American fuel cell manufacturer ClearEdge Power first of its kind to receive internationally recognized Korean Gas Safety certification

HILLSBORO, Ore. – March 29, 2011 – Today ClearEdge Power has become the first fuel cell maker in history to be awarded the Korean Gas Safety Corporation’s (KGS) internationally recognized safety certification for its 5-kilowatt high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Achieving this certification is mandatory to market fuel cells in Korea, and KGS officials say their certification is recognized throughout Asia, including China, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Russia, and parts of Europe. The certification follows a $40 million distribution agreement with LS Industrial Systems, a $1.5 billion (USD) Korea-based company focused on electric power generation, distribution and automation worldwide.

“KGS has a significant amount of influence throughout Asia and the Pacific, not just in the Korean gas and fuel cell industry alone,” said Key Lee, ClearEdge Power managing director, Asia and Pacific. “We are pleased to have achieved this important milestone, and to have received KGS’s support with international certifications, gas safety consulting and joint projects in an effort to promote our fuel cell system throughout Korea, Asia and the Pacific region.”

The ClearEdge Power five-kilowatt combined heat and power stationary fuel cell uses a chemical process to cleanly convert natural gas into electricity and heat around theclock, regardless of weather conditions. Unlike power sources that use combustion technology, fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process that produces only negligible or undetectable levels of nitrogen and sulfur oxides. A significant percentage of heat produced by fuel cells can be captured and used to provide heat and hot water. In fact, the ClearEdge5 combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 35 to 40 percent compared to traditional combustion technology and other typical pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds, ash and particulates, to trace levels. When installed in homes or businesses, it can also reduce utility bills by up to 50 percent by creating power at the point of use.

For more information, please visit us online at ClearEdgePower.com

Fuel cells and fuel cell technology has been a big buzz now for the last couple years with lots of talk and plans for cars that run on them and so on. But it has seemed to be very much a thing of the future and not of today in terms of consumer use of fuel cells for power generation.

But along comes a company to my attention of late that seems to be proving that wrong. Clear Edge Power is advertising a hydrogen fuel cell power system for home and business use now, not next year or beyond.

They have built a system that consists of a box about the size of a an air conditioning unit that houses their hydrogen fuel cell technology. The system runs on natural gas which is converted into power using their proprietary fuel cell technology.

From the Clear Edge site:

ClearEdge Power offers a solution for high utility bills. Begin saving money and energy with a single, compact home fuel cell system. You can depend on the ClearEdge5 for electricity, heat and clear environmental benefits. Cost efficient and reliable, our unit is eligible for utility rebates and government incentives. In addition, the unit is not affected by seasonality and provides power year round, making it a better, more reliable choice than other energy alternatives.

ClearEdge5 is a combined heat and power (CHP) energy system based on fuel cell technology. This technology has demonstrated superior efficiency for years in industrial plants, universities, hotels and hospitals. ClearEdge Power is now making it available on a small commercial and residential scale. The ClearEdge5 is a compact system which efficiently converts natural gas or propane into both electricity and heat.

The ClearEdge5 consists of three core components modularly designed for ease of installation and maintenance. The Fuel Processor converts natural gas into ultra-clean hydrogen through a catalytic process, as opposed to burning the natural gas, which dramatically reduces pollutants. The hydrogen is processed through a Fuel Cell Stack, creating direct current (DC) power and heat. The Power Conditioning Unit converts the DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which then ties directly to the main electrical panel, providing steady continuous power for your electricity needs. The heat produced by the fuel cell is moved to the building through a heat exchanger supplying a continuous source of heating for hot water or space heating.

The list price for the ClearEdge5 is actually less expensive than equivalent residential solar PV systems, based on production. A major advantage over solar, the ClearEdge5 generates eleven times more energy than the same size solar installation. For the same capital investment, the ClearEdge5 gives you 90 MWh of annual combined electricity and heat, compared to approximately 8MWh generated by a 5kW solar system. Operating costs for the CE5 are as low as 6.0¢ per kWh based on $1.20 per therm for natural gas, assuming full electrical and heat utilization. The purchase price of the ClearEdge5 also includes a five-year EnergyPlus™ Service Agreement covering all installation, parts and maintenance.

So it would appear that clean fuel cell technology is on the market and ready for the ultimate testing. Will consumers and businesses adopt it and add it to their energy systems both home and business?

What do you think? Comment below and let us know your thoughts on this technology.