17 Mar 2008
Fuel cell powers Miami house
Fuel cell technology has been used to power a house in Miami - in a demonstration to highlight the effectiveness of alternative energy sources.
The fuel cell system, which was built and designed by Oregon-based engineer Benjamin Schafer, is powered by four tanks of hydrogen gas, according to a report in the Miami Herald.
Mr Schafer, chief technical officer at Hydra Fuel Cell, said his Hydrastax 5000 fuel cell was the result of two years of development.
The scientist's design is expected to be on the market later this year, with a price of $15,000 - not including an ammonia-hydrogen converter.
Mr Schafer's Hydrastax 5000 is capable of producing five kilowatts of electricity - enough to power an average house, or provide a reserve supply.
Fuel cell technology is currently being used to provide water and electricity for 2,200 homes in Japan.
''The purpose of fuel cells is to get better efficiency out of fuel The internal combustion engine is ten to 14 per cent efficient. A fuel cell is 45 per cent efficient. So an automobile using a fuel cell could double or quadruple its efficiency," Mr Schafer commented.
www.miamiherald.com
© Adfero Ltd
The fuel cell system, which was built and designed by Oregon-based engineer Benjamin Schafer, is powered by four tanks of hydrogen gas, according to a report in the Miami Herald.
Mr Schafer, chief technical officer at Hydra Fuel Cell, said his Hydrastax 5000 fuel cell was the result of two years of development.
The scientist's design is expected to be on the market later this year, with a price of $15,000 - not including an ammonia-hydrogen converter.
Mr Schafer's Hydrastax 5000 is capable of producing five kilowatts of electricity - enough to power an average house, or provide a reserve supply.
Fuel cell technology is currently being used to provide water and electricity for 2,200 homes in Japan.
''The purpose of fuel cells is to get better efficiency out of fuel The internal combustion engine is ten to 14 per cent efficient. A fuel cell is 45 per cent efficient. So an automobile using a fuel cell could double or quadruple its efficiency," Mr Schafer commented.
www.miamiherald.com
© Adfero LtdSource: Adfero