Advent Technologies Holding and BASF New Business GmbH recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at developing and expanding the manufacturing scale of advanced fuel cell membranes designed for long-term operations under extreme conditions.
Improved Advent fuel cell systems and membrane electrode assembly will be made possible by increased production capacity and improved long-term stability of BASF’s Celtec membrane (MEA).
Using Advent’s fuel cell stack and system testing facilities, the two companies will evaluate and qualify the new Celtec membrane for the SereneU (telecom power), M-ZERO (methane emissions reduction), and Honey Badger Advent product families (portable power, defense). Aside from that, BASF provides materials for power generation, hydrogen generation, and energy storage as part of the IPCEIs (pending EU approval) White Dragon and Green HiPo, two large-scale projects of common European interest.
To replace Greece’s largest coal-fired power plants with renewable solar energy parks supported by CO2-free hydrogen production (4.65GW) and fuel cell heat and power production, Advent and the White Dragon consortium of companies submitted two projects (400MW). Additionally, BASF will assess the commercial viability of the ion pair membrane that Advent and the US Department of Energy developed together.
Advent Technologies’ Chairman and CEO Dr. Vasilis Gregoriou commented, “The MEA is the heart of the fuel cell, determining the overall system performance. Our high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane-based MEA is a critical component used in fuel cells and other electrochemistry applications such as CO2-free hydrogen production, and energy storage. The agreement with BASF advances our vision to accelerate electrification through advanced materials, components, and next-generation fuel cell technology and to support industries in decarbonizing at a faster rate.”
Dr. Frank Prechtl, BASF’s Director Business Build-up Energy Management noted, “BASF is a front-runner in offering our customers a portfolio of products with lower carbon footprints to help our customers to reach their climate goals. Our Celtec® technology is an enabler for Advent’s ambition for innovative fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. We can contribute with our ability to scale-up capacities for the membrane to support Advent.”
