A solid oxide fuel cell is an all-ceramic power generating device. It uses no boiling liquids or moving parts to generate electricity. Like a battery, it produces electric power by an electrochemical reaction, avoiding the air pollutants and efficiency losses associated with traditional combustion processes. Unlike a battery, it can operate continuously as long as a fuel, such as natural gas, is supplied to it. The test unit installed at the Dutch power station has operated for a record 8,760 hours.
High efficiency is one of the main advantages of the solid oxide fuel cell.
Boosting a power plant's fuel use efficiency is one of the best ways to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. It is also key to economical energy production. The solid oxide fuel cell also offers other impressive environmental benefits, which are being verified by the Netherlands test. Sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile hydrocarbons were all measured at less than 1 part per million. The test unit was installed at a Dutch cogeneration plant in 1998 as one of several units to be tested in the joint government-industry development effort.