SFC Smart Fuel Cell Introduces New EFOY Pro Series For 100% Reliable Power in Off-grid Industrial Applications

BRUNNTHAL, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG, a leading supplier of fuel cell products for mobile and off-grid power applications, today announced its new EFOY Pro Series providing silent, reliable power for remote industrial applications ranging from surveillance cameras to measuring, monitoring and early warning systems and traffic-guidance equipment.

“We have applied our extensive experience in the development, production and commercial use of direct methanol fuel cells to the demanding requirements of professional users to create a specific product range for industrial applications”

The EFOY Pro Series delivers significant logistical and cost-saving advantages over conventional remote power supplies, such as batteries, solar cells and generators. For example, an off-grid earthquake sensor operating remotely in difficult terrain may require a capacity of 600 watt hours per day. To ensure its continued operation, batteries would need to be replaced frequently, adding considerable maintenance costs and entailing considerable logistic efforts, such as helicopter flights to the site for battery exchanges. Solar-power modules may be inoperable in bad weather, and generators not only require regular maintenance such as refueling, but they also are noisy and produce harmful exhausts, which make them unsuitable for use in environmentally protected or wilderness areas.

Offering reliable, clean and silent power 24/7 in any weather, the EFOY Pro Series supplies maintenance-free, reliable off-grid power for a virtually unlimited period of time, as long as there is fuel. The company’s 28-litre M28 methanol fuel cartridge, for example, provides 31.1 kWh of power. That is enough to operate a remote sensor for more than 50 days without any user intervention.

“We have applied our extensive experience in the development, production and commercial use of direct methanol fuel cells to the demanding requirements of professional users to create a specific product range for industrial applications,” said Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of Smart Fuel Cell. “This unique product line delivers a new level of performance, reliability and flexibility in off-grid power systems for remote industrial applications.”

With its integrated set of connectors, the new EFOY Pro Series offers maximum installation flexibility and can be easily included in any customer application. The fuel cells’ robust casing and construction can withstand the roughest environmental conditions and temperatures between -2° F (–20° C) and 113° F (45° C). The fuel cell can be connected to either 12-V or 24-V batteries, as the integrated automatic charge control will recognize the battery type and adjust the charge process automatically.

EFOY Pro Series fuel cells can be connected to all EFOY fuel cartridges, enabling the user to adjust weight or operating times to the individual requirement of each specific application. All EFOY Pro Series fuel cells can be ideally combined with other power sources. In these hybrid systems, the fuel cell switches on only when additional power is needed.

The EFOY Pro Series is available in three models: EFOY Pro 600, EFOY Pro 1200, and EFOY Pro 1600. The series offers a charging capacity of 600 to 1600 Wh per day, depending on the individual application. In operation, the EFOY Pro produces a very low humming sound of 23 dB(A) at a distance of 23 feet (7 meters). It can be operated in closed rooms and vehicles and will produce off-grid power for weeks without requiring any user intervention. Moreover, customers can remotely monitor and control their off-grid equipment with a mobile phone or computer via an integrated user interface. With all these features, use of the new EFOY Pro series fuel cells will reduce customers’ personnel and logistics costs.

Measuring 17 x 7.5 x 11 inches (44 x 19 x 28 cm) and weighing approximately 18 lbs (8 kg), the EFOY Pro Series fuel cell fits into any switch cabinet or vehicle. For reliable outdoor operation in any weather, SFC offers the EFOY ProCube. The weatherproof box features preinstalled connectors and cables for any battery and fuel cartridge size.

The EFOY Pro Series is available at all international sales partners of SFC. It is also available in a long-life version with a guaranteed lifetime of 5,000 operating hours or 30 months, offering added calculation predictability for all professional users.

About SFC AG

SFC AG (www.sfc.com) is market leader in fuel cell technologies for mobile and off-grid power applications serving the leisure, industrial and defense markets. As one of Germany’s technology pioneers, SFC has won numerous innovation awards. SFC has alliances with leading companies in a wide range of industries. Unlike most other fuel cell manufacturers, who are in the research and development phase or run subsidized demonstration projects, SFC has shipped more than 9,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for four years, and has created a convenient fuel cartridge supply infrastructure. SFC is DIN ISO 9001:2000 certified. SFC is based in Brunnthal, Germany, and has a U.S. sales and technical service office in Atlanta.