Plug Power System

Companies such as United Technologies Corp. (UTC), Ballard Energy Systems, Plug Power, M-C Power, AlliedSignal, and Siemens-Westing-house have been developing fuel cell products for the commercial market and may be impacted by this trend. 

Plug Power, Inc, of Latham, NY manufactured six alpha fuel cells to be field tested as part of the Clean Energy Initiative, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), Uniondale, NY. Hofstra University was the site of the first tests, which began in February 2000. By the 60-day mark, the fuel cells had generated approximately 1900 kWh and operated in parallel with LIPA s T D system. 

Several developers, including Nuvera, Honeywell, and Plug Power are active in the development for residential PEFC power systems. Most of the PEM system technology can be adapted for APU application, except that a fuel processor capable of handling transportation fuels is required. However, most of the players in the residential PEFC field are also engaged in the... 

When designing an MCFC power system, several requirements must be met. An MCFC system must properly condition both the fuel and oxidant gas streams. Methane must be reformed into the more reactive hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Carbon deposition, which can plug gas passages in the anode gas chamber, must be prevented. To supply the flow of carbonate ions, the air oxidant must be enriched with carbon dioxide. Both oxidant and fuel feed streams must be heated to their proper inlet temperatures. Each MCFC stack must be operated within an acceptable temperature range. Excess heat generated by the MCFC stacks must be recovered and efficiently utilized. 

United States Plug Power is developing a 7 kWe fuel cell system for residential applications. They have tested their system on hydrogen and are planning market introduction of several models which could use hydrogen, propane, or natural gas. 

FIG. 24-51 Natural gas-fueled 5-kW PEFC system. (Courtesy of Plug Power)... 

Policy Studies on infrastructure considerations and transition management activities include (a) Fuel Cell RD D activities (b) SOFC and PEMFC cells, stacks, systems are being developed in relation to local generation (c) Systems field testing is being undertaken by Siemens-Westinghouse, Sulzer, and Plug-Power. 

Gensweet GENENCOR INTERNATIONAL INC GenSys On-site Power Systems PLUG POWER INC GeoPark Holdings, Ltd. METHANEX CORP Georgia Power Company SOUTHERN COMPANY (THE)... 

Plug Power, working with its European partners PEMEAS (now BASF Fuel Cell GmbH) and Vaillant, is actively pursuing a PBI-based HT PEM fuel cell system as a CHP system with high system efficiency and great CO tolerance. This system demonstration project is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the European Union, one of the first collaborations of this kind between the U.S. and the EU. 

Feitelberg, A.S. et al.. Reliability of Plug Power GenSysTM fuel cell systems, J. Power Sources, 147, 203, 2005. 

Another fuel cell company, Plug Power, has a 5-kW PEM fuel cell system for backup power which sells for 15,000 ( 3,000/kW). The system runs on hydrogen with a design life of 1,500 hours over 10 years. PEM fuel cell systems are available with a reformer for 10,000- 12,000/ kW. 

Completed detailed design, fabrication, and testing on Plug Power s first large scale stationary fuel cell system (50 kW) shipped 50 kW fuel cell systems to Las Vegas (October 2001)... 

While consumer applications such as cell phones, notebook computers, camcorders, and cordless tools will be the obvious mass market application for direct methanol fuel cells at a power level up to 100 W, there should be an earlier market for PEM fuel cells in a niche sub-1 kW market. The t)rpe of device that fits this class includes weather stations, signal units, APUs, gas sensors, and security cameras. Companies involved in this area include Plug Power www.plugpower.com and Ballard Power Systems www.ballard.com." ... 

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