This article describes the recent development and commercialization of fuel cell technology in the world and in Fuji Electric as well. Fuji Electric is now holds a leading position in the field of phosphoric acid fuel cell plants in Japan and also shows excellent results in the development of high-performance molten carbonate fuel cells. There are some examples of our developments in phosphoric acid fuel cell plants illustrated: large-scale electric utility applications and small-scale on-site uses.

It is expected that the phosphoric acid fuel cell is most likely to be realized in the near future. Since 1981, Fuji Electric has continued its research and development activity for the 1,000kW PAFC power plant having been commissioned by NEDO (New Energy Development Organization). Recently, it has succeeded in 1,000kW power generation, having acquired many valuable experiences. This paper describes an outline of the plant, the results of researches, and future subjects.

In addition to independent researches into catalysts and electrodes from 1973, Fuji Electric being commissioned by New Energy Development Organization in 1981, has developed elementary technologies in connection with cooling, gas distribution, and stacking that includes clamping sealing, etc. On the basis of the above studies, two stacks of DC 260 kW for a 1,000 kW power plant were manufactured form 1984. The factory test results satisfied all the target values for initial cell characteristics, and also the life evaluation test using small cells now shows a good result after 13,000-hour operation.

The fuel processing system for the PAFC power plant, unlike the one for chemical industry, requires quick response to load fluctuation and compactness. This article outlines the elementary studies of combustion technology and dynamic characteristics carried out to meet the above requirements; also, it refers to the construction and field test results of the actual 1,000kW reformer.

There is the Inverter which converts DC output of the fuel cell into AC regulated power in the 1,000kW power plant described. The inverter is a quasi-24-pulse, voltage source type, phase controlled GTO inverter, having the following features: (1) high efficiency (>96%)､(2)low harmonic distortion (each order <1%､total <2%), (3)superior controllability for active and reactive power, (4) reliable protection against line and fuel cell faults, (5) extensibleness to a 10 MW class. This paper shows the configuration,
operation, output characteristics, and control of the inverter. Also it refers to the test results obtained at our works and The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Fuji Electric made a contract with Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. for joint research into a phosphoric acid fuel cell plant demonstrator in August,1985. A 50 kW PAFC power plant has been manufactured on contract. This plant, thought on a small scale, is planned as a modularized model for a future utility fuel cell power plant. It was the first home-produced pressurized type plant and put in demonstrating operation from May, 1987. Operation data is now obtained; this paper mainly introduces an outline of the equipment.

Fuji Electric has developed small-capacity fuel cell power units aiming at commercializing fuel cells quickly. They are of an air cooling type and use methanol as fuel
This paper describes the DC 4kW unit of The Hokuriku Electric Power Co., Inc. and the 4kW/5kVA unit of Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc. Which were manufactured before the development of general-use units and are now in operation, and also introduces the construction and standard specifications of small-capacity general-use fuel cells.

Fuji Electric is making efforts to put phosphoric fuel cells to commercial use early. This Paper mainly describes our research and development in the electrode with catalysts which seems to affect cell performance to a great extent. Especially, it refers to the electrode with carbon-supported platinum catalyst having a large surface area and small-size crystallites and its high performance obtained by improving catalyst composition and manufacturing process, and to the investigation of cell performance decay factors as well.

The molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) is expected as the second generation fuel cell that will follow the phosphoric acid one. Recently Fuji Electric has manufactured a 7kW, 24-cell MCFC stack with an electrode area of 2,500cm², which exceeds the performance target set by New Energy Developed Organization. IN order to complete this stack, we developed a new matrix fabricating method named paper-making method, which enabled us to produce large-sized matrixes with high capability for thermal cyclic service. The paper gives an outline of Fuji Electric's MCFC technology and subjects for future study.

The alkaline fuel cell is being developed mainly for special use, such as space ships in the United States. In Japan, Fuji Electric proceeded with researches into the electrode, cell structure, and system design for general-use cells. On the basis of these technologies, we have developed alkaline fuel cell for commercial use since 1985, and have carried out the manufacture and field test of an emergency power supply for CVCF. At
present, a transportable power supply demonstrator is under evaluation This paper gives an outline of the technology established so far and the present status of developments for commercial use.

Today natural gas or methanol is generally used for funnel in fuel cell power plants.
The article describes the special points that steam reformers for fuel cell power plants require, and introduces the technical development of reformers for small-capacity use and for on-site use.
The methanol steam reformer for on-site use referred to is now under development for the fuel cell generating system in solitary islands according to "Moonlight Project".

Various types of fuel cell plants have been developed and manufactured for demonstration. Fuji Electric also built a 50 kW on-site use plant and a 1,000 kW utility power plant has put in operation by way of demonstration.
Many technical problems still remain in putting fuel cells to commercial use, and the foremost obstruction is due to their high cost. Fuji Electric is striving for solving these problems to commercialize fuel cells quickly.