11/6/2014
Fuel cells are considered environmentally friendly technology of the future. With its low emissions and high efficiency, they represent an enormous potential for decentralized energy supply. In order to advance the technology of the future, has the Gütersloher Karl Brand KG as a member of the GC-GROUP together with 19 skilled craft enterprises from the region of East Westphalia, the fuel cell cluster OWL to life called.
Even the fuel cell technology is at the beginning. The currently 19 network partners are convinced, however, that they will prevail in the coming years on a broad field. Confirmed they see now through the commissioning of the first commercially used fuel in the region.
Since September, the fuel cell BlueGen of the German-Australian manufacturer Ceramic Fuel Cells (CFC) produced in the boiler room of the Art Brock Locksmith in East Westphalia Schloss Holte reliable electricity and heat. It was combined with a gas-fired condensing unit, an existing kitchen oven and a buffer memory. Thanks to the high electrical efficiency of 60 percent (including the heat efficiency is 85 percent) expects companies owner Ulrich Brock with a halving of its annual electricity costs.
Around 13,000 kilowatt hours electricity generated in the fuel cell. What Brock does not need himself, he feeds to a payment into the public grid. He may use, inter alia, to support heating and hot water, the heat produced by the way. Existing heating systems need not necessarily be renewed for this purpose. "The fuel cell can usually be easily integrated into existing systems. The combination with a gas-fired condensing boiler, a heat pump, a wood boiler or other equipment is of course also possible, "says Uwe Wendler from Charles Brand KG.
"BlueGen offers the possibility of year-round, reliable, low emissions and very efficiently to produce energy," Wendler summarizes the advantages of the technology of the future together. The currently available devices are designed for smaller businesses and larger houses. "Here they can both electricity costs and CO2 emissions cut in half," says Andreas Ballhausen of Ceramic Fuel Cells.
Also from an economic viewpoint, the fuel cell is an interesting alternative, including Thanks to government support programs. Currently represents the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, a grant of 13,000 euros (in 2015: € 12,500) are available. Saxony promotes investment with 22,500 euros, 17,000 euros with Hesse and Baden-Württemberg with 9,000 euros.
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