Bloom Energy
is a provider of breakthrough solid oxide fuel cell technology generating
clean, highly efficient onsite power from multiple fuel sources. Founded in
2001 with a mission to make clean, reliable energy affordable for everyone in
the world .Bloom Energy is offering increased electrical reliability, energy
security, providing a clear path to energy independence by generating power
on-site, where it is consumed.
The company has been sold 100-kilowatt modules to
Google, eBay, and Walmart.The Company’s founder KR Sridhar has said that the
technology–when it’s powered by natural gas–can cut carbon dioxide emissions in
half compared to the emissions produced conventional power sources, on average.
Several major companies, including Google, eBay, and Walmart, have already
bought Bloom’s technology, and in the few months these fuel cells have been in
operation, they’ve generated 11 million kilowatt hours of electricity (about
enough to power 1,000 homes for a year). According to a Press Release on November
19, 2015 the 500 kW fuel cell project will generate power through a clean and
efficient electro chemical process, providing approximately 25% of the power
required by the sports and entertainment venue each year.
According to
Bloom Energy, electricity costs are lower than buying electricity from the grid
because the fuel cells are efficient and because the electricity is generated
on-site, avoiding the need for a grid to distribute electricity.It’s true
that Bloom Energy cells can handle more sulfur than other systems, but it is
not immune to sulfur poisoning of the anode catalyst. So, in order to handle
high sulfur fuels, the system would need a desulfurizing system and such a
desulfurizing system is much costly.
These fuel cells are infamous for
requiring expensive maintenance and not lasting more than a few years, which is
one of the reasons they haven’t taken off yet. A startup says its technical
advances could make fuel cells as cheap as grid power. Cost of Bloom Energy's
generator should be close to other competitive brands so it can compete with
the cost of conventional generators.Sridhar said
the long-term goal is to use the technology as both a way to generate
electricity and to store it. It’s possible to run the fuel cells in reverse,
pumping in electricity to generate fuel. The system could then be used to store
solar power generated during the day as a fuel for use at night. He says such a
system, however, won’t be available for another decade.
How a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Works
A fuel cell
is like a battery that always runs. It consists of three parts: an electrolyte,
an anode, and a cathode.For a solid oxide fuel cell, the electrolyte is a solid
ceramic material. The anode and cathode are made from special inks that coat
the electrolyte. Unlike other types of fuel cells, no precious metals,
corrosive acids, or molten materials are required.Next, an electrochemical
reaction converts fuel and air into electricity without combustion.A solid
oxide fuel cell is a high temperature fuel cell. At high temperature, warmed
air enters the cathode side of the fuel cell and steam mixes with fuel to
produce reformed fuel… which enters on the anode side.Next, the chemical
reaction begins in the fuel cell. As the reformed fuel crosses the anode, it
attracts oxygen ions from the cathode. The oxygen ions combine with the
reformed fuel to produce electricity, water, and small amounts of carbon
dioxide.The water gets recycled to produce the steam needed to reform the fuel.
The process also generates the heat required by the fuel cell.As long as
there's fuel, air, and heat, the process continues producing clean, reliable,
affordable energy.
To be concluded like
other inventions In order to overcome the energy crisis this will also prove another
step in this field.
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