FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 20, 2006
Fairbanks, Alaska-
The Alaska Energy Technology Development Laboratory at the University of Alaska Fairbanks recently announced a successful field test of a prototype propane fuel cell. The cell was manufactured by Massachusetts-based Acumentrics and installed at the National Park Service's Exit Glacier Visitor's Center near Seward. It ran for more than 1,100 hours straight and did so with no measurable degradation in its efficiency.
"It is an important milestone we have achieved here," said Dennis Witmer, director of AETDL. "It is one step closer to fuel cells becoming practical."
The test at the visitor's center was notable for several reasons. It used a fuel source (propane) that is more portable and usable in remote areas than the hydrogen or natural gas that usually powers fuel cells. It also adjusted its output to deal with fluctuations in demand at the visitor center, a phenomenon known as load following. And the entire test happened in real-world conditions, rather than in a laboratory with controlled power demands and constant monitoring and adjustment by technicians.
In addition, Witmer said, the Acumentrics fuel cell efficiently generated relatively small amounts of power. A typical diesel generator is most efficient when it is generating 100 kilowatts of electricity, which is about 100 times what a small building or cell phone tower needs. "Today there are few convenient, efficient technology at one kilowatt," he said.
The reason for the efficiency is the lack of moving parts. "A fuel cell is a device that converts the energy from fuel directly into DC electricity," Witmer said. "Efficiencies are better with direct electrochemical conversion, especially at lower power levels."
In addition to generating electricity, the fuel cell provided heat to the visitor's center during its test run from mid-August to late September. Witmer said that propane fuel cells are not yet practical for the average consumer. However the successful test at Exit Glacier shows that the technology is progressing quickly.
The Exit Glacier Visitor's Center fuel cell test is the result of a cooperative agreement between the Park Service and the Arctic Energy Technology Development Laboratory at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Other funding partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, fuel cell manufacturer Acumentrics, the Propane Education and Research Council and fuel cell contractor Energy Alternatives.
CONTACT:
Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu
Robert Tomasetti, Director of Sales, Acumentrics , at (908) 672-1234or via e-mail at btomasetti@acumentrics.com
MLG/8-13-06/0XX-07
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Marmian Grimes
Public Information Officer
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University Relations
206 Eielson Building
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Phone: (907) 474-7902
Fax: (907) 474-6658
marmian.grimes@uaf.edu