https://sparkenergy.co.uk/news/New-...ills-and-carbon-emissions-by-up-to-50%_966482
New energy innovation reduces bills and carbon emissions by up to 50%
Jul 2, 2014 by Spark
Spark, the UK’s leading energy supplier to the rental sector, is entering a unique partnership with Ceramic Fuel Cells to deploy BlueGEN, a cutting-edge fuel cell device that converts natural gas into low carbon electricity, which reduces both energy bills and carbon emissions by up to 50%.
The first step of the partnership is a BlueGEN pilot launching in July in conjunction with a housing association in the South East, which will install the technology in six properties, to the benefit of 24 homes.
Spark plans to work with its existing network of social landlords to roll-out these benefits nationally, helping to eliminate fuel poverty among social housing tenants.
Chris Gauld, CEO at Spark, commented: “Government figures show that there are more families in fuel poverty than at any time for a decade and many households will be left with the stark choice of choosing between heating and eating. While there are a multitude of costs we cannot control around the supply of energy, we can influence how we use that energy, and innovative solutions, such as BlueGEN, are the future in helping people escape from fuel poverty.”
One unit can supply electricity to four properties and the occupier of the “lead” home will receive up to 200 litres of “free” hot water every day – a natural by-product of the clean electrochemical reaction which occurs in the fuel cells.
Electricity generated by traditional coal-fired power stations loses 60-70% of energy as heat. With BlueGEN up to 85% of the original fuel energy is used in the home and as a result, carbon emissions and energy bills are reduced by up to 50%. The BlueGEN also produces around three times more electricity than is needed by the average family and this excess will be fed back into the grid to be shared with other Spark customers.
Bob Kennett, CEO of Ceramic Fuel Cells, commented: “Our BlueGEN fuel cell is the most efficient way of generating electricity for housing association tenants and we are delighted to be working with Spark to offer cost and carbon savings to those in most need. Our collaboration with Spark offers tenants a real opportunity to reduce their energy bills from day one.”
Nick Doyle, Director at Adecoe, Inside Housing Green Social Housing Champion of the Year 2011 and now working with Spark to provide energy to housing associations, comments: “Hundreds of BlueGEN units have been successfully installed across Europe and around the world and it’s time that the UK explored these new innovations which will help the millions of people living in fuel poverty.”
Chris Gauld adds: “As an energy company, we want to supply energy in a way that is beneficial to the community – both in terms of cost savings for customers and the environment. We don’t just aim to be the leader in the rental energy sector, but also in the utilisation of new technologies to reduce bills, improve customer service and minimise environmental impact and this is a step in the right direction, which we hope will inspire others to follow suit.”
Cheers
SynQuasi
New energy innovation reduces bills and carbon emissions by up to 50%
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