SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS MAKE THEIR MOVE

More recently, progress has been made in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) that do not require a reformer and a hydrogen purifier to convert hydrocarbon fuels (natural gas, propane, gasoline or diesel) to electricity, as do polymer electrolyte membrane or "PEM" fuel cells. This implies that the petroleum industry will not have to convert gas stations to handle methanol or hydrogen as logistical fuels in the race between the efficient fuel cells and the conventional internal combustion engines.

Global Thermoelectric and the huge U.S. automotive parts supplier Delphi Automotive recently announced that they are teaming up to develop a 5-kW SOFC on board power generator for vehicles that also provides for cabin heating. The venture's first customer is none other than the quality-driven German car manufacturer BMW.

"It should not be lost on the utility industry that a car with a 5 kW fuel cell on board is the equivalent of a mini-power-plant that also happens to be environmentally friendly," says Dr. Bossel. At the very least a vehicle outfitted with an on-board fuel cell (to power system electronics and reduce battery size as well as eliminate the alternator) can be used for emergency power or for powering a vacation home or recreational power needs. This could eventually spell trouble for companies that today sell billions of dollars worth of small, internal combustion engine generator sets to consumer markets.

Not that fuel cell powered vehicles in industrialized countries will be a competitive threat to the utility industry, says Dr. Bossel. He adds that in developing countries such as India, Africa, and regions of South America and Asia, fuel cell powered home generators, scooters and small cars could offer an interesting alternative to the lack of mature power grids that we industrialized nations enjoy. The fuel could be digester gas from the fermentation of residential and agricultural waste materials.

Dr. Bossel, by the way, expects this year's fuel cell conference to include a much greater number of professional and private investors interested in gaining an early look at potential success stories in the fuel cell industry.

"We are already getting inquiries from unexpected quarters including investment banks, mutual fund managers, venture capitalists and well-heeled private investors," notes Dr. Bossel. "And, the interest from utility executives responsible for tracking new technologies is also much greater than last year," he concludes.

Additional information for attending the July 10-15 FUEL CELL 2000 conference and the 4th biennial EUROPEAN SOFC FORUM is available at the European Fuel Cell Forum, PO Box 99, CH-5452 Oberrohrdorf, Switzerland or at its website: www.efcf.com.