The DoD Fuel Cell Program has four programs of focus:

Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) Demonstration

PAFCs were installed at 30 U.S. Department of Defense bases between 1994 and 1997. The objectives of the PAFC Demonstration Program were to:

• Demonstrate fuel cell capabilities in real world situations,
• Stimulate growth and economies of scale in the fuel cell industry,
• Determine the role of fuel cells in DoD's long term energy strategy

Residential Fuel Cell Demonstration

Under fiscal year (FY) 2001 and 2002 programs, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, ranging in size from 1 to 20 kW, will be demonstrated at U.S. military bases.

Contract awards for the FY01 program were made in September through December of 2001, and the first units were installed in January of 2002. A total of six contractors have been selected for the FY01 PEM demonstration project representing a total of 21 PEM fuel cells at nine U.S. military bases.

Fuel Cell Test and Evaluation Center (FCTEC)

ERDC/CERL is a major sponsor of the Fuel Cell Test & Evaluation Center (FCTEC) Operated by Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), it is located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

FCTEC's primary mission is to provide independent and unbiased testing of fuel cell power plants for military and commercial applications. Its primary goal is to significantly accelerate the development and commercialization of fuel cell power plants. Specific objectives for the FCTEC include:

• Validate prototype, pre-production systems and components
• Evaluate design and off-design characteristics of fuel cell
• Develop standards for commercial and near-commercial applications
• Reduce lifecycle costs for commercial fuel cell technologies
• Enhance the performance of fuel cells

Climate Change Rebate Program

In 1995, Congress appropriated funds to establish a competitive, cost-shared, near-term Climate Change Fuel Cell Program. The overall goal of this incentive program is to expedite the market introduction of fuel cell systems.

Currently, the program provides up to $1,000 per kilowatt of power plant capacity with a not to exceed limit of one-third of the total program cost (capital and installed costs, pre-commercial operation).

To date, grants for the program have totaled $27.4 million. The funding breakdown by fiscal year is as follows:

Research and Development Program

As part of the DoD's commitment to fuel cell technology, ERDC/CERL manages several important research activities. Currently, there are two major projects:

• Logistics Fuel Reformer/Processor for Mobile Electric Power (MEP) Fuel Cells Power Generation
• Thermoelectric Power Generation

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