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Portable
Power
An immediate need exists
for a long lasting power source for portable,
mobile, and remote applications. Portable
power is another of HPI’s primary
market segments, focusing on commercial
applications for low wattage hydrogen fuel
cells for indoor emergency power, hydrogen
fuel cells for mobile power generation,
and hydrogen fueled ICE’s for mobile
power generation.
In 2006 HPI completed
two prototypes of its portable power system
following two years of thorough research
and development effort. The current prototype
is in preproduction stages. The finalization
of this portable power system, AlumiSystem™,
is a triumph in HPI’s effort to address
military and consumer markets.
The total available market
in North America for small portable power
generation is expected to reach over $2
billion by 2009. Short duration disposable
power will provide advantages over existing
batteries, and demand for premium portable
hydrogen fuel cells is projected to increase
at an annual average growth rate equivalent
to 25%, reaching $345 million dollars in
2009. Despite slight variations in numbers,
all forecasts exhibit dramatic increases
in demand of fuel cells for portable power.
A lightweight portable hydrogen source is
required to fully commercialize these devices.
Overall, the global demand for fuel cell
products is expected to reach $11 billion
per year by 2013.
HPI’s AlumiSystem™
combines a module consisting of a fuel cell
fully integrated with an AlumiCell™
generator that accepts AlumiFuel™
cartridges. The current 20 Watt AlumiSystem™
prototype is a compact device constructed
from lightweight aluminum. The fuel cell
currently installed in the device can provide
a constant 20 watts of power at 13 volts
for six hours. This power output, subject
to alteration in response to demand, allows
for a variety of end uses. The prototype’s
current capabilities include the following:
remote battery charging, remote generation
of calibration gases for scientific instruments,
and perhaps most significantly, remote power
generation or emergency back up for specific
electronic devices, such as laptop computers.
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