The advantages of portable SFC fuel-cell systems in defense applications

The portable SFC fuel-cell system, consisting of the JENNY fuel cell and the SFC Power Manager offers soldiers on maneuvers a variety of unbeatable benefits.

 

• Weight reduction up to 80 percent

The portable SFC fuel-cell system weights up to 80 percent less than batteries, which increases troops’ mobility and effectiveness.

• 100% dependable power

With an SFC fuel-cell system, soldiers can be certain that their batteries will be charged – anywhere, in any kind of weather and on any mission. It’s no longer necessary to interrupt a mission to replace dead batteries.

• Compact, but plenty of power

The use of innovative components plus a fuel with extremely high energy density allows soldiers with portable SFC systems to transport lots of power in very small spaces. A JENNY fuel cell generates output of between 1.1 and 1.4 kilowatt hours on one kg of methanol.

• Completely automatic

The JENNY fuel cell charges batteries fully automatically. The SFC Power Manager also adjusts input and output currents completely automatically. Soldiers don’t have to worry about a thing: their devices will always get exactly the current they need no matter where they are.

• Easy to use

Operation of both the JENNY fuel cell and the SFC Manager is intuitive. The JENNY communicates with the user via a display, while changing fuel cartridges during operation is a matter of mere seconds.

• Quiet and clean

The JENNY fuel cell is very quiet. Its only “emissions” are water vapor and carbon dioxide in an amount comparable to a child’s breath.

Comparison weight and range: JENNY-Batteries

	German Bundeswehr (IdZ) (1800 Wh in 72 h)	U.S. Air Force (BRITES) (2500 Wh in 72 h)
72 h - Mission only with batteries (amount of batteries and weight of equipment for energy supply)	11 Batteries 15.4 kg	14 Batteries 16.1 kg
72 h - Mission with JENNY 600S, Power Manager & hybrid battery (amount of batteries and weight of equipment for energy supply)	5 Fuel Cartridges 4.55 kg	7 Fuel Cartridges 8.51 kg
Weight reduction with DMFC Technology in kg and %	10.85 kg 70 %	7.59 kg 47 %