Bloom Energy - fuel cell

[wil]

400 million has gone into this company over the past 8 years already...

They are testing their product at Google, Ebay, Walmart, Staples...

Google says they've saved over 100,000 in energy costs with the BloomEnergy's BloomBoxes...

They are going public on Wednesday the 24th...

Whattya think...cold fusion or hot ticket fuel cell?

http://www.google.com/search?q=bloom...x=&startPage=1

 

[Dogbrain]

It's obviously a fuel cell, of course. They haven't published any efficiency numbers, so there are only anecdotes to go off at the moment. However, fuel cells would not have to be much improved to be more cost-efficient than combustion-based electrical generation for stationary power sources.

 

[shawn]

Until they get their costs of production down (which are for all fuel cells far too high) they aren't very competitive.
here is a good and workable solution until then:
Capstone MicroTurbine

The Capstone MicroTurbine™ is a compact, turbine generator that delivers electricity onsite, or close to the point where it is needed. Our MicroTurbine is suitable for applications ranging from remote locations to city centers, delivering clean, high quality power from a wide variety of fuels, with superior safety and emissions. It offers the best value for clean and reliable small-scale power production. Features including maintenance-free air bearings, the lowest emissions of any non-catalyzed fossil fuel combustion, and digital power conversion combine to produce the optimal small-scale generator.
Products Suitable for applications ranging from remote locations to city centers – delivering clean, high quality power from a wide variety of fuels, with superior safety, reliability and emissions.
Solutions A technology that is versatile and adaptable, for stationary power, co generation, hazardous environments, and vehicular applications.
Service Understanding the complexities and nuances of our customers’ requirements is the foundation of our Service Program.
Global Case Studies Experience counts! We have our MicroTurbine systems running on every continent except Antarctica.
Technology Tour Learn how a MicroTurbine works and why our systems are the preeminent solution for Distributed Energy needs.

 

[shawn]

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Feb 4, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (Capstone MicroTurbine - In The News) (Nasdaq:CPST) today announced that Velozzi, a Los Angeles-based car designer and manufacturer, will become the first auto company to integrate Capstone's ultra-clean C65 and C30 microturbines into a electric supercar and a crossover vehicle.

Velozzi vehicles are the first production cars to be constructed with carbon fiber Nano tubes.
he Velozzi Supercar will be powered by a 770-horsepower AC-induction electric motor charged by an on-board Capstone C65 microturbine. The supercar is designed to accelerate from 0-60mph in just three seconds and reach a top speed of over 200 mph, according to Velozzi.
The SOLO will be a lightweight electric crossover with an on-board 30-kilowatt Capstone microturbine that will charge the crossover's batteries and super capacitors while in operation or at rest.
"Velozzi has included microturbines in their car designs since the company's inception," said Jim Crouse, Capstone's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "It's an extremely progressive company committed to producing environmentally friendly, powerful and practical electric vehicles. With a Capstone microturbine, they'll ensure drivers have the range and reliability to drive a Velozzi anywhere."
Current plug-in electric vehicle driving ranges are extremely short between battery charges. A microturbine dramatically extends the driving range of the vehicle. According to Velozzi their cars will operate on 100 percent battery power in zero-emissions mode for a range of up to 200 miles. Then, when the batteries reach a pre-determined state of discharge, the Capstone microturbine quietly and efficiently recharges the batteries on the fly to extend the driving range up to 1,000 miles.
The diesel-fueled Capstone microturbine produces ultra-low emissions and requires less maintenance than the traditional combustion engine found in today's hybrid-electric vehicles. Capstone microturbines can run on diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, methanol, jet fuel, propane and compressed natural gas. Capstone was recently awarded a Department of Energy grant to develop a flex fuel turbine that will operate on agricultural syngas and hydrogen.
"Capstone's fuel system gives the driver the flexibility to use a multitude of energy sources available today and in the future," Velozzi said. "You don't have to wait years for plug-in infrastructure or a new fuel infrastructure to be developed to charge or power Velozzi vehicles because our vehicles can use many fuels available today," added Velozzi.

 

[wil]

I want an electric powered RV with fuel cell to provide the electricity to run it....

They've got about 5 years... next year kids go to college...I'll work overseas to pay for it...and then do a stint in the peace corp....and then I want my RV outfitted and travel the highway for a few years...

 

[shawn]

Or then there is SWARM POWER:
You can google that term for a more comprehensive overview, but here is one story:
Swarm Power from Basement Plant | Fairplanet

On September 9, 2009 Volkswagen und the energy provider LichtBlick signed an exclusive energy-partnership on a global base. Volkswagen will produce highly efficient power stations driven by modern gas engines of own production. LichtBlick will distribute the stations as “Basement Plants” and field them within a new and intelligent concept of heat and electricity supply.
Basement Plant
The EcoBlue-plant of LichtBlick and VW is equipped with a natural gas motor of the “Rabbit”. Heat generation and power of this motor will be used likewise.
Centerpiece of this plant is its communication-unit:
It enables an intelligent control of the system. Mobile phone-data will be exchanged between control center and the Basement Plant. Electricity will be channeled into the public grid every time when the demand for it is high.
LichtBlick wants to network 100,000 decentralized Basement Plants in the future and to build so Germany’s largest (virtual) gas-fired power plant.
Swarm Power

Decentralized Basement Plants from LichtBlick versus conventional large power stations:

• The energy efficiency of a Basement Plant is 2-3 times higher than that of a coal or nuclear power plant.
• The CO2-emissions of a Basement Plant are 60% lesser than those of the conventional heat and electricity production.
• Swarm Power is available within minutes. A coal power plant needs up to seven hours to get active from stand-by, a nuclear power plant needs even more. They are definitely too slow to meet the short-time fluctuations of the wind and solar electricity production.
• Swarm Power is safe. The capacity of the networked Basement Plants stays constant even if some of them fail.

From spring 2010 the first plants can be installed. The customer pays a grant for the installation of about 5,000 Euro. The distribution will be extended step by step to the whole federal territory. The company promises a fast installation, favorable conditions for the heat supply and and additional electricity-incentive.

 

[shawn]

I want an electric powered RV with fuel cell to provide the electricity to run it....

They've got about 5 years... next year kids go to college...I'll work overseas to pay for it...and then do a stint in the peace corp....and then I want my RV outfitted and travel the highway for a few years...

Why wait m8?
Get a microturbine to charge your RV battery banks this year.
It is more affordable, runs on multiple fuels and is available.
I like the fuel cell idea as well, but it is not easily accessible right now.

 

[Scientist]

There is a lot of confusion at the present time about fuel cells because of the lack of vision regarding hydrogen. As the long term vision begins to emerge, it will be understood that fuel cells are necessary for renewable sources. Until then, batteries and electric vehicles.