Attachment 1 - Technical Specifications.pdf

Attachment No. 1

Technical Specifications

"Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) Fuel Cell"

10/27/25

BACKGROUND

The Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has previously supported a 120 kW fuel cell capability used for research projects. ESIF is seeking to replace and upgrade this fuel cell capability by purchasing a commercially available fuel cell generator solution. Fuel cell support systems (e.g., cooling system, hydrogen piping, ventilation, etc.) are already installed in the facility and are expected to be modified to support the new fuel cell system as needed. The fuel cell will utilize stored hydrogen produced at ESIF and will supply electrical power to the ESIF Research Electrical Distribution Bus. The fuel cell solution may optionally provide combined heat and power take-off provisions. The fuel cell system will be used in various research projects as an integrated capability.

OBJECTIVE

The project objective is to procure a turn-key Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell system that can be installed at ESIF and used to support energy integration research and development. The fuel cell system should preferably include a scalable or modular system to allow easy future expansion/increased power output.

SPECIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

GENERAL

• PEM fuel cell

• Evaluate and state power output at Golden, CO elevation (5800 ft)

• Hydrogen enclosure ventilation

• Plant life of 10 years

• Operating ambient temperature range of approximately –30C to 40C

• Comes with hydrogen feed system (facility fuel supply may be up to 3000 psi), including double block safety solenoid valve systems, regulator, gauge, pressure release and venting system, hydrogen filter, and pressure transmitters

• Able to physically separate fuel cell and gas handling system from power electronics and battery

• Access to as much data as possible (for logging)

• Data on thermal performance, fuel cell health, and hydrogen consumption

• Provide CHP takeoff

ELECTRICAL

• 200-250 kW power output, expandable to 500 kW or a single module between 250 kW and 500 kW.

• Black Start capability including standalone microgrid operation.

• Is packaged with or can be easily integrated with DC coupled battery

• Minimum voltage output of 400VDC

• Include provision for DC takeoff direct from fuel cell stack DC.

• System must be scalable, having a modular approach that allows for increasing the power rating of the system in some defined increment.

• Vendor provides inverter and integration

THERMAL

• Includes local, standalone cooling system

HYDROGEN FUEL

• Hydrogen consumption rate is stated and does not exceed 18 kg/hr.

PHYSICAL

• System footprint maximum 15’ 6” x 40’. (This footprint must include all required clearances for door swings, maintenance access, etc.)

• For outdoor installation

• Customer has ability to dictate location of intake and vent locations

COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTROL INTERFACE

• Provision for remote shutdown

• Provision for remote control and monitoring

SAFETY AND CODE FEATURES

• The fuel cell enclosure needs to have minimum of IP54 rating

• No “Hazardous Zone” classification required for installation location

SERVICE AND SUPPORT

• High service field support availability/response times (U.S. based support options preferred)

• At least 1-year warranty starting upon system commissioning

• Stack replacements at minimum of 10,000 hours (dependent on duty cycle and load profile)

CERTIFICATION / EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS:

NREL requires products and equipment be listed by an OSHA-approved nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) OR that products and equipment are properly evaluated and accepted using one of the methods identified below. As a foundation to safety and certification acceptance, wherever possible and applicable, all sub-components and assemblies employed in the offered equipment are expected to be NRTL-listed components. Overall, NRTL-listed solutions are favored, however it is recognized that this is not always achievable. In all cases, NREL requires one of the following options be selected for the proposal or quote of offered products:

1. Offered products and equipment carry NRTL listing (ideal).

2. Offeror will support and deliver factory certification by a third-party

NRTL certifier prior to shipping equipment to NREL (strongly preferred).

Additional costs to accomplish this may be included in the quote or proposal.

3. NREL conducts safety and compliance acceptance inspection at the manufacturer’s site before the equipment is shipped to NREL. Inspection is based on engineering/build documentation that has been provided by the manufacturer and pre-approved by the customer. If this option is selected, justification must be provided.

4. Field site inspection and certification by third-party NRTL agency. NREL assumes this is an additional service cost NREL pays to the third-party certifier, not to the offeror. Offeror must supply necessary supporting engineering and build documentation. The supplier is responsible for any applicable corrections as a condition of final acceptance/payment. If this option is selected, justification must be provided.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SELECTION, VALIDATION AND TESTING:

• Performance validation to demonstrate the product will meet specifications.

• Support for product selection and configuration.

• Support for review of final equipment design and custom configurations.

• Provision of requirements for facility layout and integration.

• Provision of Factory Acceptance Testing and specifications for NREL onsite testing

AFTER AWARD, SUBMIT TO NREL FOR REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE (PRIOR TO

FABRICATION):

• Shop drawings showing total dimensions, component identifiers, bill of materials, and one-lines.

• Product data for controlling and monitoring components.