PREMIER John Brumby visited Noble Park business Ceramic Fuel Cells on Friday to launch its new mini power stations.
The Premier said the launch day showed Victoria was well on the way to capitalising on the new opportunities that a low-carbon economy would bring for Victoria.
“To develop these new ideas we must encourage individuals, businesses and communities to expand their knowledge, test their solutions and demonstrate their technologies,” he said.
“By doing so, we will ensure we make the transition to a low carbon economy.”
Victorians will soon be able to install the mini power stations in their homes, producing both clean electricity and hot water, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving on home energy bills.
The new unit will allow home owners to reduce their homes’ carbon dioxide emissions by up to 18 tonnes a year.
About the size of a small washing machine, the BlueGen unit converts natural gas to electricity and heat via ceramic fuel cells. The units will be available to Victorian home owners from early 2010.
The product has been developed by Melbourne’s Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited. The technology was originally developed by CSIRO.
“Importantly, our units are far more efficient and produce far less carbon dioxide and other emissions than traditional electricity generators like coal-fired power stations,” said Brendan Dow, Ceramic Fuel Cells managing director.
“Victorians will be able to do their bit for the environment, as well as save money on electricity.”
The technology began at CSIRO in 1992. Since that time Ceramic Fuel Cells has invested more than $230 million developing and commercialising it.
Today Ceramic Fuel Cells employs 90 people, including 60 scientists and engineers at its Noble Park headquarters.
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