The production of low-cost electricity that is competitive against mainstream forms of electricity generation has enormous market potential from a wide range of industrial settings, sectors and regions.
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We are focused on those markets where:
hydrogen is easily available and possibly free as a waste product from the manufacturing process...
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Hydrogen is a by product of chlorine manufacture. Around 15% is wasted and the remainder typically has low value. Alkaline fuel cells powered from this hydrogen are chemically compatible with chlorine manufacture. Using AFC Energy’s alkaline fuel cell systems both electrical costs and carbon emissions can be reduced by up to 20%.
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1%
of world electricity consumption
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77
manufacturing sites in Europe
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625
MW of waste hydrogen in Europe
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Hydrogen can be generated economically from domestic and commercial waste – due to its high hydrocarbon content. AFC Energy’s alkaline fuel cell systems have the potential to generate c. 40% more electrical power from the same waste, lowering carbon emissions by the same amount.
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1.3
billion t/Yr amount of MSW* worldwide
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40%
more power than a turbine
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140
£/MW revenue from a double ROC* qualified plant
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Natural gas and bio-gas are predominantly methane which is hydrogen-rich. Hydrogen is released using a standard industrial process known as reforming (SMR). Developments in this field are leading to improving economics for the reforming process at smaller-scale steam methane.
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70%
efficiency of SMR process for H2 production
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48%
of H2 today produced by SMR globally
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104
number of bio-gas plants in the UK
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Coal can be gasified either underground or at the surface to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide (which is captured, ready for storage if available). AFC Energy’s alkaline fuel cell systems enable the cleaner, more efficient use of coal for electricity generation as well as providing water required for the gasification process.
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85%
of energy content of coal recovered
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1.5
trillion tonnes estimated coal reserves if accessed with UCG
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50%
expected power efficiency with fuel cells
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Others
There are many other sources of hydrogen:
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Ammonia
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Algae/bacteria
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Electrolysers
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Blast furnace gas
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Chemical processes
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1
atomic number of hydrogen
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90%
of the atoms in the universe are H2
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-253
°C boiling point of H2 (degrees centigrade)
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...and regions that offer attractive subsidies for electricity that is generated from fuel cells.
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Financial incentives paid for electricity generated from fuel cells makes South Korea a particularly attractive target market for AFC Energy fuel cell systems.
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250
$/MW market value of power from a fuel cell
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11.2
MW installation of the worlds largest fuel cell power plant
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10%
portion of renewable energy to be supplied by 2022
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In the EU, Germany continues to champion the introduction of fuel cells. Long term support for combined heat and power solutions is available which doubles the value of the power supplied.
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5,905
number of bio-gas plants in Germany (2010)
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51
€/MW CHP bonus for fuel cells
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1.4
billion € support for H2 and fuel cells up to end 2016
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* MSW - Municipal Solid Waste
** ROC - Renewable Obligation Certificate