apparently it runs on oxygen. which would lead one to believe that eventually it would use up all the oxygen.

bloom energy saver

It is interesting technology. They show a fuel block the size of a brick claiming it will power a typical household. Still needs fuel though.

It doesn't "run" on oxygen - it uses fuel like hydrogen or natural gas. It's just another technology for fuel cells - we have had fuel cells for a long long time. The only thing special about the bloom version is that it's supposedly cheaper to build and more reliable. It still needs fuel.


The oxygen "used" by the fuel cell is no more than the oxygen that would be used burning the fuel instead of using an electrochemical process. The only difference is that it doesn't produce the nasty byproducts of combustion.

They did a special on it on 60 minutes. Its the reason I watched that show. If they were reasonably priced and could be used/designed for a single home unit it would be a nice way to get off the grid or use for a remote location. Biggest problem is you still need fuel. They didn't really say how much fuel it consumed to make the energy.

Just saw a teaser on my local news about this, gonna have to watch at 7:30

..... a lot normaly.... mainly it isnt the fuel its the expense of the fuel.... hydrogen .... the cheap way is natural gas cracking if i recall , there is also load cells for electrolosys... im sure there are more ways but thats been a major stumbling block ... hydrogen is also kinda a not so energy dense storage fuel...

but i havnt been keeping up with it or really know much about it... my major use for hydrogen is threw a torch for glass work

Stats are hard to come by but the box needs to go from $800k now to $3k in 10 years time. That is a big leap.

At $8,000/kw currently that is an expensive box and that excludes input costs and replacement/maintenance.

So...great step forward but a while off replacing or enhancing the grid.

Interesting technology, but not doable by us po' folks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I will probably stick with a wood stove and an emergency generator for my little cabin in the woods. Fuel cells would buy me a healthy ranch in the woods......LOL

Sad but true. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

I expect prices will drop fast as time goes on.

Anybody else remember the prices on the first 40" plasma TVs less than a decade ago? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Oh, and Hi everyone! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />