CBR CORE Clean Power Fuel Cell Hubs convert bio-butanol, ethanol and bio-hydrogen into modular, near-zero-emission Fuel Cells electricity through three complementary pathways: Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells (DAFC), Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). The hubs first meet the biorefinery’s own power demand; any surplus can be exported to critical infrastructure or local community loads.

These fuels are produced from residual C5, C6 and C12 sugars left after food-grade recovery. C5 sugars are five-carbon pentoses (such as ribose, deoxyribose and xylose) with the (formula C5H10O5). C6 sugars are six-carbon hexoses (such as glucose, fructose and galactose) with the (formula C6H12O6). C12 sugars are disaccharides formed from two hexose units (formula C12H22O11), the most common being sucrose, lactose and maltose. Because these residual streams already form part of the platform’s zero-waste design, the resulting electricity carries the same renewable and circular attributes.

The CBR’s modular architecture allows capacity to scale from simple facility self-sufficiency to multi-megawatt community support. Each fuel-cell technology is matched to the available fuel molecules and operating profile: DAFC for direct alcohol oxidation, PEM for high-purity hydrogen (with water as the sole by-product), and SOFC for high-efficiency operation on hydrogen or reformed alcohols. The result is flexible, dispatch-able clean power that improves overall plant economics and operational resilience.

By converting residual sugar streams into on-site and exportable electricity, the Clean Power Fuel Cell Hubs strengthen both energy independence for the biorefinery and low-emission resilience for surrounding communities.