Franklin Fuel Cells, Inc. is Awarded $460,000 to Extend Research on Its Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology to Renewable Fuels
MALVERN, PA - July 7, 2005: Franklin Fuel Cells, Inc. (FFC), has just been awarded $460,000 by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA), to further its development of copper-based solid oxide fuel cell technology for the direct use of ethanol and other bio-renewable fuels.
PEDA was established in 1982 to promote applied energy research by providing financial incentives for the deployment of clean energy. PEDA selected Franklin Fuel Cells, Inc. because of its unique patented technology. The Franklin Fuel Cell™ is the only solid oxide fuel cell in existence to exhibit such flexibility, running on fuels ranging from pure 100% undiluted ethanol to diesel and regular consumer gasoline. The Franklin Fuel Cell™ is also capable of running on hydrogen.
Other solid oxide fuel cell technologies fail due to carbon poisoning under hydrocarbon conditions, creating the need for reformers and fuel processors. “It is FFC’s patented anode that makes our technology unique,” John Law, Franklin’s CEO points out. “Unlike traditional Nickel-based solid oxide fuel cells, the Franklin Fuel Cell™ requires no reformers or processors. And through this simplified design, FFC provides higher operating efficiency at a lower capital cost.” It is this unique value proposition that garnered the attention of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority.
Recent success in testing Franklin Fuel Cells™ on undiluted ethanol bode well for FFC’s quest to accelerate commercialization of their patented technology. Last month’s tests produced significant power densities approaching 350 milliwatts per square centimeter.
Further evidence of the growing commercial viability of FFC’s new technology is the awarding of a multi-year contract to FFC by the US Navy earlier this quarter. Under the new agreement, Franklin Fuel Cells will be developing technology that may one day power a fleet of all-electric combat ships with a distributed network of power generators.
“We, in Pennsylvania, have the ingenuity and resources to develop and deploy new clean energy technology,” Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. “PEDA refocuses our priorities on indigenous energy resources by investing in clean, efficient energy made in Pennsylvania.”
John Law, Franklin’s CEO said “This week’s $460,000 award from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority helps to fuel Franklin’s research while further validating our technology as a power source whose time has come.”
Background:
With 11 full-time employees, FFC occupies a new development and test facility in Malvern, Pennsylvania. This facility houses 22 single cell test stations, each with the ability to operate directly on liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon fuels concurrently.
FFC’s proprietary, copper-based, SOFC technology was initially developed by a team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania. Their invention allows readily available fuels such as gasoline, diesel, naptha, and natural gas to be used to generate power in fuel cell systems with higher efficiency and significantly lower cost.
FFC’s solid oxide fuel cell technology offers significant, competitive advantages for modular power systems in a potential wide range of applications from 1 kW to greater than 250 kW. Independent market researchers have estimated the total global market potential for solid oxide fuel cell technology to be approximately $22 billion by the year 2010. The global market is expected to grow at approximately 7% annually.
FFC’s portfolio of intellectual property includes 6 issued U.S. patents, 6 published U.S. patents applications, 24 U.S. and foreign patent applications, and 13 invention disclosures.
For more information, contact Wayne Gardner at (610) 640-7545 or visit the company’s website at www.franklinfuelcells.com <http://www.franklinfuelcells.com/>
For an interactive presentation on Franklin Fuel Cells, Inc., click the link below:
<http://www.pocmedia.com/pages/franklinfuelcellsemaillink.html>
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