Siqens intends to replace the harmful and inefficient diesel generator with a fuel cell-based energy system that uses low-carbon and environmentally-friendly methanol. Siqens technology will also support and facilitate the further expansion of stable and economically viable renewable energy production, in particular solar and wind power. And Siqens wants to contribute to spread, acceptance and competitiveness of electric vehicles in our cities and towns.
With urban population growth increasing worldwide and the constant demand for mobility and energy in these areas growing, the health problems from a reliance on diesel and petrol-powered vehicles as well as wood and coal burning for heating and cooking are considerable. Fine particle matter and nitro oxides are a tremendous health impact on the population. The World Health Organisation estimates that 90% of the urban population is exposed to particle matter concentrations exceeding air quality guidelines. In Europe, around 425,000 people die prematurely due to air pollution of which about 10,000 deaths are linked to the high concentration of NOx in the air. These deaths are avoidable if air quality guidelines are maintained or even exceeded. Siqens and the Ecoport are part of the solution. Widespread shift away from diesel engines to electric vehicles is the key.
Siqens’ product has the ability to support the growth and development of the e-mobility market. Electrified individual and logistics mobility is seen as a key solution to making transport in cities healthier, cleaner and climate-friendly. E-mobility is still suffering from insufficient charging infrastructure and battery range. In winter and summer, interior heating and air-conditioning use valuable battery power. In particular for utility vehicles, such as delivery vans, diverting battery power away from the drive translates into loss of productivity and time. We see the solution in creating an Ecoport-battery hybrid drive where the fuel cell powers air-conditioning and non-drive-related applications as well as recharging the battery to increase the effective range.
In recent years, sustainable energy has been able to increase energy supply worldwide through PV, wind energy and batteries. The power supply for small consumer applications in off-grid areas (rural electrification), however, requires a weather-independent supply. Still more than 1.5 billion people are without access to a stable electrical grid. The instable power grid is backed up by diesel generator sets, PV or hybrid solutions. In rural but also urban areas in developing countries, businesses, health facilities, agricultural enterprises and manufacturing desperately need a safe, inexpensive and stable energy supple to function and, therefore, to provide services, produces products and employ people. We are convinced that the solution lies in a backup power source to close the supply gaps.
Besides the health benefits by avoiding toxic gases in cities, the Ecoport system has a significant role to play in preventing climate change by replacing diesel generator. With more than 62 GW installed power worldwide in 2015, exhaust fumes from diesel generator sets are a major contributor to climate-damaging gases. Changing to a methanol fuel-based power system will make the difference. For example, a 0.5 kW or 12 kWh of power per day is needed, the switch from a diesel generator to an Ecoport would reduce the CO2 emissions from 9 – 12 tonnes to 5 tonnes per year. And if bio-methanol from regenerative sources is used, the C02 emissions are neutral. Along with the direct CO2 reduction, a considerable reduction potential is to enable PV-based off-grid power supply or battery-based e-mobility.
Market success with the Ecoport system will lead to regional and European jobs security and creation – at Siqens and with suppliers. The cooperation with Danish Power Systems (DPS) and other suppliers have highlighted the significant economic opportunities through the scaling and market penetration of the Ecoport fuel cell system. Based on our production calculations of 1,000 systems per month with a MEA price of 42 €, alone the MEA supplier can expect an additional turnover of 15 - 20 Mio Euros (dependent of the system sizes) per year.
With the Ecoport, Siqens is implementing a new industry standard for power on demand. Fuel cell generations have specific advantages such as clean, noiseless and maintenance free operation. Siqens will add to these economical aspects by reducing operations costs and CAPEX. Siqens is able to introduce an alternative to the combustion engines (diesel or gasoline generators) with all the above mentioned environmental, economic and social advantages. With increasing awareness of and responsibility for environmental and health issues, the need for innovative, workable and inexpensive solutions is clearly visible. Siqens firmly intends to be a leading part, together with their partners and customers, in championing this solution through the Ecoport technology.
