a canadian partner, page-2

http://energexindustries.com/?page_id=8
Interesting quotes from RMIT here...
"What is a Fuel Cell?

In an attempt to utilize the natural gas grid and create an environment that combines natural gas to create electrical energy one of the most promising technologies that holds the ability for individuals and companies to gain freedom from the increasing cost of electricity are fuel cells.

A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by a chemical reaction. Every fuel cell has two electrodes, one positive and one negative, called, respectively, the anode and cathode. The reactions that produce electricity take place at the electrodes.

Though natural gas, hydrogen and methane are often used as the basic fuel, one great appeal of fuel cells is that they generate electricity with very little pollution. As well much of the basic fuels used including the oxygen used in generating electricity ultimately combine to form a harmless byproduct, namely water.

Of the fuel cell designs that exist Energex believes that the one that holds the most promise to deliver consistent, reliable and low cost electricity is the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) otherwise known as ceramic fuel cells.

Major types of fuel cells include:
?Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). Specific types of PEMFCs include the Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC)
?Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)
?Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC)
?Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC)
?Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC)

Of the types available SOFCs are emerging as one of the leading fuel cell technologies with the broadest commercial applications.

Fuel cell power offers many benefits, including:
?Cleaner, quieter and more efficient power production than conventional internal
?combustion engines (ICEs)
?Operating efficiencies at part load and in all size configurations
?Few moving parts and thus an anticipated high degree of reliability, lower maintenance and long operating life
?Modular design, offering flexibility in size and efficiencies in manufacturing
?Use of multiple fuels, such as hydrogen, natural gas, methanol and gasoline
?Zero or low emissions.
?Use in combined heat and power purposes, further increasing the efficiency of energy production

Ceramic Fuel Cells can deliver significant benefits in electricity production and carbon reduction to thousands of North American buildings, as a team at RMIT University’s Centre for Design has found.

The high quality of power and reliability of electricity generated from fuel cells – which can deliver electricity without large surges, spikes and outages – mean they have great potential in industries like, residential homes, farming operations, banking, data centers, grocery chains and storage facilities. Fuel cells are also cost-efficient alternatives to batteries in serving as back-up power systems.

Over the past decade in North American demand for electricity increased at an annual average rate of 30% over the next 25 years in the United States with the projected 47% increase in the cost of electricity in Canada by 2035. According to the RMIT report, the transition to a low carbon electricity sector in the future is “very necessary”, and can be achieved using both renewable and low carbon technologies.


“The solid oxide fuel cell technology manufactured by the leader in this technology Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL) is a clean technology option for the … future,” the report says. “Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL) is a global pioneer in manufacturing solid oxide fuel cell technology. It is a co-generation system: it has the flexibility to generate different amounts of electricity and heat from natural gas inputs.”

The Solid Oxide Fuel Cell such as the one manufactured by Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is considered to be the most desirable fuel cell for generating electricity from hydrocarbon fuels. This is because it is simple, highly efficient, tolerant to impurities, and can at least partially internally reform hydrocarbon fuels.
"

Now before we all get too excited about the US/CAN market and prices etc. Yes they need Bluegen... I thought it was worth pointing out Blooms success to date is largely based on SUBISIDIES ( Germany is doing a brilliant job BTW! with Bluegen )

Quote from: http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-energy-subsidies-20131014,0,1024399.story?page=2
"One politically connected hydrogen-fuel-cell firm, Bloom Energy Corp., was awarded $208 million through the utilities commission's Self-Generation Incentive Program.

A 2011 legislative report described the program as "everybody pays a little, some take a lot." The report called it a "vendor-driven free-for-all" in which millions were doled out with "no direct relationship to electrical system needs or other general ratepayer or public benefit."

The money mostly went to subsidize fuel-cell systems sold by Bloom, a Silicon Valley startup whose board included former Secretary of State Colin Powell, as well as other investors with political ties.

The state subsidies, combined with generous tax breaks, enabled Bloom to sell the fuel cells to big corporate clients at a deep discount. The PUC ultimately suspended the incentive program, over the objections of Bloom.

Another project that ran into problems involved nearly $7 million for subsidies to hundreds of small wind turbines that generated a fraction of the power their manufacturer claimed.
"

There's a good market as long as you get a subsidy at the moment and a few pollies too by the look tone of the article ...