By The Associated Press
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
FuelCell Energy Inc., which makes fuel cells for electric power generation, said Tuesday it received about $1.9 million from the Energy Department to develop a part designed to improve fuel cell cost and performance.
The funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will support the development of a microchannel high temperature recuperator for fuel cell systems. Microchannels are tiny passages in heat exchangers, or recuperators, that significantly enhance heat recovery and potentially reduce recuperator cost.
The project includes the testing of prototype recuperators, test analysis, model validation and design of units sized appropriately for a MW-class fuel cell system, according to FuelCell Energy.
The program's goal is to improve the performance and cost of fuel cell power plants that are integrated with unfired gas turbines in combined cycle applications, the company said.
The company said it is also developing coal-based solid oxide fuel cell systems under a $30 million Department of Energy agreement.
Shares of FuelCell Energy rose 5 cents to $4.01 in midday trading.