fuel cell
D E C EMB E R 2 0 1 8 1 7
A perfect example for such a beneficial collaboration is AVL’s long partnership
with Greenlight Innovation. For years, AVL has been working
closely together with this in Vancouver-based company, who is known to
be the world leading test equipment manufacturer for all types of cell and
stack testing. With the target to further extend this great partnership, AVLs
facility is literally five minutes’ walk from Greenlight Innovation’s offices.
Working closely with Greenlight completes not only both parties’ product
portfolio but enables customers to experience the full spectrum of worldclass
testing equipment integrated in the whole fuel cell testing portfolio.
“In Graz the expertise in PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) fuel cells
is very much focused on subsystem and system development and the integration
of those systems into their application,” explains Brendel. “AVL
sees strategic value in fuel cell technology and wants to focus more on this
area, and the Vancouver operation strengthens our team and adds complimentary
skills to our fuel cell offering. It will allow us to move faster and
to work with more partners in this field of technology.”
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
AVL Canada’s vision is to support in the development of advanced fuel cell
test systems, and for this purpose to obtain in-depth technical expertise on
hydrogen fuel cell technologies. This follows AVL’s well known approach
to driving innovation, and moving the technology to market readiness.
This is just the beginning of a new exciting journey. Carried away by the
enthusiasm for AVL’s unique pioneer spirit, the team in Canada is striving
for highly innovative solutions.
Maximizing customer value has and will always stay number one priority
for AVL and justifies its latest dedicated investments in fuel cell. AVL’s
solutions and products offer customers the best support in their development
and testing activities.
For example, with the automation system AVL PUMA Open™ for fuel
cell testing, customers have access to a continuous automatization platform
for fuel cell, stack and system testing. Additionally, AVL offers the complete
toolchain for all kinds of detailed requirements with its solutions such
as AVL CAMEO™, CONCERTO™, CRETA™, FIRE™, CRUISE™,
etc. Among many other advantages, additional value is added through a
big network of experienced service engineers globally, who are supporting
customers with their profound know-how twenty-four-seven.
Building on AVL’s 15 years of fuel cell experience and its comprehensive
powertrain
know-how, this venture adds further value to AVL’s product
portfolio. This will move AVL closer to its goal of becoming the preferred
“partner of choice” for fuel cell technology testing solutions and of the integration
of the fuel cell in the entire powertrain system.
Gerspach says: “This facility creates a center of excellence in PEM fuel cell
technology testing and development. Relying strongly on this technology,
AVL has set itself the goal of breaking new ground and taking new,
forward-looking
approaches.”
Brendel adds: “There was great support and enthusiasm around the project.
Multiple parts of the organization played perfectly together to realize the
plan in a very short time. The team in Vancouver is very impressive with
their depth of knowledge and dedication to the technology and it has been
great fun to work with them.”
The business plan promises growth over the next years. The plan is not
only to hire experienced and well-known experts but also to foster young
talents and give them room for innovation. AVL offers its employees multiple
career possibilities in a huge international environment and fosters
its employees in both their professional but also personal development.
“It’s about gradual, but steady growth. We’re in the middle of the largest
fuel cell tech cluster in the world, and we want everyone to know – we’re
part of it!” says Gerspach.
» WE’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
LARGEST FUEL CELL TECH CLUSTER
IN THE WORLD, AND WE WANT
EVERYONE TO KNOW – WE’RE
PART OF IT! «
URS GERSPACH • Executive Vice President Test Systems
and Global Operations & Director AVL Fuel Cell Canada Inc.