Fuel Cell Micro-Grid Reducing University Operating Costs and Supporting Community Energy Reliance
July 12 2017 - 8:30AM
FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL), a global leader in
delivering clean, innovative and affordable fuel cell solutions for
the supply, recovery and storage of energy, today announced the
completion of a megawatt-class fuel cell micro-grid at the
University of Bridgeport after successfully proving its
grid-independent operation. The 1.4 megawatt fuel cell power
plant, which is located at the University, supplies predictable
ultra-clean power to the electric grid under normal operation and
then automatically switches to a grid-independent mode in the event
of a grid disturbance, supplying critical University facilities
with continuous power. This community-focused micro-grid was
tested by temporarily disconnecting the University from the
electric grid with the fuel cell power plant shifting to a
grid-independent operating mode and powering the school’s critical
infrastructure, reverting back to grid interconnected status at the
end of the test. Accordingly, the completion and
implementation of this micro-grid enhances the value proposition
for on-site fuel cells and further benefits the University and the
local Bridgeport community.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/523335f0-c6a5-4a7d-b8b5-87f36dbd5153
“This is a win-win for all,” said UB President Neil A. Salonen.
“The much-anticipated installation of the fuel cell on campus is
cutting our energy costs, uses clean and efficient fuel cells that
protect our students and the environment, and as a designated
community shelter, provides critical energy to all.”
“The University of Bridgeport micro-grid project is a perfect
example of the value of our micro-grid grant program,” said
Commissioner Robert Klee, Connecticut Department Energy and
Environmental Protection. “With the support of funding we
have provided, this micro-grid helps power the campus with reliable
and affordable power on a 24/7 basis, and also keeps critical
faculties up and running to serve the campus and larger community
in the event of a power outage.”
Funding was provided by a grant from the State of Connecticut
administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection (DEEP).
University of Bridgeport entered into a long term power purchase
agreement (PPA), purchasing power from the fuel cell installation
as it is generated. The agreement’s competitive pricing drove
down operating costs to generate an estimated $300,000 in savings
annually for the University without any capital investment.
FuelCell Energy developed the project and once
operational, the power plant was purchased by NRG Yield
(NYSE:NYLD). FuelCell Energy operates and maintains the fuel
cell power plant and micro-grid.
“Fuel cells are compelling for micro-grids as they are clean,
affordable, and unlike intermittent technologies, fuel cells supply
predictable power that enhances energy security for critical
facilities such as the University of Bridgeport campus,” said Chip
Bottone, President and Chief Executive Officer FuelCell Energy.
A/Z Corporation provided contracting services, including
modifications to UB’s medium-voltage electrical-distribution system
and implemented a digital micro-grid control system that detects a
power outage, islands or separates the fuel cell power plant from
the electric grid, and then powers critical campus facilities from
the fuel cell plant.
Fuel cell power plant installations such as this project are
particularly appealing to Universities for a number of reasons,
including:
- Operating cost reductions from the highly efficient on-site
power generation process
- Combined heat and power further enhances economics and supports
sustainability initiatives
- Fuel cells provide continuous power that is not dependent on
the time of day or weather
- The quiet and vibration free operation of fuel cell power
plants combined with modest space requirements and clean air
profile enables the plants to be located next to occupied
buildings
About the University of Bridgeport The
University of Bridgeport offers career-oriented undergraduate,
graduate and professional degrees and award-winning academic
programs in a culturally diverse learning environment that prepares
graduates for leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
There are 400 full- and part-time faculty members, including
Fulbright Scholars, National Science Foundation Fellows, Ford
Fellows, National Endowment for the Humanities Fellows, American
Council for Learned Societies Scholars, and Phi Beta Kappa
Scholars. The University is independent and non-sectarian. For
more, please visit www.bridgeport.edu.
About FuelCell EnergyFuelCell Energy
(NASDAQ:FCEL) delivers efficient, affordable and clean solutions
for the supply, recovery and storage of energy. We design,
manufacture, undertake project development, install, operate and
maintain megawatt-scale fuel cell systems, serving utilities,
industrial and large municipal power users with solutions that
include both utility-scale and on-site power generation, carbon
capture, local hydrogen production for transportation and industry,
and long duration energy storage. With SureSource™
installations on three continents and millions of megawatt hours of
ultra-clean power produced, FuelCell Energy is a global leader with
environmentally responsible power solutions. Visit us online
at www.fuelcellenergy.com and follow us on Twitter.
SureSource, SureSource 1500, SureSource 3000, SureSource 4000,
SureSource Recovery, SureSource Capture, SureSource Hydrogen,
SureSource Storage, SureSource Service, SureSource Capital,
FuelCell Energy, and FuelCell Energy logo are all trademarks of
FuelCell Energy, Inc.
University of Bridgeport
Leslie Geary, Director of Communications
203-576-4625
lgeary@bridgeport.edu
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Dennis Schain, Communications Director
860-424-3110
Dennis.schain@ct.gov
FuelCell Energy, Inc.
Kurt Goddard, Vice President Investor Relations
203-830-7494
ir@fce.com
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