Technology Assessment

The National Research Council Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation (NRC-IFCI) Technology Evaluation Program (TEP) advances Canada's leadership in fuel cell and hydrogen technologies to provide clean, sustainable energy options for society's benefit. Backed by a highly qualified, multi-disciplinary team of engineers, scientists and technologists, the TEP works with industry, government and academic partners on a wide range of projects.

The experience and flexibility of the TEP team lets clients test, validate and improve the performance, efficiency, safety and reliability of their clean energy technologies on-site. Organized across three key streams— services, applied research & engineering, and demonstration— the TEP adapts to address and accommodate varied client needs.

• Services
• Applied Research & Engineering
• Demonstration
• Competencies

Services: Advanced Testing and Validation Centre

Complementing the NRC-IFCI's fundamental and applied research, the TEP runs the Advanced Testing and Validation Centre (ATVC). An innovative, state of the art facility, the ATVC provides companies with objective, reliable and accurate testing and validation of hydrogen, fuel cell and other clean energy technologies for the global market.

A unique facility, the ATVC offers companies year round access to a range of environmental and electrochemical fee-for-service test equipment supported by highly skilled professionals on-site.

Hydrogen Environmental Chamber
The Hydrogen Environmental Chamber (HEC) enables partners and researchers to test and evaluate fuel cell and other clean energy systems in a variety of extreme environmental conditions. Testing in the HEC is an efficient way to minimize cost and reduce field trial requirements.

The HEC is also equipped with a vibration table and dynamometer. The vibration table can be used to test a variety of equipment and components to within military standards. A dynamometer additionally allows for the simultaneous testing of a vehicle's drive train response to various environmental conditions.

Electrochemical Test Centre
A suite of fuel cell, battery and supercapacitor test stations (500W to 5KW) are available to clients. They can be configured to automatically control and log test conditions and provide valuable data to clients.

Mechanical Design and Fabrication

The TEP provides clients with complete engineering and precision prototyping services. Advancing research discoveries and their transition from the lab to the end-user, the TEP specializes in single part and low quantity runs of SOFC & PEM Fuel Cell stacks, test fixtures, balance of plant components and systems design. NRC brings best-of-class processes and techniques to bear on both R&D and commercialization projects.

Applied Research and Engineering
Applied research and engineering undertaken by the TEP team emphasizes the system and application-level research in several areas of clean energy engineering, including transportation, energy storage and other applications. With expertise in mechanical engineering, physics, electrochemistry, instrumentation and electronics, safety and mathematical modelling, the TEP provides science and engineering research, technical support services, specialty products, and integrated high performance solutions for today's clean energy technologies.

Demonstrations
Committed to innovation, the TEP team provides opportunities for clients to showcase Canadian technologies and companies through demonstration projects. Projects include the demonstration of fuel cell and clean energy technologies in real, everyday conditions; the testing of alternative fuels to projects exploring the viability of new fuel infrastructure technology; exploring the path to commercialization; and, increasing public awareness of emerging technologies.

Hydrogen Highway
NRC-IFCI has supported the Hydrogen Highway^TM since 2002, when it first launched the demonstration project concept with BC Hydro, Methanex Corporation, and the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA). The TEP has maintained and operated the Pacific Spirit Fueling Station, one of the key nodes along BC's Hydrogen Highway. The team has also provided technical support for the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program (VFCVP) and other stationary deployments, which are showcased on-site in the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway technology demonstration and exhibit centre.

Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program

NRC-IFCI provided a home for the CHFCA-managed Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program (VFCVP) until the program’s completion in 2010. The professional expertise of the TEP Team enabled members of the VFCVP to put fuel cell vehicles to work in real-world applications in order to evaluate system performance and reliability. Since 2005, the fleet of five Ford Focus vehicles accumulated more than 300,000 real-world kilometres. The VFCVP was a demonstration of what is possible, illustrating a more sustainable method of transportation. It's about putting hydrogen energy into motion.

Competencies
The TEP has skills and experience in a wide range of fields. Core competencies include:

• Application Modelling & Development
• Fuel Cell System Integration in Buildings
• Aerospace
• Balance of Plant
• Stationary
• System Design for Flex Fuel SOFC
• Integrated PEM Catalyst Development
• Codes & Standards Development
• Hydrogen, Carbon Monoxide & Nanoparticle Safety

Related Information

Fuel Cell and Battery Test Stations

Vibration Table

Institutes:

• NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation