A fuel cell electrochemically combines fuel and air to produce electricity with no moving parts. Most fuel cells require the hydrogen from the CH 4 to be extracted in a separate process. FCE believes this direct system offers the potential for a simpler and more efficient power plant as compared to other types of fuel cells. It contained more than 4,000 individual cells, grouped into 16 stacks, each capable of producing approximately 125 kilowatts of direct current power. Thus, a cleaner and more efficient power plant that runs on widely available fuels such as natural gas would be a clear benefit to electric utilities and their consumers.
Fuel cells are capable of producing electricity very efficiently in relatively small sizes.
This is thought to be a record for a fossil fuel power plant in the 2-MW size range. The SCDP was fueled by pipeline natural gas. FCE also has tested Direct Fuel Cells on coal-derived gas, ethanol, simulated landfill gas, and diesel fuel. The SCDP received a waiver from the local Air Quality Management District for an air emissions permit. This is due to the Direct Fuel Cell s low-pollution operation.