How much does BlueGen cost?
The current price for a BlueGen unit including installation is $45,000 for a 2 year contract (the same price given to the Victorian Government for 30 units). After 2 years, users would be able to extend their contract a further 3 years at a cost of around $24,000. Further contracts will be offered after 5 years out to 15 years, with pricing dependent on fuel stack prices. Current BlueGen pricing reflects the small volumes available, and the fact that early units will likely be sold to large customers like energy utilities and Governments.
Is BlueGen available for purchase?
Yes. To purchase a BlueGen unit, please contact a Neco Green Living Consultant on 1300 882 640 1300 882 640. A deposit of 20 per cent of the total purchase price is required to confirm your order. Delivery dates will be dependent on manufacturing lead times, and the time taken to obtain local approval for the units. Approvals have only been granted in Victoria at this stage, but other jurisdications are likely to follow based on Victoria’s lead.
Does BlueGen need to be connected to the grid?
Yes. BlueGen is not available as a stand-alone power solution. Like a grid-connect solar power system, it is connected to the electricity grid at all times. In the event of a general power failure or blackout, BlueGen will disconnect itself in a similar way to a grid-connect solar power system. BlueGen systems that can operate independent of the grid in conjunction with a battery bank may be available in the future.
Can I run BlueGen off a gas cylinder or other type of fuel?
No. BlueGen needs to be connected to a reticulated natural gas supply. BlueGen is not compatible with LPG or any other type of fuel at this stage.
Is BlueGen suitable for hydronic heating?
BlueGen produces around 200L of hot water throughout the day. A hydronic heating system typically requires around 450L of hot water. It is possible to use BlueGen to supplement a hydronic heating system, however a larger boiler and booster would be required.
I already have a solar power system. Can I also install BlueGen?
Yes. Your solar power system and BlueGen use their own inverters, and are individually wired to your power supply board.
I already have a solar hot water system. Can BlueGen be integrated to work with it?
Yes. BlueGen can feed water into compatible existing solar hot water services. Speak to a Neco Green Living Consultant to find out if your tank is compatible.
How much gas does BlueGen use?
At its maximum output (2kW of electricity) the BlueGen uses about 12.6 MJ of natural gas per hour. At its typical operation, generating 1.5kW of electricity, BlueGen uses about 9.5 MJ of gas per hour. By comparison, a 5-star gas storage hot water service can use anywhere between 30-50MJ of gas per hour.
What is the payback on BlueGen?
The payback period on a BlueGen unit is dependent on a range of factors, including purchase price, maintenance costs, electricity and gas tariffs, and energy consumption at your site. We have put together some scenarios based on our own modelling at Neco as a guide. Stay tuned for more details.
What feed-in tariffs are available for BlueGen?
There are presently no legislated feed-in tariffs for BlueGen. CFCL are currently lobbying various tiers of Government to ensure BlueGen owners receive some payment for any surplus electricity they export to the grid. Persons or organisations who install BlueGen units will need to negotiate with their electricity supplier for feed-in payments in the interim.
Can I receive RECs for BlueGen?
No. Unfortunately BlueGen is not considered to be a renewable energy source, and hence it is not eligible for RECs. Sounds crazy when items like heat pumps – which are powered entirely by electricity – are eligible for RECs. Stay tuned for our BlueGen RECs petition.
Can I be involved in trials of BlueGen?
Yes. We are looking for government organisations and other interested parties to be early BlueGen adopters. Whilst we are happy to take expressions of interest from residential customers interested in BlueGen trials, our focus for the next period is predominantly non-residential customers.
What are the ongoing maintenance costs of BlueGen?
BlueGen is like a car – it requires some maintenance to keep it operating safely and efficiently. BlueGen requires an annual service to replace consumables like filters. What is replaced will depend on the age of the unit. Every 3-5 years, the key component of the unit, the fuel cell stack, will also need to be replaced. Maintenance costs will be smoothed out over the life of the unit, and will be offered as part of the contract of sale.
How much CO2 can BlueGen save?
The CSIRO has recently completed a
report that compares BlueGen’s CO2 emissions with that of the grid, and that of solar PV. BlueGen will generally produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than solar PV where the PV system is still drawing on the grid for excess power needs.
Can multiple units be connected in series?
Yes. Multiple BlueGen units can be connected to produce even greater outputs and even more hot water. Provided you have the gas supply, multiple BlueGen units can be connected in series. And BlueGen is compact compared to some other fuel cells or gas turbine solutions on the market.
What can I expect as a BlueGen early adopter?
As a BlueGen early adopter you will have early and unique access to cutting-edge technology. You will also play an important role in further developing the product offering, and its go-to-market position. As an early adopter, you may also experience some problems, risks, and annoyances common to early-stage product testing and deployment, however you will receive attentive assistance and support through any such issues.
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