Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Plug Power Fuel Cells (PLUG) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Fisherman1 who wrote (59)	3/27/2000 7:02:00 PM
From: Erik T	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 83

estimates for 2003? What happened to 2001? Oh yeah, they still don't actually have a commercial product. Although, I am sure they are close. A GAS TURBINE can NOT be more environmentally friendly than a non combustion fuel cell. I guess if you did not read or believe my earlier references you are unlikely to do so now. The reformer throws off minor CO2. The CO2 produced is directly related to the amount of energy used. There is no way to avoid the CO2 when you are using hydrocarbons as the fuel. Efficiency is a determinant of CO2 production in relation to how much energy is procuced. 40% efficiency is very good. Most advanced turbines for distributed power also provide 40% electrical efficiency (Solar Turbines and Pratt & Whitney Canada being just two such manufacturers) and cost less per KW to deploy. And I know you don't believe me, but their turbines are capable of lower emissions than Plug's fuel cell. But, maybe you meant CO. Of course the CO is 25X higher than an advanced gas turbine system, and that CO is produced in your backyard with the fuel cell. And Hot water to heat the home How much extra to capture the waste heat? But the real question regarding whether PLUG is overvalued lies elsewhere. PLUG is NOT overvalued given the GE connection. This statement, I just do not understand. GE has agreed to act as a distributor and service the units. If GE sells one unit, they make money. This is not the case for PLUG. Sure GE will sell them, but GE does not have to sell several hundred thousand a year to make money. How many units do you think Plug has to sell and by when to justify the current price? How many units do you think they have manufacturing capacity for right now? Will they need additional manufacturing to achieve a large enough economy of scale to achieve a profit? Thinking about the US market, there are about 140 million households. How many of those are apartments/condos/townhomes that are very unlikely to use a residential fuel cell? How many are homes occupied by folks unlikely to be able to afford a residential fuel cell? Among the remainder how many will be willing to completely disconnect from the electric grid? Otherwise your "savings" are eroded because you must still pay for the baseline connection charges. 1/3rd of the USA pays more for electricity than the plug cell will deliver (including ROI on investment) Does this include the yearly maintenance charges and major overhaul every four years? By the way, could you provide me a link to this statistic? Erik (IMO)