Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Blugen high efficiency maintained over extreme operating range

RNS Number : 5777E

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

11 February 2015

Market

Announcement

11 February 2015

Technology Update Efficiency maintained over extreme operating range

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (ASX/AIM: CFU) (the "Company"), a world leader in developing and manufacturing fuel-cell-based, micro power plants, provides the following technology update:

The Company is pleased to announce that the BlueGEN product has demonstrated world leading electrical efficiencies across an extremely wide operating range. The BlueGEN product, which delivers 1.5kW at an electrical efficiency of 60% or greater, has now successfully demonstrated this ultra high efficiency over an extreme operating range as depicted in the graph below.

Please click link to see graph: 

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5777E_-2015-2-10.pdf

The green line represents the standard operating efficiency of BlueGEN, whilst the blue line represents an optimised operating regime for the same BlueGEN product. With this optimised operating regime the BlueGEN demonstrates in excess of 60% electrical efficiency from 1.5kW through to a reduced power output of nearly 0.8kW. Electrical efficiencies of greater than 50% have been demonstrated down to 0.5kW or about 30% of its power output. These results represent a paradigm shift in the expected performance of electricity generators and are, in the Company's opinion, unmatched by any other comparable product. Maintaining record breaking efficiencies over such an extreme range enables BlueGEN to be readily controlled at reduced power outputs without detriment; making the product even more attractive for integration with renewable energy sources, such as in a Virtual Power Plant.

The optimised performance has been enabled through a change in the operating conditions that has no negative impact on the life of the product and has been made possible with the technical expertise of the development team, together with the operating experience gained from over 6 million operating hours in the field.

Mr Bob Kennett, Managing Director, said that the results of this optimised performance are an outstanding achievement and demonstrate the true potential of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology. Such a performance will enable customers to operate the BlueGEN product in applications where a flexible power output is required with outstanding efficiencies over the required operating regime. This dramatically increases the commercial viability of the product across a range of applications in many potential markets. The achievement further increases the potential of CFU's SOFC technology for delivering ultra efficient products over a wide output range, including micro-generation products down to 0.5kW, to meet the individual electricity demand of different types of buildings. He said that while he was pleased with the progress being made with the technology aspects of the product, he reiterated that the Company remains intent on further improving its product. The development focus will remain on its cost reduction and product improvement programmes and if the opportunity arises, the development of further high performance, commercial products

-End-

First fully funded BlueGEN programme in conjunction with iPower Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

RNS Number : 1456X

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

17 November 2014

 
                        17 November 2014 
 
       First fully funded BlueGEN programme in conjunction 
                           with iPower 
 
          Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (ASX/AIM: CFU) is 
           pleased to announce the commencement of the 
           first fully funded BlueGEN programme, where 
           the BlueGEN is installed at no cost to the 
           end user. The programme, comprising a 100kW 
          fleet of BlueGENs (a minimum of 65 units) is 
        targeted primarily at public sector organisations 
           that can take advantage of the significant 
         carbon and energy savings BlueGEN has to offer. 
        The innovative funding structure allows BlueGENs 
           to be installed in end user premises at no 
          upfront cost. End users pay for the costs of 
           gas and BlueGEN maintenance and receive the 
          benefits of the electricity generated and the 
                  heat recovered for hot water. 
           This programme has been developed and will 
         be run by one of CFCL's UK distributors, iPower 
                    Energy Limited (iPower). 
      iPower has also confirmed its interest in developing 
           a second, larger programme with CFCL in the 
      second half of calendar year 2015. These discussions 
       will include various new appraisals and opportunity 
           pipeline assessments which are expected to 
           take place in parallel with the delivery of 
                      this first programme. 
          The terms of the agreement signed with iPower 
           are conditional on drawdown from a facility 
          provided by a 3(rd) party funder. iPower will 
         make a deposit of GBP350,000 (A$636,000) which 
           is expected to be received by CFCL early in 
         December. In order to meet the criteria imposed 
           by the 3(rd) party funding provider, iPower 
          has secured formal confirmations of interest 
           from participating end users for a majority 
                      of the installations. 
          Bob Kennett, CEO of CFCL, commented, "Earlier 
         this year we announced our intention to revise 
         our sales strategy in order to focus primarily 
          on larger scale projects. We are very pleased 
           to see the first of a number of projects of 
       this type come to fruition. It clearly demonstrates 
          the commercial viability of this contractual 
          structure whereby 3(rd) party funding is used 
          to support the project and provide end users 
                   with attractive benefits." 
           Jon Cape, MD of iPower, commented, "iPower 
          is delighted to be working with CFCL on this 
          ground-breaking initiative. The programme is 
           able to provide customers with net savings 
          of 20-40% on the cost of energy displaced by 
           the BlueGEN with no upfront cost and we see 
         strong potential to progress to a substantially 
        larger Stage 2 Programme for which we are already 
         in dialogue with prospective funding partners." 

