Keeping the electricity grid up and running through summer heat waves and winter deep freezes is an ongoing balancing act. Power lines that stretch for miles are vulnerable to wind and fire. Surges in demand for heating and cooling strain capacity can lead to blackouts. Air pollution is an ongoing issue. Although alternative-energy solutions such as solar- and windpower are rising up the supply curve, meeting today’s energy needs still requires the use of traditional fuel sources to balance the mix.
Of course, hydrocarbons can release pollutants when burned. But what if you never ignited them?
A promising approach, now emerging from the research stage into commercialization, is solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has invested in SOFCs for years ($750 million since 1995, according to their website) as part of the ongoing effort to decarbonize…
Additive manufacturing amps up fuel cells, drives down cost
