Bloom Energy received $400 million from Kleiner Perkins and others to develop its $800,000 fuel-cell power plant in a box, the Bloom Box:
The box consists of a stack of ceramic disks coated with green and black “inks.” The disks are separated by cheap metal alloy plates. Methane (or other hydrocarbons) and oxygen are fed in, the whole thing is heated up to 1,000 degrees Celsius, and electricity comes out. Bloom estimates that a box filled with 64 ceramic disks can produce enough juice to power a Starbucks.As of right now, Bloom isn’t angling for the residential market — the box is far too expensive. But major companies like eBay, Google, Staples, and FedEx have already secretly started using the boxes. So far, the Bloom Box has been a success — eBay has already saved $100,000 in electricity costs since its 5 boxes were installed nine months ago. EBay even claims that the boxes generate more power than the 3,000 solar panels at its headquarters.
So, a $4 million investment has saved $100,000 over nine months. Well then, it should pay for itself in “just” 30 years. (Does a Bloom Box last 30 years?)