Ballard Power Systems Inc. (TSX:BLD.TO; NasdaqNM:BLDP) has delivered the first prototypes of its next generation fuel cell, the Mark 1030 V3, for the residential cogeneration market to EBARA BALLARD Corporation (Ballard’s Japan-based joint venture with the EBARA Corporation).
The prototypes are for integration and testing in 1 kW residential cogeneration systems. Featuring increased reliability and lifetime, with significantly less weight and volume, the Mark 1030 V3 fuel cell has been designed in alignment with the 2008 Japanese government targets of 40,000 hours operation, equivalent to a system lifetime of 10 years in the home.
Key features of the Mark 1030 V3 fuel cell include:
1) Full compatibility with both natural gas and kerosene fuel cell cogeneration systems.
2) 40% lighter in weight than the previous generation.
3) 26% smaller than the previous generation.
ABOUT FUEL CELL COGENERATION IN JAPAN
As a new form of distributed power generation in Japan, 1 kW fuel cell cogeneration systems are installed directly in consumers’ homes and are designed to generate the first kilowatt of electricity and all required hot water, thus reducing dependence on grid based electricity. Readily available home fuels in Japan such as natural gas, kerosene or LPG (propane) are reformed by the system to create hydrogen gas to power the fuel cell. The residential fuel cell cogeneration system reduces demand for grid-based power in a country with some of the world’s highest electricity rates, averaging about US$0.21 per kilowatt hour. While customers save approximately US$600 in annual energy costs, the system also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40% compared to conventional electric generation using fossil fuels, thereby supporting Japanese government environmental policies.
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