Nippon Oil & Kyocera Announce Home-Scale Fuel Cells Go On Sale FY 2011 - Bloomberg

[hatrack]

EDIT

Kyocera, a solar-cell maker, rose as much as 2.3 percent to 8,500 yen while Nippon Oil climbed as much as 1.6 percent to 508 yen and was the fifth-biggest mover on the MSCI AC Asia Pacific Energy Index.

The fuel cells extract hydrogen from liquid petroleum gas to heat water and generate electricity, producing less pollution than other methods, a spokesman at Nippon Oil said. The model is about half the size of fuel cells the refiner currently manufactures with Sanyo Electric Co., making it more attractive to consumers who live in apartments, said the spokesman, who declined to be named because of internal rules.

The Nikkei newspaper reported today the cells may go on sale in fiscal 2011.

EDIT/END

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601072&sid=aW1GRGo_YpeA

[corkhead]

1. LOL I thought they were talking about making a cell phone battery

that is big enough to cook and boil your household water when it is used or charged.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Plug Power has a similar product

http://www.plugpower.com/products/residentialgensys/residentialgensys.aspx

All-The-Time Power

Plug Power offers two GenSys fuel cell systems that provide continuous power in distinct applications.

Grid-Connected, Combined Heat and Power

The high-temperature GenSys fuel cell system operates parallel to the grid as a replacement for traditional furnaces and boilers in residential and light commercial applications. The combined heat and power (CHP) system runs on natural gas at a temperature between 160° C and 180° C, making it compatible with existing home heating systems – working seamlessly with radiant, forced air or baseboard hot water.

The high-quality heat generated by the system can meet the full heating needs of a home while supplementing the electrical load. The high-temperature GenSys is expected to deliver a 20% to 40% reduction in home energy costs and 15% to 25% reduction in home CO2 emissions compared with incumbent technology.

[Champion Jack]

3. Yeah, but, can you buy one now?

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Can you buy the Japanese ones now?

“The Nikkei newspaper reported today the cells may go on sale in fiscal 2011.”