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Resignation of Nominated Adviser

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Resignation of Nominated Adviser

RNS Number : 3758D

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

26 April 2013

26 April 2013

Resignation of Nominated Adviser

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM / ASX: CFU) (the "Company"), a leading developer of generators which use fuel cell technology to convert natural gas into electricity and heat for homes and other buildings, announces that Nomura Code Securities Limited has resigned as the Company's nominated adviser with immediate effect.

The Company expects to appoint a replacement nominated adviser shortly and a further announcement will be made in due course.

Enquiries:

For more information please contact:

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

Bob Kennett (UK)

Tel: +44 (0)7764-200-661

Ceramic Fuel Cells MCS accreditation update 05 July 2011

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited [AIM/ASX: CFU], a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission power products for homes, is pleased to announce that BRE Global, an independent, third-party approvals organisation, has completed the technical assessment of Ceramic Fuel Cells' BlueGen Microgeneration Heat and Power (mCHP) product to be certified under the UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

The Company's submission met all of the requirements under MCS standard MCS015 and is now awaiting final certification from BRE Global. BRE Global is awaiting accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) under standard MCS015, published in November 2010, before it can issue a certificate under this standard to Ceramic Fuel Cells.

Once final certification is received BlueGen customers will be able to benefit from the UK government's Feed in Tariff financial incentive scheme.

The Company will update shareholders as soon as final certification is received.

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Appoints Germany-based Dr Roman Dudenhausen as Non-Executive Director

RNS Number : 8941G: Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

19 May 2011 Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Appoints Germany-based Dr Roman Dudenhausen as Non-Executive Director

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited [AIM/ASX: CFU], a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission power products for homes, has appointed German-based Dr Roman Dudenhausen as a non-executive director.

Dr Dudenhausen, 42, attended university in Germany and Canada, and has extensive experience in strategic advice, marketing and innovation in the German energy industry.

Based in Essen, north of Bonn, Dr Dudenhausen is CEO and co-founder of conenergy ag, a leading independent service provider to the German energy Industry.

Since its establishment in 1996, conenergy ag has advised and built up long term partnerships with more than 500 energy utilities and other customers in the energy sector. Services provided by conenergy include strategic and management consulting, mergers & acquisitions, marketing and training courses. These activities are bundled in five specialized companies.

The conenergy group includes energate, the leading energy information company in the German energy market. conenergy is also co-host of E-World, the largest energy fair in Europe. In addition conenergy is co-founder of electric car manufacturer mia electric Gmbh. Mia electric starts series production of its electric city car in June 2011.

Ceramic Fuel Cells' Chairman, Mr Jeff Harding, said: "We are delighted to welcome Roman to the board of Ceramic Fuel Cells. He is very well respected in the energy industry in Germany, one of Ceramic Fuel Cells' most important markets. His network and experience will be a tremendous asset to the company as we continue to sell our world-leading products in the German market."

Dr Dudenhausen said: "I am delighted to be joining the board of Ceramic Fuel Cells during this very exciting time in the world energy industry. I have no doubt that small-scale power generation technology - in which Ceramic Fuel Cells is a leading player - represents an important way of the future for the world's energy industry. Notably, Germany is a leading market for low emissions technologies. Ceramic Fuel Cells' technology has the highest electric efficiency of any technology in its class, which will continue to give it a significant competitive advantage."

There are no further disclosures required under schedule 2(g) of the AIM rules.

For further information please contact:

  Ceramic Fuel Cells  Andrew Neilson                   Tel: +613 9554 2300 

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited 1st Quarter Results 2011 RNS Number : 5034F

RNS Number : 5034F

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

27 April 2011

27 April 2011

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

Quarterly Cashflow Report and Trading Update

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM / ASX: CFU) a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission power products for homes, today released its quarterly cashflow report for the period ended 31 March 2011.

The cashflow report is available at www.cfcl.com.au.

Highlights

-- Started deploying integrated home power and heating products with EWE as part of the order for up to 200 units

-- Further BlueGen sales in Germany, United Kingdom and Australia

-- Progress towards MCS accreditation in United Kingdom

-- Robust and repeatable performance - all BlueGen units have achieved electrical efficiency of 60 percent

Operational Review

Order for 200 integrated products

In December the Company received a conditional order for up to 200 integrated power and heat generators from German energy service provider EWE. This is the largest order the Company has received, with total revenue of up to EUR 4.9 million over two years. The order is conditional on EWE receiving partial funding under the German government's national hydrogen and fuel cell technology innovation program. This Government program is providing EUR 700 million between 2008 and 2018.

The Company is pleased to announce that EWE has received a letter of intent from the funding body confirming the intention to fund the project. Based on this letter of intent, EWE and CFCL have begun installing integrated units in homes as part of the project.

Subject to formal funding approval and to the units meeting agreed performance targets, EWE will order 72 units for delivery in 2011 and 130 units for delivery in 2012. The Company will update shareholders further when a final response is received from the funding body.

The integrated units use Ceramic Fuel Cells' patented technology to convert natural gas into electricity, hot water and space heating, with the world's highest level of electrical efficiency in small scale generators.

