Sussex research company Ceres Power has teamed up with British Gas to create the first mass market fuel cell-powered domestic boiler.

The partnership means households could get both heat and electricity from the same boiler - and cut energy bills as a result.

The boilers will run on gas-powered "fuel cells" which do not need a pilot light or use combustion and have the potential to reduce C02 emissions.

Instead they use an electro-chemical reaction, generating between 30 and 50 per cent less carbon dioxide than a standard household boiler.

Researchers at Crawley-based Ceres Power have been developing the wafer-thin fuel cells for about 15 years.

Each one is around the size of a CD case and about half the thickness of a human hair. They stack to create a cube-shaped generator which can replace the burner unit in domestic boilers.

A six-inch stack of the cells can provide heat, hot water, and enough electricity to power a TV, DVD player, computer, fridge, freezer and lights.

Each cell consists of three separate layers - a cathode, anode and electrolyte. An electro-chemical reaction takes place when gas and air pass over it. This generates both heat and electricity.

The new boilers will be powered via the existing domestic gas supply. This means they could be installed in UK households within five years, British Gas said. It would not disclose how much it planned to invest in the project.

Dominic Shorrocks, director of new businesses at British Gas Home Services, said: "Making green energy a reality is a core part of our strategy. This technology will be like having a mini power station in the kitchen and could help our customers save money."

Ceres Power chairman Philip Holbeche said the fuel cell boilers would be extremely safe to use because they won't use combustion or emit fumes.

He said: "It would use the same amount of gas but you would get electricity as a bonus, and so buy less electricity. You get both outputs for the one input. It is potentially a revolution in the way we deal with energy."

The fuel cells can potentially be powered using hydrogen.

Aim-listed Ceres Power is also developing ways of using fuel cells to replace power generators in rural areas and to provide electricity in cars and lorries.

Ceres was formed in 2001 by researches at Imperial College London and was singled out for praise by Prime Minister Tony Blair in a speech on climate change last year.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005