Australian fuel cell company, Ceramic Fuel Cells, claims a world-best 60% efficiency for one of its natural gas powered fuel cell home-heating systems, whilst exporting 1.5 W of electricity to the grid.

The high levels of efficiency are achieved because as the unit will be installed in homes there are no efficiency losses from electricity transmission or distribution. This latest announcement marks a 10% improvement in efficiency for the company’s products and represents the highest electrical efficiency ever achieved, worldwide, from any technology that converts hydrocarbon fuels into electricity, the company claims.

“This is not a laboratory test but a unit that has all the functions of a commercial unit for homes. Our company’s products will be located in the home, so 60% efficiency is at the power point, with no transmission or electricity distribution losses,” says CFL Managing Director, Brendan Dow.

For further information: www.cfcl.com.au/Assets/Files/20090219_CFCL_Announcement_60_percent_Efficiency.pdf