Fuel cells represent an exciting technology that offers high efficiency and very low emissions in electric power generation systems. Southern California Gas has been supporting the development and demonstration of fuel cells for over 30 years. Fuel cells are coming that can power your laptop computer, your house, your car, or your business, and will play an important role in the burgeoning distributed generation market.
What is a fuel cell? A fuel cell operates in a similar fashion to a battery. An electrolyte is placed between two electrodes. Oxygen is passed over one electrode and fuel (usually hydrogen) is passed over the other. The resulting chemical reaction produces electricity, water, and heat. The hydrogen is typically produced by reforming natural gas, though there are other sources available. In addition to the electrical energy delivered by the fuel cell, the water produced is usually hot enough and of sufficient volume to be used in cogeneration applications.
Plug Power Residential Fuel Cell
Plug Power has formed an alliance with General Electric, who will distribute the equipment worldwide. These machines, about the size of a dishwasher, will provide 7kw of electric power generated by the fuel cell, with an additional 3kW of backup power to be supplied by batteries. This will be sufficient to power the average home. The units may operate independent of the electric grid, or may utilize the grid for backup power. These systems will offer the benefits of having on-site power generation systems that will provide high quality, reliable power at rates comparable to or cheaper than grid prices. These units will also have applications in the small commercial market.
Availability: 2001.
ONSI Commercial Fuel Cell
ONSI, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, offers a 200 kW fuel cell for commercial applications such as offices, hospitals, and light industrial buildings. The Gas Company currently owns and operates several of these units in Southern California.
The PC25™ power plant, has been available since 1992. It includes all the components necessary to convert natural gas to high quality AC power while it provides usable heat. The power plant is efficient, noise- and pollution-free, produces high quality continuous electricity, and is grid-connected to operate in parallel with the electric utility grid. The PC25™ C power plant operates automatically and unattended at selected power levels in the grid-connected mode. It automatically disconnects and operates in the idle mode if out-of-limits conditions occur and shuts down safely and automatically if any internal component malfunctions occur.
Rated Capacity |
200kW / 235kVA |
Voltage and Frequency |
480 Volts, 3-Phase, 3-Wire, 60-Hz 400 Volts, 3-Phase, 3-Wire, 50-Hz |
Electrical Operation |
Grid-connected or Grid-independent |
Thermal Energy Available |
700,000 Btu/hr |
Thermal Energy Temperature |
140 degree F hot water (60 degree C) |
Electrical Efficiency |
40 percent |
Total Efficiency (Electric + Heat) |
80 percent |
Natural Gas Consumption |
1,900 cubic feet per hour |
Pollutant Emissions |
less than 6 ppmv (total) |
ONSI Corporation
195 Governor's Highway
P.O. Box 739 South
Windsor, CT 06074
Voice: (860)-727-2550
Fax: (860)-727-2319
Internet: www.onsicorp.com