Fuel Cell Gas Appliances in Europe: Standards as a key element for Market Introduction

摘要

Europe is considered to be one of the key markets for fuel cells in future. Especially the domestic sector shows good perspectives for combined fuel cell and heating systems. Such technologies have been developed by major European manufacturers or are under construction. DVGW certified the actual Vaillant and Sulzer fuel cell gas appliances with the CE-Mark in December 2001. They are intended for the upcoming European field trials. EU-Directives and relating standards are the basis for the European certification. Therefore DVGW initiated a European standardisation project for fuel cell gas appliances. The aim is to create the relevant standards. The project considers the work in IEC as far as the requirements from EU-Directives and actual EU-standards in the gas and heating appliance sector. The presentation will show 1. our motivation, 2. the existing regulatory framework, 3. structure, aim and content of the standardisation project 4. and the links to current activities.