Small scale stationary Combined Heat and Power (1-CHP) generation is foreseen as a significant
future market for fuel cells. Among the fuel cell types, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
(PEMFC) technology is by far dominating the small scale stationary demonstration and field trials
(90%). The PEMFC has advantages related to high electric efficiency and excellent load following
properties. A major hurdle to commercialisation, however, is their insufficient lifetime under realistic
operation conditions. KEEPEMALIVE aims to establish improved understanding of degradation and
failure mechanisms, accelerated stress test protocols, sensitivity matrix and lifetime prediction models
for Low Temperature PEMFC to enable a lifetime of 40 000h at realistic operation conditions for
stationary systems, in compliance with performance and costs targets. Main KEEPEMALIVE targets
are to establish a robust and efficient methodology to identify & quantify main factors (and
interactions) causing degradation/failure when imposed to stressing conditions and to characterise
changes in PEMFC materials properties and corresponding performance losses using statistical
designed experiments KEEPEMALIVE uses an integrated, iterative approach, using advanced
statistical experiment design and result evaluation. Quantitative data obtained in situ from cell
&stack tests under stressing conditions, are complemented by ex situ testing of materials,
revealing corresponding changes in properties.