thread stated regarding the amount of pollution created by manufacturing hydrogen for fuel cells didn't mention is that internal combustion engines are at best 20% efficient.... whilst fuel cells are over 50% efficient. What that translates into is LESS POLLUTION regardless of how the hydrogen is produced.
Furthermore... fuel cell/turbine hybrid power plants are going to push the envelope of efficiency by getting well over the 50% marker.... please notice that this particular plant will operate off of natural gas.... totally negating the issue of dirty hydrogen production.
http://www.mbusi.com/pr/fuelcell.html Back to Press Releases Main Page
Southern Company, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, FuelCell Energy and Mercedes-Benz to build fuel cell power plant
First in U.S. based on unique Direct FuelCell Design
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—An international energy company, a utility company, a leading fuel cell company and a major automotive company announced today an historic partnership to build and install a fuel cell power plant at the Mercedes-Benz production facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The $2 million plus, 250-kilowatt pilot demonstration project will be operational later this year.
The four companies teaming up are Southern Company (NYSE: SO), Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), FuelCell Energy (AMEX: FCL) and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI). The power plant utilizes FuelCell Energy’s Direct FuelCell™ stack in a unique design developed by MTU Friedrichshafen, a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler and partner of FuelCell Energy. The purpose of the project is to study the performance of new technology to further the advancement of environmentally-friendly energy sources.
Alabama Power Company will enter into a special customer partnership with Mercedes-Benz, as the plant will be located in the service territory of this subsidiary of Southern Company.
"Southern Company is dedicated to exploring the full array of energy opportunities, including customer-sited, fuel cell power generation," said Charles Goodman, Southern Company vice president for research and environmental affairs. "With Alabama Power, we are committed to this partnership arrangement with our customers to test this clean and efficient power generation technology.
>>MTU Friedrichshafen has licensed FuelCell Energy’s Direct Fuel Cell technology while FuelCell Energy has licensed MTU’s unique power plant design, called the "Hot Module." The plant will convert pipeline natural gas to AC electricity at an efficiency of about 50 percent.<<