Ceramic Fuel Cells will supply the core Gennex fuel cell module and related components. Ceramic Fuel Cells and its local manufacturing partner, Gebruder Bruns Heiztechnik GmbH, will integrate the fuel cell module with a boiler into an integrated power and heating product for supply to EWE. EWE will then install the units in homes in the Lower Saxony region in northern Germany.

This is a significant follow-on order from EWE, the Company's longest standing utility customer. EWE is one of the largest utilities in Germany, with 6,400 staff and revenues of EUR 5.8 billion. Based in Northern Germany, EWE also has operations in other German states as well as Poland and Turkey.

Further BlueGen sales

Apart from the integrated product, the Company has also developed a modular power and heat generator called BlueGen, to provide low emission power plus heat for hot water. One BlueGen can provide about double the electricity the average home needs - excess power can be exported to the grid - plus hot water for an average family's needs.

Like the integrated product, BlueGen uses the Company's Gennex fuel cell module to achieve electrical efficiency of 60 percent - far higher than any other small scale generator. The Company believes this very high electrical efficiency will deliver significant value to BlueGen customers, and will create a significant competitive advantage in the fast growing global market for small scale power generation.

During the March quarter the Company continued to make sales of BlueGen units to leading energy companies and other foundation customers in several markets. For confidentiality and competitive reasons the Company is unable to reveal the identity of some of its customers at this time.

As at 27 April 2011 the Company has received orders for 70 BlueGen units, from a total of 31 customers in Europe, Japan, Australia and the USA.

Highlights during the March quarter and up to date include:

BlueGen installed in Amsterdam

A consortium of innovative companies has installed a BlueGen in a 17th century canal house "De Groene Bocht" in the centre of Amsterdam. BlueGen is expected to produce all the electricity the site needs whilst reducing carbon emissions by more than 50 percent compared to the local power grid.

The members of the consortium, which has a strategy to accelerate the transition to clean energy, include Cool Endeavour, which initiates the rollout of sustainable technologies, and Amsterdam Smart City, a joint venture between the Municipality of Amsterdam and leading Amsterdam companies.

Several leading energy companies in The Netherlands are also members of the consortium: Eneco generates, distributes and sells electricity, gas, heating and cooling to approximately two million business and residential customers; Liander is a distribution company with 2.9 million electricity customers and 2.1 million gas customers; and GasTerra is an international natural gas trading company with revenues of EUR 18 billion. GasTerra is owned by Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil and the Dutch Government. A BlueGen unit is also installed at the home of a Director of GasTerra.

Durham University, UK

During the quarter a BlueGen unit was chosen as an integral component of Durham University's GBP 54 million low-carbon Smart Grid project. The Smart Grid project involves 14,000 homes and businesses and will assess the impact of low carbon distributed generation technologies such as BlueGen on the low voltage electricity grid. The project is designed to help shape the future for a low-emission, more efficient power grid across the United Kingdom. The BlueGen will be housed in the Durham Energy Institute research laboratory where the impact on the low voltage grid of different microgeneration technologies will be assessed.

German Sales

The energy companies WINGAS GmbH and Technische Werke Ludwigshafen (TWL) AG have ordered a BlueGen for installation in a house in Ludwigshafen, Germany.(1)

WINGAS is active in natural gas trading and distribution in Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Austria, the Czech Republic and Denmark. WINGAS operates over 2,000 kilometers of natural gas pipelines and operates the largest natural gas storage facility in Western Europe. Its customers include municipal utilities, regional gas suppliers, and large-scale industrial users. WINGAS is a joint venture of Germany's largest crude oil and natural gas producer, Basf subsidiary Wintershall Holding GmbH, and Russia's OAO Gazprom.

TWL is the local "Stadtwerke" (city utility) in the Ludwigshafen region, providing a range of services, including electricity, natural gas, heating, cooling and water, to residential and business customers.

In addition, two BlueGens were sold to an innovative distributor and retailer of new energy products. One BlueGen is installed with the retailer and the second unit is installed with a leading German provider of services to the energy and telecommunications industries.

In April a further BlueGen unit was sold to Fachhochschule Koln, the Cologne University of Applied Sciences.

Australian Sales

In the March quarter the Company sold a BlueGen unit to GV Community Energy Pty Ltd (GVCE) for installation in a nursing home in Kyabram (Warramunda Village), in regional Victoria, in a project funded by Sustainability Victoria. GVCE is a community not-for-profit company, assisting residents, businesses, community organizations and government authorities to reduce their carbon footprint through the introduction of renewable and low emission energy technologies and adoption of energy efficient practices.

Over the last two and a half years, GVCE has successfully deployed solar hot water units and solar PV units to more than 2,800 homes and small businesses through community purchasing schemes. GVCE is supported by the local Councils of Greater Shepparton City Council, Rural City of Benalla, Campaspe, Moira, Strathbogie and Murrindindi in regional Victoria.

The Company has also sold a BlueGen to the local head office of one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles and power products. The Company is in discussions to secure further Australian orders and will make further announcements in due course.

_______________ (1) http://www.wingas.de/1723.html?&L=1

Victorian Government Project

During the quarter the Company continued to work with the Victorian Government Office of Housing to deploy their order of 30 BlueGen units. All the sites in Melbourne and Shepparton have been selected and inspected. Three units have been installed in homes, and the remaining units will be installed in this quarter.

