News

EVI Plans Electric Hybrid Fuel Cell Demonstration

December 03, 2002 by Jeff Shepard

Energy Visions Inc. (EVI, Toronto, Canada) announced that it will demonstrate its proprietary, all-electric, hybrid power system in the spring of 2003. The demonstration hybrid power system, under construction at EVI's Calgary fuel cell laboratory, will be a pre-commercial prototype using EVI's proprietary "flowing electrolyte" direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and rechargeable nickel-zinc (NiZn) or alkaline batteries.

The demonstration is for the purpose of identifying first-generation customers and beginning the process of custom design for their particular applications. The EVI all-electric hybrid power system will provide the benefits of peak power from batteries and continuous operation from fuel cells. By properly combining a DMFC with low-weight, rechargeable batteries, EVI expects to be able to produce hybrid power systems that are cost effective for many applications in both transportation and portable power. The hybrid system, with the DMFC combined with NiZn or alkaline batteries, is expected to provide continuous charging and almost limitless range since it will operate so long as methanol fuel is supplied.