FuelCell Energy and Its Compicated Relationship With Natural Gas

FuelCell Energy wants to become a viable alternative to traditional power generation, but it's reliant on the prospects of its biggest competition: natural gas combustion.

By Tyler Crowe – Jul 17, 2014 at 1:05PM EST

If you are looking at fuel cell stocks and wondering whether FuelCell Energy (FCEL 1.91%), Ballard Power Systems (BLDP +2.07%), or Plug Power (PLUG 2.80%) will come out on top, just remember this: FuelCell Energy is the only one in this group that is betting solely on fuel cells as a means of power generation rather than energy storage.

While this does have some advantages for FuelCell, especially considering its molten carbonate technology -- efficient, but big and runs at very high temperatures -- it also means that FuelCell Energy has a rather complex relationship with its biggest competitor, natural gas turbines.

Tune into the video below to find out why FuelCell Energy needs to be more competitive than traditional natural gas combustion technology but at the same time be reliant on cheaper natural gas.

Tyler Crowe is a contributing Stock Market Analyst for The Motley Fool. He has worn several hats over the past 14 years with the Fool from analyzing stocks, writing about them, talking about them, coaching others about stock writing, and...you get the idea. Tyler's true passion is turing over stones to find the oddball investments with incredible wealth building potential. If he isn't nose-deep in a proxy statement, Tyler is probably skiing somewhere. Tyler holds an M.B.A. from Collège des Ingénieurs (Paris), a, M.S. in Environmental Engineering, a B.S. in Civil Engineering, and a B.S. in Foreign Affairs from the University of New Hampshire.

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FuelCell Energy and Its Compicated Relationship With Natural Gas

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