One of the BlueGen units has been installed in a three bedroom house in Melbourne as part of the AusZEH project. This project is to upgrade an existing housing property to a zero net emissions standard. The results of the upgrade will be used to improve the Environmentally Sustainable Design aspects of existing residential housing stock.

The Company is also working with the Office of Housing and leading Australian energy retailer Origin Energy, who is providing the Office of Housing clients with a one-for-one feed in tariff for the electricity generated by the BlueGen units. This means that an Office of Housing tenant who exports power to the grid will get a credit on their bill equal to the normal retail rate of electricity.

BlueGen Distribution and Service in Australia

As reported in the last quarterly trading update, in January the Company signed an agreement with Adelaide-based Hills Holdings Limited (ASX: HIL) for Hills to sell and service the BlueGen product. Hills will distribute BlueGen, initially in South Australia, and will also provide installation and after-sales service for BlueGen products Australia-wide. Hills is a leading manufacturer, distributor and installer of home products including premium solar hot water products. The company had revenues last financial year of AUD 1.1 billion.

United Kingdom Market

The Company is in advanced discussions with a prospective distribution, installation and service partner in the United Kingdom market, and will make a further announcement in due course.

During the quarter the Company continued to make progress towards having BlueGen certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme ("MCS"). All microgeneration products must be accredited under MCS in order to be eligible for the UK Government's feed in tariff.

The MCS accreditation process involves an extensive and rigorous third party review of all the procedures involved in manufacturing, installing and maintaining a microgeneration product. In many cases the MCS process requires additional procedures to be formalised, over and above the thorough procedures already in place for CE safety approval.

Over the last six months the Company has invested a significant amount of resources into meeting the MCS requirements. As part of the MCS process, more than 400 procedures have been written, more than 150 pieces of equipment have been tested and calibrated, and 15 test rigs have been built for quality control testing of subassemblies.

The Company expects the MCS accreditation process to be completed during the current quarter. We expect to be the first fuel cell manufacturer to have a product accredited by MCS and eligible for the UK feed in tariff.

Japan

The Company's current projects are progressing well with customers validating BlueGen's efficiency and performance characteristics. The Company is also working to secure additional sales of BlueGen to new long-term prospects who have a clear strategy for microgeneration products.

During the quarter the earthquake and tsunami tragedy in Japan, and the breakdown of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, has sparked renewed interest in small scale power generation and fuel cells.

BlueGen Performance Data

As at 27 April 2011, 43 BlueGen units are installed at sites in Europe, Japan, USA and Australia. In aggregate, these units have been operating for more than 156,000 hours (more than 17 years of collective operation). The earliest installed units have been operating for more than 11,000 hours.

All of these 43 BlueGen units have achieved starting electrical efficiency of 60 percent or more, demonstrating robust and repeatable performance in many different real world conditions. Over time the electrical efficiency reduces and the thermal output of the fuel cell stack increases. Electrical efficiency is also affected by how the customer wishes to operate the BlueGen unit: efficiency will be lower if the customer modulates the output of the unit or operates the unit at a lower power level. Even with these tradeoffs, the electrical efficiency of BlueGen is far higher than any other microgeneration product. The Company believes this presents a clear and sustainable competitive advantage in the growing global market for small scale power generation products.

Marketing

Over the last year the Company has invested in additional product marketing activities, in order to support the deployment of products and increase sales. During the March quarter several of these activities were finalised. The Company has appointed a Marketing Communications Manager to manage the Company's increasing marketing activities.

BlueGen Marketing

The Company has developed and now launched the BlueGen-net website. This is a web-based customer portal for monitoring BlueGen units installed world-wide. BlueGen customers can log-on and view their unit virtually anywhere, anytime. The website is now live at www.bluegen.net. The multi-language website contains aggregate data on all systems operating, which is available to the general public, and data on individual units, which is available to the particular customer.

CFCL product support engineers also use BlueGen-net to monitor the performance of each unit, remotely diagnose and pre-empt faults, and modulate the power output of the unit.

BlueGen-net is a very powerful and important tool to support the larger rollout of BlueGen units whilst reducing the cost of supporting each unit. All the BlueGen-net software has been developed in-house by CFCL. The Company will continue to enhance the website and add new functionality and features.

The Company has also launched a BlueGen product website, www.bluegen.info, initially in German language, and now also in English and Dutch. This website creates a portal for BlueGen product information separate to the Company's main corporate website. The Company will continue to enhance the functionality and features of the BlueGen website.

To support the BlueGen product rollout, the Company has developed user-focussed and language specific product documentation, including installation and user manuals, and is also developing maintenance manuals for external parties. This new documentation will be used to train local installation and service partners. This 'behind the scenes' documentation and training work is important to lay the groundwork for larger deployments of units.

Industry Events

During the quarter the Company exhibited at several industry events:

-- E-World Energy and Water, Essen, Germany: 544 exhibitors from the energy and water industries in 20 countries, with 19,700 visitors from the energy and water industries. A BlueGen unit was on display, and the website www.bluegen.info was launched.

