|
 The hybrid, multi-megawatt DFC-ERGTM (Direct FuelCell Energy Recovery GenerationTM) system combines a Direct FuelCell® power plant with an unfired gas expansion turbine. The DFC-ERG generates Ultra-Clean electricity while recovering energy normally lost during natural gas pipeline distribution operations. The DFC-ERG is unique, with electrical efficiencies of 65%, low noise and virtually zero smog emissions.
Natural gas transmission networks utilize long-distance pipelines operating at very high pressures. These pressures are required to maintain a high volume of flow in the system. Gas distribution to homes and businesses, however, uses a much lower pressure for safety and to accommodate end use equipment. Pressure is reduced at local utility letdown stations to accommodate the distribution network. As pressure is reduced, the gas naturally cools because of the refrigerant effect of gas expansion. To prevent the gas systems and pipeline from freezing, the gas must be heated before it flows through the expansion process. Traditionally, the energy available in this letdown process is lost, and gas-fired boilers, which produce local emissions and CO2, provide the heat needed by the process.
The energy normally lost when natural gas expands is harnessed by the turboexpander to drive an electric generator. The DFC, operating on pipeline gas, produces additional electric power. Waste heat from the DFC provides the heat required by the expansion process, replacing fuel used in gas-fired boilers. The utility grade electric power produced by the turboexpander and DFC system can be used to service on-site power requirements or delivered onto the power grid.
DFC-ERGTM Direct Fuel-Cell Energy Recovery GenerationTM
problem: Natural gas transmission networks operate at very high pressure which must be reduced at utility letdown stations to accommodate the distribution network.Traditionally, this energy is lost, but can now be harvested as Ultra-Clean power.
solution: Enbridge, Inc. teamed up with FuelCell Energy, Inc. to capitalize on this opportunity. Combining their expertise in gas pipeline operations and Ultra-Clean electric power generation, respectively, Enbridge and FuelCell Energy developed a revolutionary new solution integrating a gas expansion turbine (turboexpander) and Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) power plant.The DFC-ERGTM system is a hybrid multi-megawatt power plant capable of providing Ultra-Clean electrical power for thousands of homes and businesses with virtually no harmful smog emissions.
 result: Energy normally lost when natural gas expands is harnessed by the turboexpander to drive an electric generator.Natural gas from the pipeline is then internally reformed by the DFC to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen is converted to electrical power and heat energy through a non-combustion electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell. Heat produced in the process is channeled back into the system to heat the gas before it is expanded and to optimize the electrical power generation of the turboexpander. The turboexpander is essentially a bottoming cycle for the fuel cell where thermal energy from the electrochemical process ensures the entire power plant operates without combustion. Utility grade electric power produced by the turboexpander and DFC system can be used to service on-site power requirements or delivered onto the power grid.
A few of the many benefits associated with the DFC-ERG system include an electrical efficiency of 65%, negligible emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx), and dramatically reduced CO2 greenhouse gas emissions.
Enbridge and FuelCell Energy are helping to create a cleaner and greener tomorrow while simultaneously offering gas utilities an innovative way to capitalize on a natural opportunity to produce Ultra-Clean power.
About Enbridge, Inc.
Enbridge Inc. is a leader in energy transportation and distribution in North America and internationally.Headquartered in Calgary, Canada, Enbridge's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and on the New York Stock Exchange in the United States under the symbol ENB. For more information on the company, its products, and services, please see www.enbridge.com.
About FuelCell Energy, Inc.
FuelCell Energy develops Ultra-Clean power plants that generate electricity with higher efficiency than traditional generation plants of similar size, and with virtually no air pollution. FuelCell Energy trades on the NASDAQ National Market system under the symbol FCEL. For more information on the company, its products, and its worldwide commercial distribution alliances, please see www.fuelcellenergy.com.
|