How Alternative Energy Is Becoming Mainstream

by admin on May 6, 2010


As green reports become ever more important to shareholders and customers, more companies are turning to alternative energy sources. Alternative energy, such as fuel cell generators, have become commonplace as companies search for ways to reduce their carbon emissions in appeasement of the new societal demands for going green. One such provider of fuel cell generators is Bloom Energy.

Bloom Energy has expanded its solid oxide fuel cell technology into creating a new type of distributed power generator they are calling Energy Servers. Energy Servers create electricity on-site, so companies are less reliant on the grid. The electricity produced by fuel cells is clean, safe, and inexpensive. Fuel cells create electricity through chemical processes instead of relying on combustion, like traditional generators.

Bloom Energy’s fuel cells use common, low-cost materials instead of high-cost or corrosive materials used by other fuel cells. These fuel cells are not only inexpensive, but they are very efficient, creating over twice the electricity as standard cells. One Energy Server is capable of creating 100 kW of electricity. This is enough to power 100 homes or a large office building. All of this is done from a footprint no larger than a parking space. In case of emergencies, Bloom Energy fuel cells can use fossil fuels should there be an interruption in the supply of renewable fuels.

Each Bloom Energy Server contains several thousand of Bloom’s patented fuel cells. Each cell is a ceramic square made from a sand-like powder that is capable of generating 25W of electricity. Cells are organized into stacks connected by metal plates. Stacks about the size of a loaf of bread provide enough energy to run an average house. An Energy Server takes several of these stacks and organizes them into a power module. Several power modules are banded together, using a common fuel source and an electric output to create a whole Energy Server system.

The technology created by Bloom Energy is set to make green energy sources a reality for large and small businesses alike. As more companies go green, using alternative energy, new jobs and job opportunities will open across the country for those who have the skill and training with fuel cell technology.

To find someone who can help you make your own home eco-friendly we recommend checking out alternative construction services, or mining the main alternative energy journals and blogs such as Renewable energy focus, and Renewable energy world.