With all the current hoopla about Bloom Energy’s unveiling of a clean “power plant in a box,” it’s important to step back and look critically at the context in which this device is launching. An affordable solution for cleaner, efficient distributed power would indeed be game-changing, but two factors give me pause:
1) Cost: At $700,000-$800,000 each currently, this isn’t an easy purchase for businesses, let alone individuals, despite generous tax incentives. Back in 2006, BusinessWeek reported that Bloom Energy was trying to get the price below $10,000 each. Now they’re aiming for ~$3,000. Ambitious, to say the least.
2) Competition: Bloom Energy is hardly the only well-funded company with the same goals. earth2tech.com has a good round-up of “10 Fuel Cell Startups Hot on Bloom Energy’s Trail.” (The Bloom Box may have the catchiest name and the best PR, however.)
Given the level of secrecy surrounding Bloom Energy for the past seven years (and John Doerr’s continued enthusiasm), I wouldn’t be surprised if more tantalizing details emerge soon. I’ll be following them closely and rooting for the Bloom Box’s success, for an affordable power plant in a box would bring tremendous benefits not only to our congested grid but also to developing countries who currently make do with highly-polluting, expensive diesel generators.
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