The micro CHP units
will produce 3kw of electrical power in addition
to useable heat and will use a PEM fuel cell based
on Johnson Matthey and Energy Partners' technologies.
Hydrogen fuel will be provided by JM's award winning
HotSpotTM gas processors which convert
natural gas or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) to hydrogen.
The initial stages
of the project will see the units evaluated as both
stand alone systems and connected to the grid. It
will also test remote control operation of the units,
which would enable an energy provider to run the
system as part of a local area generation and distribution
network. The project will provide critical data on
various novel components of the fuel cell technology
and systems implementation. It will also generate
detailed information on the unit's suitability for
providing power to houses and most importantly small
offices, a sector identified by Johnson Matthey as
a promising initial market.
Following the initial
18 month evaluation phase of the project the partners
expect to proceed with large scale demonstration
programmes in Europe and the US.
Commenting on the
agreement, Neil Carson, Executive Director of Johnson
Matthey said:
"Fuel cells have
the potential to provide clean, lower cost electricity,
heating and air conditioning for our homes and offices
while at the same time dramatically reducing emissions
of carbon dioxide, generally thought to be a major
contributor to global warming. We are delighted to
be working in partnership with TXU Europe and Energy
Partners in a project to evaluate this exciting technology".
Eddie Hyams, President
of TXU Europe Power said:
"We see a major role
for fuel cells developing in distributed generation
over the next five to ten years. This is a natural
extension of our existing involvement in small scale
combined heat and power (CHP) through our subsidiary
Nedalo, the UK market leader in packaged CHP units."
Dr George Joy, President
of Energy Partners, said:
"This is an excellent
application for Energy Partners' technology and a
great opportunity to demonstrate that fuel cell systems
can provide important solutions to real world power
generating needs. We are very pleased to have the
opportunity to bring our ten years of fuel cell systems
experience into partnership with Johnson Matthey
and TXU Europe."
