July-August 2009

From: Breaking New Ground

Any Time, Any Place

Fuels Can Adapt to a Variety of Situations

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Photo: UTC Power Whole Foods is one of many commercial sites using fuel cells.

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A look at some other successful fuel cell installations:

  • Established in 1894 as Riverview Park Zoo, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo prides itself on its leadership in animal conservation and research. The zoo was also among the earliest adopters to apply hydrogen fuel cell technology (although now zoos from Los Angeles, CA to New York City, NY have followed suit with their own fuel cell technology). Fuel cells are a good fit for zoos, because, unlike a noisy generator, fuel cells are quiet and clean, and do not interfere with efforts to keep animals comfortable while recreating their natural environment. Supplied by UTC Power, the unit cost $800,000, with $200,000 covered by a US Department of Energy grant.
  • One of a handful of primary and secondary schools to have earned LEED certification, the Middletown High School and Vocational Agricultural Center depends upon a             200-kW fuel cell to provide continuous power and generate significant energy savings. Additionally, the fuel cell’s clean waste heat is captured and used in the school’s building and its swimming pool, further reducing energy costs
  • When it debuted in March 2008, the Whole Foods Market in Glastonbury, CT contained 46,000 square-feet of floor space and one onsite hydrogen fuel cell. The Glastonbury store made history on opening day, becoming the first supermarket in the country to get most of its power from an onsite hydrogen fuel cell. Best of all, this allows Whole Foods to reduce its dependence on the local electrical grid, while simultaneously reducing potential greenhouse gas emissions. The store’s fuel cell is designed to generate 50% of the store’s energy and nearly 100% of its hot water needs.
  • In June of last year, The New York Power Authority installed 12 fuel cells to be used in the Freedom Tower and three other new towers now under construction at the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan. The 12 fuel cells are designed to provide 4.8 MW of power for the towers. Combined, the systems will rank as one of the largest installations of fuel cells in the world. Officials tasked with shepherding the project to completion eventually chose fuel cells because of their energy efficiency, and they currently are less expensive than other renewable energy options like solar.

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