Significant improvement of installation and service for fuel cell systems by Design-to-Service Specific challenge: Obtaining simple fuel cell systems to maintain and compliant with all regulatory requirements is a significant step towards mass markets for technologies that have so far mostly been driven by engineers and scientists. Those features are required to value the large advantages on performances (e.g. electrical efficiency) and to remove obstacles for the commercialization of fuel cells generators and co-generators. Integrating first lessons from field operation and the conceptual elaboration of lean after-sale structures for fuel cell technologies that differ significantly from incumbent technologies need to be addressed.Scope: The main objective of this topic is adaption of the existing FC-based appliances or a core part (stack module, reformer module) by using a Design-to-Service approach, in a way to significantly improve at least 3 of the following 5 objectives:• Reduce the service cost, including any spare part required, to meet the end-user requirements for the specific application (frequency of intervention, duration of intervention, availability of appliance, cost)• Simplify the service operation in a way that normally trained installers/technicians can accomplish the task by using the appliance “service manual” and the standard tools• Reduce the on-site technical intervention time• Reduce the total down-time of equipment for servicing• Increase the service interval timeThe first installation and start-up of the system is considered as part of the proposal.Expected impact: The project must meet the following targets in its respective market segment:• Micro-CHP and small generator appliances (1-10 kW):- service cost < 600 €/kW per year (including stack and any other hot components)- provide guidelines for writing service manuals that are easily understandable for maintenance technicians - service time requiring < 4h presence time of maintenance technician- total down-time of equipment for servicing < 48 hours- service interval: more than 1 year • Mid-scale power equipment (10-200 kW):- service cost < 550€/kW per year (with ref. 1000€/kW stack material cost)- provide guidelines for writing service manuals that are easily understandable for maintenance technicians - service time requiring < 8h presence time of maintenance technician- total down-time of equipment for servicing < 2 days- service interval more than 1-2 years• Large-scale power generators (>200 kW):- service cost < 290 €/kW per year (full service including output guarantee)- provide guidelines for writing service manuals that are easily understandable for maintenance technicians - service time requiring < 300 h presence time of maintenance technician per year- total down-time of the plant for servicing < 440 hours per year- service interval: more than 2 years without shut down, every 18 months electrical BOP with shutdown
