Bloom Energy Fuel Cell -- Worth Watching

Bloom Energy has been getting some good press lately. The company has produced a type of solid oxide fuel cell that includes an inexpensive electrolyte, thus avoiding expensive precious metals, corrosive acids, and molten materials. A bread-box sized module is said to be able to power a typical residence. Two questions remain: cost and reliability. Some big-name organizations are testing the product. Bloom claims the product will be affordable. Visit Bloom Energy at http://www.bloomenergy.com/products/solid-oxide-fuel-cell/. Stay tuned! Below, read a brief description of solid oxide fuel cells.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (from EERE Fuel Cell Technologies Program):

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) use a hard, non-porous ceramic compound as the electrolyte. Because the electrolyte is a solid, the cells do not have to be constructed in the plate-like configuration typical of other fuel cell types. SOFCs are expected to be around 50%–60% efficient at converting fuel to electricity. In applications designed to capture and utilize the system's waste heat (co-generation), overall fuel use efficiencies could top 80%–85%.

Solid oxide fuel cells operate at very high temperatures—around 1,000°C (1,830°F). High-temperature operation removes the need for precious-metal catalyst, thereby reducing cost. It also allows SOFCs to reform fuels internally, which enables the use of a variety of fuels and reduces the cost associated with adding a reformer to the system.

SOFCs are also the most sulfur-resistant fuel cell type; they can tolerate several orders of magnitude more of sulfur than other cell types. In addition, they are not poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO), which can even be used as fuel. This property allows SOFCs to use gases made from coal.

High-temperature operation has disadvantages. It results in a slow startup and requires significant thermal shielding to retain heat and protect personnel, which may be acceptable for utility applications but not for transportation and small portable applications. The high operating temperatures also place stringent durability requirements on materials. The development of low-cost materials with high durability at cell operating temperatures is the key technical challenge facing this technology.

Scientists are currently exploring the potential for developing lower-temperature SOFCs operating at or below 800°C that have fewer durability problems and cost less. Lower-temperature SOFCs produce less electrical power, however, and stack materials that will function in this lower temperature range have not been identified.

Biofuels News

As I write, the National Ethanol Conference is being held in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Ghasem Shahbazi, Director of Bioengineering at NC A&T State University, has indicated that interesting information is coming out of that conference. Below is the top story posted by the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade association for the ethanol industry. To see related stories, you can go to the organization's website:

http://alquemie.smartbrief.com/alquemie/servlet/encodeServlet?issueid=55E00924-8816-41FF-8079-5029E9828980&lmid=archives



RFA: Industry must fight for higher ethanol blends, tax-credit extension. The U.S. ethanol sector is healthy, but it has to hurdle difficult obstacles this year, including successfully petitioning to boost the ethanol blend limit to 15% and the Dec. 31 expiration of federal tax subsidies, according to Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association. In the keynote address to open the National Ethanol Conference, Dinneen called on industry members to work harder to "tear down the blend wall" and to secure an extension of ethanol tax incentives. ICIS News (U.K.) (2/16)



WEBINAR – Biofuels: The Promise of the Next Generations. The second wave of biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol, algae and others bypass the food vs. fuel controversy and are on the cusp of commercialization. This on-demand webinar will review the latest developments in the advanced biofuel space with leading companies and R&D institutions. Register now!

Saturday event cancelled

The presentation scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13, at 9:30 AM, has been cancelled due to icy driving conditions. Guilford Solar/Guilford Energy Resources will attempt to re-schedule the event. Stay tuned!

Prospects for Biofuels Production in the Piedmont

This Saturday, February 13, from 9:30 AM - Noon, the second in a series of presentations on local energy will be hosted by Guilford Energy Resources. First, Dr. Ghasem Shahbazi, Director of Bioengineering at NC A&T State University, will provide an introduction to the variety of available biofuels. Then Derek Blackburn, also of A&T, will provide an overview of the existing biodiesel and ethanol plants in North Carolina. The featured biofuels business will be Red Birch Energy, which operates an industrial-scale biodiesel refinery in Bassett, VA. Among other things, Red Birch -- twice invited to Washington to present its business model -- will outline its future franchise option, which should be of interest to those looking into biofuels business opportunities. Finally, Burlington Biodiesel, which has operated a biodiesel production co-op for many years, will describe its current operations and make the case for the continuing existence of biodiesel co-ops in general.

What: Prospects for Biofuels Production in the Piedmont
When: Saturday, February 13, 2010; 9:30 AM - Noon
Where: Kathleen Clay Edwards Library auditorium, 1420 Price Park Rd., Greensboro, NC