View source for Fuel cell auxiliary power unit

A '''fuel cell auxiliary power unit''' ('''FC-APU''') is a [[fuel cell]] based [[auxiliary power unit]] on a [[vehicle]] that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are mainly used in trucking, aviation, marine and recreational vehicles.<ref>[http://www.navigantresearch.com/research/fuel-cells-for-auxiliary-power-unit-applications fuel cells for auxiliary power unit applications] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002722/http://www.navigantresearch.com/research/fuel-cells-for-auxiliary-power-unit-applications |date=2013-12-03 }}</ref>

==Market==
In 2010 there were globally 3,100 fuel cell APU  shipments.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://fuelcellsworks.com/news/2011/11/29/investment-in-fuel-cells-for-auxiliary-power-unit-applications-to-reach-400-million-by-2020-according-to-pike-research/ |title=Investment in fuel cells for auxiliary power unit applications to reach $400 million by 2020, according to Pike research |access-date=2013-11-28 |archive-date=2013-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203140351/http://fuelcellsworks.com/news/2011/11/29/investment-in-fuel-cells-for-auxiliary-power-unit-applications-to-reach-400-million-by-2020-according-to-pike-research/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Trucks==
Around 300,000 [[refrigerator truck]]s with auxiliary power units are on the road in the United States.<ref>[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130823163826.htm Refrigerated trucks to keep their cool thanks to fuel cell technology]</ref> In recent years, truck and fuel cell manufacturers have teamed up to create, test and demonstrate a fuel cell APU that eliminates nearly all emissions <ref>{{cite news|first=Christie-Joy |last=Broderick |author2=Timothy Lipman |author3=Mohammad Farshchi |author4=Nicholas Lutsey |author5=Harry Dwyer |author6=Daniel Sperling |author7=William Gouse |author8=Bruce Harris |author9=Foy King |title=Evaluation of Fuel Cell auxiliary Power Units for Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks |year=2002 |publisher=Elsevier Sciences Ltd. |url=http://www.uctc.net/papers/587.pdf |work=Transportation Research Part D |pages=303–315 |access-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403131809/http://www.uctc.net/papers/587.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-03 }}</ref> and uses diesel fuel more efficiently.<ref name="Weissler">{{cite journal | title = Delphi truck fuel-cell APU to hit road in 2012 | journal = Vehicle Electrification | date = 2010-05-12 | first = Paul | last = Weissler| url=http://articles.sae.org/8222/ | url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160528144211/http://articles.sae.org/8222/ | access-date = 2011-09-27 | archive-date = 2016-05-28 | quote = and Delphi says it will have a 5-kW APU on the market in 2012. }}</ref>  In 2008, a DOE sponsored partnership between Delphi Electronics and Peterbilt demonstrated that a fuel cell could provide power to the electronics and air conditioning of a Peterbilt Model 386 under simulated "idling" conditions for 10 hours.<ref>{{cite news | first = Mike | last = Jacobs | title = Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Successfully Powers Truck Cab and Sleeper in DOE-Sponsored Test | date = 2009-03-19 | publisher = National Energy Technology Laboratory | url = http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2009/09017-Fuel_Cell_Powers_Commercial_Trucks.html | work = NETL: News Release | access-date = 2011-09-27}}</ref> Delphi has said the 5&nbsp;kW system for Class 8 trucks will be released in 2012,{{update inline|date=August 2015}} at an $8000–9000 price tag that would be competitive with other "midrange" two-cylinder diesel APUs, should they be able to meet those deadlines and cost estimates.<ref name="Weissler" />

==Research==
*RDSO started a project to develop fuel cell assisted Auxiliary power units in diesel-electric locomotives of [[Indian Railways]].<ref>[http://www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/Spec-Fuel-cell%20assisted-APU-revised-draft-01-02-12.pdf Fuel cell assisted APU system for diesel-electric locomotives]</ref>
*PowerCell is testing an autothermal reformer and a PEM fuel cell stack to convert diesel fuel into electricity for trucks.<ref>[http://www.greencarcongress.com/2013/05/powercell-20130521.html PowerCell unveils 3kW PowerPac fuel cell APU that converts diesel into electricity]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Refrigerator car]]
* [[Refrigerated container]]
* [[Trailer refrigeration unit]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Starting systems]]
[[Category:Electrical generators]]
[[Category:Aircraft auxiliary power units]]
[[Category:Fuel cells]]