What is a Fuel Cell?
Say fuel cell, and most people conjure up futuristic notions along the lines of flying cars and moon colonies. But to the scientists and engineers at ClearEdge Power, the fuel cell suggests something far more tangible: Opportunity. Why? Because with the introduction of ClearEdge's family of continuous onsite energy systems, creating highly efficient, sustainable energy, while significantly reducing energy costs and CO2 emissions, represents the ability to dramatically alter how the world generates and consumes energy.
How It Works
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity, heat and water.
Fuel cells operate without combustion, so they are virtually pollution free. Since the fuel is converted directly to electricity, a fuel cell can operate at much higher efficiencies than internal combustion engines, extracting more electricity from the same amount of fuel.
Stationary fuel cells, like PureCell systems, fit a broad range of facility types and provide customers with improved energy security, increased operational reliability, greater energy efficiency and more environmentally responsible/sustainable operations.
Fuel Cell Benefits
Energy Productivity - increased efficiency that is reducing energy costs
The correlation between energy demand and economic growth is clear. Without improvements or enhancements to energy productivity, economic growth will slow or stagnate in the face of ever-increasing demand.
More than half of the energy potential in traditional power generation goes up the stack as exhaust heat. In contrast, PureCell systems convert heat exhaust into cooling and heating, turning potential waste into local, useable energy. While central power plants achieve efficiency percentages in the lower 30s, our distributed generation systems can attain energy conversion efficiencies of up to 90 percent.
Energy Security - proven, continuous generation that is establishing a new level of durability
It's all about reliability and not being vulnerable to power outages. PureCell systems protect you from grid failures and the economic losses resulting from business interruption. Having a reliable, power source on-site ensures continuous operations and optimized performance.
PureCell systems provide customers with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your building has continuous power, even in the event of a disruption, and the security of a remote monitoring service staffed by experienced technicians 24/7.
Energy Responsibility - clean operation that is driving greener customer facilities
It's all about reducing your carbon footprint. Our stationary fuel cells are among the cleanest energy generators available today. So in addition to realizing substantial increases in energy independence and productivity, our customers use fewer natural resources and generate minimal pollutants.
- PureCell systems deliver significant environmental benefits, including the following:
- Ultra-low emissions
- Low sound profile
- Designed to meet or exceed the most stringent air emission standards in the United States as established by California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2007.
- By using both the heat and power the fuel cell generates, your carbon footprint can be significantly reduced
- No ozone-depleting fluorocarbons
- Water Balance – designed to operate without consuming or discharging water
Fuel Cell Applications
PureCell systems meet the energy demands of a broad range of facilities. Because they provide electricity and heat around the clock, they are well suited for commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings with 24/7 electrical and thermal requirements. Fuel cells may be used in your facility depending on: facility size, baseload power and heat requirements, geographic location, cost of electricity vs natural gas, availability of pipeline natural gas and adequate physical space to site a fuel cell(s).