-- Hannover Messe, Germany: The Hannover Messe is Europe's largest industry exhibition attracting over 230,000 visitors across 13 exhibition sectors. A BlueGen unit was on display at the booth sponsored by the Government of North Rhine Westphalia. Gebruder Bruns Heiztechnik GmbH was also displaying an integrated power and heating product using the Company's technology, of the type which is being installed in the EWE project.

-- Ecobuild, UK: Ecobuild is the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction, and the built environment attracting over 55,000 visitors. A BlueGen unit was also on display here, at a booth sponsored by leading energy utility E.ON.

-- FC Expo in Japan: Part of Japan Renewable Energy Week, FC EXPO attracts over 90,000 visitors to see the latest cutting edge Fuel Cell technologies.

Dupont Innovation Award

In March the Company's achievements were publicly recognised when it was selected as a finalist in the 2010-11 Du Pont Australia and New Zealand Innovation awards. The DuPont awards recognise the commercialisation of outstanding science and technology. The Company's BlueGen product has been selected as one of three finalists in the 'Design for a Sustainable Future' category. The winner of the award will be announced on 13 May 2011.

RMIT report

During the quarter a team at RMIT University's Centre for Design, in Melbourne, compiled a report on the opportunities for the Company's products in the Australian commercial building sector. The Company will release the report shortly.

Manufacturing

The Company is currently making fuel cell stacks at its volume plant in Heinsberg, Germany, and in Melbourne. During the quarter the Company shipped three additional furnaces from Melbourne to Heinsberg, to increase furnace capacity. These additional furnaces are all fully operational.

As reported in previous updates, in order to further increase the volume of fuel cell stack production the Company intends to use larger furnaces already installed at the Heinsberg plant. During the quarter the Company worked with the furnace supplier to identify changes needed to ensure the furnaces will produce fuel cell stacks in larger volumes at acceptable quality standards. The parties have identified several ways of optimising the furnace operation, which the Company intends to implement during the June and September quarters. These large scale furnaces are not currently constraining production. The additional furnaces now operating at the Heinsberg plant have sufficient capacity to meet the forecast increase in production during this period.

The Heinsberg plant is now also making complete BlueGen units. During the quarter the Company completed the process of transferring the BlueGen assembly operation from its Melbourne research and pilot production plant to the Heinsberg plant, in the same building as the fuel cell stack assembly operation. The Company has expanded the Heinsberg plant, installed assembly and materials handling equipment and hired additional staff.

The first BlueGen unit made in the Heinsberg plant, installed with a fuel cell stack also made in the same plant, is installed and operating in the Heinsberg facility.

As noted in the last quarterly update, the Company has entered into a volume supply agreement with HC Starck for the supply of fuel cell components. During the March quarter the Company and HC Starck began implementing this supply agreement, with HC Starck providing production samples to ensure that it can continue to supply cells to meet the Company's quality requirements.

Financial Review

Net operating cash outflow for the March quarter was AUD 5.7m (GBP 3.7m) which was lower than last quarter due to the timing of inventory purchases partially offset by reduced receipts from customers.

Receipts from customers for the quarter were AUD 0.5m (GBP 0.3m).

The net cash outflow after investing and financing activities for the March quarter was AUD 6.3m (GBP 4.1m).

During the quarter cash outflow from investing activities was AUD 0.5m (GBP 0.3m) for payments relating to the Company's manufacturing plant in Germany including the establishment of the BlueGen assembly operations there.

Cash at 31 March 2011 was AUD 24.3m (GBP 15.7m).

The quarterly cashflow report is also available on the Company's website at www.cfcl.com.au.

Natural gas fuel cell generates power + heats water for homes, saves on CO2 emissions – not in Aus!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thYZEpdMt_s&feature=player_embedded


Energy security + hοw tο gеt rid οf thе electricity grid! LOL. A Melbourne company hаѕ bееn developing a cleaner electricity fοr Australians whісh сουld bе implemented аѕ early аѕ next year….. bυt, аѕ wіth solar thermal technology, wіll mοѕt probably bе marketed everywhere еlѕе іn thе world first, uhh….. Traditional electricity generation іѕ inherently wasteful. More thаn half thе energy content οf thе fuel escapes frοm thе power station’s cooling tower аѕ waste heat. In addition, more thаn 5% οf thе electricity generated іѕ lost іn transmission іn thе journey frοm grid tο еnd user. An alternative аррrοасh іѕ tο generate electricity within homes аnd commercial buildings using a device called a fuel cell essentially a large battery wіth a replenishable fuel source. In Manchester, Mike Mason advocated fuel cells thаt υѕе solid-oxide technology. Thеѕе саn rυn οn natural gas, ethanol οr various οthеr fuels, including thе gases produced whеn mаkіng biochar. Mason dеѕсrіbеd domestic fuel cells thаt саn produce electricity frοm gas more efficiently thаn even thе best modern power stations аnd аt a lower cost. Aѕ a bonus, bесаυѕе thе generation happens аt thе point οf consumption, transmission losses аrе minimised аnd аnу heat сrеаtеd саn bе used fοr hot water аnd radiators….. www.guardian.co.uk Ceramic Fuel Cells opens Germany plant – Melbourne-based alternative energy company Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd (CFC) hаѕ opened іtѕ large-scale fuel cell manufacturing plant іn Germany …

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Operating Temperature

http://www.cfcl.com.au/Fuel_Cell_Facts/

Its basically saying that SOFC will heat from 450 to 1000 degrees celcius.

