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Utilizing ABB’s energy storage solution and
market leading DC electric vehicle fast chargers along with AFC Energy’s
zero emission, high efficiency hydrogen fuel cell, the strategic
collaboration will deliver a fully autonomous, high power EV charging
system, to provide an end-to-end solution for high power charging sites
with limited grid connection.
With predictions suggesting that by 20401 there will be just under 500
million EVs on the road and 58 percent of all new passenger vehicle
sales and 47 percent of the global fleet will be electric, getting the
right infrastructure in place to fuel this, regardless of grid
limitations, will be key. The Global EV charging market is expected to
reach US$140bn by 20302, growing at an estimated CAGR of 31.2%, and
power network upgrades will be critical to facilitate this level of
deployment.
The collaboration between ABB and AFC Energy aims to support the
delivery of the charging infrastructure required to meet this increasing
demand. It will result in a new solution that will provide a secure,
efficient, flexible and reliable local power supply, with zero
emissions, and will be ready for deployment initially in the UK, Europe,
United States and elsewhere, by the second half of 2021.
Frank Muehlon, Head of ABB’s global business for E-mobility
Infrastructure Solutions at ABB, said: “ABB has led the way in
e-mobility solutions and is proud to have played a key role in driving
EV adoption rates across the world. This partnership with AFC Energy
allows us to continue to push the boundaries of e-mobility, specifically
targeting off-grid applications and thus enabling a much wider reach of
e-mobility based on clean energy.
“At ABB we believe that sustainable development means progress towards a
healthier and more prosperous world today and for future generations.
It is through innovative applications of technology such as this
partnership with AFC Energy that we can enable a low-carbon society. AFC
Energy is uniquely positioned with their cost effective alkaline based
fuel cell technology, which makes it a perfect match.”
AFC Energy is a leading provider of hydrogen power generation
technology, which can provide clean electricity for on and off grid
applications. The company’s standard solution provides power for
charging infrastructure where traditionally a diesel generator would be
used. The partnership with ABB is the UK listed company’s first
strategic collaboration with a global OEM.
Adam Bond, Chief Executive Officer at AFC Energy, said: "Today marks an
historic milestone in the commercialization of our proprietary hydrogen
fuel cell as we commence a long-term relationship with ABB. This
strategic partnership is fully aligned with AFC Energy’s go to market
strategy, with ABB providing strong and credible access to key customer
channels both in Europe and overseas.
“It will bring to market a unique, zero emission solution powered by
world leaders in electrification and alkaline fuel cell technologies, to
enable deployment of future high power EV charging infrastructure. This
is a key step on the journey to full decarbonization of mobility and
transport across the globe, as we continue to drive down costs and
further increase manufacturing scale underwritten by emerging global
market opportunities”.
Muehlon concludes: “Our partnership with AFC Energy offers potential
beyond the traditional EV market. The DC fast charging system will have
applications for commercial and logistics carriers, marine and urban
transport. Sustainable solutions are also being developed for other
growing segments like data centers and utilities to enable optimized
carbon footprint.”
ABB (abb.com) is a technology leader that is driving the digital
transformation of industries. With a history of innovation spanning more
than 130 years, ABB has four customer-focused, globally leading
businesses: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, and Robotics
& Discrete Automation, supported by the ABB Ability™ digital
platform. ABB’s Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in
2020. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 144,000
employees.
AFC Energy plc (afcenergy.com) is commercializing a scalable alkaline
fuel cell system, to provide clean electricity for on and off grid
applications. The technology, pioneered over the past twelve years in
the UK, is now deployable in electric vehicle chargers, off-grid
decentralized power systems and industrial gas plants as part of a
portfolio approach to the decarbonization of local electricity needs.
[1] Electric Vehicle Outlook 2020, BloombergNEF
[2] Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market: Global Opportunity and Trend Analysis, 2019-2030
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kate.watkins[.]gb.abb.com 
