RockeTruck, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of advanced power generation systems and components, today unveiled the first prototype of its new “Mobile Fuel Cell Generator” (MFCG), a mobile platform that produces clean electricity using a hydrogen fuel cell. The MFCG prototype was showcased at a workshop hosted by California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), whose faculty assisted RockeTruck in designing and developing this advanced generator system.

The MFCG system unveiled today carries a fuel cell rated at 80 kilowatts (kW), along with a large hydrogen fuel supply, a small battery, and power conversion and control electronics, on a customized 20-foot trailer designed and manufactured by RockeTruck. The system was designed to provide emergency backup power during grid power outages. Over the next year, this MFCG system will be test operated at several locations in Southern California to validate its technology and benefits.

The version of the MFCG displayed today is designed to provide sustained power for periods of up to 48 hours during grid power outages caused by wildfires and other emergencies. It can also be used to supply power for off-grid buildings in remote areas. It is the first of three MFCG systems to be built and demonstrated over the next two years. These demonstration units will include a smaller MFCG system that can be used for more routine commercial applications, such as providing power for tools at construction sites or for lighting at outdoor events.

“Ensuring access to renewable and reliable energy resources during grid outages is important for maintaining critical infrastructure and safeguarding communities,” said Jonah Steinbuck, Director for Energy Research and Development at the California Energy Commission. “The Energy Commission is pleased to support projects such as the Mobile Fuel Cell Generator which is an important step toward providing sustainable energy solutions for back-up power.” The CEC is one of three public agencies that have provided funding to support development of the MFCG, along with the U.S. Department of Energy and L.A.’s South Coast Air Quality Management District. MFCG development is also being supported by three investor-owned utilities – San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and the Southern California Gas Company, and development of its control software is being supported by AVL Mobility Technologies.

The MFCG is the first major product developed by RockeTruck, a privately held company founded in 2020 and based in Escondido, CA. RockeTruck also develops clean battery and fuel cell-based propulsion systems for heavy-duty vehicles and a variety of power generation and storage components, including advanced power converters, battery storage systems, and energy management controls. For more information, please visit RockeTruck’s website, www.rocketruck.com, or send an e-mail inquiry to info@rocketruck.com.