Firms target UK fuel cell market

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL) and E.ON have extended an agreement to develop and deploy fuel cell micro combined heat and power (mCHP) units in the UK.

The mCHP units would be able to power a wide range of homes and enable the UK to reduce its carbon emissions, according to E.ON. A prototype unit installed in 2008 has successfully generated enough energy for the average home’s hot water needs and has been running continuously on the same fuel stack since June.

“This technology signals that cleaner, more cost-effective energy in the UK home is closer than ever before,” said Charles Bradshaw-Smith, E.ON’s head of innovation.

Under the agreement, the two companies plan to commercialise mCHP units designed specifically for the British market. Work on the project is slated to proceed in stages from now through 2012, culminating with a commercial launch in the UK.

E.ON would secure exclusive distribution rights for CFCL’s mCHP units by placing a minimum order of 100,000 units over six years from 2012.