- Tri-generation Direct FuelCell® power plants generate
hydrogen, ultra-clean electricity and usable high quality heat at
the point of use
- On-site hydrogen production from stationary fuel cell
power plants a way to develop hydrogen infrastructure
FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL) a leading manufacturer of
ultra-clean, efficient and reliable fuel cell power plants, today
announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Air
Products (NYSE:APD) to work toward the market development of
stationary Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) power plants that simultaneously
produce hydrogen, ultra-clean electricity and usable high quality
heat. Target markets for these tri-generation stationary fuel cell
power plants include industrial hydrogen users as well as vehicle
fueling applications.
A photo accompanying this release is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12016
"On-site or distributed co-production of hydrogen in a cost
effective and efficient manner from stationary fuel cell power
plants represents tremendous market potential," said Ed Kiczek,
global director – Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products.
"Hydrogen is an alternative fuel that can simultaneously reduce a
country's dependence on imported oil and significantly reduce
greenhouse gas emissions."
The initiative seeks to develop a market for tri-generation
megawatt-class power plants around the world. Industrial users of
hydrogen can utilize all three of the DFC revenue streams including
hydrogen, electricity and heat. On-site or local production of
hydrogen and electricity eliminates the delivery costs incurred by
industrial companies while enhancing security and reliability of
supply.
"By combining our industry-leading fuel cell technology and
expertise with the market reach, hydrogen processing, and
distribution capabilities of Air Products, together we can create
the hydrogen infrastructure with a solution that is ready today,"
said Chip Bottone, President and Chief Executive Officer, FuelCell
Energy, Inc. "Our stationary fuel cell power plants are quite
versatile and this initiative represents what we expect to be an
efficient and cost effective manner of providing on-site hydrogen
production in an environmentally friendly manner."
Distributed generation of hydrogen could help to enable hydrogen
infrastructure development by producing hydrogen in locations
convenient for end-uses such as vehicle fueling or industrial
use. Fueling operations or neighboring facilities can utilize
the ultra-clean electricity and high quality heat
produced. Using DFC power plants to generate hydrogen near the
point of use supports domestic jobs while promoting energy
independence as DFC plants are designed and manufactured in the
United States and utilize abundant natural gas as a fuel
source.
FuelCell Energy and Air Products are already working together on
a three year hydrogen production project in California, which began
in 2011. Under subcontract to Air Products, FuelCell Energy is
operating a DFC power plant at an Orange County Sanitation District
wastewater treatment facility near Los Angeles. The project,
funded in part by the United States Department of Energy,
California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management
District, Southern California Gas Company, and also involving the
National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California,
Irvine, is providing renewable hydrogen for vehicle fueling along
with ultra-clean electricity. The power plant efficiently
converts biogas generated from the wastewater treatment process
into renewable hydrogen for a nearby vehicle fueling station
operated by Air Products, as well as ultra-clean electricity used
by the wastewater treatment facility.
FuelCell Energy manufactures stationary fuel cell power plants
that provide continuous baseload power in a highly efficient and
environmentally friendly process. DFC power plants are fuel
flexible, using readily available fuel sources such as clean
natural gas or renewable biogas. These fuels are converted to
hydrogen by the fuel cell process. The electro-chemical power
generation process does not utilize all of the hydrogen generated
by the fuel cells so the excess hydrogen can be used to meet other
demands such as vehicle fueling or industrial purposes. Due to
the absence of combustion in the fuel cell power generation
process, virtually no pollutants are emitted such as nitrogen
oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), or particulate matter, resulting
in ultra-clean power generation.
Air Products, a leading global supplier of hydrogen to
refineries to assist in the production of cleaner burning
transportation fuels, has unique experience in the hydrogen fueling
industry. The company has placed over 130 hydrogen fueling
stations in the United States and 19 countries worldwide.
Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives,
planes, cell towers, material handling equipment, and even
submarines have been fueled with technologies that involve Air
Products' know-how, equipment and hydrogen. Use of the
company's technology is increasing and is currently over 370,000
hydrogen fills per year.
Air Products has more than 50 years of hydrogen experience and
is on the forefront of hydrogen energy technology development.
Air Products has an extensive patent portfolio with over 50
patents in hydrogen dispensing technology. Air Products
provides liquid and gaseous hydrogen, and HCNG (hydrogen/compressed
natural gas) fueling, and has developed a variety of enabling
devices and protocols for fuel dispensing at varied
pressures. Hydrogen for these stations can be delivered to a
site via truck, produced by natural gas reformation, biomass
conversion, or by electrolysis, including electrolysis that is
solar and wind driven.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) provides atmospheric, process and
specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology.
For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more
productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 18,000
employees in over 40 countries supply innovative solutions to the
energy, environment and emerging markets. These include
semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification,
natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In
fiscal 2011, Air Products had sales of $10.1 billion. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
About FuelCell Energy
Direct FuelCell® power plants are generating ultra-clean,
efficient and reliable power at more than 50 locations
worldwide. With over 180 megawatts of power generation
capacity installed or in backlog, FuelCell Energy is a global
leader in providing ultra-clean baseload distributed generation to
utilities, industrial operations, universities, municipal water
treatment facilities, government installations and other customers
around the world. The Company's power plants have generated
more than one billion kilowatt hours of ultra-clean power using a
variety of fuels including renewable biogas from wastewater
treatment and food processing, as well as clean natural gas.
For more information please visit our website at
www.fuelcellenergy.com
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding the Company's plans and expectations regarding
the continuing development, commercialization and financing of its
fuel cell technology and business plans. All forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors
that could cause such a difference include, without limitation,
general risks associated with product development, manufacturing,
changes in the regulatory environment, customer strategies,
potential volatility of energy prices, rapid technological change,
competition, and the Company's ability to achieve its sales plans
and cost reduction targets, as well as other risks set forth in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the
date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any
obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or
revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the
Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Direct FuelCell, DFC, DFC/T, DFC-H2 and FuelCell Energy, Inc.
are all registered trademarks of FuelCell Energy, Inc. DFC-ERG is a
registered trademark jointly owned by Enbridge, Inc. and FuelCell
Energy, Inc.
The FuelCell Energy, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3284
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
CONTACT: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
Kurt Goddard, Vice President Investor Relations
203-830-7494
ir@fce.com
Air Products
Art George, Communications and Public Relations Manager
610-481-1340
georgeaf@airproducts.com
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