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SOUTH PARK TOWNSHIP - A futuristic power source currently being demonstrated in the Netherlands began with research at the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratory in Pittsburgh.
The 100-kilowatt solid oxide fuel cell system represents a research collaboration between the National Energy Technology Laboratory in South Park Township and Siemens-Westinghouse Corp. in McKeesport. DOE officials say the $196 million project achieved a milestone in January by completing one year of operations at a Dutch cogeneration plant. The accomplishment signals the halfway point in the twoyear demonstration phase and also marks the longestknown period of operation for a solid oxide fuel cell of this size.
"We're focused on developing two types of fuel cells solid oxide and molten carbonate," said Bob Gee, assistant secretary for fossil energy at the DOE's office in Washington, D.C. "Most importantly is what's going on in the solid oxide area through our partnership with Siemens-Westinghouse. It's an important project because were trying to get the fuel cell to a point where it is more commercially feasible," he added.
The DOE is funding $82 million of the project, with the remainder coming from Siemens-Westinghouse and the Dutch government agency known as Novem. The test unit at the Dutch power station has operated for a record 8,760 hours, providing electricity to the local power grid in Westervoort in the Netherlands and hot water for the area's district heating system.
"We are very pleased with the system's performance and look forward to another year of the...