Energy efficiency and greenhouse gas concerns are both addressed by a combined heat and power (CHP) solution from Bloom Energy that utilizes a high temperature (greater than 350° C) exhaust stream for industrial steam production and absorption chilling.

With a platform based on solid oxide fuel cell technology, the Bloom Energy Server operates at temperatures above 800 ̊ C to efficiently produce clean energy. High temperature cathode exhaust from the system can be channeled, allowing the resulting exhaust heat to be available for further use. The captured high temperature heat can be deployed in various applications and to further increase the overall efficiency of the system.

The Bloom Energy Server delivering high temperature heat to a CHP system. Source: Bloom Energy

The technology offers a pathway to decarbonization for the chemicals, petroleum and refining, pulp and paper and other industries that does not exist in older CHP systems. For cooling applications, users can replace hydrofluorocarbon-driven chillers with this advanced absorption chiller that eschews reliance on these potent greenhouse gases.

The CHP system is reported to deliver a lifetime average efficiency of greater than 90% and to be scalable with building blocks starting at 220 kW to multiple MW systems.