Sounds simple, but it is actually rather complicated stuff, and not exactly an inexpensive system to build. That is why Ford holds several patents on this system, and they hope to be able to introduce the idea into other plants and areas of manufacturing. With emission levels the way they are today, I can see other industries warming to this idea, and as it has the approval of the Canadian Government, this type of system might just become compulsory one day. Wouldn't that be nice?
This system was originally launched in 2004 with a pilot installation at the Dearborn Truck Plant. Initially, a 5 kilowatt fuel cell was used as a test bed for the Ford engineers. In 2005, a new generation of technology was installed at the Michigan Truck Plant which utilized a 50 kilowatt Stirling engine to produce electricity. That system is still in place.
However, Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant in Canada with its stationary fuel cell system will be the first of its kind in the world. The system is timed to be in full service by the 1st quarter of 2009, and if the idea catches on as I hope it will, we'll all be able to breathe a little easier.
Well done Ford!
photo:Kevin Corrigan, Ford
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This system was originally launched in 2004 with a pilot installation at the Dearborn Truck Plant. Initially, a 5 kilowatt fuel cell was used as a test bed for the Ford engineers. In 2005, a new generation of technology was installed at the Michigan Truck Plant which utilized a 50 kilowatt Stirling engine to produce electricity. That system is still in place.
However, Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant in Canada with its stationary fuel cell system will be the first of its kind in the world. The system is timed to be in full service by the 1st quarter of 2009, and if the idea catches on as I hope it will, we'll all be able to breathe a little easier.
Well done Ford!
photo:Kevin Corrigan, Ford