Nedstack in the news
Nedstack is a young but established company. Since the start of our activities in 1989, within the larger group of AkzoNobel, we have grown to be the largest stack producer in Europe.
Independence in 1998
In 1989, AkzoNobel Research started the development of its PEM fuel cell technology. AkzoNobel is a Netherlands-based, multi-national manufacturing corporation active in healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. This meant we were off to a flying start: all necessary materials and technology (like membranes, fluor polymers, composites, catalysts and non-wovens) were available within the company. The PEM fuel cells were developed to use at some of AkzoNobel’s production sites. Almost ten years later, seven development engineers got the opportunity to take over AkzoNobel’s PEM activities. They recognized the broader potential of PEM fuel cells as a sustainable source of power. Nedstack was founded in November of 1998. All of AkzoNobel's fuel cell know-how was transferred to Nedstack.
Continuous growth from 2003 onwards
From 2003 onwards, substantial investments in the form of equity, loans and subsidies have been made into the company. Nedstack successfully completed the development of its proprietary PEM fuel cell stacks and brought the technology to production. Nedstack fuel cell stacks can now be found in a wide range of applications. Our stacks are among the best available worldwide. Nedstack has successfully continued the development of its multipurpose PEM fuel cell stacks, and has brought the technology to series production. Nedstack fuel cell stacks can now be found in any size applications ranging from stationary and backup devices, to buses, trucks and power plants. Nedstack continues to provide hydrogen power generation in AkzoNobel’s chlorine plant. In addition, the chemical and pharmaceutical group Solvay recently signed a contract with Nedstack fuel cell technology for the delivery of a 1 MW hydrogen PEM fuel cell power plant. This will be the world’s biggest PEM fuel cell power plant to date.
PRESS RELEASE
Solvay proudly presents Nedstack's Megawatt fuel cell
Arnhem, February 6 2012 – Today, Solvay proudly presents Nedstack's fuel cell system to the press. The system was installed on schedule in September 2011. After a few weeks of testing, it has now been running continuously for 2 months. The performance is impressive: The electrical efficiency has proven to be 50 %, with a total efficiency -including heat recuperation- of 80 %. The availability is meeting high expectations too, even in this early phase of operation, it has been 99 % over the past two months. Solvay's personnel have quickly learnt to operate this hassle-free plant.
The fuel cell system is called a "PEM Power Plant". It is a major milestone in the global fuel cell industry. With 1 MW of electric power output, delivered by 12,600 fuel cells, it is the largest of this type in the world. The PEM Power Plant converts hydrogen, a by-product in the chlorine industry, into electricity and heat. Chlor-alkali and chlorate production industries are very energy-intensive. Nedstack's PEM Power Plant enables them to self-generate 20 or 40% respectively of their electricity consumption. Solvay's PEM Power Plant generates 1 MW of electricity and generates 500 kW of heat, to be reused in the production process for significant additional cost savings. In addition, PEM fuel cells are emission-free. With PEM Power Plants, the industry significantly contributes to meeting the European targets to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
News History:
Nedstack makes to world’s largest fuel cell to generate clean electricity for chlorine plant in Antwerp Arnhem, July 26 2011 – Nedstack PEM fuel cells will generate electricity for Solvay’s chlorine plant in Lillo (near Antwerp). This PEM Power Plant, with a 1 MW capacity delivered by 12,600 fuel cell stacks, is the largest of this type in the world. The PEM Power Plant converts hydrogen, a by-product in the chlorine industry, into electricity and heat. Today, the 1 MW PEM Power Plant was transported by low loader truck from Arnhem to Antwerp. It will be operational by September of this year. Watch the transportation of the 1 MW PEM Power Plant
Nedstack fuel cells survive 10,000 hours of industrial operationNedstack fuel cells survive 10,000 hours of industrial operation Arnhem – 11th July 2011. Today, Nedstack has reached an important milestone by completing 10,000 hrs of operation with their PEM fuel cell stacks. The stacks are running in industrial conditions in a so called “PEM Power Plant” at AkzoNobel’s chlor-alkali plant in the Netherlands. The chlor-alkali plant produces hydrogen as a by-product. The fuel cells convert the hydrogen into electricity. Nedstack’s fuel cells are showing an extremely low degradation rate. The performance loss over the past 10,000 hours is only 5%, which suggests that this generation of cells will actually reach a lifetime of over 20,000 hours. |
Solvay signs a contract with NedStack fuel cell technology for the delivery of a 1 MW hydrogen PEM fuel cell power plant. The order has a total value of 4.5 million Euro. NedStack's largest order since its establishment in 1998. This project is defined in cooperation with WaterstofNet and is supported by Europe, the Flemish government, the Dutch government and the industry, within the Interreg subsidy program.
Erik Middelman is knighted in the Order of Oranje-Nassau on Thursday, March 5 last. He received this high Dutch honor because of his pioneering work as a researcher and entrepreneur in sustainable energy technologies