Feb 15 2011
FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL) a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean, efficient and reliable power plants using renewable and other fuels for commercial, industrial, government, and utility customers, today announced the sale of a 300 kilowatt DFC300 to be installed at the Quadrant 3 re-development project on Regent Street in central London, England.
The fuel cell is expected to help the project meet clean air emission requirements and carbon reduction targets.
The Quadrant 3 project is a 250,000 square foot mixed use retail/office/residential redevelopment project being developed by The Crown Estate. The redevelopment project will maintain the historical character of the area while incorporating modern technology and sustainable environmental practices such as fuel cell power generation.
"Our long term outlook means that sustainability is a critically important part of our approach to business," said Alastair Smart, Head of Development, The Crown Estate. "Reliable on-site power generation delivered in an environmentally friendly manner is an important aspect of our development projects and the fuel cell fits our requirements at Quadrant 3."
The DFC300 will be physically located inside the building as the quiet operation and virtual lack of pollutants from fuel cells is well-suited for urban applications. The power generation process of the fuel cell uses an electrochemical reaction rather than combustion, which very efficiently converts fuel into clean electricity. Due to the lack of combustion, the fuel cell emits virtually no pollutants, such as NOx, SOx or particulate matter. This electrochemical power generation process is quiet, allowing for a normal conversational tone next to an operating fuel cell.
The Direct FuelCell (DFC) power plant generates clean electricity and high quality heat. Fuel cells can achieve up to 90 percent efficiency when the heat is utilized in a combined heat and power (CHP) configuration. The heat for this fuel cell installation will be used for facility heating and cooling, resulting in maximum fuel efficiency and cost savings for the client. The fuel cell project designer and installer, Logan Energy Limited, estimates the overall efficiency of this DFC installation at 82 percent. The plant is expected to be operational by late 2011.
"We were attracted by the various attributes of the fuel cell including the steady power output combined with ultra-clean, efficient and quiet power generation," said Paul Hargreaves, Development Director, Stanhope Plc, which is overseeing the development for The Crown Estate. "The high quality heat produced by the fuel cell will be used for heating and cooling the buildings, improving the economics of this power plant as both electricity and heat are produced."
"Fuel cells emit virtually no pollutants, an important attribute for an urban location and a driver of the purchase decision by The Crown Estate," said Chip Bottone, President and Chief Executive Officer, FuelCell Energy, Inc. "This order by The Crown Estate demonstrates the value of ultra-clean and reliable fuel cell power to support sustainability goals. Recent clean energy proposals announced by the British government along with clean energy goals established by other European governments make the European markets attractive for fuel cells."