Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Apr. 30, 2018
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present our financial position and results of operations as of and for the six months ended April 30, 2018 have been included. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The balance sheet as of October 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but it does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended October 31, 2017, which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K previously filed with the SEC. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, revenue recognition, excess and obsolete inventories, product warranty costs, accruals for service agreements, allowance for uncollectible receivables, depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets, income taxes, and contingencies. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results in future periods may differ from those estimates.
Related Parties	Related Parties POSCO Energy Co., Ltd. (“POSCO Energy”) is a related party and owned approximately 3.0% of the outstanding common shares of the Company as of April 30, 2018. Revenues from POSCO Energy for the three months ended April 30, 2018 and 2017 represent approximately 4.0% and 7.0%, respectively, of consolidated revenues and revenues from POSCO Energy for the six months ended April 30, 2018 and 2017 represent approximately 3.0% and 8.0%, respectively, of consolidated revenues. NRG Energy, Inc. (“NRG”) is a related party and owned approximately 2.0% of the outstanding common shares of the Company as of April 30, 2018. NRG Yield, Inc. (“NRG Yield”) is a dividend growth-oriented company formed by NRG that owns, operates and acquires a diversified portfolio of contracted renewable and conventional generation and thermal infrastructure assets in the United States. Revenues from NRG and NRG Yield for the three months ended April 30, 2018 and 2017 represent approximately 52.0% and 0.3%, respectively, of consolidated revenues and revenues for the six months ended April 30, 2018 and 2017 represent approximately 18.1% and 0.4%, respectively, of consolidated revenues.
Accounts Receivable, Net	Accounts Receivable, Net We bill customers for power plant and power plant component sales based on certain contractual milestones being reached. We bill service agreements based on the contract price and billing terms of the contracts. Generally, our Advanced Technologies contracts are billed based on actual recoverable costs incurred, typically in the month subsequent to incurring costs. Some Advanced Technologies contracts are billed based on contractual milestones or costs incurred. Unbilled recoverable costs relate to revenue recognized on customer contracts that have not been billed.
Inventories	Inventories Raw materials consist mainly of various nickel powders and steels, various other components used in producing cell stacks and purchased components for balance of plant. Work-in-process inventory is comprised of material, labor, and overhead costs incurred to build balance of plant components, fuel cell stacks and modules, which are subcomponents of a power plant.

Disclosure of accounting policy for trade and other accounts receivable, and finance, loan and lease receivables, including those classified as held for investment and held for sale. This disclosure may include (1) the basis at which such receivables are carried in the entity's statements of financial position (2) how the level of the valuation allowance for receivables is determined (3) when impairments, charge-offs or recoveries are recognized for such receivables (4) the treatment of origination fees and costs, including the amortization method for net deferred fees or costs (5) the treatment of any premiums or discounts or unearned income (6) the entity's income recognition policies for such receivables, including those that are impaired, past due or placed on nonaccrual status and (7) the treatment of foreclosures or repossessions (8) the nature and amount of any guarantees to repurchase receivables.