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Indian-born K.R. Sridhar is the Chief Executive Officer of Bloom Energy. The company is in the news today for introducing the Bloom Box, a small energy "server" that promises to revolutionize energy production. According to CNET:
At the heart of the box is the Bloom fuel cell, shown here. Bloom Energy says the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology provides a cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable alternative to both today's electric grid as well as traditional renewable energy sources. The box provides distributed power generation, allowing customers to efficiently create their own electricity on site, the company said.
The company already has an impressive list of customers including Wal-Mart, Staples, and Coca-Cola. You can get a look at the technology by viewing a recent 60 Minutes segment where Sridhar was interviewed.
Sridhar comes to Bloom Energy after working for NASA - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration. At NASA, he planned strategies for nanotechnology use and planetary travel. Fortune Magazine recently named him as one of the top 5 futurists in the US.
Not so fast. It still uses fuel from one end and oxygen from another. When such fuel cell is in mass production, its bound to use fossil fuel for energy source. This is not clean energy initiative. Its suppose to reduce cost of grid and loss of transportation of electricity.
I can see potential in developing countries where lack of proper govt infrastructure results in improper energy sources and hinders lifestyle development. But in developed countries I just think it will just result into hobby for some rich corporations and hollywood actors.