I guess its not likely that all of the heat will be available for space / hot water heating, but surely that would do for a bit of hot water.

"Different types of fuel cells are categorised by the type of electrolyte. Within each fuel cell type different companies are using different designs to tailor a fuel cell’s performance for a given application. The main groups of fuel cells are listed below:
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) or Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
Here, the electrolyte is a polymer ion exchange membrane that is very good at conducting protons often combined with an expensive platinum catalyst. These fuel cells are a good option for automotive and portable applications as they are best suited for fast start up and shut down situations.
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)
In this fuel cell, concentrated phosphoric acid is used as the electrolyte. The design and power outputs make them suitable for buses and large stationary applications.
Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)
The electrolyte is essentially a potassium hydroxide solution. These fuel cells are often used for expensive mission critical applications such as the USA space programme.
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)
These highly specialised fuel cells use a combination of high temperature alkali carbonates (sodium or potassium) as an electrolyte and can use a wide range of fuel types. MCFC are best suited to large stationary power applications.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)
With SOFCs, the electrolyte is a solid non-porous ceramic based metal oxide often Yttria doped Zirconia material. Because SOFCs operate at high temperature, a wide range of fuels can be used with out having to specially pre-treat the fuel.
Fuel Cell Type
Operating Temperature
Electrical Efficiency
Fuel Type
Applications
MCFC
~ 550 – 700°C
~ 50 to <70 %
Most hydrocarbon based fuels
Large (100’s of kW to MW) stationary power generation
SOFC
~ 450 – 1,000°C
~ 45 to <70 %
Most hydrocarbon based fuels
Small (<1kW) to large (MW) stationary power generation
AFC
~ 150 – 200°C
~ 40 %
Pure Hydrogen
Space exploration
PAFC
~ 100 – 220°C
~ 35 to 40 %
Pure Hydrogen
Buses, trucks & large stationary applications
PEFC/PEMFC
~ 80°C
~ 30 to 35 %
Pure Hydrogen
Passenger cars & mobile applications
SOFC’s are ideally suited to producing constant power for small stationary applications. Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is developing SOFC systems for domestic applications generating highly efficient electricity from today’s existing fuel sources and infrastructure.

RNS 8 March 2011 Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited 8 March 2011 Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Director Shareholding

8 March 2011

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

Director Shareholding

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM / ASX: CFU) announces that on 8 March 2011, Dr Peter Binks, a non-executive director of Ceramic Fuel Cells, purchased 10,000 ordinary shares in Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of AUD 0.135, representing 0.00% of the issued share capital.

Following this announcement Dr Binks is interested, directly or indirectly, in a total of 10,000 Ordinary Shares representing 0.00% of the issued share capital.

For further information please contact:


Ceramic Fuel Cells
Andrew Neilson Tel: +613 9554 2300
Email: investor@cfcl.com.au

Nomura Code Securities (AIM Nomad) Tel: +44 (0) 207 776
1200
Juliet Thompson, Chris Golden www.nomuracode.com

Energetics and their relative market product position in comparison to the Ceramic Fuel Cell's Bluegen

Posted by ProperCharlie - 25 Feb'11 - 08:49

I wrote to CFU asking about Energetics and their relative market / product position. I thought you might be interested in this response I received,

"....Thank you for your note and your support for CFU.

A few points about Energetix and other mCHP products:

- Energetix and all other mCHP products are heaters that produce a small amount of power as a byproduct. BlueGen is the opposite - a mini power station with a small amount of heat. We think power is more valuable than heat, so maximise electrical efficiency. That's also the way to maximise carbon savings and energy bill savings.
- The key measure is electrical efficiency- other mCHP products are often less than 10% - BlueGen is >50%, peak of 60%- so they are very different offerings.
- There is plenty of room for a range of CHP technologies and products. They have different features/benefits and suit different types of buildings. It is not a binary choice - there will be fuel cells and other CHP products (not or). (Although of course we think we've got a compelling advantage through highest electrical efficiency....if you want a heater, buy a condensing boiler...)
- We think it's a good thing that EON and other large utilities are investing in a range of CHP products. It makes it more likely that they will actually deploy products in volume. It's a sensible approach to have a portfolio of products and customer offerings. Again, it's not a binary choice.
- The market is vast and we are in early sales. A range of low emissions technologies will be needed to quickly make large carbon cuts. Perhaps in a few years we will be competing for market share - but for now all mCHP products need to create the market, before we start dividing it!

PS if you need a 3rd party source for relative electrical efficiencies etc, UK Carbon Trust did a good report in late 2007 - summary attached, and also see http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/emerging-technologies/current-focus-areas/pages/micro-combined-heat-power.aspx. It's a bit dated now but will give you the key points.

