Fuel cell powered by methane
Wärtsilä has developed the world’s first solid oxide fuel cell unit running on landfill gas.
Wärtsilä's new fuel cell unit runs on methane from a landfill (Photo: D'Arcy Norman / Flickr)
The so called Wärtsilä FC20 fuel cell power unit, has successfully concluded the first phase of its validation programme. The power generating unit, which is developed and run by Wärtsilä, has been operating for more than 1500 hours producing electricity with extremely low emissions to households in Vaasa, Finland.
Electricity from methane gas
The unit is run on methane rich gas, originating from a nearby landfill. Methane is a strong greenhouse gas that would otherwise be harmful to the environment. The WFC20 is based on planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, which is supplied by the Danish company Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S. Wärtsilä is one of the world’s leading companies in the development of fuel cell products based on SOFC technology.
1500 hours of operation
The main project targets set by Wärtsilä for this groundbreaking power generation unit have all been achieved. The fuel cell unit has been in successful operation for more than 1500 hours. The demonstrated energy efficiency has reached very high levels, exhaust gas emissions are extremely low, and the unit has been able to operate consistently despite the bio gas having low and fluctuating methane content. The fuel cell unit produces an electric output of approximately 20 kW, which is enough to power approximately 10 households in the area. The thermal output of the unit ranges from 14 to 17 kW.
- We are very pleased with performance of our first fuel cell unit being operated in the field in a real and challenging environment. The entire experience has so far been very positive, and it provides an excellent platform for us to continue our work on fuel cell solutions for the future,” says Erkko Fontell, Director, Fuel cell, Wärtsilä Finland in a press release
Further reading
Wärtsilä press release
Wärtsila website
Topsoe Fuel Cell AS website
Methane
Methane is a relatively potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential. Methane in the atmosphere is eventually oxidized, producing carbon dioxide and water. As a result, methane in the atmosphere has a half life of seven years.
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