A UK company has developed a stainless steel-based fuel cell that will work at less than 600°C. This overcomes a lot of the cost and operating issues of previous technologies intended for distributed power generation.
Distributed power generation is where the power is generated at, or close to, the point of use. This removes the need for a capital-intensive grid distribution system.
Ceres Power’s fuel cell employs a steel-supported design rather than traditional approaches based on ceramic or plastic. This robust, low-cost technology could replace the domestic boiler, providing hot water, heating and electricity.
The system would benefit the environment, with potentially significant savings on carbon-dioxide emissions. The market for carbon-dioxide savings for this application is significant. There are more than a million boilers installed in the UK alone each year.
“Our technology can help to answer some of the world’s growing energy concerns. By offering products with the potential to dramatically reduce fuel consumption, improve electricity security, and help slash carbon-dioxide emissions, our interests are very well aligned with those of consumers, utilities, and government” Ceres Power CEO, Peter Bance said.
The fuel cell can operate on a variety of widely available fuels including natural gas. It is suitable for generating heat and electricity in households and for users of bottled fuels in areas where connection to a gas or electricity network is difficult or impossible.