:: View topic - Bloom box

Sridhar noted that 20 corporate big hitters, including FedEx, Wal-Mart, Staples, eBay and Google already are using Bloom Boxes. Today's news conference was held at eBay's San Jose headquarters.

Google spokeswoman Niki Fenwick said in an e-mail to Computerworld that the search giant has been using four Bloom Boxes at the company's Mountain View headquarters for the past 18 months.

"The boxes are a permanent purchase," Fenwick wrote today. "We may expand our use of the fuel cells in the future, but we don't have anything to announce at this time.... We're always on the lookout for opportunities to power our operations with clean and economic power and willing to try innovative new things, and we've been pleased with our Bloom Energy experience."

She added that the four Bloom Boxes make up a 400-kilowatt installation for Google. And over the last year and a half, the project has had 98% availability and delivered 3.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity.

Author:	NYIntensity [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:36 am ]
Post subject:	Bloom box
http://www.businessweek.com/idg/2010-02 ... a-box.html Anyone seen this? It looks like this guy might have a great idea - it's a carbon neutral fuel cell. It can burn fuels other than hydrogen, and using the heat generated in the electrochemical reaction, can apparently achieve efficiency of 80-80%. Let's discuss

Author:	PuckSniperPensel [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:47 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bloom box
It says 15% of the big corporation's energy needs are met by bloom box. That said, I wonder how powerful a home version would be. Could you end up completely off the grid with this device? If so, sign me up.

Author:	YankeeInRaleigh [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:52 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bloom box
The articles i'm finding are awfully scant on actual details, like how much "fuel" produces how much electricity, also are different types of fuel giving different returns on electricity? And how are the ones in use actually being used? Is it basically like a generator, where you pump gasoline in and get electricity out? I'm not sure how revolutionary this is, seeing as it's still depending on a hydrocarbon fuel source. And given the price of 700,000 dollars per box, thats awfully expensive to only eliminate emissions. Am I missing something? Still cool, and of course it will only get more efficient and less costly over time.

Author:	NYIntensity [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:59 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bloom box
YankeeInRaleigh wrote: Still cool, and of course it will only get more efficient and less costly over time. I think this is the big point, but I have the same questions as you - as far as how efficient the fuel is, how much it needs, etc. Yes - this device will, theoretically, allow you to live "off-grid". It could also be put in your car, or you could build a larger unit to charge your electric car... I think if this could replace your standard engine...it could be amazing. I think the biggist issue here is going to be dealing with the heat it creates.

Author:	Squanto [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:08 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bloom box
It's gotta have some cred if Google has a 400kW install with 98% uptime over 18 months. Interesting concept.

http://www.sabresjunkie.com/forum/

Bloom box http://www.sabresjunkie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2317	Page 1 of 1

Author:	NYIntensity [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bloom box
Squanto wrote: It's gotta have some cred if Google has a 400kW install with 98% uptime over 18 months. Interesting concept. I didn't know it's been there for 18 months

Author:	Squanto [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:25 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bloom box
Quote: Sridhar noted that 20 corporate big hitters, including FedEx, Wal-Mart, Staples, eBay and Google already are using Bloom Boxes. Today's news conference was held at eBay's San Jose headquarters. Google spokeswoman Niki Fenwick said in an e-mail to Computerworld that the search giant has been using four Bloom Boxes at the company's Mountain View headquarters for the past 18 months. "The boxes are a permanent purchase," Fenwick wrote today. "We may expand our use of the fuel cells in the future, but we don't have anything to announce at this time.... We're always on the lookout for opportunities to power our operations with clean and economic power and willing to try innovative new things, and we've been pleased with our Bloom Energy experience." She added that the four Bloom Boxes make up a 400-kilowatt installation for Google. And over the last year and a half, the project has had 98% availability and delivered 3.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity.

Author:	NYIntensity [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:50 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Bloom box
That's pretty damn amazing. It has to be cost effective...it's just gotta be (in my most hopeful voice).

Author:	Crosscheck [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bloom box
It's a natural gas fuel cell. GE has been making those for years. http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/Te ... hmark.html <--since at least 2005 The only thing revolutionary here is the marketing...and that it uses cheaper materials in construction.

Author:	slesh [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Bloom box
It derives its chemical reaction success off of carbon based feedstocks, Eninthal talked with these guys this past summer. Their approach on the situation was by-product disposal. For every action, there is a reaction. This is no different, you don't just create energy from any fuel source without by-products. In some cases, its CO2, in others, its Nitrogen or some other solid by-product, oxidized iron, Ammonia Calcite, and the list goes on. Like I said, you can't make the by-products dissappear, even the most effeceint gasification facilities with state of the art technology has by-products that need to be dealt with.

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