Metallic Power, founded in 1995 and based in Carlsbad, California, is introducing zinc/air fuel cells as the solution for quiet, reliable zero-emission electric power that totally recycles its fuel and recharges in five minutes.
Companies like Textron, Toro, and ABB, original equipment manufacturers of non-road small industrial utility vehicles, turf maintenance equipment, and back-up power sources for telecommunications equipment, are partnering with Metallic Power to develop and use the technology.
The system consists of zinc/air fuel cells and a zinc regeneration/recycling machine. The fuel cell is refueled with zinc pellets rather than electrically recharged. The zinc pellets (1mm diameter) combine with oxygen from the air inside the cell, forming zinc oxide. The zinc gives the system four to seven times more energy per pound than traditional lead-acid batteries. It is recycled in the regenerator using electricity from the wall. Metallic Power’s fuel cells require no cool-down time and can remain maintenance free for up to ten years. Overall cost is comparable to or lower than gas powered equipment.
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