The science of the Bloom Box is the solid oxide fuel cell that is at its heart. It consists of an electrolyte made of ceramic. An anode and cathode made from special inks coat the top and bottom of the electrolyte, respectively. Natural gas or another kind of fuel is passed over the anode, while air or oxygen is passed over the cathode. Their subsequent reaction produces clean electricity.
The Bloom Box fuel cells are cost-effective and eco-friendly because they use a type of sand to create the ceramic electrolyte plate. Batteries and hydrogen cells, by contrast, use expensive metals such as platinum, or corrosive acids. Bloom Box fuel cells can also double the amount of electricity they produce compared to traditional methods, and they can use either renewable energy sources or natural gas or oil as their fuel source. Bloom Box fuel cells can generate electricity and store it for future use as well.
Each Bloom Box fuel cell generates 25 watts of electricity, enough to power one light bulb. For more power, the cells are stacked one upon another to create 1 kW of power with metal plates joining them together. A stack of 25 creates a module, and several of them together create a system. Each system can be used to furnish power to buildings, homes or whatever they are needed for.
Each individual Bloom Energy Server generates 100 kW of power. This can meet the electricity needs of a 30,000-square-foot office building or can feed power to 100 homes, according to the company website. Multiple Bloom Boxes can be added to the grid if more energy or electricity is required.