- Email: [email protected]
NTT, Toho Gas, Sumitomo trialing SOFC module
NEWS grid, and generated heat for the boiler, from natural gas. ‘The test with the mCHP unit met all technical targets,’ says Paul Hermans, Nuon’s new business development manager. ‘However, in order to keep focus in our current product development portfolio, Nuon has decided not to further pursue the development of a fuel cell-based mCHP at this moment. Accordingly the parties will not proceed with the next stage of the project, or with the conditional forward order for commercial products’. In early 2008 Nuon placed CFCL’s first forward volume order, for 50 000 units based on agreed targets [FCB, April 2008]. CFCL is continuing to develop mCHP products with its leading appliance partners and utility customers partners in Germany, France, the UK and Japan. Contact: Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd, Noble Park, Victoria, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9554 2300, www.cfcl.com.au Or contact: Ceramic Fuel Cells (Europe) Ltd, Chester, UK. Tel: +44 1244 893781, Email: [email protected]
generation. The advanced heat flow design allows the optimum use of heat, with heat loss minimized by exchanging exothermic heat from the stack for air heating and other endothermic processes. The design also contributed to isothermal control of the stack temperature, aiding stable stack operation. In addition, the enhanced heat insulation minimized the unused heat emission and contributed to the highly efficient operation. As a result, thermally self-sustainable operation was confirmed for hundreds of hours with a stable power output and an electrical conversion efficiency of 56% (LHV). A top-level efficiency of 59% (LHV) – claimed to be a new world record – was also realized for a short period of time. The companies want to further improve durability and lower costs, but they aim to have a product ready within two years that can be used in places like convenience stores and family restaurants to help reduce lighting and heating expenses. NTT Information Sharing Laboratory Group: www.ntt.co.jp/islab/e/index.html Toho Gas Co Ltd: www.tohogas.co.jp/eng_index
NTT, Toho Gas, Sumitomo trialing SOFC module
A
partnership of several Japanese companies has jointly developed a 3 kW-class power generation module for commercial use based on solid oxide fuel cells. Telecoms giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation linked with Nagoya-based Toho Gas and Sumitomo Precision Products in Amagasaki to develop and operate a power generation trial running on town (natural) gas as the fuel achieved a toplevel electrical conversion efficiency of 59% (lower heating value, LHV). The core components of an SOFC system are the cells that act as power generation elements, the stacks in which the cells are assembled and electrically connected, and the power generation module that provides appropriate stack operating conditions. The integration of each component technology is a key issue in terms of realizing an SOFC system. Based on this understanding, NTT, Toho Gas and Sumitomo Precision Products have been collaborating on the integration of their technologies. The technical features of the new power generation module are high-performance stacks, an advanced heat flow design, and enhanced heat insulation. The stacks were developed using planar SOFCs with high power output and durability, enabling highly efficient and stable power
June 2009
Sumitomo Precision Products Co Ltd: www.spp.co.jp/ English/index2-e.html
LARGE STATIONARY
Connecticut approves 27.3 MW of projects using FCE power
T
he Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) has issued its final decision for the approval of 27.3 MW of projects that will incorporate FuelCell Energy’s highly efficient Direct FuelCell® molten carbonate power plants. The sales value of the projects will be $84 million when project developers finalize electricity purchase agreements and project financing. The approved projects include nine DFC3000 power plants: UÊ Êΰ{Ê 7Ê ÀiVÌÊÕi i iÀ}ÞÊ,iVÛiÀÞÊ Generation (DFC-ERG) system for a natural gas letdown station in Bloomfield; UÊ >ÊΰÓÊ 7Ê ÀiVÌÊÕi iÉ/ÕÀLiÊ É/®Ê system for a substation in Danbury; UÊ >Ê£{°ÎÊ 7Ê ÎäääÊÊ À`}i«ÀÌÆ UÊ >ÊΰÓÊ 7Ê ,ÊÊ/ÀÕLÕÆ UÊ >`Ê>ÊΰÓÊ 7Ê ,ÊÊ>ÃÌLÕÀÞ° The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) recommended the five projects under
IN BRIEF California utility seeks approval for universities project The utility Southern California Edison has applied to the California Public Utilities Commission for permission to spend $30 million of customer funds on three fuel cell power plants, according to a Dow Jones report. SoCal Edison wants to install a fuel cell at the California State University campuses in San Bernardino and Long Beach, and a third unit at the University of California in Santa Barbara. Two would be connected to cogeneration facilities to each produce at least 1 MW of electric power, while the fuel cell in Santa Barbara would produce 200 kW of electric power alone. The utility expects to incur approximately $21.6m in direct capital expenditures and $8.9m in non-fuel related operation and maintenance expenses over the 10-year life of the fuel cells. These costs represent the expenses required to acquire, install, and maintain the fuel cells at the three host sites. Ballard eliminates jobs in cost-cutting move Canadian fuel cell developer Ballard Power Systems is eliminating 39 positions, or about 8.5% of its 450 staff, to reduce costs as it faces increased pressure from the global economic downturn. The cuts, including one director and four managers, were announced by CEO John Sheridan in a memorandum to employees, according to a report in the Vancouver Sun. Ballard is also making changes to simplify its management structure, by consolidating certain roles and moving to a two-segment market focus for stationary power and motive power products. Heliocentris raises E4m, Conduit becomes shareholder German-based system integrator Heliocentris Fuel Cells has completed a subscription rights issue and a subsequent private placement that raised gross proceeds of E4 million. The company is particularly proud of adding London-based Conduit Ventures as a new major shareholder. Conduit – with shareholders such as Shell, Mitsubishi and Solvay – is a venture capital company with a special focus on energy storage, fuel cells and supporting low-carbon technologies. ‘We are very happy and grateful for the continued confidence shown in Heliocentris by our existing shareholders, and welcome Conduit Ventures, one of the most knowledgeable investors in our field, as a strategic shareholder,’ comments Dr Henrik Colell, CEO of Heliocentris Fuel Cells AG. ‘The capital raised will allow us to maintain our growth strategy, particularly the continuing internationalization of our core business and the entry into industrial market segments through the development and launch of new hydrogen and fuel cell systems’.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
