The waiting is finally over. Bloom Energy finally unveiled its mysterious fuel cell technology yesterday, amid claims that the system can support neighbourhoods and commercial campuses with enough energy to effectively take them off the grid.
The new Energy Server system, dubbed the 'Bloom Box' by industry watchers, uses solid oxide slabs made from a "sand-like powder", stacked together with metal dividing plates. Solid oxide cells avoid the historical problems associated with fuel cells, such as the reliance on precious metals and corrosive acids.
The fuel cells use 661,000 British Thermal Units per hour of natural gas or directed biogas, equivalent to around 661 cubic feet of gas per hour, compressed at 15lbs per square inch to produce 100Kw of power.
According to Bloom Energy, previous attempts to use solid oxide materials in fuel cells were hampered by having to operate at extremely high temperatures of around 800C.
"This high temperature gives them extremely high electrical efficiencies and fuel flexibility, both of which contribute to better economics, but it also creates engineering challenges," said the company.
"Bloom has solved these engineering challenges. With breakthroughs in materials science, and revolutionary new design, Bloom's solid oxide fuel cells technology is a cost effective, all-electric solution."
The company announced its initial customer base at the same time as officially unveiling the 10-ton units.
While the firm has been in stealth mode for years, it has obviously spent significant time and money pulling a collection of blue-chip firms into its lineup. Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Cox Enterprises, eBay, FedEx, Google, Staples and Walmart are all confirmed as early adopters of the system.
California bigwigs converge on eBay's HQ for official unveiling 24 Feb 2010
After months of speculation, the secretive fuel cell company that spun out of Nasa's Mars exploration programme will tomorrow unveil its Bloom Box system 23 Feb 2010
GE rakes in revenue with manure-to-energy roll out 15 Jul 2010
Power supplier urges companies with complex or foreign ownership structures to engage with the Environment Agency immediately 30 Jul 2010
Danish firm’s swan song gives way to new turbine blade maker on Isle of Wight 30 Jul 2010
Memorandum signed with Energy Department to use more renewables 30 Jul 2010
More news
Energy analyst's report questions wisdom of DECC’s energy review 29 Jul 2010
Telecity becomes 300th organisation to get the Trust’s official stamp for ongoing carbon reduction 28 Jul 2010
The price of decarbonising versus the price of business as usual: both are variables 28 Jul 2010 More in-depth
