Cleantech Update

The following types of fuel cells are commercial viable at this time Alkaline - AFC Phosphoric Acid - PAFC Molten Carbonate - MCFC Polymer Electrode Membrane - PEMFC Solid Oxide - SOFC Direct-Methanol - DMFC * Alkaline - AFC have one of the highest system efficiencies of all fuel cell types. Operating temperature is directly linked to material and manufacturing costs i.e. the lower the operating temperature, the lower the cost of the materials needed to create a working and reliable electrode and system. The fact that Alkaline technology can work perfectly well without the use of precious metals is an insurance against aggressive price hiking in the industry. Alkaline technology is the longest established technology having been invented in 1839. Alkaline technology is the most reliable of all fuel cell technologies having been selected for both the space and submarine applications over other available technologies. Having liquid electrolyte means that we can control the temperature of...

MTU Onsite Energy GmbH is a subsidiary business unit of MTU Friedrichshafen , a subsidiary of Tognu m AG , involved in manufacturing large diesel engines and complete propulsion systems. (thanks for the Update Bryan-see comments below) CFC Solutions became MTU Onsite Energy GmbH (Fuel Cell Systems Division) in September 2008. The company manufactures diesel engines for propulsion systems in ships, distributed power plants, heavy vehicles and rail in the power range between 35 and 9,000 kW. Since 1990, MTU has shown interest in fuel cells which resulted in the foundation of MTU CFC Solutions, now CFC Solutions. The company has been involved in the development and manufacture for molten carbonate fuel cells ("HotModule", 250kW). Since the end of 2000, MTU is also involved in PEM technology in order to develop fuel cell drive systems for off-highway applications. The focus of this work has been on propulsion systems for ships and on-board power generation. The aim is to develop...

The following excellent article was originally published on 18 November, 2008. By the Institue fur Kraft Fahr Zuge in Aachen, Germany. It is such an accurate and complete summary of my own research that I present it. The only difference I would have is an editors note I added near the bottom. I disagree that this technology is 4 years away from major market penetration. I believe it is imminent. -Editor The Rest Published in the Road2 hy .com . The application of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen technologies to the industrial and commercial markets takes the form of co-generation or tri -generation systems . Systems available today have total powers in the range 100kW to 2-3MW (higher power, modular, systems are possible but have not been installed) and produce electricity, heating and, sometimes, cooling. Most quoted efficiencies are 70-80% overall and 45-50% electrical, suggesting that co-generation using Fuel Cells will yield significant reductions in GHG emissions. In developed countrie...