RUNCORN technology company Acal Energy has notched a significant milestone in the testing of its FlowCath fuel cell system.

A prototype unit has achieved more than 1,000 hours of continuous running with no deterioration in performance.

The Acal system replaces an expensive precious metal catalyst in conventional fuel cells with a low-cost liquid catalyst which reduces cost and improves durability and reliability.

Fuel cells are clean energy electro-chemical systems that convert chemical energy into electrical power and are capable of replacing combustion engines in a range of applications, from automotive to mobile power systems.

The company said: “These results demonstrate the predicted durability and robustness of the Acal Energy technology, and come alongside earlier announcements of peak power performance.

“Demonstrating long- term continuous operation is essential. These results are a critical step forward in proving the commercial and technical viability of the technology.”

The company said it was now aiming to deliver a 1kW demonstration model by this summer, and to have 5,000 hours of continuous running data on a single cell by this time next year.

Acal Energy is based at The Heath Business and Technology Park, in Runcorn, and has other facilities in the North East.