Solid Oxide Fuel Cells - A Curtain RaiserSUMMARY"The...

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells - A Curtain Raiser

SUMMARY
"The ever-growing demand for energy from an increasingly populated and industrialized world is fuelling the need for next generation technologies that efficiently generate power with minimal ecological impact. Fuel Cell technology is at the forefront in this quest for clean energy amidst an era of depleting reserves of fossil fuels and rising per capita consumption of energy. Joint R&D initiatives undertaken by research institutions, private players and Government bodies such as US’ SECA, Europe’s FCH JU and Japan’s NEDO are beginning to bear fruit with several fuel cell technologies transitioning from the prototype stage into the commercialization phase. Fuel cell shipments scaled new heights in all major geographies in recent years in terms of power capacities and volumes, with portable units making up the bulk of the application segments.

Solid oxide fuel cells are competing with other fuel cell technologies such as PEMFC, MCFC, DMFC and AFC, to carve out a niche for itself in the stationary, transport and portable applications markets. Despite high operating temperatures and intolerance to sulfur, SOFCs have the upper-edge over peer technologies due to their relatively high power generation efficiency and fuel-flexibility. Moreover, SOFCs are scalable, modular, grid-independent, and compatible with diesel generators, ultra-capacitors, batteries and wind and solar turbines. Touted as the energy technology of the future, SOFC technology has overcome initial setbacks, and is on the verge of commercialization and large scale production. As the case with other fuel cell technologies, SOFC companies are heavily dependent on Government subsidies for viability. While technological advancements are propelling the market towards commercialization at a breathtaking pace, visibility among consumers is a key aspect for the mainstream growth of the market.

Stationary power generation plants represent the largest application area for SOFCs, due to their ability to operate in high temperatures, with generators, APUs, remote power units and CPUs together making up more than two-thirds of the end-use market for SOFCs. The US, the UK and South Korea are following in the footsteps of pioneers, Germany, Japan and Denmark, in adopting fuel cell based residential CHPs."

And There's More...

The energy revolution is gaining momentum! All Aboard!

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/twcnn5/solid_oxide_fuel