployment.
In this session you will learn how HORIBA are developing advanced solutions for measuring hydrogen quality, flow consumption and materials analysis for fuel cells, electrolysers and hydrogen combustion technologies.
Also how HORIBA MIRA Technology Park is partnering with green hydrogen technology providers to create the ‘UK’s First Hydrogen Technology Hub’ (UKH2TH) providing a catalyst for hydrogen eco-systems and enabling the deployment of fuel cell 44 tonne fuel cell trucks in and around the Midlands.
1:45 pm (CET)
PVD Coatings for Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

Dr. Herbert Gabriel
Managing Director
PVT Plasma und Vakuum Technik

Parts and components up to millions per year, even quite sizeable ones, such as bipolar plates for H2 - fuel stacks are ideal items to coat in an in-line coating system.
PVT has designed to types of in-line systems to coat bipolar plates for fuel stacks and electrolyzers, razor blades, mirrors for collection of sun energy, etc. In-line coating systems are characterized that each and every process step is performed in its own dedicated vacuum chamber, separated from each other by large area transfer valves. Mono and multi-layers are deposited in a highly productive process cycle, feeding the parts in on one side, running them through various vacuum chambers and releasing them coated to air on the other side. Parts can be coated statically as well as in a dynamic mode, moving them back and forth. PVT will present 2 in-line systems, different in concept, however extremely productive and versatile using coating processes such as arc evaporation, magnetron sputtering, either pulsed dc and or in combination with HiPIMS, and PECVD.
2:10 pm (CET)
Reducing the Cost of Green Hydrogen Generation Through Materials Innovation

Dr. David Hodgson
Managing Director
TFP Hydrogen Products Ltd

TFP Hydrogen is a leading provider of materials that reduce the cost of green hydrogen generation. We currently manufacture a portfolio of products addressing key materials challenges in catalysis and corrosion resistance across PEM and alkaline technologies. Our innovation roadmap illustrates our commitment to further development of existing products and development of additional products to support the green hydrogen industry achieve its goals. This paper will review the current TFPs capabilities.
2:35 pm (CET)
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Electrolysis Technologies for a Hydrogen Based Energy System

Bernd Reiter
Lead Engineer SOFC System Architecture
AVL

Exploring the VL SOC Portfolio for a hydrogen based energy system. Efficiency potential of Solid Oxide Cell Electrolysis for cost competitive hydrogen production. Hydrogen production and PtX pathways. AVL’s current electrolysis and PtX developments. AVL’s current H2 based SOFC developments. An outlook on hydrogen and electricity production costs.
Coffee Break -
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm (CET)
3:15 pm (CET)
Carbon and Graphite Components for PEM Fuel Cells and Electrolysers - Where are we Today and What has to Come Next?

Rüdiger Schweiss
Head of Research and Development Fuel Cell Components
SGL Carbon

This presentation will outline the current manufacturing technology of carbon/graphite components (gas diffusion layers and bipolar plates) and discuss critical needs to enable commercial success of PEM Fuel Cells and Electrolysers.
3:40 pm (CET)
Filtration and Membranes in a Hydrogen Economy

Dr. Korneel De Rudder
Senior Principal Innovator
Donaldson

Hydrogen is an energy carrier, but unlike electricity, it requires filtration. A hydrogen economy will rely on hydrogen synthesis, this process is sensitive to contamination and requires involves filtration. The produced hydrogen requires filtration to a high purity level and should remain clean up to the final point of use. Different filtration processes and methods are needed in this hydrogen purification.
PEM Fuel cells are known to be deactivated by chemical trace compounds. Both the anode and cathode need to be protect by high tech filtration to ensure a long life of the fuel cell, without any performance degradation. In addition to hydrogen filtration products, Donaldson is also offering membranes used in electrolyzers and PEM fuel cells.
4:05 pm (CET)
Hydrogen Fuel Cells - A Sustainable Power Supply Already Today

Stephan Laistner
Senior Business Development Manager
SFC Energy AG

Today, the hydrogen fuel cell is already providing answers to the questions of a climate-neutral energy landscape of tomorrow. As an emission-free, low-noise and cost-saving alternative, it is the green engine in the global race-to-zero.
The hydrogen fuel cell offers enormous opportunities to successfully meet today’s challenges in an increasingly complex power generation landscape by providing advantages of lower total cost of ownership, remote monitoring and control as well zero emission and no noise.
4:30 pm (CET)
PANEL DISCUSSION: Are Fuel Cells Now a Viable Challenger?

