Clean Fuel Cells
TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY ANALYSIS
Introduction Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd., established in 1992, is world leader in commercialization of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology which is used to generate efficient, low-emission electricity from widely available natural gas and renewable fuels. It develops, manufacture, and market SOFC products for small-scale, micro-Combined Heat & Power (micro-CHP) and distributed generation applications that co-generate electricity and heat for homes and businesses.
CFCL offers following products
BlueGen
BlueGen® is a ‘modular ' generator designed for a number of markets and installation configurations. BlueGen co-generates; 1) electricity for consumption and export to the grid and, 2) heat for hot water.
Through direct sales and our distributors, BlueGen delivers clean, controllable, on-site power for residential and light commercial applications.
Gennex fuel cell module
The Gennex® fuel cell module is a complete set of fuel cell components designed to work together for maximum efficiency and reliability. Engineered mixed oxide powders
Ceramic Fuel Cells has extensive expertise in ceramic powder production for applications such as; fuel cells, thermal barrier coatings, biomedical and dental implants and high temperature products such as thread guides and fiber optic connectors
Major Business and Technical Issues
BUSINESS ISSUES
1. Cost Reduction
CFCL products are based on latest research technology and higher cost. One of the CFCL’s greater challenges is to reduce the unit cost of fuel cell power systems to be competitive with conventional technologies. The company should focus on the supply-chain and sources of its raw material and components to reduce the per unit production cost.
2. Commercial targets
CFCL needs to develop its market by aiming selected commercial targets for a period of time and periodic validation of those targets through rewards. Since the market for fuel cells is relatively
Introduction Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd., established in 1992, is world leader in commercialization of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology which is used to generate efficient, low-emission electricity from widely available natural gas and renewable fuels. It develops, manufacture, and market SOFC products for small-scale, micro-Combined Heat & Power (micro-CHP) and distributed generation applications that co-generate electricity and heat for homes and businesses.
CFCL offers following products
BlueGen
BlueGen® is a ‘modular ' generator designed for a number of markets and installation configurations. BlueGen co-generates; 1) electricity for consumption and export to the grid and, 2) heat for hot water.
Through direct sales and our distributors, BlueGen delivers clean, controllable, on-site power for residential and light commercial applications.
Gennex fuel cell module
The Gennex® fuel cell module is a complete set of fuel cell components designed to work together for maximum efficiency and reliability. Engineered mixed oxide powders
Ceramic Fuel Cells has extensive expertise in ceramic powder production for applications such as; fuel cells, thermal barrier coatings, biomedical and dental implants and high temperature products such as thread guides and fiber optic connectors
Major Business and Technical Issues
BUSINESS ISSUES
1. Cost Reduction
CFCL products are based on latest research technology and higher cost. One of the CFCL’s greater challenges is to reduce the unit cost of fuel cell power systems to be competitive with conventional technologies. The company should focus on the supply-chain and sources of its raw material and components to reduce the per unit production cost.
2. Commercial targets
CFCL needs to develop its market by aiming selected commercial targets for a period of time and periodic validation of those targets through rewards. Since the market for fuel cells is relatively
Bibliography: - CFCL website (www.cfcl.com.au) - Chifley Business School (2013) Unit 423 study Guide - US department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/fuelcells/fc_challenges.html - Diversification (marketing strategy) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversification_(marketing_strategy) - Life Cycle Analysis of Fuel Cell System Components Handbook of Fuel Cells – Fundamentals, Technology and Applications By M. Pehnt: Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, Heidelberg, Germany - Strategies for Driving R&D and Technology Development – Tapani Talonen and Kari Hakkarainen