FuelCell Energy Selected by Department of Energy to Advance High Temperature Polymer Exchange Membrane Technology for Power Generation Applications : "Company to Be Part of Energy Secretary Bodman's Five-Year, $119 Million Program to Advance Fuel Cell Development and Reduce America's Dependence on Foreign Oil
DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2006-- FuelCell Energy, Inc. (NasdaqNM:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of efficient, ultra-clean electric power generation plants for commercial and industrial customers, today announced that it has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a five-year, $2.1 million cost-shared project to develop a high temperature membrane for low humidity operation of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, subject to final negotiation of an agreement. FuelCell Energy was awarded one of 12 competitively bid projects that will receive a total of $19 million in federal funding for polymer membrane research. The overall goal of this research is to advance membrane durability and extend shelf-life, while simultaneously bringing down its cost.
The project includes the development of a composite membrane for high temperature (120(degrees)C) PEM fuel cell operation. The composite membrane is intended to have the mechanical strength and water retention capability required for efficient operation and reduced system cost. Traditional PEM fuel cells operate at approximately 60(degrees)C to 80(degrees)C and operation at higher temperatures would reduce cost and increase efficiency. FuelCell Energy's high temperature experience from its carbonate and solid oxide fuel cell programs and the development of highly functionalized fuel cell membranes for phosphoric-acid and PEM fuel cells over the past 20 years make it uniquely qualified for this project.
The project award is part of a broader program announced on Jan. 24, 2006, by Energy "