Wartsila, Versa Power to cooperate in SOFC technology development
Wärtsilä, the leading provider of power solutions to both the marine and energy markets, and Versa Power Systems (VPS), a leading developer of environmentally friendly, high-power solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), today announced a co-operative agreement to develop and integrate Versa Power’s SOFC technology into Wärtsilä products, the Finnish company's press release said.
A key target of the agreement is to develop commercial Wärtsilä fuel cell products that generate power and heat for various applications in the distributed energy and marine markets. The agreement allows Wärtsilä to integrate VPS fuel cell stack modules, especially for larger power range products. For VPS, the agreement provides a dedicated partner with the ability to commercialize fuel cell products in large markets around the globe.
“VPS is leading the development of large SOFC stacks, and the company’s capabilities support Wärtsilä’s strategy of developing large SOFC systems for the distributed power and marine markets. The agreement with VPS strengthens Wärtsilä’s ability to provide its customers with clean and highly efficient power solutions. Demand is developing rapidly and the commercial potential for such products is very promising,” says Erkko Fontell, Director, Fuel Cells, Wärtsilä.
“Solid oxide fuel cells have low emissions, yet they produce relatively large amounts of electricity for their size,” says Robert Stokes, CEO of Versa Power Systems. “Combining the expertise of our two companies will help meet the growing commercial demand for compact, high-efficiency products.”
Helsinki-based Finnish company Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. In 2010, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.6 billion with more than 17,500 employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world.
A key target of the agreement is to develop commercial Wärtsilä fuel cell products that generate power and heat for various applications in the distributed energy and marine markets. The agreement allows Wärtsilä to integrate VPS fuel cell stack modules, especially for larger power range products. For VPS, the agreement provides a dedicated partner with the ability to commercialize fuel cell products in large markets around the globe.
“VPS is leading the development of large SOFC stacks, and the company’s capabilities support Wärtsilä’s strategy of developing large SOFC systems for the distributed power and marine markets. The agreement with VPS strengthens Wärtsilä’s ability to provide its customers with clean and highly efficient power solutions. Demand is developing rapidly and the commercial potential for such products is very promising,” says Erkko Fontell, Director, Fuel Cells, Wärtsilä.
“Solid oxide fuel cells have low emissions, yet they produce relatively large amounts of electricity for their size,” says Robert Stokes, CEO of Versa Power Systems. “Combining the expertise of our two companies will help meet the growing commercial demand for compact, high-efficiency products.”
Helsinki-based Finnish company Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. In 2010, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.6 billion with more than 17,500 employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world.
Versa Power Systems (VPS), based in Littleton, Colorado and Calgary, Alberta, is developing solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. VPS was founded in 2001 as a joint venture between the Gas Technology Institute, Electric Power Research Institute, Materials and Systems Research, Inc., and University of Utah. Fuel Cell Energy has since acquired an equity position in VPS, transfering to VPS the former solid oxide fuel cell development team and assets of Global Thermoelectric Inc. The company is currently focused on pre-commercial development of its SOFC technology with 2 kW – 10 kW prototype systems for field trial demonstrations.
