Richmond, Virginia — The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) is expanding its research program on propane use. The Alternative Technology Demonstration and Research Program will now include solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) as part of its data collection.
The research program collects data from participating commercial and industrial businesses to inform research about propane use, specifically with the adoption of propane-powered cooling and combined heat and power (CHP) equipment.
With this announcement, the Alternative Technology Demonstration and Research Program is seeking participants to test the qualifying equipment. Participants are entitled to the following compensation for testing the qualifying equipment:
- $20,000 per site for solid oxide fuel cells
- $30,000 for propane CHP units greater than 15kW
- $12,000 for propane CHP units less than 15kW
- $300/ton for propane cooling equipment ranging from light commercial (5T-25T) to heavy commercial (100T+)
Interested participants can visit Propane.com/AltTech to determine eligibility and to complete a brief application describing their operations and equipment.
As stated in the press release, “SOFCs convert the energy of fuels such as propane into electricity and heat through electrochemical reactions. The result is a highly efficient power generation system that runs quietly and cleanly, producing far fewer emissions than popular diesel systems.”
The press release adds that, “Propane-powered CHP units enhance energy efficiency by capturing heat that would otherwise be wasted during electricity generation. This advanced technology can significantly reduce energy costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide reliable on-site power, making it an ideal choice for commercial applications.”