Why would I want to use the FCTec facility rather than perform the work at my own company?
The primary services performed at the FCTec are test and evaluation activities on fuel cell and fuel processor systems. There are three potential benefits that the FCTec offers to you as a client in support of these activities: (1. The FCTec could be utilized to provide third-party, independent, unbiased testing in support of validating your product/system; (2. The FCTec offers various cost share opportunities to its users; (3. The FCTec could minimize test setup expenses by purchasing and installing the required test equipment within the FCTec (assuming that neither your company nor the FCTec has the proper test equipment).What are the FCTec's capabilities?
The Fuel Cell Test and Evaluation Center (FCTec) conducts comprehensive testing and evaluation of all types of fuel cells, ranging in power output from 10 W to 550 kW.
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What is the FCTec?
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Fuel Cell Test and Evaluation Center (FCTec) is a National Resource facility for the independent, unbiased testing and validation of fuel cell power systems for both military and commercial applications.
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What is the FCTec's mission?
The FCTec’s primary mission is to provide independent and unbiased testing of fuel cell power plants for military and commercial applications. It's primary goal is to significantly accelerate the development and commercialization of fuel cell power systems.
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How can my company utilize the FCTec?
One of the FCTec’s objectives is to support the acceleration of the development and commercialization of fuel cell systems. In support of this objective, the FCTec conducts testing & evaluation, validation and demonstration programs with both government and industry. The FCTec could assist your company with a Validation or Demonstration program. The objective of either program would be structured at validating fuel cell systems as a suitable power source for your facility (primary or secondary). The FCTec is equipped with resistive and motor load banks that can be used to simulate practical electrical loads. The FCTec is also equipped with data acquisition systems and instrumentation that would be used to monitor and evaluate the power quality of the fuel cell power plant under simulated conditions.
How can the FCTec help me as a fuel cell developer?
The FCTec is a National Resource facility for the independent, unbiased testing and validation of fuel cell and fuel processor systems for both military and commercial applications. As a developer, you have the option of working with the FCTec and establishing a joint program that is structured with the FCTec providing third-party test and evaluation activities aimed at validating your system. In addition to providing unbiased testing and evaluation activities, the FCTec could also be utilized to cost share expenses associated with the test program. Typical joint programs with the FCTec involve cost share of labor and non-labor expenses. In addition, for all joint programs that involve cost sharing of FCTec resources, a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is required between the developer and the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), an element of the Army Research and Development Center (ERDC), The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The FCTec staff will work directly with the developer in support of drafting the CRADA.
What are the costs for utilizing the FCTec staff for testing activities?
The FCTec has supported a number of testing programs for government, developers, and end users since it’s inception. In general, all participants have structured each test program to obtain different goals and objectives. Typical FCTec manpower to support these tests have ranged from utilizing electrical, mechanical and chemical engineers along with laboratory and shop technicians. Test duration and the level of effort for the FCTec staff also varies within each test program. Based on this knowledge, the FCTec cannot provide a typical cost rate for a test program. Cost estimates for utilizing the FCTec to support testing activities can be obtained by working directly with the FCTec staff. The typical procedure in support of obtaining a cost expense for utilizing the FCTec facility and staff in support of a testing program is to submit a test plan to the FCTec staff. The FCTec staff will work directly with the government, developers, and end users to finalize the test plan, develop the final cost estimate, and identify potential cost-sharing opportunities.
Is it possible for members of my company to get a tour of the FCTec facility?
Yes, a tour of the FCTec facility can be arranged. A typical tour lasts approximately 30 minutes. A meeting between CTC/FCTec, U.S. Army CERL, and the visiting company usually precedes all tours. The objective of the meeting is to share information about each company and discuss potential FCTec opportunities. Please contact Susan Van Scoyoc at vanscoy@ctc.com, or 814-269-2826, to arrange a FCTec tour.
What is a fuel cell? How does it work?
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (hydrogen, natural gas, methanol, gasoline, etc.) and an oxidant (air or oxygen) into electricity. In principle, a fuel cell operates like a battery. Unlike a battery, however, a fuel cell does not run down or require recharging. It will produce electricity and heat as long as fuel and oxidizer are supplied.
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