Ceres Power

The company aims to change the way homes and businesses generate their electricity, reducing costs and lowering emissions, through its fuel cell technology.

One challenge in developing these low-cost products was in understanding the principles governing accurate and durable temperature measurement which would allow the company to achieve highly accurate temperature control.

Paul Barnard, Director – Fuel Cell Module Design Authority at Ceres, had worked with Dr Robert Morgan from the University of Brighton on various consultancy projects.

In 2013 the company began a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Brighton to bring thermal and fluid dynamics expertise to the company.  The KTP in thermometry aimed to measure temperature accurately and reliably, at the required product cost point, inside the system.

With the project focusing on a highly specialist area with similarities with automotive engines and exhaust measurements, the university’s Centre for Automotive Engineering was a logical partner for Ceres Power.

Those involved in the Knowledge Transfer Partnership focused on testing the thermocouple inside one of the component pipes of the system, to check for accuracy and consistency.  

Supervised by Dr Robert Morgan, the KTP Associate Dr Farzad Barari designed the test rig which is being used to find the critical parameters and design a solution, using guidelines for design and practice to create a better product.

Paul said: 

The KTP was a good opportunity to develop our knowledge, and to partner with a university and develop a young engineer.