The world’s first solid oxide fuel cell unit, running on landfill gas, has successfully concluded the first phase of its validation programme. The power generating unit, which is developed and run by Wärtsilä, has been operating for more than 1500 hours producing electricity with extremely low emissions to households in Vaasa, Finland.

Operation of the Wärtsilä FC20 fuel cell power unit at Wärtsilä’s New Energy validation site in Vaasa, Finland, has been extremely successful. The WFC20, which is developed and operated by Wärtsilä, is the first of its kind in the world. The unit is run on methane rich gas, originating from a nearby landfill. Methane is a strong greenhouse gas that would otherwise be harmful to the environment. The WFC20 is based on planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, which is supplied by the Danish company Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S. Wärtsilä is one of the world’s leading companies in the development of fuel cell products based on SOFC technology.

The demonstrated energy efficiency has reached very high levels, exhaust gas emissions are extremely low, and the unit has been able to operate consistently despite the bio gas having low and fluctuating methane content. The fuel cell unit produces an electric output of approximately 20 kW, which is enough to power approximately 10 households in the area. The thermal output of the unit ranges from 14 to 17 kW.