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| Center for Fuel Cell Research and Applications |
The development of fuel cells that operate on renewable energy sources is needed to fully realize the environmental benefits promised by the technology. Today, most fuel cells do not operate on renewable fuels, but on hydrogen obtained from fossil fuels. With much of the industry focused on power fuel cells from reformed natural gas and propane, penetration of fuel cells into the marketplace will neither eliminate carbon dioxide emissions nor reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels.
In this Supplemental Project, the Houston Advanced Research Center proposes to develop and demonstrate a 50kW methanol fueled PEM fuel cell. Methanol has received much attention as a potential gasoline replacement to serve the fuel cell vehicle marketplace, but little attention has been given to methanol as a fuel for stationary power. Although the majority of methanol is currently produced from natural gas, it can also be produced from biomass, thereby providing a vector for the production of renewable energy. The use of methanol produced from biomass wastes can substantially reduce the point source emissions associated with power generation and make fuel cells eligible for inclusion in the Renewable Portfolio Standard being adopted in many states.
HARC desires to lead an industry group to provide a turn-key project to address the technology, operations, and economic issues of using renewable methanol as a fuel cell energy source. Successful development of the project will prove the technical and economic viability of using methanol in stationary applications and establish the means by which an untapped renewable energy source can be used to generate electric power. HARC anticipates seeking funds from the DOE to support development of this program and is actively seeking additional industrial participants.
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| Page Updated/Reviewed: 05/25/2006 10:44 AM |
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