Santa

What if the North Pole was Powered by Solid Oxide Fuel Cells?

As the Special Power Sources team has been working diligently to create new systems to solve various power needs, they thought it would be fun to dream up what it would look like if Santa decided to power the North Pole with Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). 

This post highlights the fictitious scenario.

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remote mountain community

SOFCs Offering Sustainable Energy for Remote Communities

In recent years, as technology has advanced, so have opportunities to bring more renewable and efficient energy sources to remote communities. Many are aware of the potential for wind and solar energy, however, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are a promising energy source that can work in even the harshest conditions in the most remote locations.

They provide a clean and efficient way to generate electricity, providing a lifeline for isolated areas that are often off the grid. Here you can explore the potential of SOFCs in creating a renewable energy source for remote communities and the numerous benefits they bring.

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representation of hydrogen and the different solutions it can power

Leveraging Solid Oxide Fuel Cells For A Greener Hydrogen Energy Future

In the quest for sustainable and clean energy solutions, fuel cells have emerged as a pivotal technology, holding the key to unlocking the potential of hydrogen as a versatile energy carrier. With their exceptional efficiency and minimal environmental impact, fuel cells are spearheading the transition towards a hydrogen-based energy landscape. 

In this blog post, we delve into the future of hydrogen-based energy and the impact of fuel cells in paving the way for hydrogen energy production.

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solid oxide fuel cell diagram

A Comprehensive Comparison of Planar and Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 

As the world continues to seek sustainable energy solutions, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for clean and efficient power generation. Among various SOFC designs, the planar and tubular architectures are the most prevalent.

Knowing the difference between the two is imperative for individuals, businesses and communities who are exploring new solutions to their energy needs.

In this blog post, we will conduct an in-depth comparison of planar and tubular SOFCs, exploring their respective advantages, disadvantages, and applications. Understanding the differences between these two designs is crucial for making informed decisions in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.

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Generator system

Comparing Diesel Generators and SOFC Generators for Commercial Applications

With today’s increasingly unreliable grid operation, businesses are seeking reliable and efficient power generation solutions for their commercial operations. Historically, diesel generators have been the standard for power generation. Recently, more communities and organizations are considering Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) for their continuous, auxiliary or backup power needs. 

This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between diesel generators and SOFC generators, focusing on their suitability for commercial use. We will explore the key factors that businesses should consider when evaluating these two technologies for their power needs.

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SPSs tubular solid oxide fuel cells

The Advantage of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Over Other Types of Fuel Cells

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of fuels directly into electrical energy. They are a promising alternative to conventional power generation technologies, as they are highly efficient, environmentally friendly, and can be used for a variety of applications, ranging from portable power to grid-scale electricity generation.

Among the various types of fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are a particularly attractive option, as they offer high efficiency, low emissions, and fuel flexibility. In particular, tubular solid oxide fuel cells (TSOFCs) have emerged as promising technology, offering several advantages over other types of fuel cells.

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SPS selected to participate in NASA’s Aeronautics Research Challenge as part of the 2023 University Leadership Initiative (ULI) Award 6

Special Power Sources (SPS) was selected as part of a team to participate in NASA’s Aeronautics Research Challenge dedicated to solving key challenges facing the future of air travel. The team includes 5 universities and 3 companies, including SPS. 

SPS will be joining Tennessee Technological University, Tennessee State University, The Ohio State University, University of Dayton, University of Washington – Bothell, Boeing Research & Technology, and Raytheon Technologies Research Center to develop a preliminary design for an electrified 150-passenger aircraft that uses an ammonia-based integrated propulsion, power, and thermal management system. The team will design and test several components and subsystems in order to create an electrified commercial passenger aircraft with zero-emissions.

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Providing power to remote community

The Future of Power Generation in Remote Environments

For communities and establishments off the grid, power generation has always been a challenge. The sources of power generation are often unreliable or costly to maintain. 

Off-the-grid power generation is a challenge in and of itself, while areas with harsh environments are faced with even less reliable power solutions. 

Will these challenges continue to be a norm for those off the grid or will the future bring better solutions? 

As a leader in solving off-the-grid power challenges and innovators of power generation solutions, we believe that the future will provide opportunities to overcome many of the challenges of remote power generation. Whether the needs are small-scale supplemental power or the ability to provide consistent power, we are finally seeing more reliable and economically sound solutions.

We have all watched power generation change over our lifetimes, but what does the future hold for these communities in harsh remote environments?

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Green energy for residential use

SOFC Use Case For Residential Properties

This is a concept to share the implications of using solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) for residential use. 

Problem to solve:

Provide adequate and reliable power to off-grid residential properties. Current solutions are either inadequate for providing consistent energy or require large amounts of costly upkeep. 

Common off-grid power systems

  • Gasoline generator
  • Solar 
  • Wind turbines
  • Water 

Of the commonly used power systems, gasoline generators are the most reliable. However, gasoline generators come with the expense of high maintenance, expensive fuel costs and can be noisy.

At SPS, we have made it our mission to solve these power problems. In this use case, we will show how SOFC can provide a better alternative as a main off-grid residential power system

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SOFC generators

SOFC Generators For Solving Unique Power Needs

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) generators provide an efficient and durable solution for power, especially in areas that are off the grid or in harsh environments. Depending on the generator, it can be used for backup power or as an extended power source. 

As technology advances and evolves, SOFC generators are creating powerful energy solutions for infrastructures, operations, and communities. 

Here at SPS, we are leading the charge in providing remote power solutions for challenging environments including harsh operating conditions and/or remote locations. As we innovate and create solutions for unique projects, we want to share our discoveries and knowledge to help others benefit from our research.

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