August 30th, 2010

Bloom Energy’s Bloom Box energy server was first thrust into the blogosphere back in February.  Bloom Energy’s revolutionary fuel cell technology could, in the foreseeable future, create generators that can power entire houses that are rather small in size.  Currently, the technology is only available to companies that can bear the multi-hundreds of thousands of dollars of cost.

Many people are going crazy over the innovation, and want to jump on board with what could be THE invention of our century. However, Bloom Energy is privately held, privately funded and not currently soliciting the average investor from main street.

Still yet, the technology is very cool.  It would allow families to reduce their carbon footprint AND live off the energy grid.  If nothing else, the “energy servers” would serve as great backups to power failures on the grid.

There are some skeptics of the project.  The Bloom Box uses natural gas, which is still a fossil fuel.  Furthermore, the unit emits carbon dioxide, which will still contribute some carbon footprints.

Some powerful names including Colin Powell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and venture capitalist John Doerr are associated with Bloom Energy.  In addition, companies such as eBay, Google, Coca-Cola, Staples, and Wal-mart have been cited to have been involved in pilot programs involving the Bloom Box.

After the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, there’s more proof that we need to end our dependence on fossil fuels. Although the Bloom Box uses fossil fuels, it’s still a great starting point for finding alternative energy sources.  This is a company to keep an eye on in the coming years. Who knows? Maybe one day we will be free from the electrical grid!