A Look At The Efoy Fuel Cell
The days are numbered for the old internal combustion engine, that runs off petrol. Today we’re working towards adopting a new fuel that is renewable and bountiful. That fuel is methanol.
Efoy have developed a range of fuel cells for the environmentally concious market. They’re relatively light, portable and accessible to anyone willing to fork out $3500 Australian Dollars (minimum) over at Neco. Unfortunately, for the purpose of this article, I was unable to obtain an Efoy fuel cell for testing, but that doesn’t stop me from shedding a bit of light on this powerful new technology.
What the Efoy Fuel Cell Does
This brand of fuel cell doesn’t use the traditional hydrogen fuel as a source of power but methanol, a by-product in the production of ethanol. This means sugar cane farmers and sugar companies across the world will be the new OPEC for this type of fuel cell.
Basically, the fuel cell generates power and charges batteries located within the system. This provides stable power on demand.
No Need to Worry About Hydrogen
If you’re concerned about taking a tank of volatile hydrogen with you, you can probably feel a bit safer with the Efoy fuel cell technology. Since you’ll just be taking a bottle or two of methanol, you don’t have to worry about it any more than you do with petrol. That said, methanol does scare me in some regards.
Taking the Efoy Fuel Cell, Camping?
As a self confessed internet addict, this would be a perfect accomplice for taking camping. You could bring your laptop along with you on a trip and
Plane Trips / Cafe Visits Efoy Fuel Cell, Style
Unfortunately, this is not one of those things you can take with you down to the local cafe to power your laptop. Fuel cells are still, much too large for every-day practical use, despite recent advancements (namely Toshiba’s smallest fuel cell). Realistically, you’re not going to cart around an 8kg package and methanol containers to match.
Let’s not even talk about the practicality of taking this through an airport terminal! After liquids have been banned, they’re certainly not going to let you aboard with 10 liters of methanol.
Who Needs an Efoy Fuel Cell?
If anyone needs one of these cells, it would have to be the outdoor tourism business. If you’re needing to power a computer, lighting setup, communications system or any other electrical component that chews through serious power, one of these Fuel Cells is for you.
Next on the list would be people using mobile homes. Stick one of these babies in your caravan and you’ll be powered on methanol for days. Combine that with solar power and you have a pretty solid system in place.
Where to Find the Efoy Fuel Cell?
Efoy has a website which you can browse around here. Although, if you’re looking to purchase one of these, you should take a look at neco. Neco is one of my favourite eco-super stores.
Living a greener life is getting better every single day… I’m amazed to think just 3-4 years ago and compare it to now… the green movement has definitely exploded and sites like this are definitely a huge reason why…
Sharing green tips lets exposes people to a lot of different things they can try to do their part for the environment
I’ll definitly will be visiting more often… We also have a list of green tips (http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/category/daily-green-tips/) checked them out if you can and remember spread the word we’re defnitly on the right track lets just hope we’re not too late.
Last time I checked NECO was not able to supply any of these units, and were not able to supply a date when they could.
Really?
I’ve heard NECO are generally quite good. That’s odd. There should be plenty of other stores which supply these units. Do a quick google and that should turn something up.
Googd luck getting your hands on one of these, Jason.
Dear sir Very intresting. Could you please advise me.
I have a German caravan with an Efoy Fuel Cell. Since my country Zimbabwe does not have such energy systems. I have tried to buy catridges here in Japan. I was told their Efoy Fuel Cell use catridgers, that consist of a diffreant % of methonal. This means I can’t use the catridges in my country. Would it be possible for me to use high grade methanol sold in my country. If I can’t solve this problem, It will mean I have wasted a lot of money on installing this system.
Regards Mustaq.
Sorry Mustaq, I can’t advise you with any confidence. But if they’re anything like diesel engines, you would need to ensure the methanol is of very high grade and filtered properly. You might also like to take a sample to a laboratory near you and test to see if any other elements exist in the Efoy methanol than what you can obtain in your country.
Otherwise, my only other guess would be to contact Efoy themselves. They should be able to help you out no matter what.
Great Blog, I had nevber heard of this type of fuel cell before. having completed a Dip in electrotechnology Renewable energy, this type of cell was never raised. More for me to follow up on. Thank you.
Dear Mustaq,
EFOY Fuel in Japan is a 90/10 Methanol/Water and to be used only for EFOY Japanees models sold by Webasto in Japan. Methanol used with EFOY has the highest purity specification and any other methanol will damage the fuel stack. Unfortunately SFC EFOY does not have fuel structure in Africa and currently looking for sales partners in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and neighboring countries. If you potential distributers in your country, let SFC EFOY know by visiting their website. With regards,
Mark
Interested by the mobile home remark. I’ve been living on a boat for six years and with two small solar panels, one wind generator and six lead acid batteries to store the power I’m pretty self sufficient for electricity.
click on the banner top or bottom at http://www.freepowerknowhow.com and you’ll be able to find plans to make your own solar panels and wind turbine, for home, caravan/trailer or boat. Every bit of free power you generate reduces the demand on dirty and/or dangerous power stations and you don’t have to invest thousands in kit, fuel cells or other, you can do it now.