Fabian Kapp
Managing Director
Graebener Bipolar Plate Technologies


Rüdiger Schweiss
Head of Research and Development Fuel Cell Components
SGL Carbon


Dr. David Hodgson
Managing Director
TFP Hydrogen Products Ltd


Sean Crespin
Head of Strategy and Marketing for Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Business
HORIBA

Fuel cell technologies have experienced cycles of high expectations followed by periods of disillusionment. Recent evidence however suggests that these technologies form an attractive option for the decarbonisation of the global energy mix, and that recent improvements in their cost and performance point towards economic viability as well. Are we now at a time where we can see fuel cells competing against both fossil fuels and batteries?
Day2: October 20, 2022
Advanced Materials
9:00 am - 12:10 pm (CET)
9:00 am (CET)
Chairman's Welcome

Dr Olaf Conrad
CTO Manufacturing and Engineering
Pajarito Powder

9:00 am (CET)
Achieving a Net Zero Future in the Northern Powerhouse and Beyond – The Role of Fuel Cell Innovation

Amer Gaffar
Director
Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre

The presentation will focus on the role of fuel cell and hydrogen technology innovation in achieving Net Zero targets. What are the conditions for creating an environment conducive to developing novel and economically impactful catalysts components for green hydrogen technologies, novel materials and coatings as well as advanced coatings? How can industrial and regional collaborations support innovation goals and what’s challenge led innovation? These are some of the topics covered during this session, providing case studies and first hand experience from the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre.
9:25 am (CET)
PEM Fuel Cell – Latest Development and Improvements

Dr. Andreas Bodén
Senior Vice President, Strategic Sales
Powercell Sweden AB

PowerCell fuel cell stacks and systems are validated in depth, both from a technology and supply chain aspect. The fuel cells have undergone development for improved durability, wider temperature and operating range. PowerCell’s fuel cells are broadly used in various applications, such as marine and aviation.
9:50 am (CET)
Model-Based Design of Fuel Cell Systems

Marius Zubel
Technical Specialist Fuel Cell
FEV

Electric vehicles that use fuel cells for on-board power generation are seen as a cornerstone of zero-carbon, zero-emission long-haul heavy-duty transportation. Modularization of fuel cell stacks, components and systems is critical for rapid market entry and lower total cost of ownership. To achieve this, efficient development processes must be utilized to handle the wide variety of applications and use cases. These goals can be achieved with model-based development approaches across the entire development chain.
Coffee Break -
10:15 am - 10:45 am (CET)
10:45 am (CET)
The Role of Hydrogen Refueling Stations in Realizing the Hydrogen Economy: Growing from Small, to Big, to Huge HRS Solutions.

Rob Castien
CEO
Resato

Ten years ago, the hydrogen mobility market was to be developed with LDV mobility. Today the focus is shifting to HDV gaseous at 350 bar. In the future HDV 700 bar of LH2 might become the standard. The HRS capability need to adjust to this rapidly changing landscape in H2-mobility. The presentation focuses on how Resato’s HRS capability is developing to these new market requirements. We also address the impact of lack of standards in the H2-mobility market and what can be done to change that.
11:10 am (CET)
Plant Technology to Manufacture Fuel Cells and Electrolysers on Large Scale – Solutions for Your Serial Production

Thomas Kuschel
Head of Sales Fuel Cell Assembly & Testing
thyssenkrupp


Dr Hermann Uchtmann
New Business Development E-Mobility
Schuler Group

Market forecasts predict a significant increase in the demand of green hydrogen towards the end of the decade and beyond. This is along with demands to manufacture fuel cells and electrolysers on a large scale. In our presentation we show what is required to build a complete factory and - as an example - our way to develop a solution for the serial production of bipolar-plates (BPP) in cooperation between companies Schuler and Soutec of the Andritz Group and thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering.
11:35 am (CET)
PANEL DISCUSSION: Recent Technology Updates and Breakthroughs in Fuel Cell Design and Development

Marius Zubel
Technical Specialist Fuel Cell
FEV


Amer Gaffar
Director
Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre


Christian Altenhofen
Team Lead Reactive Flow Applications
Gamma Technologies


Dr. Mardit Matian
Founder
EH Group Engineering AG

The global market for fuel cells is projected to reach almost US$15 billion by 2027, driven by the technology’s crucial role in building a clean and sustainable planet for future generations. Despite the research and improvements in fuel cell design and components made over the past several years, many issues still have to be addressed before they can finally become competitive enough. What are the latest developments in the market and what does the future of design look like for fuel cells across multiple industries?
Lunch Break -
12:10 pm - 1:10 pm (CET)
Testing, Digitisation and Automation (Cost Reduction)
1:10 pm - 5:00 pm (CET)
1:10 pm (CET)
Leak Testing and Automated Stacking – Key to Efficient Production of Fuel Cells

