Key Highlights
- Bloom Energy demonstrates highest electrical efficiency of 60% on its SOFC platform using 100% hydrogen
- Bloom’s SOFC technology operates on natural gas, hydrogen, and blends, making it future-proof
- SOFC technology emits negligible environmental pollutants compared to combustion technologies
Bloom Energy (NYSE:BE), a global leader in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, announces the availability of its Bloom Energy Server™ power solution. The solution achieves an industry-leading ~60% electrical efficiency when fueled by 100% hydrogen. Bloom engineers achieved this milestone efficiency at the company’s research and development facility in Fremont, California.
“This achievement reinforces our leadership position in the hydrogen industry,” said Ravi Prasher, chief technology officer for Bloom Energy. “It combines with our world-leading efficiency electrolyzer and our fuel cell technology’s ability to run on various fuels.”
The Importance of Carbon-Free Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Energy-intensive industries like data centers and advanced manufacturing continue to increase electricity demand on the grid. Efficient distributed electricity production from carbon-free hydrogen becomes a critical tool for reducing carbon emissions and alleviating strain. Carbon-free hydrogen fuel cells enable 24/7 clean power generation, complementing other renewable electricity sources.
Carbon-free hydrogen is generally more expensive than traditional fuel sources like natural gas or grey hydrogen. Bloom’s breakthrough 60% electrical efficiency makes the adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source more economically viable. Blending hydrogen with natural gas allows for immediate CO2 emission reductions while providing a future-proof, fuel-flexible path.
The table below highlights the advantages of Bloom’s offering over traditional systems and other fuel cell technologies using hydrogen.
Advantages of SOFC Technology
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology stands out in the energy transition due to several key advantages:
- Direct electrochemical conversion: SOFC technology converts fuel directly to electricity through an electrochemical process. This results in significantly higher electrical efficiency and negligible environmental pollutants compared to combustion technologies.
- High-temperature CHP capability: Bloom’s high-temperature SOFC technology is Combined Heat and Power (CHP) enabled. Customers can utilize high-temperature heat for various applications, allowing for a combined 90% efficiency.
- Fuel flexibility: SOFC technology can operate on a variety of fuels, making it a future-proof solution.
About Bloom Energy Bloom Energy empowers businesses and communities to responsibly take charge of their energy. The company’s leading solid oxide platform for distributed generation of electricity and hydrogen is changing the future of energy. Fortune 100 companies around the world turn to Bloom Energy as a trusted partner. For more information, visit www.bloomenergy.com.
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