Horizon launches global fuel cell product integration platform based in the UK.

Horizon and Arcola Energy Ltd have formed an exclusive partnership to provide deployment, customization and integration support to a wide range of companies launching Horizon fuel cell powered products in the UK. Arcola’s London-based fuel cell mass-customisation platform spans from small portable to transport-scale applications including the 150-500W HyLight family of portable power & lighting solutions and 3kW-6kW motive power systems for lightweight vehicles. As a result of this localised initiative, an increasing number of Horizon-enabled, and Arcola-integrated fuel cell products are expected to launch from the UK into Horizon’s powerful fuel cell distribution network, which now spans 45 countries.

Arcola Energy has also commenced work on the first UK-based deployment of next generation Horizon Fuel Cell stacks powered by Johnson Matthey’s HiSPEC MEAs. The newly designed XP-Series stacks will build on the success of the existing H-Series air cooled, self humidifying 12W-5kW stacks; several thousand of which have been sold worldwide in the past 3 years. New materials, together with numerous design changes, make the new Horizon fuel cell stacks lighter, more compact, more efficient and have increased lifetime.

An increasing number of UK companies such as BOC, for whom Horizon manufacture the Hymera portable fuel cell generator, and Riversimple’s lightweight urban vehicles, will benefit from phased migration to the new stacks; whilst new clients to be announced soon, will start with the new stacks immediately.

Dr Ben Todd, Managing Director of Arcola Energy Ltd and Managing Director of Horizon Fuel Cell UK Ltd said “This is a crucial step forward in Arcola Energy’s strategy to capture value for the UK in the global fuel cell supply chain – we now have a Blue-Chip UK company supplying MEAs and a UK SME providing integration services to Horizon Fuel Cell’s global network of national market-development partners.”

Martin Green, Strategic Development Director at Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells said “I am delighted to see Johnson Matthey MEAs being incorporated into Horizon fuel cell products and to see UK SMEs taking a leading role in developing fuel cell applications.”

Dr Arthur Koschany, Chief Technology Officer at Horizon Fuel Cell said “Switching to the Johnson Matthey MEAs is an important step forward for Horizon in establishing higher power product capability and fully commercial fuel cell stacks. The UK is rapidly becoming a centre of excellence in the integration of Horizon Fuel Cell products and we welcome these partnerships.“