Energy

Interview 4
“An industrial branch for fuel cells is needed in France” - Patrick Bouchard, CEO of Hélion
Rail & Recherche n°37 - October/November/December 2005

Patrick Bouchard, CEO Of Hélion, The head of Areva’s fuel cell subsidiary, Hélion, calls for an urgent, all-out effort to develop a technology he believes is vital for the future. SNCF is setting an example with the SPACT 80 project.

Rail & Recherche: What are the advantages of fuel cells? How can they contribute to sustainable development?
Patrick Bouchard: First, fuel cells are much more efficient than thermal motors. And since they generate electricity and heat through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, they do not emit greenhouse gases or produce waste. Thus, from the standpoint of sustainable development, they are obviously advantageous. There is still the matter of producing hydrogen “cleanly” and economically. Nuclear, biomass, wind and photovoltaic energy are potential solutions. Producing the reactive gases locally where they are consumed would solve the problems of storing renewable energies and producing “clean” fuel for the fuel cells, making the system fully consistent with sustainable development.

R & R: How do your company’s fuel cells work?
P. B.: Hélion designs and manufactures Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). There are two types: pure hydrogen-oxygen and hydrogen-air. The better electrochemical performance of the pure H2-O2 type, which is designed for underwater applications, offers much greater autonomy and availability. The second type, which functions with pure hydrogen and air, is the one suitable for transport applications.

R & R: What are the most promising applications for fuel cells?
P. B.: Hélion is focusing on five areas: underwater propulsion and robotics; transport; standby power; electrification of remote sites; and micro-cogeneration.

R & R: What problems must still be solved to generate enough power for transport applications?
P. B.: : In 2002, our pure H2-O2 FC generated 2 kWe; by the end of this year, we will be able to produce 50 kWe stacks. In the SPACT 80 project (an FCbased 80-kW system for transport), we will have a basic module producing about 20 kWe in early 2006. The 80 kWe required for SNCF’s experimental platform will be supplied by coupling FC cores. By optimising and coupling more cores, we will be able to generate the 200 kWe needed to propel a motor tractor.

R & R: Given its power requirements, isn’t SNCF going to need a somewhat special fuel cell?
P. B.: Fuel cells will not replace the TGV catenaries any time soon. Their first big role will be to supply silent, pollutionfree power for urban transport and shunting locomotives. SPACT 80 is an exemplary project because it unites all the major laboratories, a specialised company, Hélion, and two end users, one civil, SNCF, and the other military, the DGA. French industry needs to begin working closely with the research sector on fuel cell technology. By offering diverse solutions based on a single body of technology, we will be able to lower the technology’s cost and develop more applications.