Demonstrating this year at the exhibition in Frankfurt pre-production samples of Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL, Daimler simultaneously presented a new generation of fuel cell technology. Being 30% smaller and 40% more powerful than its predecessor, the novelty was compact enough to fit in the engine compartment of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. Moreover, the new system has the flexibility to make it attractive not only for vehicles.

Daimler and its subsidiary NuCellSys, working with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America (MBRDNA) and Daimler Innovations Lab1886, decided to expand the scope of the hydrogen fuel cell technology. In cooperation with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Power Innovations (PI) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a stationary version of the use of hydrogen fuel cells. It is designed for backup power to computer centers.

According to the creators of the prototype, a new power source is able to supplement generators working on solar and wind energy, providing the work of the computer center during periods of declining generation. In periods of excessive generation, energy is supposed to be spent on hydrogen production.

In contrast to the need for recharging batteries, fuel cells can work as long as necessary, provided that the hydrogen supply is uninterrupted. The advantages of a hydrogen generator on fuel cells include compactness, high reliability, low emissions and noise (probably compared to diesel and gasoline generators).

The pilot project will be presented at the event SuperComputing 2017, which will be held in Denver from November 13 to 17. To its implementation, Daimler, HPE and PI intend to proceed next year.