W.001: award winning Compact Hydrogen Power for Mobile Applications

The project is based on the further development of a TRL 5 prototype by Fraunhofer IFAM and focuses on the use of POWERPASTE, an ultra-high-capacity hydrogen storage material for PEM fuel cell applications. POWERPASTE releases hydrogen when it comes into contact with water and contains around 10 mass percent hydrogen. After conversion, this corresponds to a specific energy of 1,600 Wh/kg and an energy density of 1,900 Wh/litre — around ten times the capacity of lithium-ion batteries.

The key innovation of W.001 is its cartridge-based deposit system. By combining individual components of the Fraunhofer IFAM prototype into a more compact and modular structure, W.001 improves usability and opens up new possibilities for mobile applications such as electric boats, motorcycles, drones and off-grid camping solutions.

Compared to conventional battery systems, the W.001 concept offers several important advantages: instant refilling, long shelf life, almost no self-discharge, independence from charging infrastructure, reliable performance across a wide temperature range, low CAPEX per kWh, and the use of safe, non-toxic and recyclable materials.

With W.001, Angelo Rito demonstrated how smart design, modular engineering and innovative hydrogen storage technology can contribute to the next generation of clean mobile energy systems.