FuelCell Energy Inc., Danbury, Conn., has concluded an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the three-year first phase of its Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) program.
Phase one is a $24 million cooperative cost-sharing agreement between DOE and the FuelCell Energy team, which includes Versa Power Systems, Materials and Systems Research Inc., Gas Technology Institute, University of Utah, Electric Power Research Institute, Dana Corp., and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
The goal of the SECA program is to accelerate the development of low-cost solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), a key element of DOE’s commitment to developing clean, efficient, reliable, and affordable power generation for virtually all markets. Target markets identified include remote sites, telecommunications, commercial and residential buildings, back-up, mobile standby, and auxiliary power units.
In April 2003, FuelCell Energy was selected by the DOE to lead a project team for its three-phase, 10-year, $139 million SECA program. The FuelCell Energy team started work on the phase-one SECA program in July 2003 via a pre-award authorization from the DOE.