Since hearing that John Doerr and the CEO of Bloom Energy are going to be appearing together on Charlie Rose, I've been putting some pieces together. First, KPCB, Doerr's venture capital firm, has been saying repeatedly, "we've been investing in some very interesting alternative energy opportunities."We know that they've funded Eestor, who makes the long-charge supercapacitors that will be powering the Zenn city travelers. But we also knew that that couldn't be all their investing in. KPCB is one of these multi-billion dollar venture capital firms, and they've been (very intelligently) focusing on clean technology recently.
After a bit of research, I'd like to offer some speculation about what Bloom Energy will be doing.
We already know about the technology the company is based on. In short, K. R. Sridhar created a kind of fuel cell that can combine water, oxygen and an energy source, like natural gas or ethanol, to produce power extremely efficiently.
My guess is that that the profitability of these devices lies in distributed power.
I think Bloom Energy is looking to install 100 Kilowatt power units in everyone's houses. These will be flex-fuel, but likely running mostly on natural gas. They will also probably produce heat, and cooling, as well as power, making the devices roughly 85% efficient (thus generating two times less greenhouse gas emissions than a power plant per unit of power used.)
I don't want to say that they will also be used to create hydrogen, but the technology allows for the fuel cell to easily produce hydrogen if 100% of it's power isn't needed. This could then be used to fill up your new Honda FCX. As a last piece of wild speculation, I will ask: If these units have such wonderful energy densities and efficiencies, could we put one in a car?
Bloom Energy's current website says absolutely nothing about anything. But, it does finish up with a pretty picture of the earth and the tagline "Be the Solution," which lends credence to everyone having their own super-efficient little power plant in their basement.
After a bit of research, I'd like to offer some speculation about what Bloom Energy will be doing.
We already know about the technology the company is based on. In short, K. R. Sridhar created a kind of fuel cell that can combine water, oxygen and an energy source, like natural gas or ethanol, to produce power extremely efficiently.
My guess is that that the profitability of these devices lies in distributed power.
I think Bloom Energy is looking to install 100 Kilowatt power units in everyone's houses. These will be flex-fuel, but likely running mostly on natural gas. They will also probably produce heat, and cooling, as well as power, making the devices roughly 85% efficient (thus generating two times less greenhouse gas emissions than a power plant per unit of power used.)
I don't want to say that they will also be used to create hydrogen, but the technology allows for the fuel cell to easily produce hydrogen if 100% of it's power isn't needed. This could then be used to fill up your new Honda FCX. As a last piece of wild speculation, I will ask: If these units have such wonderful energy densities and efficiencies, could we put one in a car?
Bloom Energy's current website says absolutely nothing about anything. But, it does finish up with a pretty picture of the earth and the tagline "Be the Solution," which lends credence to everyone having their own super-efficient little power plant in their basement.
I can't wait to hear what K.R. Sridhar has to say for himself tonight on Charlie Rose.
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Comments (17)
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written by Nick Chang, January 10, 2007
I just finished watching the Charlie Rose special showcasing Bloom Energy. As expected, K.R. didn't promote this company but provided very good insight on our dependency on oil. I am very glad to see Venture Capitalists investing in these kinds of companies as I believe the more research and innovation is done in this area, there will be more adoption.
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written by fernando, May 17, 2007
I think it’s the best publicity campaign ever, from a venture capital firm.
How many millions got to know KPC&B worldwide, fished from bloom energy?
Brilliant!!!
How many millions got to know KPC&B worldwide, fished from bloom energy?
Brilliant!!!
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written by JaiGopal, September 06, 2007
Congratulatins your compnay is in big news in Indian newspapers.
All the best
All the best
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written by xo, October 13, 2007
ion america aka bloom energy is doing solid oxide fuel cells. you can see their patents on the uspto site.
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written by Trevor Best, November 21, 2007
Don't we have patent laws? Silex Systems have the running on solid oxide fuel cells, and have partnered with General Electric in their enterprise. Their web site tells the story as far as IP security allows.
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written by DM, November 24, 2007
Bloom has direct competition from American Resource Securities Corporation (ARSC). ARSC has an operating Hydrogen Fuel Cell that is scalable to power a residence or small commercial operation. In addition they have the technology to convert Hydrogen from Ammonia at the source at a cost of under $2.00 per gallon. ARSC has a beta unit in operation and will have production units out shortly.
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written by T-Rex, January 17, 2008
And fossil fuels are not renewable, and depleting at faster rate every year. Also fuel cell systems rely on distribution of its fuels.
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written by A, June 09, 2008
They call me for a job interview and later and immediately offer me a private consulting opportunity and when I ask them what size power units they are making then they call it a trader secret.
I work for Solid oxide fuel cell company and I proudly say we are building 1 MW stationary power plants.
We are at product design level and see the future of SOFC in year 2013...
I work for Solid oxide fuel cell company and I proudly say we are building 1 MW stationary power plants.
We are at product design level and see the future of SOFC in year 2013...
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written by c, August 07, 2008
dear sir,
I got interview with the same people. Can i get a suggestions from you.
I got interview with the same people. Can i get a suggestions from you.
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written by vv-tec.com, March 26, 2009
The cogeneration Reinhardt Turbine piston turbine achieves these high efficiency rates, today.
The technology is on full display on the company website.
The technology is on full display on the company website.
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written by Mike Berkowitz, April 20, 2009
Is this a scam? Is it real?
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written by lester, September 22, 2009
Bloom energy is more interested in making stuff in India and selling it in USA. USA bailout nation will take out credit cards and home equity loans to buy from India and India will get richer and we will ask for more bailouts and sell it to china. How ecofriendly and sustainability businesses works.
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written by Ronald W. Garrison, December 05, 2009
In everything I've read so far about Bloom, they haven't said how efficient their fuel cell is. And be careful about claims of 70 % or 80 % which include cogeneration of heat--that's fine if you really have a good use for the heat. If not, then you cannot turn the extra heat into some form of energy with any reasonable efficiency--the temperature difference is far too small.
The real show-stopper for hydrogen, and fuel cells, is the round-trip energy efficiency. Batteries and supercapacitors are much more efficient, and I just don't see that gap closing. The other problems may be solvable, but I just don't see a way around the efficiency deficit. And I have the feeling I'm probably being a lot more kind to the technology than it deserves.
The real show-stopper for hydrogen, and fuel cells, is the round-trip energy efficiency. Batteries and supercapacitors are much more efficient, and I just don't see that gap closing. The other problems may be solvable, but I just don't see a way around the efficiency deficit. And I have the feeling I'm probably being a lot more kind to the technology than it deserves.
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written by Juzer, December 27, 2009
Reminds me of Medis. Nasdaq MDTL. Same level of super secrecy, no mention of energy balances, price reality checks, etc. Just that it was going to revolutionize the portable power landscape. Final product was nothing spectacular. Doubt if they are still in business, but were able to raise and blow "hundreds of millions" too. Then there was MTI Micro. Final test is always the customer. Wait and see is best. Most of the hype is created by the VCs, but alas, Wall Street has no more oompf to pump up values on Hype. The criterion is performance. EPS, Dividends, Revenues. Basic rules of chemistry and physics do not change, and the simplistic scenario painted by non technical news reporters simply doesn't add up in an energy balance equation. Wait and see, wait and see. 
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