RWE and Buderus Heiztechnik to Develop Fuel Cell System

RWE Fuel Cells GmbH (Germany) and Buderus Heiztechnik GmbH have agreed to jointly develop fuel cell heating systems for small-sized companies and multi-family homes. Both companies are members of the Fuel Cell Initiative.

According to the agreement, the companies will jointly develop a fuel cell heating system in the up to 5 kW power class and bring it to market maturity. The fuel cell system will be developed and manufactured by IdaTech, a subsidiary of IDACORP. RWE Fuel Cells will integrate the fuel cells into the power and heating networks and develop an energy manager to control the complete fuel cell heating system. Buderus will be mainly responsible for adapting additional conventional central heating components, and for implementing cost-cutting measures through the use of mass-produced parts.

RWE Fuel Cells and Buderus will test the fuel cell system both in the lab and in the field. Initial field tests of the complete system are scheduled for 2005. If positive results are achieved by 2006, the agreement will be prolonged with the aim of jointly bringing the fuel cell heating system to market maturity.