$11 Million More For Fuel Cells and Biomass Gets a Boost

GreenTechEnterprise.com
by Michael Kanellos 01 25 10

ClearEdge Power now has $26 million to promote methane fuel cells.

The momentum for stationary fuel cells continues to grow.

ClearEdge Power, which makes a fuel cell that can convert natural gas into heat and electricity, has raised $26 million, according to SEC filings. It raised $15 million last year and this year added another $11 million. (the extra $11 million was reported by Earth2Tech first, I think).

Like electric cars, methane fuel cells have been discussed for years but now are coming to market. Panasonic, in conjunction with Osaka Gas, started selling a 1 kilowatt methane fuel cell to consumers in Japan earlier this year. In England, Ceres Power says it will start to market its fuel cell through utilities in England and Ireland to consumers next year. Some of the components Ceres integrates into its fuel cells come from the auto industry.

And of course, everyone is waiting for Bloom Energy to release its 25 kilowatt fuel cell. Although rumors swirl that it has been delayed again, Bloom has installed and tested a fuel cell at the University of Tennessee. Early buyers of Bloom fuel cells are San Francisco Airport, Google, Ebay, according to various sources. Adobe may also install a large fuel cell system soon.

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