Other Clean Energy Technologies in Distributed Generation

Fuel Cells  |  Biomass

Fuel Cells A fuel cell works like a battery but does not run down or need recharging. It can produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied. A fuel cell consists of two electrodes - a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode) - sandwiched around an electrolyte.

The current focus is on hydrogen's use in fuel cells. Hydrogen is fed to the anode, and oxygen is fed to the cathode. Activated by a catalyst, hydrogen atoms separate into protons and electrons, which take different paths to the cathode. The electrons go through an external circuit, creating a flow of electricity. The protons migrate through the electrolyte to the cathode, where they reunite with oxygen and the electrons to produce water and heat. Fuel cells can be used to power vehicles or to provide electricity and heat to buildings.

The Delaware Energy Office is offering grants up to 50% of the installation of fuel cells using renewable fuel. Link to Incentive Programs for incentives available in New Jersey. Also, check the Green Plains Energy, Inc. Calendar of Events for Workshops, Trade Shows and other events in your area.
 

Biomass Biomass is any organic matter available on a renewable basis, including dedicated energy crops and trees, agricultural food and feed crops, agricultural crop wastes and residues, wood wastes and residues, aquatic plants, animal wastes, municipal wastes, and other waste materials.

Material handling is an important aspect of the biomass resource supply chain and constitutes a significant portion of the capital investment and operating costs of a bio-energy conversion facility. Requirements depend on the type of biomass to be processed as well as the feedstock preparation requirements of the conversion technology. Biomass storage, handling, conveying, size reduction, cleaning, drying, and feeding equipments and systems are included.

Harvesting biomass corps, collecting biomass residues, and transporting biomass resources is also critical to the biomass resource supply chain. Improvements in agricultural practices will lead to increased biomass yields, reductions in cultivation costs, and improved environmental quality. Key elements include new plant genetics and breeding technology, new analytical techniques and evaluation techniques, and the development of tools to enable precision agriculture, such as remote sensing and geographic information systems.

Link to Incentive Programs for incentives available in New Jersey. Also, check the Green Plains Energy, Inc. Calendar of Events for Workshops, Trade Shows and other events in your area.