SFC Energy’s new 50 W portable fuel cell generator charges batteries significantly faster in the field than its predecessor, and in operation is completely maintenance-free. Users thus benefit from stronger performance, higher energy density, less weight, and reduced cost. The Jenny 1200 designation indicates that it offers a charging capacity of 1200 Wh per day.
SFC Energy says that the USAF delivery is worth approximately €350 000 (US$480 000), and is part of a multi-year programme that has a total value of approximately €2 million ($2.75 million).
The lightweight, portable fuel cell generator has been designed and matured in an Office of the Secretary of Defense Acquisition Challenge Program (DACP), started in September 2012 to qualify a production-ready 50 W fuel cell power generator. It builds on the mature platform of the successful 25 W portable Jenny 600S fuel cell generator (at 600 Wh per day), which is in service with the German army. The products are based on SFC Energy’s award-winning direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology for defence and security applications.
The 50 W nominal power output of the Jenny 1200 is double that of the previous model, while maintaining its convenient, easy to carry small size and form factor – it is only about one-third larger in size than the previous model. It uses pure methanol, available in four convenient fuel cartridge sizes, offering significant weight savings over fuel cell generator technologies that utilise a conventional methanol/water blend.
‘Special forces on the move require reliable lightweight power for their devices,’ explains Dr Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy. ‘Jenny 1200 offers them significant weight savings while ensuring 100% power availability anywhere, anytime, in any weather and climate situation. In a 72 hour mission they can save a soldier up to 80% of battery weight.’
Like all SFC Energy’s power generation and distribution products for defence applications, the Jenny 1200 integrates seamlessly into the existing SFC defence product family, and into all SFC energy networks and power solutions. The company is a leading provider of hybrid power solutions to the stationary and mobile power generation markets worldwide.