Plug Power Becomes First to Use Gasoline in Fuel Cell
21 October 1997
Plug Power Becomes First to Use Gasoline in Fuel CellLATHAM, N.Y., Oct. 21 -- Plug Power L.L.C. in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, Arthur D. Little and the Energy Department's Los Alamos National Laboratory today announced the first successful conversion of gasoline to generate electricity through Plug Power's PEM fuel cell module. Plug Power's cell used some of Los Alamos' background technology in this month's successful test. "This breakthrough is a major step toward the advancement of zero emission vehicles," said Gary Mittleman, Plug Power president and chief executive officer. "The ability to use gasoline postpones the need to develop a new fueling infrastructure and accelerates the development of these vehicles." Unlike traditional combustion engines, fuel cells generate electricity through an electro-chemical process. The system converts the chemical energy of hydrogen -- and/or hydrocarbons -- and oxygen into electrical energy. It produces negligible amounts of sulfur and nitrogen oxides and less than half the amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. In addition to developing fuel cells for automotive applications, Plug Power plans to use the same technology to convert natural gas into electricity for residential applications. The residential system will meet the energy demands of a 3,000-square-foot house -- even during peak energy-use hours -- without connection to a utility's electrical distribution system. "Today we can only imagine a home energy system powered by a clean, compact machine in the basement or utility room," Mittleman said. "Within a few years, we expect Plug Power will make it a reality by selling this energy machine on the market." Fuel cells are safe, reliable, quiet and energy efficient. Homeowners will save on their energy bills because fuel cell operating costs will be lower than the cost of electricity delivered through a utility's distribution system. These self-contained systems with few moving parts will provide ultimate electric service reliability. "In the same way personal computers have replaced mainframes, we believe fuel cells will reduce the electric industry's reliance on large, centrally located power plants," said Anthony F. Earley Jr., Detroit Edison president and chief operating officer and Plug Power director. Plug Power is developing an affordable, economically viable fuel cell, said George McNamee, chairman of Mechanical Technology Inc. and Plug Power. "Now that we've proven this technology in the laboratory, it's time to prove it in mass manufacturing," he said. "Volume manufacturing will help us drive down costs." To further the development process, Plug Power plans to partner with chemical companies, high-tech firms and manufacturers. The company also is forming alliances with local gas distribution companies and electric utilities to market and distribute the fuel cell systems. Plug Power L.L.C. is a joint venture of DTE Energy Company , the parent of Detroit Edison, and Mechanical Technology Inc., an early developer of fuel cell technologies. Located in Latham, N.Y., Plug Power was formed in June 1997 to develop and manufacture fuel cells for residential electric power generation and automotive applications. SOURCE Plug Power L.L.C.