ClearEdge Plus - Commercial Fuel Cells

Efficiency

Designed as a highly efficient, continuous power solution, the ClearEdge Plus offers up to 90% efficiency and requires less fuel to generate an equivalent amount of energy as that from a traditional power plant. This kind of reduction in fuel usage exceeds the reductions required by some of the most stringent emissions legislation U.S., like the California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32). These policies call for, and ClearEdge Power delivers an excellent climate change mitigation strategy for any business that requires a change to meet political, public or their internal efficiency objectives.

Reliability

ClearEdge systems are designed to meet your rigorous requirement for continuous onsite power that you can rely on and control.  When wired to critical circuits, ClearEdge systems can prevent a loss of power because they deliver straight from the point of creation to the point of use.  Powered by the readily-available natural gas infrastructure, ClearEdge systems are architectured to deliver the energy you need to keep your productivity and your revenue generation on track.  The systems are monitored for functionality and can be serviced both remotely and onsite, ensuring your power is there when you need it, to help your business run.

Scalability

Buying for today should never mean limiting tomorrow. ClearEdge systems are built for utility efficiency, as well as longevity and flexibility in scope. A company can begin with as little as one unit to provide heat and power to their hotel, health club, spa or restaurant. As your energy need grows, so can your continuous onsite energy source. ClearEdge Power can help design the system size that is right for your business now, while taking into account growth in the future.

Custom Design

Bringing new solutions to energy problems is the power that drives us. Our core team of engineers and power planning architects can come together to help develop a custom system that incorporates renewable energy systems like solar panels and wind turbines, delivering power and heat to the elements of your business that drive it forward. We can serve a variety of load configurations and provide a heating element, in the form of hot water that can service a multitude of building and business needs.

It’s our mission to deliver power solutions, sized and scoped for your business so that you can focus on what matters, always knowing that the energy you need is close by.

 

Service

These three critical components comprise the foundation for all ClearEdge Power Service agreements. Our programs offer monitoring systems, and both online and offline assessment and action.  In our real-time online service we provide programs that may include:

• Regular, continuous monitoring
• Collection and analysis of all signals and alerts
• Trending data that we analyze for power efficiencies and maximize availability
• Downloadable software upgrades

As needed, our onsite Field Service team can provide:

• Basic, preventative schedule maintenance
• Proactive maintenance based on analysis and assessment
• Team-led efficiency projects to maximize power use with facility engineers

Specs

To learn more, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Equipment Product Specifications: Fuel Cell Module

• Dimensions: W: 36” (0.92m) D: 27” (0.69m) H: 70” (1.78m) for outdoor systems or 72" (1.83m) for indoor systems
• Weight: 1100 lbs (500 kg)
• Noise: 60 dba @ 3 feet (1 meter)
• Seismic Design Category: "E"
• Site Class: "D"
• Certifications and Registrations: ANSI/CSA America FC1-2004 & NFPA 853
• Location: Indoor or Outdoor; -40^oF to 120^oF (-40^oC to 49^oC)

Equipment Product Specifications: Power Electronics Module

• Dimensions: W: 35” (0.88m) D: 27” (0.68m) H: 43” (1.1 m)
• Weight: 680 lbs (308 kg)
• Noise: < 60 dba @ 3 feet (1 meter)
• Seismic Design Category: "E"
• Site Class: "D"
• Certifications and Registrations: UL94-V2, UL 1741 1st Edition: 2005 verison, CSA 107.1-01
• Location: Indoor or Outdoor; -40^oF to 120^oF (-40^oC to 49^oC)

System Summary

• Energy System: Fuel Cell microCHP
• Rated Power: 5,000-25,000 watts VAC, 120/240V 50/60Hz
• Turndown capability: 3,000-15,000 wtts, capable of idling at 0 watts output
• Electrical Efficiency*: Up to 40% [*Based on Lower Heating Value (LHV)]

Project Site Infrastructure Requirements

• Fuel: Natural Gas; 940 Btu/ft3 minimum, 0.45 therms/hr nominally, 7-55 iwc delivery pressure
• Air: AQI less than 100 preferred  (Additional filtration may be added for harsher environments)
• Water: No external water up to 95°F ambient (Optional makeup water system can be incorporated onsite if necessary)
• Heat Recovery (Optional): 21,300-135,000 Btu/hr, up to 150^o delivered to hydronic

Additional Project Site Infrastructure Requirements

• For Startup, 3kW at nominal 48VDC required for up to 3 hours for each FCDC
• Disconnects per local code
• CAT 5 network connection (high-speed Internet) for remote monitoring service
• Natural gas line (minimum ¾” diameter lines; sized to deliver 50k Btu/hr) for each FCDC
• 1,000 CFM per FCDC ventilation (for indoor installations)
• All ClearEdge FCDC vents must be kept clear at all times
• For heat recovery- all hydronics lines minimum ¾” diameter, insulated to R-5.  Hydronics lines maximum 25' (75kPa) head pressure and 2 GPM (7.5 liters/min) minimum water flow for hydronics.  This applies for each FCDC.

Equipment Site Requirements (per Fuel Cell Module)

• Minimum clearance to the left and in front of unit: 36”
• Minimum clearance to the right of unit: 12”
• Minimum clearance to the back of unit: 4”
• Minimum clearance above indoor units: 8"
• Minimum clearance above outdoor units: 38"
• 10' clearance to windows, doors, air intakes or openings
• 8' clearance to gas meter
• 3' clearance from flue outlet to spark emitting devices
• Concrete slab to support 1,100lb (500kg) per local code
• Free and clear work area per local code

LEED

LEED Rating Systems

As proud members of the US Green Building Council, ClearEdge Power fully supports the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems and strongly believes in the use of fuel cells in both residential and non‐residential projects to enhance the performance of a building’s energy efficiency.
The use of fuel cells can be submitted as part of a Credit Interpretation Request (CIR). Through this request, a specific building program is submitted for approvals to the USGBC for rating points already found within the rating system.

In addition, fuel cells can also be part of an Innovation & Design Process Request (IDR). Though similar to a CIR, the IDR request is for a different unique attribute not yet found within the existing rating system. As expected, these submissions are project specific.

So whether the project is in the planning stages and no walls exist, or if the focus is a retro-upgrade for an existing non‐residential buildings focused on certification under LEED for Existing Building Operation & Maintenance (LEED‐EBOM) fuel cells can be an active part of the solution. Please contact us early in the process so that we can work with you and your team to best assess your needs and assist in the application process. If you'd like to download our whitepaper on fuel cells can help your project get LEED certified, click here.