Healthcare On-Site Renewable Energy (Fuel Cells)

Generating 100% renewable energy on-site for seven healthcare facilities

Technical Information

The Bloom Box Beta version is a 200 kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) module.  These fuel cells generate electricity via chemical reaction with natural gas or bio gas.  The inside of modules are comprised of stacks.  These stacks are multiple groupings of cathode, electrode, and anode plates.  Reformed fuel passes through the anode side while oxygen (air) passes though the cathode side.  As the chemical reaction occurs, electricity (electrons) are created.

CH4 + 2O2  CO2 + 2H20 + e- + Heat

This chemical reaction releases heat which is recycled back into the process.

The fuel cell system operates on a 24/7 basis, constantly creating electricity.  We call this a baseload offsetting system.  For most facilities, the electrical consumption during the middle of the day is generally higher than at night or the early hours in the morning.  The fuel cells were sized for the minimum base load of a facility.

Bloom Energy’s fuel cells create 100% renewable energy on site for each of the seven healthcare locations.

Environmental Attributes

Today, community demands for electricity is significantly increasing; utility companies need to procure more electricity to keep up with these demands. By providing these fuel cells, we are providing a community benefit by avoiding another plant to come online.  The seven facilities are offsetting approximately 37% up to 81% of their respective utility consumption. Our collective projects with Bloom Energy are anticipated to offset 15,008,683 lbs of CO2.