Fuel cells create electricity, usable heat, and water by combining hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen does not need to be available because commercial offerings run on natural gas, coal gas, propane and bio fuels, including methane. The cells internally extract the necessary hydrogen. They produce Direct Current (DC) electricity without the conventional combustion reaction, which is then converted into Alternating Current (AC) for use. Current fuel cells are generally stationary and used for large fixed locations like resorts, prisons, wastewater facilities, and manufacturing plants, although there are units currently available for smaller uses.
Smartly designed microCHP (combined heat and power) fuel cells maximize energy efficiency by creating electricity as well as usable heat from one clean source. Specifically developed to take advantage of the current fuel infrastructure, these fuel cells plumb to readily available natural gas and offer available power 24/7, day or night. Easily configurable, these units integrate seamlessly into existing or newly designed electrical and mechanical systems providing locally generated energy where and when it is needed. Unlike conventional grid-power sources that burn coal or gas and create an increased environmental burden, clean energy fuel cells create power with efficiency rates of 90% while offering a reduction in energy bills and a 40% reduction in carbon emissions.
We now offer the amazing ClearEdge5 full cell. The unit produces 43,800,000 watts of electricity and 175,000,000 btus of heat a year using .74 cfm of natural gas.
The ClearEdge5 can be combined in series indoors or outdoors to meet any need.
The ClearEdge5’s advantages over competing fuel cell systems:
- Quiet—about 60dB at 3 feet
- Safe—122° exhaust temperature and up to 149° heat transfer temperature compared to much higher dB and export temperatures usually over 600°, and no stored hydrogen on site
- System Efficiency—up to 90%
- Maintenance— 24/7 monitoring over the Internet with most adjustments without a site visit and much less total maintenance than other fuel cells; and
The ClearEdge5 qualifies for $12,500 per unit California rebate, or $20,000 per unit if directed biogas is contracted, significantly reducing upfront cost and financing, and slightly increasing fuel expense. Each unit also qualifies for up to 30% federal investment tax credit.