 |
 |
||||||
[May 2009]
Ceramic Fuel Cells Launches Modular Generator Product
Melbourne-based clean energy company Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, a global leader in fuel cell development, has officially launched a new modular generator product. The new unit – called BlueGen – is a ‘mini power station’ for homes and other buildings. It produces low emission electricity and hot water, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving on home energy bills. About the size of a dishwasher, the BlueGen unit converts natural gas to electricity and heat via ceramic fuel cells.
The company plans to make the BlueGen product available in Victoria from early 2010. It is in discussions with potential local manufacturing partners and is also in discussions with potential purchasers of the BlueGen product in other markets including Europe and North America.
Compared to Victoria’s current brown coal electricity generators, each BlueGen unit can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 75% – or 18 tonnes per unit, per year. Victorian Premier John Brumby said at the launch: "Innovation is vital to Victoria's response to climate change. Local innovations like Ceramic Fuel Cells' technology will help to play an important part in reducing the carbon intensity of Victorian homes and businesses. Ceramic Fuel Cells' technology is a great example of local business delivering sustainable, 'green' jobs and exports for our State”.
“Importantly, our units are far more efficient and produce far less carbon dioxide and other emissions than traditional electricity generators like coal-fired power stations,” said Ceramic Fuel Cells’ Managing Director Brendan Dow. "If our units replaced just 7% of Victoria's electricity from brown coal, the State would achieve the Federal Government's target of a 5% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, well before 2020. Currently, coal-fired power stations produce 95% of Victoria’s electricity”.
Ceramic Fuel Cells has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VicUrban to showcase the BlueGen units in VicUrban housing developments. Subject to agreeing final terms, Ceramic Fuel Cells will install the first BlueGen unit in VicUrban’s Sustainable and Affordable Living Centre in Dandenong to be opened towards the end of 2009 and will install up to three more demonstration units in other VicUrban developments next year.
The BlueGen units can generate electricity more than twice as efficiently as the current Victorian power grid, at a cost of up to 40% cheaper than the current average retail electricity price, which could save up to A$1,100 off the average home’s annual energy bill.
When mass produced, the BlueGen products are forecast to cost around $8,000 each with a payback period of seven years and a product lifetime of 15 years.
ENDS