Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL) has received a conditional
order for 30 BlueGen gas-to-electricity generators from the Victorian
government’s Office of Housing, which will install the units in public housing
properties in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. The project will
demonstrate the operation of the units and the benefits to tenants that result
from the generation of low-emission power and hot water for the home.
The Victorian Government announced the $1.35 million project
as part of its Jobs for the Future Economy: Green Jobs Action Plan. The funding
for the Green Jobs package, including the purchase of the BlueGen units, is
conditional on the Victorian Parliament approving changes to the landfill
levies proposed by the government. The project is also conditional on the
Office of Housing and Ceramic Fuel Cells jointly agreeing a model for the
delivery of future BlueGen maintenance services. Provided these conditions are
met, the 30 BlueGen units would be installed from late 2010 to early 2011.
“We are delighted with the Victorian government’s
significant order for our BlueGen units and we look forward to deploying the
units across the state,” said Brendan Dow, CFCL’s managing director. “We are
confident the Victorian government will become an important strategic customer
of Ceramic Fuel Cells, and that their involvement will assist with building
momentum for the take-up of our units, both in Australia and overseas.
“The Federal Government recently suggested that Australia
will need to invest at least $100 billion in electricity infrastructure during
the next decade in order to meet growing demand for electricity and replace
aging infrastructure. Under the current system of centralized electricity
production and distribution, the primary reason for increases in electricity
prices is the cost of power production and distribution infrastructure.
“A smarter alternative, one that is gaining traction
particularly in Europe, is distributed
generation-the creation of power close to where it is used. A network of highly
efficient gas-powered electricity generators installed in homes, offices,
buildings and factories is significantly less expensive because it dramatically
reduces reliance on large capital cost infrastructure.”
In announcing the project, Victorian Housing Minister
Richard Wynne said, “The truly exciting thing about BlueGen is that it is
highly energy efficient and produces very low levels of greenhouse gases.
That’s not only a win for the environment, but also a win for public housing
tenants through lower gas and electricity bills.”
For more information, visit
www.cfcl.com.au
or
www.vic.gov.au.
