staxera and EBZ cooperate

System development program delivers first results.

staxera and EBZ have begun a joint SOFC system development program, focusing on high electrical efficiency and based on steam reforming of natural gas.  The commercial focus of this program is a 20 kW system with an electrical efficiency of between 50 and 60%.  The basic design will also be used to develop other products such as systems which operate on biogas or landfill gas.

The first phase of the program involves the construction and testing of a system demonstrator based on a peak stack power of 3 kW, using two of staxera’s integrated stack modules (ISMs).  The system demonstrator has been in operation since September 2009, and is at present using two of staxera's 1.1 kW ISMs.  With this configuration the peak stack power has been measured at over 2 kW, which matches expectations.  The full design power of 3 kW will be demonstrated in 2010, when the 1.5 kW ISMs become available.

staxera will use this system demonstrator to analyze and characterize the performance and operation of the ISM when fuelled with steam-reformed natural gas.  Additionally, EBZ and staxera offer the system demonstrator as a commercial product, which provides customers with an ideal method of gaining SOFC experience in a system-relevant environment.

In order to accelerate the development and marketing of the system, staxera and EBZ welcome other partners to join their cooperation.