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GOING GREEN AT HOME

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by Tideland Prius, Nov 7, 2005.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    One of the next-generation technologies for producing clean energy is now available to ordinary households for the first time. Fuel cells are well known as an eco-friendly way of powering cars, but now, backed by the government, several Japanese companies have begun marketing home-use fuel cells that generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen and help to cut carbon dioxide emissions. These devices take the form of combined water heaters and electricity generators.

    Leasing of Fuel Cells Begins
    The fuel-cell system developed by Tokyo Gas Co. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. consists of a reformer that extracts hydrogen from methane, a fuel cell, a heat recovery device that heats water, and a tank for storing 200 liters of hot water. Under this system, hydrogen extracted from the natural gas (methane) supplied by Tokyo Gas to its customers and oxygen extracted from the air is used to generate 1 kilowatt of electricity through the reverse chemical reaction to that involved in the electrolysis of water. The heat released in the reaction is used to warm the water up to about 60 degrees Celsius. This system would supply about 60% of the electricity consumed by a family of four living in a house with 150 square meters of floor space, as well as providing hot water for things like bathing, washing up, and under-floor heating.

    Full Article
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Nov 7, 2005
  2. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    An astronomically expensive way to make a small improvement in the efficiency of natural gas use. I am skeptical of their claim that it will save consumers money, unless the company is subsidizing the price. Note that at one point it says they are leasing the units, and then later it says they are selling them. Sounds like the reporter does not have the facts clear.

    However, local power generation does have the advantage of making the waste heat available for use, which this unit does, but so does any local generator.
     
    #2 daniel, Dec 8, 2005
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