VANCOUVER, CANADA and NEW DELHI, INDIA – During a Canadian technology and innovation focused trade mission to India that has included presence at the Canada-India Technology Summit currently being held in New Delhi, the Governments of both Canada and India have announced funding for a joint initiative between Ballard and Sainergy Fuel Cell India Pvt Ltd. (http://www.sainergyfuelcellindia.com/) to develop a low cost, high performance liquid-cooled fuel cell stack for the India market.
Sainergy is a catalyst and fuel cell component supplier for low power proton exchange membrane (PEM) stacks and systems. The joint 2-year program between Ballard and Sainergy will be aimed at development and integration of novel materials and operating strategies into a low cost liquid-cooled fuel cell stack and system meeting target performance criteria.
Throughout the program, which is expected to begin in January 2018, Ballard will focus on development of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) – a critical component of PEM fuel cells – while Sainergy will focus on fuel cell stack development, balance-of-plant components and integration activities. Following development and commercialization, the fuel cell stack will be used in small stationary applications in the 50-to-500 watt range, potentially including unmanned aerial vehicles, uninterruptible power supply and portable power.
A funding announcement under the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) was made by the Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade. The Government of India also announced funding support under its Global Innovation Technology Alliance (GITA) program. Ballard and Sainergy will now negotiate terms and conditions of an agreement for this program.
Dr. G. Velayutham, Director at Sainergy Fuel Cell India said, “Sainergy Fuel Cell India is thrilled to work with Ballard Power Systems to develop low cost stacks in India and we thank Global Innovation Technology Alliance for this project funding.”
Dr. Kevin Colbow, Ballard’s Vice President, Technology and Product Development commented, “We are very pleased to be working with a highly motivated partner such as Sainergy, with its extensive experience in India. This development program will be an important part of our effort to address demand in India, which represents a substantial addressable opportunity for fuel cell products of various power levels for a range of stationary and motive applications. Ballard thanks the Canadian government for its support of the program.”
India has major pollution challenges, with as many as 1.2 million deaths caused annually by poor air quality, according to a 2017 Greenpeace India report. The Government of India is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is currently assessing a timeline for a ban on internal combustion engine vehicles in major urban centers.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) provides clean energy products that reduce customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve difficult technical and business challenges in their fuel cell programs. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.