Bloom Box

[Dave X10]

8 to 10 cents per kw is not that great though (around here anyways) . . I paid about 14 cents last month. So I would save ~$84. So about a 20 year payback.
Assuming everything is linear, of course. ;-)

What does "everything is linear" mean?

I have never actually performed any maintenance on a fuel cell.... myself. I was under the impression that the smaller ones are just sent back to the factory for reconditioning after some hours of operation. I wonder how many trips to your site by a "fuel Cell Technician" would be required... before any saving would be eaten up.

 

[Ira]

According to an article on cnet.com, a box using natural gas as the fuel produces electricity for about 8 to 10 cents per kilowatt.

What I don't understand is how they believe that a double box (or even a quad box) would be able to power a home by itself, given that a box produces about 1kW.

It is a big fat fuel cell. That is all it is. We've all read about fuel cells for several years. When fuel cells really get useful is when your in space.. or on foot... and you need more power that what you can carry in heavy old batteries. Bloom isn't the first maker of a large fuel cell.... Bloom has just been well hyped.

Actually, fuel cells go back almost two centuries. They aren't marketing themselves as the originators. They are saying they have discovered methods that reduce the costs of materials (e.g., beach sand for the raw material for the electrolyte) and manufacturing and increase efficiency.

 

[Dave X10]

Actually, fuel cells go back almost two centuries. They aren't marketing themselves as the originators. They are saying they have discovered methods that reduce the costs of materials (e.g., beach sand for the raw material for the electrolyte) and manufacturing and increase efficiency.

Yeah... fuel cells have been around for some time.

I saw the "press release video" and didn't buy the "beach sand" ceramic stuff. What materials is it you think other fuel cells use.. or what other cells efficency levels are?

The "inventor" implied... but NEVER SAID.. that his fuel cell uses no nobel metals. So... if no nobel metals are used to make the Bloom Box Fuel Cell.. why do they cost so much?

 

[electron]

Here is an interesting article with more numbers:
http://earth2tech.com/2010/02/24/bloom-ene...28Earth2Tech%29

 

[Dave X10]

Here is an interesting article with more numbers:
http://earth2tech.com/2010/02/24/bloom-ene...28Earth2Tech%29

Thanks Dan!
I would really have loved to have been proved to be a cynical and grumpy old man on this one. I am personally so tired of scams and hoaxes.

 

[Waynedb]

If it costs 8-10 cents per KWH on natural gas then it won't be a very good deal with propane,
I would rather have a Solar panel setup even if it costs much more initially, you can't depend on gas prices staying low.

 

[damage]

bloom vs solar vs wind http://bit.ly/apngSM

 

[mdesmarais]

I meant linear costs as you scale down from $700k 100kwh to $20k 3kwh. They are targeting lower costs though.

That Wired article is a good one.

 

[Automation]

Here is an interesting article with more numbers:
http://earth2tech.com/2010/02/24/bloom-ene...28Earth2Tech%29

Thanks Dan!
I would really have loved to have been proved to be a cynical and grumpy old man on this one. I am personally so tired of scams and hoaxes.

But Dave, it's not a scam or hoax if you don't buy it

 

[Dave X10]

But Dave, it's not a scam or hoax if you don't buy it

You should have watched the video!
Half of every unit sold (purchased) is paid for with tax payer money. I've already bought my share (you too).

 

[damage]

another article "Why Biz Backed Bloom: It's the Economics, Stupid" http://bit.ly/cYp9f1