Fuel cells aren't new - electricity aboard the Gemini 5 spacecraft in 1965 came from one - but they aren't so space age anymore.
More businesses and local governments are relying on them to help reduce their carbon footprint, capitalize on renewable fuels and to originate power. At least four systems are in the San Joaquin Valley and, as a Dec. 21 Los Angeles Times story noted, they are "popping up" throughout the state.
Bloom Energy
Bloom Energy, a young Bay area company, has received lots of press lately for its fuel cells. A important soft drink maker announced this year that it would test fuel Bloom Energy cells powered by biogas at a plant in Dinuba, in Tulare County. The five cells could furnish practically one-third of the plant's power, and cut its carbon footprint 35%.
Similar devices originate power at a 400,000-square-foot cold storage storage in Stockton; use methane gas created from a wastewater rehabilitation facility to provide power to the Turlock Irrigation District; and use biogas as an onsite renewable energy source at a regional wastewater plant in Tulare.
The California Stationary Fuel Cell Collaborative, administered by the Air Resources Board, has data on more projects throughout the state.
It remains to be seen how beloved these power producers come to be - they can be the size of a vehicle and cost a bundle to install - but, if they work as intended, could make a tremendous dent in an entity's carbon footprint and power bills.
The federal government has an ambitious program for study in that field, appropriating million over three years. "The investments we're manufacture today will help expand fuel cell technology in the United States," U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. "This is part of a broad exertion to originate American jobs, reduce carbon pollution, and help ensure the U.S. Stays competing in the growing clean energy economy."
Fuel cells use the chemical energy of hydrogen or other fuels to cleanly and efficiently furnish electricity or heat with minimal byproducts, primarily water. They can furnish power in large stationary systems such as structure or for vehicles such as commercial forklifts, buses and automobiles.
Lewis Nelson, public works director in Tulare, says fuel cells are well superior for wastewater rehabilitation plants. They take biogas from anaerobic rehabilitation of wastewater solids or animal manure and originate electricity. In 2010, Tulare is staggering to save about 0,000 with the system.
"A rehabilitation plant uses a lot of electricity, and can ordinarily use all the electricity a fuel cell generates internally, saving the cost of purchasing electricity from a utility," Nelson says. "I think that biogas fuel cells are an perfect renewable electricity technology for wastewater rehabilitation plants."
Tulare is currently installing its fourth fuel cell. The city's venture after a million incentive was million, which means it could recoup its costs within five years.
More Businesses Are Using Fuel Cells To retort Their energy Needs
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