Recent testing at Peterbilt's Texas headquarters demonstrated how a Delphi solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) auxiliary power unit can provide power for a Peterbilt Model 386's “hotel” load with the truck's diesel engine off, the companies announced.
According to the companies, Delphi's SOFC technology converts chemical energy in conventional fuels into electrical power without combustion, emitting no emissions while addressing anti-idling legislation, noise and fuel consumption concerns.
The test replicated a typical trucker's day, bringing the APU to operating temperature with the truck's main engine running, then turning off the main engine, simulating the beginning of a rest period. During the rest period, the APU powered the truck's electrical loads.
After 10 hours, the truck's main engine was restarted. Throughout the test, the SOFC APU provided an average of 800 watts of electricity to the truck, the companies said. www.delphi.com