Once again thanks for your support.

Regards

Andrew Neilson
Group General Manager - Commercial...."

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Director Shareholding 24 February 2011

24 February 2011

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

Director Shareholding

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM / ASX: CFU) announces that on 23 February 2011, Mr John Dempsey, a non-executive director of Ceramic Fuel Cells, via his superannuation fund (JHM Superfund), purchased 100,000 ordinary shares in Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of AUD 0.125, representing 0.00% of the issued share capital.

Following this announcement Mr John Dempsey is interested, directly or indirectly, in a total of 400,000 Ordinary Shares representing 0.00% of the issued share capital.

For further information please contact:


Ceramic Fuel Cells
Andrew Neilson Tel: +613 9554
2300
Email: investor@cfcl.com.au

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Ceramic Fuel Cells to exhibit at Ecobuild 2011

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Ceramic Fuel Cells to exhibit at Ecobuild


London Stock Exchange Aggregated Regulatory News Service (ARNS)
February 23, 2011
RNS Number : 6850B Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited 23 February 2011 23 February 2011 Ceramic Fuel Cells to exhibit BlueGen gas-to-electricity generator at E.ON's stand at Ecobuild Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited [AIM/ASX:CFU], a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission electricity generation units for homes and other buildings, is to exhibit its BlueGen gas-to-electricity generator at E.ON's stand at the forthcoming Ecobuild trade show.

This is the first time that BlueGen has been made available for public viewing in the UK. BlueGen uses ceramic fuel cells to turn natural gas into electricity and heat for hot water. BlueGen units can generate electricity far more efficiently than the current power grid, providing significant cost savings to energy bills and large carbon savings. Ecobuild, which is to be held at the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre in the London's Docklands from 1 March to 3 March 2011, is the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK's largest construction event of any kind. On 22 December 2010 Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited announced that it had sold three BlueGen gas-to-electricity generators to E.ON, one of the UK's leading energy companies and that the two companies are continuing to develop fully integrated power and heating products for the UK market. Investors or media interested in learning more about BlueGen or receiving a demonstration at Ecobuild should contact Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited. www.ecobuild.co.uk/index.html Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Mark Way +44 7786 116991 About Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited: -- Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is a world leader in developing fuel cell technology to provide highly efficient and low-emission electricity from widely available natural gas. -- Ceramic Fuel Cells is developing fully integrated power and heating products with leading energy companies E.ON UK in the United Kingdom, GdF Suez in France and EWE in Germany. -- During 2010 EWE placed a conditional order for up to 200 integrated micro CHP products Ceramic Fuel Cells' patented technology. -- Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited has also sold 55 BlueGen gas-to-electricity generators to major utilities and other foundation customers in Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Japan, Australia and the USA. -- Ceramic Fuel Cells is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market and the Australian Securities Exchange (code CFU). www.cfcl.com.au About E.ON: -- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON employs more than 15,000 people in the UK and more than 88,000 worldwide.

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Highlights Of 2010

Financing Activities

In August 2010 the Company undertook a placement of 95.3m shares at a price of 10.5 pence (approximately 18.25 Australian cents) and raised the equivalent of AUD 17.4m. In September 2010 the Company made an offer to shareholders on the same terms and issued a further 70.3m shares and raised an additional AUD 12.8m. The net amount raised from both fundraising rounds after transaction costs was AUD 28.9m. During the half-year the Company’s investment in inventory has increased from AUD 1.1m in June 2010 to AUD 4.9m at December 2010. This increase will be directed to fulfilling the existing order backlog and to meet expected future sales.

Operational Overview

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is a leader in developing solid oxide fuel cell technology to provide highly efficient and low-emission electricity from widely available natural gas (and other hydrocarbon fuels in the future). A fuel cell is an electricity generator that converts gas into electricity and heat through an electrochemical reaction, without combustion or noise. Fuel cells can provide significant environmental benefits through high efficiency and low emissions.

Global energy markets are facing a transformation. Peak demand for energy is rising, requiring significant investment in new power generation and grid infrastructure. However there is widespread agreement that greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation must be reduced. These forces create a very large global opportunity for low-emission energy technology, like solid oxide fuel cells, which can be deployed using the existing natural gas and electricity infrastructure. These market forces also encourage a move away from large centralised power stations towards ‘distributed generation’, where small scale power stations are installed close to where the power is used, with no transmission losses.

Ceramic Fuel Cells’ products have achieved electrical efficiency of 60 percent at the point of use, which the Directors believe is higher than any other electricity generating technology. When heat is recovered from the electricity production process, total efficiency is up to 85 percent – twice as efficient as the average among current European power stations.

This very high efficiency can significantly cut carbon emissions from power generation. There is now widespread recognition that maximising electrical efficiency is the key to creating the most value from small scale power and heating products, and the Directors believe the Company’s achievements can create a strong competitive advantage in this very large global market.