5
generation. The advanced heat flow design allows the optimum use of heat, with heat loss minimized by exchanging exothermic heat from the stack for air heating and other endothermic processes. The design also contributed to isothermal control of the stack temperature, aiding stable stack operation. In addition, the enhanced heat insulation minimized the unused heat emission and contributed to the highly efficient operation. As a result, thermally self-sustainable operation was confirmed for hundreds of hours with a stable power output and an electrical conversion efficiency of 56% (LHV). A top-level efficiency of 59% (LHV) – claimed to be a new world record – was also realized for a short period of time. The companies want to further improve durability and lower costs, but they aim to have a product ready within two years that can be used in places like convenience stores and family restaurants to help reduce lighting and heating expenses. NTT Information Sharing Laboratory Group: www.ntt.co.jp/islab/e/index.html Toho Gas Co Ltd: www.tohogas.co.jp/eng_index
NTT, Toho Gas, Sumitomo trialing SOFC module
A
partnership of several Japanese companies has jointly developed a 3 kW-class power generation module for commercial use based on solid oxide fuel cells. Telecoms giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation linked with Nagoya-based Toho Gas and Sumitomo Precision Products in Amagasaki to develop and operate a power generation trial running on town (natural) gas as the fuel achieved a toplevel electrical conversion efficiency of 59% (lower heating value, LHV). The core components of an SOFC system are the cells that act as power generation elements, the stacks in which the cells are assembled and electrically connected, and the power generation module that provides appropriate stack operating conditions. The integration of each component technology is a key issue in terms of realizing an SOFC system. Based on this understanding, NTT, Toho Gas and Sumitomo Precision Products have been collaborating on the integration of their technologies. The technical features of the new power generation module are high-performance stacks, an advanced heat flow design, and enhanced heat insulation. The stacks were developed using planar SOFCs with high power output and durability, enabling highly efficient and stable power
June 2009
Sumitomo Precision Products Co Ltd: www.spp.co.jp/ English/index2-e.html
LARGE STATIONARY
Connecticut approves 27.3 MW of projects using FCE power
T
he Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) has issued its final decision for the approval of 27.3 MW of projects that will incorporate FuelCell Energy’s highly efficient Direct FuelCell® molten carbonate power plants. The sales value of the projects will be $84 million when project developers finalize electricity purchase agreements and project financing. The approved projects include nine DFC3000 power plants: UÊ Êΰ{Ê 7Ê ÀiVÌÊÕi i iÀ}ÞÊ,iVÛiÀÞÊ Generation (DFC-ERG) system for a natural gas letdown station in Bloomfield; UÊ >ÊΰÓÊ 7Ê ÀiVÌÊÕi iÉ/ÕÀLiÊ É/®Ê system for a substation in Danbury; UÊ >Ê£{°ÎÊ 7Ê ÎäääÊÊ À`}i«ÀÌÆ UÊ >ÊΰÓÊ 7Ê ,ÊÊ/ÀÕLÕÆ UÊ >`Ê>ÊΰÓÊ 7Ê ,ÊÊ>ÃÌLÕÀÞ° The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) recommended the five projects under
IN BRIEF California utility seeks approval for universities project The utility Southern California Edison has applied to the California Public Utilities Commission for permission to spend $30 million of customer funds on three fuel cell power plants, according to a Dow Jones report. SoCal Edison wants to install a fuel cell at the California State University campuses in San Bernardino and Long Beach, and a third unit at the University of California in Santa Barbara. Two would be connected to cogeneration facilities to each produce at least 1 MW of electric power, while the fuel cell in Santa Barbara would produce 200 kW of electric power alone. The utility expects to incur approximately $21.6m in direct capital expenditures and $8.9m in non-fuel related operation and maintenance expenses over the 10-year life of the fuel cells. These costs represent the expenses required to acquire, install, and maintain the fuel cells at the three host sites. Ballard eliminates jobs in cost-cutting move Canadian fuel cell developer Ballard Power Systems is eliminating 39 positions, or about 8.5% of its 450 staff, to reduce costs as it faces increased pressure from the global economic downturn. The cuts, including one director and four managers, were announced by CEO John Sheridan in a memorandum to employees, according to a report in the Vancouver Sun. Ballard is also making changes to simplify its management structure, by consolidating certain roles and moving to a two-segment market focus for stationary power and motive power products. Heliocentris raises E4m, Conduit becomes shareholder German-based system integrator Heliocentris Fuel Cells has completed a subscription rights issue and a subsequent private placement that raised gross proceeds of E4 million. The company is particularly proud of adding London-based Conduit Ventures as a new major shareholder. Conduit – with shareholders such as Shell, Mitsubishi and Solvay – is a venture capital company with a special focus on energy storage, fuel cells and supporting low-carbon technologies. ‘We are very happy and grateful for the continued confidence shown in Heliocentris by our existing shareholders, and welcome Conduit Ventures, one of the most knowledgeable investors in our field, as a strategic shareholder,’ comments Dr Henrik Colell, CEO of Heliocentris Fuel Cells AG. ‘The capital raised will allow us to maintain our growth strategy, particularly the continuing internationalization of our core business and the entry into industrial market segments through the development and launch of new hydrogen and fuel cell systems’.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
5