Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site pyuxa.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!pyuxww!pyuxa!wetcw
From: wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (T C Wheeler)
Newsgroups: net.misc
Subject: FUEL CELL REPORT
Message-ID: <1208@pyuxa.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Apr-85 21:04:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: pyuxa.1208
Posted: Tue Apr 30 21:04:37 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 1-May-85 04:43:19 EDT
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway N.J.
Lines: 23

In a discussion about fuel cells several weeks ago, several
people pointed out that, for reasons I can't recall, fuel
cells were impractical.  Well, as heard on the news tonight,
Japan is going on line with a fuel cell operation in Tokyo
this week.  They decided on fuel cells to add to their kw
output in the Tokyo area because they were efficient, no-noise,
no pollution alternatives to their present hydrocarbon burning
system.  The facility is modularized so that they can quickly
add more capacity when it is needed.  Their goal is to build
more fuel cell systems in areas where more power is needed
instead of trying to turn up a large generating plant, and
having to transport the power through an ever growing grid.

This, to me, sounds reasonable.  Instead of increasing
capacity at a central location, build fuel cells in the
outer areas of the grid and supply power to smaller areas.
The units are 100 times smaller than what would have been
required under our present mode of power generation.  They
are environmentaly sound, and can be built in half the time
at half the cost.  Anyone out there have a small unit?
I could use one in my garage and cut off the power company.
Maybe that's why we don't hear too much about them?
T. C. Wheeler