DANBURY, Conn., Aug. 16, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL) a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean, efficient and reliable power plants, today announced a commissioning event for the Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) power plant that is providing renewable hydrogen for vehicle fueling along with ultra-clean electricity for the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) in Fountain Valley, California. The power plant efficiently converts biogas generated from the wastewater treatment process into ultra-clean electricity for use by OCSD and renewable hydrogen for an on-site vehicle fueling station operated by Air Products (NYSE:APD). Project participants include FuelCell Energy, Air Products and the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California Irvine with support from California Air Resources Board (CARB), South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Southern California Gas Company.
An inauguration event will be held at the OCSD facility on August 16, 2011 to demonstrate the renewable hydrogen vehicle fueling station and the Direct FuelCell power plant. State and Federal legislators are expected to attend as well as leaders from the DOE, CARB, SCAQMD and OCSD.
"Hydrogen represents a viable fuel source for transportation that significantly reduces emissions and greenhouse gases compared to internal combustion engines and, as this project demonstrates, it can be generated domestically in a renewable manner pointing to sustainable U.S. energy independence," commented Ed Kiczek, Global Director – Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products.
Biogas is generated continuously by the wastewater treatment process at OCSD. DFC power plants convert this biogas into hydrogen, which is then used to generate power in an electro-chemical process that is virtually pollution-free. The hydrogen obtained from the biogas that is not used to generate electricity is routed to the nearby hydrogen vehicle fueling station. The power plant is generating 250 kilowatts of ultra-clean power, enough to power about 200 average size homes and renewable hydrogen that can fuel approximately 25 vehicles per day.
"This project demonstrates how technology developed and manufactured in America can help to address our Nation's dependence on imported fuel sources by efficiently and cleanly converting waste biogas into renewable hydrogen for transportation needs of the 21st century," said Tony Leo, Vice President, Applications, FuelCell Energy, Inc. "Our Direct FuelCell technology is very versatile including the ability to provide renewable hydrogen as well as ultra-clean power and usable high quality heat from a waste stream."
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 natural gas or renewable biogas. The electro-chemical power generation process does not utilize all of the hydrogen generated so the unused hydrogen can be used for other purposes 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 NOx, SOx, or particulate matter, resulting in ultra-clean power generation.
"Renewable, ultra-clean, baseload power from fuel cells operating on biogas is a powerful value proposition that FuelCell Energy offers to the market," continued Mr. Leo.
The power plant is operating under a three year contract and is maintained by FuelCell Energy.
About FuelCell Energy
Direct FuelCell® power plants are generating ultra-clean, efficient and reliable power at more than 50 locations worldwide. The Company's power plants have generated over 800 million kWh of power using a variety of fuels including renewable biogas from wastewater treatment and food processing, as well as clean natural gas. 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. 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.