Industry Day for Detailed Design for a High Temperature Fuel Cell (SOFC) Based Auxiliary Power Unit

The contract focuses on the development of a modular, compact, high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system designed as an advanced Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for the U.S. Marine Corps and other Department of Defense applications. This system aims to deliver high-efficiency, silent power generation that meets the stringent militarized specifications of existing fielded APUs, utilizing a variety of fuels including JP5, JP8, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, and zero sulfur synthetic diesel. The objective is to reduce fuel consumption on the battlefield, a critical concern highlighted in the 2008 Defense Science Board Energy Report, by providing an alternative power source that mitigates the logistical burden of fuel supply during wartime operations. The program intends to advance the technology readiness level of the fuel cell system to TRL 6 by January 2012 and achieve full system maturity by TRL 9 by 2015. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) initiated this effort with an Industry Day event linked to solicitation ONRBAA08-024, released approximately on August 11, 2008, to engage industry partners and gather detailed design proposals. Key contacts for the program include Shawn O'Donnell and Program Officer Donald C Hoffman, who are responsible for managing communications and technical oversight. The contract emphasizes energy recovery integration and compatibility with multiple fuel types to ensure operational flexibility in battlefield conditions.