fuel cell markets examined

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Fuel cell markets examined
By Robert Donner Bauer | May 2, 2014 | Issue 18

Fuel cells and combined heat and power (CHP) - the technology is ready for market, now go to market approach emphasizes Ceramic Fuel Cells. The manufacturer produces in Heinberg at Aachen in series - since 2009 fuel cell stack, since 2012 complete micro power plants. Your sales remains a challenge despite electrical efficiency of up to 60%.

The technology is mature - now the distribution is required, stated Frank Obernitz, Managing Director of the German subsidiary of Ceramic Fuel Cells (CFC). The speech is BlueGen of a micro power plant based on fuel cells, brand name.

The goal is clear: "We want to earn money in 2015 at the latest," says CFC Manager Obernitz. The basis for this is supposed to be a quick launch. Approximately 5000 units per year are necessary for this. The designed production for the world market in the Rhenish Heinberg is designed even for 10 000 installations.

In developing a special emphasis was placed on the highest possible electrical efficiency, explains Obernitz (see box). So a value of 60% would be reached at the rated power - a power in this small range of competing technologies unprecedented magnitude. So more power and less heat will be produced.

"Thus BlueGen qualified as decentralized small power plant that power out can be operated year-round," says Obernitz. "The system can be integrated into existing heating systems and opened so as Beistelllösung new market segments for the use of micro-CHP in buildings over a hot water tank."

Obernitz sees the plant less in the heat market, but rather positioned in the current market. This is also due to the good part-load behavior. The plants can be modulated from 0.5 kW to 1.5 kW electrical power output. Where the electrical efficiency is itself subject only 0.5 kW of electric power even at 40%.

Energy suppliers and service providers could be several virtual systems, interconnect remote power plants. This will already occupied in projects at the municipal utility consortium Trianel or the research project Regenerative Model Region Harz. The systems run in either base load or they are up or down to ensure network stability.

The practicality have made the technology with over 4 million operating hours long since demonstrated, underscores Obernitz. "The plants are ready for the market." Cross-industry field tests as Callux or ene.field provided no option dar. "We do not have more time. Through this phase, we're through."

The German-Australian manufacturer based in Melbourne has been represented since 2006 in Germany with its own subsidiary. In Heinberg at Aachen 2009, series production of fuel cell stack. Since 2011, the complete BlueGen systems there are made for the world market.

Around 400 plants are already in operation. For an accelerated market run-up they now try to exploit all sales channels. "Sales is currently our greatest challenge," Obernitz admits. Not only the technology, the trade mark must be known. "In traditionally oriented, dominated by a few large manufacturers, untransparent heating market is to be taken with the new technology as a newcomer hardly walk." Thus one does not feel obliged to serve the heating crafts. Currently taste it from all sales channels. This includes solar installers as well as partners from the energy sector - through to direct sales in NRW.

"Every house that has a gas system
circuit has for us is a potential customer, "said Obernitz. Addressed mainly customers who use their electricity itself." Our target groups in Germany currently include particularly small businesses, such as the baker's shop, the gym, gas station. Customers therefore, for the solutions with CHP previously were not an issue, because no sufficiently large, necessary for traditional cogeneration heat sink is present. "

"We need numbers to come down to the cost," explains Obernitz. Currently, the list price for BlueGen is € 25 000 net. The sale is subject to a ten-year maintenance contract. "The technology
risk, we have thus taken out for the customer. "Here also the change of the fuel cell stack is planned, as currently this is not already running so long. Soon'm the fourth generation in production.

The hurdle for the customer is the purchase price, explained Obernitz. "This hurdle must be overcome you." Helpful for the market ramp-up of new technology are programs like progres.nrw North Rhine-Westphalia state government with an investment grant of up to € 13,000 / unit.

A supplementary funding of the energy supplier doing the new technology for consumers financially more attractive, as the example of the Fuel Cell Initiative Heinberg shows. There, Ceramic Fuel Cells has partnered with a utility company, a heating contractor and a bank. "The investment will pay off," says Obernitz. "The payback period is usually around seven years."

The utility is Alliander. The partnership with the German subsidiary of the Dutch gas and electricity network operator goes beyond Heinberg. So to be integrated into the regional networks of Alliander in Germany in the coming years BlueGen 600. "Business is picking up slowly," said Obernitz pleased.

The recent successes are promising. This gave Avilos of an order for 100 systems for distribution in Germany. With i-power a distribution partner in the UK was won who wants to install in the next two years, more than 400 plants. In addition, 45 plants on the Dutch island of Ameland are currently being installed. Obernitz: "The units are joined together on site to the biggest virtual fuel cell power plant in Europe."

With Synergy International is a distribution partnership for the Baltic States and Scandinavia, it was agreed with the order of 500 BlueGen in this and at least 500 additional units in the coming year. However, the implementation of this project could not be started because a contractually agreed advance payment has not been made.

ROBERT DONNER BAUER


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