Some of you may have heard about this new dark magic called "
Bloombox." Basically it is a fuel cell that creates energy without becoming too hot (the problem with fuel cells). The idea is to get one of these in every home in the near future - Google, Walmart, and eBay already use the $700,000 units today. How do they work? Lets ask our resident superGeek, Donny Zimmanck (video after the break):
Analysis of Bloom Energy ES-5000
Input = 0.661 MMBtu/hr of natural gas
Output = 100kW electricity
1 MMBtu = 1,000,000 Btu (British Thermal Units)
0.661 MMBtu = 661,000 Btu
1 cubic foot of natural gas contains approximately 1,000 Btu per foot cubed (varies depending on composition)
661,000 Btu * 1 cubic foot / 1,000 Btu = 661 cubic feet of natural gas
661 cubic feet per hr for 100kW
661 cubic feet total for 100 kWh
So, we need 661 cubic feet of natural gas to produce 100kWh, or 6.61 cubic feet to produce 1kWh.
The average retail cost of electricity in the US in 2009 was approximately $0.12/kWh. The highest in the continental US was Connecticut with $0.20/kWh. Hawaii tops the US list at $0.24/kWh (probably why solar is so popular there).
So, in order for a Bloom system to reach "Grid Parity", who ever is using it need to be able to purchase 6.61 cubic feet of natural gas somewhere in between $0.12 and $0.24 depending on where you live. This translates to to a cost of about $18 and $36 per 1,000 cubic feet (standard unit volume for natural gas apparently) respectively.
According to the data I found on the EIA, the cost of residential natural gas seems to be very dependent on the time of the year as its demand as a heating fuel changes. However, in 2009 in peaked at about $15.
So, what does this mean?
Well, I still think it is over-hyped but the economics are not nearly as obnoxious as I thought they would be. If you had a bloom box, it all likelihood you could probably produce your own electricity cheaper than what you are paying the utility. BUT, depending on how much residential versions of this box will cost, the pay back time might be too long to make it worth while. Keep in mind the solar produces electricity at NO cost and it still is not economical for a lot of people.
I don't think this technology will become a household staple for a few reasons, but only one worth mentioning. The average American household uses about 1MWh of electricity per MONTH. Lets assume 10% of American homes adopt this technology. There is 170 million US homes. If 17 million use natural gas fed Bloom Boxes, that is extra 135 trillion cubic feet of natural gas a month, or a little over 6 times what we currently produce. Do you think the price would go up?
No, I did not site any of my sources. You don't believe something look it up yourself you lazy bastards. Peace.
1 comments:
wouldn't the cost go down as demand peaked? there'd be better infrastructure established so delivery is easier and cheaper and with such a high demand more companies/utilities would "get in" the business and competition would lower the prices, no?
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