Bloom Energy

              The main contributor to our energy crisis today is our homes. We receive energy from a “grid” which is connected to a power plant. Even if we don’t need energy, the plant will just keep running, wasting a lot of energy. And by the time that energy travels from the plant to our homes, a lot of it is lost. So the only way to compensate for this lost energy is to find a way to get energy away from the “grid” and closer to our homes. Bloom energy is the plausible energy source for the future because it has no emissions and energy is not lost when it reaches our homes.

            The basis of bloom energy is a small fuel cell, about the thickness of a piece of paper. They are squares made of silicon that use oxygen and natural gas to create energy with no emissions. Each fuel cell supplies about 25W of energy, enough to power a small light bulb. The fuel cells are then stacked into brick-sized towers connected by metal alloy plates. 64 “bricks” of fuel cells would be enough to power a small restaurant or supermarket. Large corporations like Google, FedEx and EBay are already using this technology to supply their energy.

            The advantages of Bloom Energy are endless. First, transportation is not a big issue like it is in the grid. The energy will be released from the fuel cells whenever it is needed, so that it can’t be wasted. There are also smaller chances for power outages to occur across an entire area because Bloom Energy is completely individual. Finally, Bloom Energy is harmless to the environment. Unlike modern day coal plants, the fuel cells do not emit any dangerous chemicals to the atmosphere. Bloom Energy is both clean and efficient and is definitely a possible energy source for our homes and businesses across the world.