Green technology news: Ballard finalizes sale with M-Field

Ballard sells fuel cell stacks to M-Field

Ballard Power Systems, a leading developer of hydrogen fuel cells, has announced the sale of 400 kilowatts worth of its FCgen-1300 fuel cell products to M-Field Energy, a developer of stationary fuel cell system based in Taiwan. Ballard is one of the few companies in the fuel cell industry that is verging on profitability. Deals such as the one made with M-Field are key in pushing Ballard over the edge of profitability and further solidifying its place as a leader in the fuel cell industry.

New fuel cell stacks to be used as part of hybrid energy systems

M-Field develops stationary fuel cells, which are quite commonly used in industrial projects. The company plans to incorporate Ballard's fuel cell stacks into numerous stationary fuel cell models. The fuel cells that will be receiving the technology from Ballard are meant to be used as a part of hybrid renewable energy systems. The stationary fuel cells will provide base load power while other sources of renewable power contribute.

Fuel cells may be more ideal than solar and wind energy

M-Field notes that fuel cells are an ideal way to overcome the issues associated with intermittent power generation. While both solar and wind energy are considered to be ideal by those interested in clean power, both of these forms of renewable energy are subject to intermittency. Wind turbines cannot generate electrical power when the wind is not blowing and solar panels cannot produce electricity without sunlight. Hydrogen fuel cells, however, are able to produce energy around the clock and independent of any weather conditions.

Demand for fuel cells is on the rise

Ballard and M-Field have enjoyed a working business relationship for the past decade. As the demand for renewable power and clean technology increases in Taiwan and elsewhere, companies like Ballard are beginning to garner a great deal of attention. As the stigma concerning the reliability, efficiency, and cost of fuel cells continues to be dispelled, consumers, businesses, and governments alike are likely to seek out fuel cells for a variety of purposes. The most common purpose that fuel cells have been put to use for in recent years involves transportation.