The US Air Force has awarded SFC Energy, the US subsidiary of SFC Energy AG, a technology and market leader for portable, mobile, and off-grid power generation and distribution, US$1m.

In the framework of this award, SFC is to mature its portable 50W fuel cell to production readiness. This fuel cell is based on SFC Energy’s award-winning DMFC fuel cell technology for defence and security applications.

"It proves the attractiveness of our integrated portable and mobile power solutions for strategic defence and government applications."

SFC Energy has been cooperating with the US Air Force in the development and production of portable power solutions since 2003. The company’s fuel cell power generator JENNY 600S, a portable 25W fuel cell generator, has been successfully qualified and deployed in missions by several international military organisations since 2005. In 2008, two portable fuel cell models using SFC Energy technology won first and third prize in the US Department of Defense’s Wearable Power Competition.

The new portable 50W JENNY fuel cell generator will build on SFC Energy’s extensive technology expertise and many years of application experience in providing power to portable and mobile defence applications. SFC Energy will optimise the portable fuel cell to match the requirements of the operator, significantly reduce weight carried and will be ruggedised for use in harsh military environments.

SFC Energy will qualify, in cooperation with the US Air Force, the performance of the new portable 50W fuel cell generator.

"This award is another significant milestone for us," says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy. "It proves the attractiveness of our integrated portable and mobile power solutions for strategic defence and government applications, where the reliable availability of power is of utmost importance for the success of a mission. We are proud that this program will certify the portable fuel cell technology as ready for field operations with the US Air Force."