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Fuel Cell Marvel "Bloom Box" Gaining Momentum

Many sources are continuing to excitedly report on the latest in a long line of startups chasing the holy grail of power sources. This incarnation, the "Bloom Box" from Bloom Energy, promises a power-plant-in-a-box that you can literally put in your backyard, and has received backing from companies like eBay, Google, Staples, FedEx, and Walmart. CBS recently aired an exclusive interview with K.R. Sridhar about his shiny new box. "So what is a Bloom Box exactly? Well, $700,000 to $800,000 will buy you a 'corporate sized' unit. Inside the box are a unique kind of fuel cell consisting of ceramic disks coated with green and black 'inks.' The inks somehow transform a stream of methane (or other hydrocarbons) and oxygen into power, when the box heats up to its operating temperature of 1,000 degrees Celsius. To get a view of the cost and benefits, eBay installed 5 of the boxes nine months ago. It says it has saved $100,000 USD on energy since."

12 of 562 comments (clear)

  1. REq by binarylarry · · Score: 4, Funny

    K.R. Sridhar's only response when questioned how it worked was: "Who run Barter Town?"

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  2. Amazing by Hatta · · Score: 3, Funny

    A box that converts hydrocarbons to energy? What will they think of next?

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  3. Re:Payback period? by skirmish666 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You're forgetting about the seller listing & paypal fees

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  4. The Secret Ink... by jeillah · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...is made from Energizer Bunny blood!!!

  5. Retro by NEDHead · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'll be in line when it can fit on my shoulder, and I can dance in my plaid bellbottoms and funky shades

  6. Methane Powered? by The+Insane+One · · Score: 2, Funny

    Excellent! Mine will be self-powered.

  7. Regardless eBay appears to be very happy with them by Astrorunner · · Score: 3, Funny

    They did rate BloomBox as "A+++++++++ Would buy from again!"

  8. Re:Payback period? by Dalambertian · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm guessing you don't tip very well ;)

  9. obligatory... by gyranthir · · Score: 5, Funny

    Cubert: Your explanations are pure weapons grade balognium. It's all impossible. Professor Farnsworth: Nothing is impossible. Not if you can imagine it. That's what being a scientist is all about. Cubert: No, that's what being a magical elf is all about.

  10. Re:Payback period? by Red+Flayer · · Score: 3, Funny

    In the same way, individual yeast in a jar of sugar water will ferment, ferment, ferment until the alcohol concentration is so high it kills them all. Each yeast is just doing what it needs to survive.

    Great. Now I'm *really* conflicted. Most of the time I lament the tragedy of the commons, because it really does lead to ragedy. But now every time I drink a bottle-conditioned beer I'm going to *celebrate* it instead.

    Here's to you, Mr. Conflicted-about-processes-leading-to-delicious-imbibables-man.

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  11. Re:Payback period? by afidel · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, because Google and ebay already have RAED (redundant array of expensive datacenters).

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  12. Re:Self-hosted? by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 2, Funny

    Are those the guys who announced a partnership with GE a decade ago to put fridge-sized fuel cells in people's basements within a year?
    Man, what a disappointment that turned out to be.

    yeah, they helped me get smarter about investing in vapor.

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