Anybody else heard of this? It's an incredibly efficient generator that's about the size of a brick - and it can power an entire home. Some big companies like Google, eBay, and Wal-Mart are already testing the thing, and it really works.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
Potentially a good development, but it doesn't look likely to be revolutionary. I have more hope for solar, wind, and better storage tech (capacitors) than I do for this.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
From this, it doesn't sound like too much of a big deal, just a way to distribute natural gas power plants.
So it still seems to generate emissions and would also be pretty volatile price-wise since natural gas prices can be pretty volatile.
Good for my investments though, I think.
Posted by rollainm (Member # 8318) on :
Those links were a lot more informative. I guess nothing is quite as neat as it appears on the surface. Still, I found it interesting, and I was previously unfamiliar with that kind of technology.
Posted by Raventhief (Member # 9002) on :
Fuel cell technology is great stuff, but it won't reduce our reliance on hydrocarbons. But it is a more efficient and cleaner way of using them. Truth is these things are LONG overdue.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Not to mention they can use the waste product as fuel, so the only think left is water. Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kwea: Not to mention they can use the waste product as fuel, so the only think left is water.
What about the carbon?
Posted by Raventhief (Member # 9002) on :
Carbon dioxide. Clean gas, literally can be countered 100% by planting more trees.
Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
I work for FuelCell Energy, which is mentioned unfavorably in the second article. The fact is that Bloom is also losing money on each stack that they sell. In two adjacent years, FuelCell lost 71 million, while Bloom lost 85 million, but the article practially makes it look like Bloom is turning a profit.
Bloom's breadbox sized stack doesn't make a lot of sense. They've been in business 8 years but they claim they have a product that will last 10 years. My guess is that this figure comes from degradation tests over the life of the test. That tells you how long it will take before the cell doesn't make enough voltage to be useful, but it tells you nothing about how long the stack will last before it breaks.
Also, their active area is about 4" square, and they're claiming that building smaller stacks is the solution to the cost/unit issue. We find the opposite is true. We have had 4" and 7" cells in both solid oxide and molten carbonate stacks, and found that the ratio of active area to overall cell area is too small. It makes it more expensive to manufacture. Our solid oxide cells are 10" square, (and will likely get larger) and our molten carbonate cells are 24" x 48." Engineering them larger is harder, but it reduces cost per unit of active area, and also reduces the cost per unit for vessel, manifolding, and balance of plant.
Their Linkedin page has additional links for anyone that's interested.
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
It seems like this technology coupled with one of the algae-based biofuels could be a winner.
Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
As it is, many of our customers are using biogas. Sierra Brewery, Pepperidge Farm and Gill's onions all have significant biomass leftovers, which they digest and feed the off-gas into our fuel cells.
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
I read the title to this thread as Boom Blox, and thought a sequel was coming out.
But energy breakthroughs are cool too... I guess...
Posted by Dobbie (Member # 3881) on :
quote:Originally posted by Glenn Arnold: As it is, many of our customers are using biogas. Sierra Brewery, Pepperidge Farm and Gill's onions all have significant biomass leftovers, which they digest and feed the off-gas into our fuel cells.
What's a bioga?
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Bio Gas.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Why do people still answer Dob(b)ie's questions as if they were anything sincere?
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by Glenn Arnold: As it is, many of our customers are using biogas. Sierra Brewery, Pepperidge Farm and Gill's onions all have significant biomass leftovers, which they digest and feed the off-gas into our fuel cells.
I've noticed that. Particularly from Milanos, although Windmills make me a little gassy as well.
Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
An interview with Dan Brdar, CEO of FuelCell Energy covering various issues on the stationary fuel cell industry. Not very in depth, but pretty well balanced.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)