The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Boston-based American Power Corp. are to test small fuel cell systems for residential and commercial markets under a collaborative alliance announced by the two organizations.
The tests will involve evaluation of up to 25 prototype fuel cell systems manufactured by American Power. Each will cost around $77 000, or $38 000 under EPRI’s Tailored Collab-oration programme.
The units will operate either in parallel with the grid or independent from it. They will burn natural gas, propane or another hydrocarbon fuel with an overall efficiency approaching 40 per cent, American Power claims.
Each unit produces 3 kW from two polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks. These are integrated with a battery storage system and the batteries are charged up during off-peak periods, allowing the system to meet 10 kW peak loads.
Delivery of the units is due in the middle of this year.
