Fuel cells are an environmentally clean, quiet and highly efficient method for generating electricity and heat from natural gas and other fuels. Many utilities and energy service providers see fuel cells as an attractive opportunity for growth, and many companies are heavily involved in fuel cell development programs. It is projected that the costs of generating electricity through fuel cells will become competitive with traditional electricity-generating methods over the next 3 to 4 year - a prerequisite for successful fuel cell commercialization.

In this report, industry experts discuss why and how energy corporations should capitalize on fuel cell opportunities. These include increasing revenues by installing and/or leasing fuel cell systems and protecting the company from future customer loss, revenue erosion and interconnection obstacles. In particular, the report covers topics such as:

• Fundamental design and operational principles of fuel cells, applications and technology advances
• Leverage of funding and development programs to reduce costs of fuel cell implementation
• Joint ventures with fuel cell developers and manufacturers
• Market drivers for fuel cell systems
• Ways to achieve economies of scale
• Implications of federal, regional and state policy initiatives
• Competition with grid-supplied power
• Implications of future generation portfolio standards
• Ways to address interconnection challenges
• Five case studies on real-world fuel cell applications
• Economic comparison between fuel cell and other electricity-generating systems

Report Format

• 175 pages of transcripts and commentaries
• 50+ exhibits
• 50+ web links
• Fully indexed and searchable for
  easy navigation
• Available as CD-ROM and a printed hardcopy

Who Should Read This Report?

Executives working in Strategic Planning, R&D, Marketing, or Business Development Departments of Natural Gas or Electricity Companies, Consultants and Suppliers to Utilities

Publication Date - December, 1999

Price - $1,790