Posco Energy deploys FuelCell Energy's tech for a 20 MW CHP plant in South Korea with poor results

November 22, 2018 | Case Study

South Korea is that global leader in stationary fuel cell deployment with nearly 300 MW of systems installed and new large plants on the order of 50 MW continue to be announced. The country has a notoriously mountainous terrain that makes meeting siting requirements for solar and wind difficult, putting more value in alternatives that have a smaller footprint. The government made an early 230 MW target for combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell systems in 2012, and is now supporting a broad roll-out of fuel cells for transportation with a $2.3 billion commitment. Under this environment, energy producer Posco Energy developed a 20 MW CHP plant with FuelCell Energy's technology, molten carbonate fuel cells in 2017. Posco Energy licensed the technology from FuelCell Energy at the time, but Posco Energy has since canceled a memorandum of understanding between the companies after significant losses.