Customers and Products
The first products powered by the Company’s fuel cells are small scale units for homes and other buildings that produce up to two kilowatts of electricity as well as heat for hot water or space heating. In order to cater for different markets and customers, the Company is developing two products in parallel: integrated combined heat and power (mCHP) units, as well as a modular generator product called BlueGen. Both products use the Company’s Gennex fuel cell module and share many ‘balance of plant’ components, allowing the Company and its partners to create different products and customer offerings from the same core technology platform.

Integrated mCHP – Power + Heating + Hot Water
During the half-year the Company continued to develop fully integrated mCHP products with its European utility and appliance partners, including EWE AG in Germany, E.ON in the United Kingdom and GDF SUEZ in France. In these partnerships, Ceramic Fuel Cells supplies its Gennex fuel cell modules to appliance partners, which integrate them with high efficiency boilers into single integrated units to convert natural gas into power, hot water and space heating for homes. The appliance manufacturer or the utility then sells or leases the mCHP unit to the homeowner.

The highlight of the half-year was the Company securing a conditional order in December 2010 for up to 200 integrated mCHP products from German energy service provider EWE. This is the largest order the Company has received, with total revenue of up to EUR 4.9 million over two years. EWE will install the units in homes in the Lower Saxony region in northern Germany. EWE is one of the largest utilities in Germany, with 6,400 staff and revenues of EUR 5.8 billion. Based in Northern Germany, EWE also has operations in other German states as well as Poland and Turkey.

The order is conditional on EWE receiving partial funding under the German
government’s national hydrogen and fuel cell technology innovation program. This
Government program is providing EUR 700 million between 2008 and 2018. EWE has
submitted a formal funding application and a positive decision is expected in early 2011. Subject to EWE obtaining Government funding and to the units meeting agreed performance targets, EWE will order 70 units for delivery in 2011 and 130 units for delivery in 2012. The performance targets, unit prices and the rates for ongoing service and support have been agreed in a contract signed by EWE and the Company.

This is a significant follow-on order from EWE, the Company’s longest standing utility customer. The Directors are confident that the German government will support the project and we look forward to updating shareholders in due course. Apart from Germany, during the half-year the Company continued to operate integrated power and heating units in the United Kingdom and France. In the United Kingdom, the Company is in discussions with its utility partner E.ON UK to
finalise the details of the next stage of product deployment. In February 2009 the Company and E.ON agreed the profile of a future volume order for mCHP units. Subject to the Company meeting agreed price and performance targets, E.ON UK will place a minimum order of 100,000 units from 2012-2018 in order to retain exclusivity for Ceramic Fuel Cells’ mCHP products in the UK market.

In France the Company is working with GDF SUEZ, one of the world’s largest diversified energy utilities and the dominant gas utility in France (with 11 million customers in France). The Company has successfully built and operated integrated units with GDF SUEZ and its appliance partner De Dietrich Thermique (now part of the BDR Thermea group). In December 2010 the partners agreed to the next stage of the product rollout, in which Ceramic Fuel Cells and BDR Thermea will build the next generation of product for testing by GDF SUEZ. This version of the product will use the same core Ceramic Fuel Cells components, which BDR Thermea will tightly integrate with a high efficiency boiler into a physically smaller unit.

BlueGen sales – Power + Hot Water
Apart from the integrated product, the Company has also developed a modular power and heat generator called BlueGen, to provide low emission power plus heat for hot water. One BlueGen can provide about double the electricity the average home needs – excess power can be exported to the grid – plus hot water for an average family’s needs. Like the integrated product, BlueGen uses the Company’s Gennex fuel cell module to achieve electrical efficiency of 60 percent – far higher than any other small scale electricity generator.

During the half-year the Company continued to receive orders for BlueGen units from leading energy companies and other foundation customers. To date the Company has received orders for 63 BlueGen units, from customers in Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Australia and the USA. A total of 21 BlueGen units are installed and operating in customers’ sites.

Highlights during the half-year and up to date include:
The Company has sold its first BlueGen units in Italy, to leading energy company Edison S.p.A. Edison will install one BlueGen unit at its test laboratory and then at its headquarters in Milan, and will install two further units with customers when modifications to the unit’s power management system are completed to comply with Italian grid requirements. Edison is one of Italy’s leading electricity and gas companies, with 2009 revenues of EUR 9 billion.

In December the Company sold three BlueGen units to E.ON UK. One BlueGen will be
installed in early 2011 at the E.ON training centre in Tipton, where E.ON’s Property Services department trains its staff in the installation and maintenance of gas and electrical appliances. The other two BlueGen units will be installed at demonstration sites. The Company believes that the BlueGen installation at the E.ON training centre will be particularly beneficial. Having a well trained network of installers and service technicians is critical to deploying BlueGens and integrated mCHP products in larger volumes, and to receiving accreditation in order to access the UK feed in tariff. During the half-year the Company received further orders from leading Germany energy companies, including EIFER (the European Institute for Energy Research) and EnBW, the third largest utility in Germany, and Gasag, based in Berlin. BlueGen has been accredited by the relevant German Government authority (BAFA) and BlueGen customers in Germany are now eligible to receive the feed in tariff for small power and heating products