Phase 1
Phase 1 is scheduled to take four years and has been divided into two periods. Period 1 will begin with efforts to resolve analytically and experimentally some of the key technical challenges. Siemens Power Generation will act as overall team leader and program coordinator. In addition, Siemens Power Generation will focus on cell development and will be responsible for designing and fabricating new high power density cell configurations, as well as examining and selecting materials for improved cell operating performance and capabilities, such as wider temperature range operation, sulfur tolerance and on-cell fuel reformation. Blasch will design and develop module components using new ceramic materials and focus especially on their ability to be mass-produced. FCT will concentrate on system design and component reduction, culminating in improved balance of plant systems to meet reliability, high efficiency and high volume cost goals. Period one will end with the testing of a proof of concept system in late 2004. Period 2 will focus further on performance improvements and low cost manufacturing, and culminate in the fabrication and testing in 2006 of a prototype SOFC system suitable for a variety of applications.
Phase 2
A three-year Phase 2 is planned. The development of cells and systems will continue, building on the Phase 1 work to focus on performance improvements and especially on cost reduction. A second prototype for small stationary applications will be developed and tested. The Phase 2 focus also will expand to include the capability of using liquid fuels for stationary and transportation applications. This will require the development of fuel processing systems for diesel and kerosene, and a prototype system will be demonstrated for auxiliary power units for transportation applications.
Phase 3
Phase 3, with a planned three-year duration, will focus on all-important cost reductions and also on any fuel cell or system improvements that may be needed to meet performance goals. Two pre-commercial prototype SOFC systems will be tested, one for small stationary and residential applications, the other an improved prototype for auxiliary power units for transportation applications. By the conclusion of Phase 3, the Siemens Power Generation team is committed to introducing commercial SOFC systems into the commercial power generation, military and transportation markets.