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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Remote power generated by SOFC

Current and Future Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is one of the most promising technologies for clean, high-efficiency energy production. Because of their unique attributes and scalable capabilities they are being used for a number of applications and solutions.

SOFC technology is so promising that the US department of energy initiated a program in 2000 to invest in the further development of the technology. Here at Special Power Sources, we’ve earned grants through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) for the purpose of researching the capabilities of SOFC technology for specific applications. 

As the technology further advances more and more people will see the benefits of it. One of our aims is to show the potential for solid oxide fuel cell technology through its various applications. That is what we want to do today.

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Power Generator in the snow on top of a mountain

Generating Power in Extreme and Remote Communities

Generating power in extreme and remote locations has unique challenges and takes careful consideration. These areas rarely are connected to a reliable grid and many traditional means of power generation can’t perform efficiently under extreme conditions and weather. But, those living and working in these locations still expect their power to be stable without the need for consistent maintenance. 

This is true regardless of whether the location is occupied by a small outpost or an entire community.

Most importantly, power generation needs to be done in an efficient and affordable manner. While this can be a challenging problem to solve, it is not impossible. And thanks to advancements in technology, it is becoming a more manageable problem to solve. 

For those communities looking to solve their power needs, we wanted to take the time to discuss the needs and solutions at your disposal.

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How solid oxide fuel cell works

Why Solid Oxide Fuel Cells as a Remote Power Source

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are over a century old but have been seeing rapid innovations and growing use cases over the past several decades. These fuel cells have been used in transportation, industrial equipment, cooling, providing power, and various other applications where direct grid power is unavailable. At SPS, our unique SOFC technology is what has made us a recognized leader in remote power generators. They truly are an amazing source of power for remote applications. 

If you’re looking into generators and possible power sources for a remote location or where auxiliary power is needed, then this information will help. It will help you decide whether SOFC are right for your specific application. 

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Graph demonstrating efficient fuel cell technology

SPS Demonstrates 50% Efficient, Low- Temperature Fuel Cell Technology!

Under DOE project DE-FE0031674 SPS has demonstrated improved cell performance while significantly reducing operating temperature. 

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Special Power Sources selected for Phase I funding through DoE via Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

Alliance OH, (23 Feb 2021) – Special Power Sources (SPS)  selected for Phase I funding through Department of Energy (DoE) via Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.  SPS’ proposal, “Tubular, proton-conducting, ceramic reversible fuel cell for high-performance energy storage “ is being awarded a STTR Phase I contract from the DoE.   STTR awards are highly competitive research-based programs that provide U.S. small businesses the opportunity to engage in cutting edge research, development, and commercialization.  Phase I of the STTR program emphasizes important technological challenges, the demonstration of the feasibility of the proposed technology, and allows small businesses to propose new innovative solutions to address them.

“This contract award represents a significant new Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) project area that is expected to expand our current product line technologies into these new and innovative energy storage research and development as well as commercial opportunities.   This latest STTR award will accelerate the growth of SOFC technologies into the low temperature power energy efficient systems for future defense and commercial applications .”- Roland Dixon, President/CEO

ABOUT SPECIAL POWER SOURCES

Special Power Sources (SPS) is a renewable energy technology company developing, manufacturing, and servicing for our 650+ units delivered to USA, Canada and Mexico for Gas & Oil, Telecommunications & Mining Industries. The commercial products, in the 250W to 1500W ranges, have shown tremendous reliability and longevity in remote, off-grid applications even when deployed in “the middle of nowhere”.

Special Power Sources selected for Phase I funding through NASA via Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

Alliance OH, (25 Mar 2021) – Special Power Sources (SPS)  selected for Phase I funding through the NASA via Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.  SPS’ proposal, “Robust, high-performance, contaminants-tolerant, reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells for producing Lunar and Martian propellant and generating power “ is being awarded a STTR Phase I contract from NASA.   STTR awards are highly competitive research-based programs that provide U.S. small businesses the opportunity to engage in cutting edge research, development, and commercialization.  Phase I of the STTR program emphasizes important technological challenges, the demonstration of the feasibility of the proposed technology, and allows small businesses to propose new innovative solutions to address them.

“This NASA award will propel our Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology into supporting future Mars and Lunar missions.   SPS is deeply honored to be given the opportunity to make a significant contribution in power technology that is expected to yield sustainable, efficient and innovative technology to these space missions .”- Roland Dixon, President/CEO

ABOUT SPECIAL POWER SOURCES

Special Power Sources (SPS) is a renewable energy technology company developing, manufacturing, and servicing for our 650+ units delivered to USA, Canada and Mexico for Gas & Oil, Telecommunications & Mining Industries. The commercial products, in the 250W to 1500W ranges, have shown tremendous reliability and longevity in remote, off-grid applications even when deployed in “the middle of nowhere”.   Since 2019, SPS has been awarded numerous Research and Development (R&D) prime contract opportunities between the US Army, US Air Force, Department of Energy and NASA for efficient groundbreaking remote, space and aviation system applications.