Ballard fuel cell batteries power South Korea’s electricity grid via waste-to-energy system

GS Platech's waste-to-energy pilot plant in Cheongsong, Korea said it will incorporate Ballard Power Systems' fuel cell stacks to power the South Korean electricity grid. The stacks were supplied by Ballard's backup power systems company Dantherm Power.

The power plant uses plasma gasification technology capable of producing hydrogen to produce 50 kilowatts of power. The process involves using electricity to heat garbage to a point that it breaks down to basic, often gaseous, component.

Syngas, a gas seen as a possible alternative to replace natural gas, is produced exclusively from organic materials.

"This is the first ever demonstration of a waste-to-energy system incorporating both of these technologies. The successful operation of the system is a significant milestone in the development of waste-to-energy solutions and speaks to our strong partnership with GS Platech," said Jesper Themsen, chief executive at Dantherm.

The project was done as a national research project by the Korean Ministry of Knowledge and Economy with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the Department of the Environment, under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.

Source: Jhoanna Frances S. Valdez, EcoSeed