MOLTEN-CARBONATE FUEL-CELL TECHNOLOGY

Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are receiving a great deal of attention worldwide. EPRI is sponsoring MCFC development by two manufacturers, Energy Research Corporation (ERC) and M-C Power Corporation. Both manufacturers have contracts with utilities to construct demonstration MCFC power plants: ERC's 2-MW plant will be located on the municipal system of Santa Clara, California, and M-C Power's 250-kW plant will be located on San Diego Gas & Electric's system. Next year-1995-will be a milestone year, with both of these plants scheduled to be in operation and with other demonstrations planned by manufacturers in Europe and Japan. The goal of these demonstrations is to have commercially acceptable products on the market by the turn of the century.