ITALY – A potentially revolutionary micro hydrogen generator has won the prestigious Qualitec Technology Award 2010 at the international Seatec trade exhibition, Italy’s leading nautical and marine supplies exhibition. The award recognises innovation in the nautical sector.
The Acta EL100 Hydrogen Generator was demonstrated coupled to a 1KW fuel cell power generator used to power an electric outboard motor. The technical judges of the Qualitec panel selected Acta’s hydrogen generator for its innovation, low cost and environmental profile.
The EL100 Hydrogen Generator is a simple, compact, low-cost and highly efficient system which is ideal for combining with small fuel cells that can power tenders and other support craft. As such systems could play a useful role in improving the environmental quality of both air and water in port and berthing areas.
The company describes the generator as “…a unique breakthrough in electrolyser technology. They can operate using mains power or intermittent renewable energy, and produce clean, dry hydrogen already at pressure for use in fuel cell and other applications."
Speaking of the Qualitec award Paolo Bert, Acta’s Chief Executive, commented: “It is a great honour for our unique hydrogen generator to have won the Qualitec Technology Award and we have been delighted with the commercial and technical feedback that it has received.
“2010 is going to be a very exciting year for Acta and this award is a huge acknowledgement of what we have achieved to date. We believe that this product is ideally suited for the nautical sector, as well as for UPS (uninterruptable power supply) systems, energy-independent homes, automotive accessories, consumer applications, and others.
“The award and recognition will be valuable to Acta as we continue with commercialisation of the technology in the coming year.”
(pic: The El 100. Courtesy of Acta)
