SiEnergy Systems, LLC, which is commercializing low temperature thin film solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology from Harvard University, was awarded a $300,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) under their AmplifyMass program. AmplifyMass offers its awards to Massachusetts-based clean technology companies and university research projects that have been given funding by the U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy) program, which SiEnergy Systems won in 2014.
SiEnergy Systems is developing a thin film SOFC for the portable and small power generation markets. The technology is designed to reduce fuel cell cost, and allow fast start-up and load-following capability by responding rapidly to changes in power demand. The targeted end result aims to be a practical, affordable, and energy efficient system that is able to use convenient fuels and significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
"We are very pleased to be a recipient of this grant, which will provide SiEnergy with resources to invest in additional research and development that will accelerate the progress of our technologies," said Vincent Chun, General Manager of SiEnergy and a Vice President at its parent company, Allied Minds (LSE: ALM). "The support of the MassCEC goes beyond just the funding that they're providing. MassCEC is engaged in pushing forward clean energy in ways that benefit the portfolio of companies that now includes SiEnergy, and opens up opportunities for advocacy and networking."
SiEnergy's technology uses nanometer scale electrolytes to create SOFCs that operate at a commercially desirable temperature and is scalable to meet various power requirements. Thin film SOFC is a promising technology that provides solutions to cost and reliability challenges of fuel cells today.
