- BloomEnergy / Foter / CC BY
Bloom Energy has quietly unveiled an upgrade to its fuel cell system that is said to produce twice as much power in the same size package.
The technology was discussed in a briefing for the News Journal
The current generation of Bloom cells is said to be about the size of a vehicle parking space.
The fuel cell servers could serve a potentially large market for back-up power sources. The widespread use of diesel engines for back-up power has its drawbacks when it comes to noise and pollution. Also, data centers and other facilities with a critical need for back-up power have installed Bloom systems.
The Newark plant, at last report, employs about 200, below the figure projected in the state’s $16 million-plus financial package for Bloom Energy.
In coming years “clawback” provisions in the financial package would require Bloom to give some of the money back if employment does not reach specified levels.
Under the financial deal with the state, Delmarva Power customers pay a surcharge for fuel cell power from “farms” of Bloom boxes.
The charge that runs few dollars a month has been controversial among some customers and legislators who approved the financial package.
Meanwhile, natural gas prices have plunged, with one blogging critic claiming emissions from Bloom fuel cells have been quietly revised upward.
Solar panel prices have also dropped sharply in price. Bloom boxes, unlike solar, operate continuously, in most cases using natural gas. The cells have been most widely deployed in California and Connecticut, states that have incentives for use of fuel cells.
JPMorgan Chase is believed to be the sole non-commercial utility customer in Delaware for Bloom.
Bryan Horsey, spokesman for the Bloom site in Newark, said the company had no comment at this time on the new generation of fuel cells.
While exclusive briefings are not unknown, it is rare that the company will not comment after publication of a story.
The briefing was also unusual as it did not appear to be involve national business press or the growing number of blogs and websites that cover “green companies.”
Nearly all of Bloom’s fuel cell production takes place at the site on the University of Delaware STAR Campus.
Privately held Bloom has long been known as a secretive company that has been reluctant to share details of its technology, a situation that has frustrated technology reporters and bloggers over the years.
