ClearEdge Power micro CHP systems cleanly convert natural gas into heat and electricity by using a fuel cell to create energy, unlike conventional power sources that burn fossil fuels.
Here’s how it works: first, a fuel processor separates hydrogen from natural gas by sending it through a series of catalytic reactors; second, the hydrogen-rich gas is fed to a fuel cell stack (often consisting of hundreds of “cells”) where the chemical energy is converted directly to electrical energy, creating water and heat as byproducts. Since the fuel cell stack, like a battery, generates Direct Current (“DC”) power, an inverter system is then used to convert the energy into 120-volt Alternate Current (“AC”) power.
When one hears the word “energy,” it is common to think of electricity, but when it comes to use, the word also includes heat. This point is critical to understanding how ClearEdge Power energy solutions can offer efficiencies no competing alternative energy technology can.
We call this advantage Dual Power Creation At The Point Of Use. Instead of requiring electricity generated at a power plant to travel hundred of miles through transmission lines, the ClearEdge Power micro CHP system converts natural gas into heat and electricity at the source of consumption.
Efficiencies are realized in two ways. First, the energy normally lost when electricity travels through the electrical grid is no longer a factor. Second, the unit captures and re-purposes the heat it creates in electricity production for heating purposes. The result: it achieves up to 90% system efficiency and requires 40% less natural gas to generate the same energy delivered through conventional distribution practices.