Hydrogen fuel cell developer wins funding from Department of Energy

FuelCell Energy awarded $3 million from Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $3 million to FuelCell Energy, a developer of hydrogen fuel cells based in Connecticut. The funding is part of the federal government’s overarching all-of-the-above energy plan. This plan has the country supporting a wide range of clean energies and technologies, but also keeps the country focused heavily on fossil-fuels. The U.S. has been focusing on renewable energy for the sake of the environment and economic growth and fuel cells are beginning to play a major role in moving the country away from fossil-fuels.

DOE is showing stronger support for fuel cells than it had in the past

In the past, the Department of Energy had been skeptical of fuel cells and their ability to serve as efficient renewable energy systems. Former Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu suggested that fuel cells were a far future solution to an immediate problem. Chu himself changed his opinion on fuel cells nearly a year before he left office, marking a shift in the support these energy systems had seen from the federal agency. Over the past year, the agency has been aggressively supporting the research and development of fuel cells for various purposes.

Company to participate in DOE project focused on stationary fuel cells

FuelCell Energy has been tapped for a project that is designed to improve the country’s competitiveness in the fuel cell market. The project is meant to accomplish this task by making fuel cells more affordable and enhance their performance and lifespan. Stationary fuel cells are the subject of the project’s focus and these energy systems have seen extensive use in various industrial sectors for several years now. These energy systems are often praised for their combined heat and power applications.

Lowering the price of fuel cells has become a priority

Reducing the cost of fuel cells has been a major priority for the Department of Energy and the fuel cell industry. These energy systems boast of a great deal of potential when it comes to renewable energy, but have long suffered from having a high price tag. Fuel cells are expensive because of their use of platinum and other expensive materials.