Floris Beurskens
Sales Manager
ZELTWANGER

Ensuring leak tightness of fuel cell components, stacks and systems as well as automated assembly solutions to manufacture high-quality fuel cell stacks in essential in the hydrogen industry. This presentation will give a close insight into leak test solutions for fuel cell components and stacks. Furthermore, the challenges of high-speed stacking machines will be discussed and concluded with solutions to ensure high output and quality.
1:35 pm (CET)
Laser Production Processes in Fuel Cell Manufacturing

Jonas Frühling
Research Associate
Fraunhofer ILT

Laser production processes are established in many areas of manufacturing chains but still on the rise in fuel cell manufacturing. To decrease manufacturing costs, process chains need to be more productive, achieved through process automation, parallelization and upscaling in processing speeds as well as through an increase in process robustness and new production approaches.
2:00 pm (CET)
Choosing a Fuel Cell Supplier: What to Consider

Santiago Bresani
Mechanical Engineer
Nuvera Fuel Cells

With an ever-increasing number of fuel cell providers worldwide, it can be challenging to decide what products are the best fit for a given application. There are many considerations ― not all of which are obvious. Vehicle manufacturers and system integrators often focus on standard benchmark criteria such as product durability, power density, and efficiency. While these are important, customers should also be aware that for fuel cell vehicles and equipment to succeed in commercial applications, it is essential that the power system be reliable, industrialized, and easy to integrate – and that the provider be a qualified and trusted partner.
Nuvera’s products are designed with reliability, manufacturability, and integration at the forefront. Reliability translates to high asset utilization, which contributes directly to productivity. Industrialized automated manufacturing processes enable high quality control. And fuel cell ease-of-integration into vehicle powertrains saves customers significant development time and money. Nuvera understands how high-caliber documentation, a wide network of integrators, and services provided by experienced technical and support teams are vital to ensuring customer success. As important as a technology performance checklist is for supplier evaluation, trust may be the most important – if more difficult to measure – factor. Being a responsive and dedicated partner and offering high value product and services is Nuvera’s approach to earning customer trust.
2:25 pm (CET)
Functional Testing of a Fuel Cell-Electric Drive

Timo Eich
Business Development Manager
CSM Computer-Systeme-Messtechnik

Fuel cell powered vehicles have to be extensively tested: On the one hand the fuel cell stack has to be tested to ensure proper function. On the other hand the efficiency of the whole powertrain has to be measured in order to verify and prove all system-relevant performance parameters.
Coffee Break -
2:50 pm - 3:05 pm (CET)
3:05 pm (CET)
Carbon Coating Solutions for Metal Bipolar Plates used in PEMFC’s

Thorsten Karla
Sales Manager
Hauzer Techno Coating B.V.

Various forecast models show a strong increase in hydrogen-powered vehicles worldwide from 2030. Currently we already see
an increase in registrations, especially in the area of heavy-duty vehicles. The characteristics of PEM Fuel Cells make them ideal
for mobility solutions. One key component of the Fuel cells are metal bipolar plates produced out of stainless steel. In the acidic
environment of PEM fuel cells operation, metal bipolar plates are sensitive to corrosion, which leads to lower output efficiency as
well as serious effected the application. Applying a protective coating to the metal plates is an effective way to improve its corrosion
resistance. Besides the development of carbon-based coatings, Hauzer has invested for years in high-productivity solutions to satisfy
the marked needs.
3:30 pm (CET)
The Future of Bipolar Plates

Simon Brugger
CEO
CellForm

The two main challenges of hydrogen mobility in the area of efficiency and price must be taken into account in every single component. Manufacturing approaches must be found that make a fuel cell maximally efficient at a minimally possible price. The entire future of hydrogen depends on this.
3:55 pm (CET)
Optical 3D Measurement of Bipolar Plates with Focus Variation

Dominik Urlep
Key Account Manager
Bruker Alicona

The form and dimensional accuracy of bipolar plates is critical and difficult to measure. Bruker Alicona 3D optical metrology solutions provide the ability to measure, without physical contact, these delicate components.
4:20 pm (CET)
PANEL DISCUSSION: Leveraging Opportunities in Digitisation and Automation for Manufacturing

Dr. Florian Gehrig
CEO
Aalberts surface technologies


Dr Olaf Conrad
CTO Manufacturing and Engineering
Pajarito Powder


Jogchum Bruinsma
Chief Commercial Officer
Nedstack


Alexander Olowinsky
Head of Department
Fraunhofer ILT

The fuel cell stack and its components are being manufactured using mostly laboratory fabrication methods that have been scaled up in size, but do not tend to incorporate high-volume manufacturing methods. More manufacturing research is needed
to prepare advanced manufacturing and assembly technologies that are necessary for low-cost, high volume fuel cell powerplant
production. There have been recent successful demonstrations of automated lines but what is required to then bring automation to scale?