A conventional power plant operates at much lower efficiencies, typically in the range of only 30 to 35 percent. Boosting efficiencies is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, released per unit of electricity generated. The Department is already testing a tubular version of the solid oxide fuel cell technology in a hybrid unit. In this system, the ceramic materials are arranged in concentric tubes. Later this year, another type of fuel cell configuration one that uses a molten carbonate as the electrolyte, rather than ceramics will be tested in a hybrid configuration.
Power density is an important factor in reducing costs.
The system envisioned by Honeywell would be a low cost, small size, highly efficient power unit that would have such low emissions that it could be sited virtually anywhere.