N161-072 TITLE: Expeditionary Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Deployed Joint Command and Control (DJC2) System ACAT I

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the solicitation. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative power and energy technologies to replace current combustion engine generators with efficient solid oxide fuel cell technologies for tactical systems.

DESCRIPTION: The current state of the art energy technologies deployed with tactical systems (e.g., Deployed Joint Command and Control (DJC2)) is combustion engine generators. Specifically, DJC2 uses four MEP-1070 60kW 60Hz generators (three live, one hot spare) in conjunction with several power distribution units (PDUs): two UEC 614-5010-0162 300kW PDUs, two HDT 2001592 400A PDUs, one HDT 2000579 200A PDU, and thirteen HDT 2002387 20A utility distribution boxes.

The current tactical power generation systems present operational commanders with many issues including:

� logistics burden too high for rapid relocation

� no capability to dynamically increase or decrease power generated to the time-varying load demanded

� lack of common and/or renewable power source

� no scalable expeditionary energy storage capability

� service life, mean time between failure, and mean time to repair increase maintenance demands at the tactical edge, and

� inefficiencies require large fuel demand for remote forward operational bases.

The current tactical power generation systems issues may be resolved through the incorporation of alternative energy technologies while also providing improved system capabilities and enhancements to system features such as:

� reduction in size and weight to improve relocate-ability and mobility,

� broader operational envelope (elevation, temp, humidity,�),

� quieter operation,

� more rugged (able to withstand G-loading, sea salt, rain, hail, snow,..),

� more efficient (kW/unit-of-fuel),

� easier to transport,

� longer service life,

� easier to maintain,

� longer mean-time-between-failure, and

� shorter mean-time-to-repair

� ability to match power generation to a changing power demand

� use of readily available renewable energy sources, and

� intelligent fault tolerance and graceful degradation.

The current capabilities use three MEP-1070 60 kW combustion generators for power generation and one as a hot spare. Each MEP-1070 generates 60 kW, weighs 3250 lbs, uses 3.5 gallons per hour (GPH) of fuel and produces harmful emissions, carbon monoxide (CO). The MEP-1070 require bulk cargo transport and needs a forklift for installation.l

In comparison to the current approach, a solid oxide fuel cell technology could be scalable (50 scalable units at 1.2 kW each would generate 60kW), weight less (50 units at 25lbs each would weigh 1250 lbs.), more fuel efficient (1/10 or 0.35 GPH), and produce non-harmful emissions (exhausts H2O (water) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The solid oxide fuel cells can be personnel and commercial airline transported and installed without need for heavy equipment.

The following are �Build-to� parameters, including space, weight and power (SWaP) for the proposed system solution.

� Use common tactical fuels (JP5, JP8, DF2)

� Comply with Military-Standard (MIL-STD)-1275 1200 watts power output

� Use less than 1/10 gallon fuel per hour

� Operate at less than 45dB at 1 meter, sound generation

� Comply with Military Standards: MIL-STD-461F EMC, MIL-STD-810G Environmental

� Provide redundant and scalable operations

� 3000 hours maintenance interval

� Load demand following

� Under 25 pounds (man-portable)

� Produce zero harmful emissions, e.g., H2O and CO2 exhaust

� Transportable via commercial air

The new technology will be used to replace existing combustion engine generators used with deployed tactical C2 systems today in environments spanning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) desert, mountain, and rugged terrain; jungle; natural disaster areas (flood, hurricane, cyclone), and medical relief efforts.

PHASE I: Determine feasibility for the development of a man portable 1.2KW fuel cell with the ability to use common tactical fuel, built to MIL-STD 810G environmental specifications and scalable to increase kWs. This would be used to demonstrate the ability to a) power the smaller DJC2 configuration which currently uses two 60kW generators (one live, one hot spare), and b) and the ability to switch from live to hot spare at least as efficiently as today (10 min switch time or less with no power drop).

PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate and validate higher power density fuel cell based upon the Phase I design to power the full DJC2 configuration which currently uses four 60kW generators (3 live, 1 hot spare) with the ability to switch from live to host spare at least as efficiently as today (10 min switch time or less with no power drop). Develop intelligent micro grid that would allow intelligent power management between power sources such as auxiliary power units, solar, or battery sources.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate the prototype article into the DJC2 Systems and evaluate the performance in an operational demonstration (e.g., Bold Alligator) against current capabilities, using "build-to" parameters threshold/objective items and listed areas of enhancement. Evaluate prototype with the small and large system configurations; assess easy of scalability. Technology could be transferred to commercial sector for use in austere environments such as power stations to provide backup power, also as backup for commercial data centers.

REFERENCES:

1. http://dtic.mil/ndia/2012expwar/Backus.pdf

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deployable_Joint_Command_and_Control

3. http://www.public.navy.mil/necc/hq/Documents/NECC_FINAL.pdf

KEYWORDS: DJC2; SWAP; Expeditionary; Energy; Fuel Cell; Efficiency

TPOC-1: Will Henry

Phone: 619-553-5250

Email: [email protected]

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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