Fuel Cell Micro CHP units have the edge over Air Source heat pump options

Fuel Cell Micro CHP units have the edge over Air Source heat pump options


With the introduction over the next few years of the micro CHP unit based on fuel cells where the unit combines heating the building with electricity production the heating market is on the cusp of a whole new technology and combining of building trades.

BlueGen is the latest breakthrough in small scale electricity generation - a modular style fuel cell generator that can be configured to suit a range of different markets and installations. For markets that require an alternative product approach to fully-integrated 'European style' systems, such as Japan, Northern America and Australia - BlueGen™ bridges that gap.

The Bluegen comes with the added bonus of sell back to the grid incentives such as the MCS in the UK. Germany offers incentive to buy the new fuel cell units as well as sell back to the grid incentives. The fuel cell units need a natural gas supply where the Air source heat pumps require electricity and produce heat from the outside air with operating ranges down to -20 DegC. In very cold weather they do have their limitations.

Bluegen Data can be found here

Air Source Heat Pump Data can be found here

Currently Not Available In The UK or Ireland

Ceramic Fuel Cells secures first USA of Bluegen

Ceramic Fuel Cells secures first USA sale 05/08/10    Major California utility to demonstrate  BlueGen Gas-to-Electricity Generator      Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM/ASX: CFU) - a leading developer of high  efficiency and low emission electricity generation units for homes and other  buildings - today announced its first BlueGen product sale in the United States  to one of the United States' largest energy companies.    Ceramic Fuel Cells will install a BlueGen gas-to-electricity generator at the  energy utility's engineering center in California. The BlueGen unit is scheduled  to be installed in September 2010.    Ceramic Fuel Cells' local partner, California-based Smart Hybrid Systems, Inc.,  will provide local installation and support services, including integrating the  BlueGen unit with thermal and electrical management systems as well as metering  equipment.  Smart Hybrid Systems, a US energy appliance manufacturer, also plans  to develop innovative hybrid fuel cell and energy storage products utilizing the  Ceramic Fuel Cells solid oxide fuel cell as the core generator of electricity  and heat. 

            About the size of a dishwasher, BlueGen is the latest breakthrough in small  scale electricity generation.  BlueGen uses patented fuel cell technology to  convert natural gas into electricity and heat with very high efficiency.  BlueGen units can generate electricity at a peak electrical efficiency of 60  percent, far higher than any other technology in the large global market for  small scale electricity generation.  When heat is recovered for hot water, total  efficiency is up to 85 percent - twice as efficient as the current power grid. 

          By generating power close to where it is used, Ceramic Fuel Cells' products can  meet the future demand for low emission electricity without the need for huge  investments in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.    Brendan Dow, Ceramic Fuel Cells' Managing Director said: "It is a great  achievement for us to have made our first BlueGen sale in the United States, to  one of the largest utilities in the country.  Together with our existing sales  in Europe, Japan and Australia, this sends a strong message about the size of  the global markets that Ceramic Fuel Cells is targeting.  It is exciting for us  that large utilities not only in the USA but throughout the western world are  investing seriously in low-emission power generation."    Since late 2009 Ceramic Fuel Cells has secured orders for 50 BlueGen units from  other major utilities and foundation customers in Germany, Switzerland, The  Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia, including E.ON Ruhrgas  (the largest gas utility in Germany), the German Gas Association, and Osaka Gas  (the second largest gas utility in Japan).    Ceramic Fuel Cells is also operating fully integrated power and heating products  with leading energy companies E.ON UK (the second largest electricity retailer  in the United Kingdom), GdF Suez (the largest gas utility in France) and EWE in  Germany.