FuelCell Energy Awarded 5.6 Megawatts of Ultra-Clean and Efficient Fuel Cell Power Plants by United Illuminating for Renewabl...
30 April 2014 - 10:30PM
- Contracts Executed for a 2.8 megawatt Power Plant in Bridgeport
Connecticut
- Second Connecticut Site to be named in the next 30 days
FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL), a global leader in the
design, manufacture, operation and service of ultra-clean,
efficient and reliable fuel cell power plants, announced another
utility-scale award for two 2.8 megawatt DFC3000® fuel cell power
plants by United Illuminating (UI), part of UIL Holdings
Corporation (NYSE:UIL). One power plant will be located in
Bridgeport, Connecticut as part of a distributed renewable power
generation project that also includes a solar array. The
second installation will be located within the UI service territory
at a site to be named in the next 30 days. These two fuel cell
plants will provide continuous baseload power to the electric grid
adequate to power approximately 5,600 homes, generated in a highly
efficient and environmentally friendly manner. FuelCell Energy
will install the power plants and operate and maintain them for 20
years under long term service agreements. The plants are
expected to be operational in early 2015.
"Sustainability at UIL means that we are committed to business
practices that are environmentally and economically responsible,"
said James P. Torgerson, President & Chief Executive Officer,
UIL Holdings Corporation. "Purchasing these fuel cell power
plants supports our goal of investing in renewable distributed
generation to enhance the reliability of our power delivery system
and offer our customers cleaner energy. We are helping to implement
the State of Connecticut mandate for increased energy production
from renewable sources and help promote energy independence."
"This new fuel cell project plays a significant role in making
Bridgeport one of the greenest cities in America," said Bridgeport
Mayor Bill Finch. "As part of our green efforts, we're creating a
new renewable energy park at the site of an unused landfill by
combining this new fuel cell with a solar field. This renewable
energy park will create jobs, generate millions of dollars in tax
revenue, and provide residents with clean and affordable
electricity. In Bridgeport, FuelCell Energy is helping us take the
sins of our past and turning them into shining examples of our
city's green energy future."
The Bridgeport installation will be part of a renewable energy
park at Seaside landfill, with the power plant efficiently
converting natural gas into continuous electricity that is
virtually absent of pollutants. The site will also host an
array of solar panels. The total project will occupy
approximately 9 acres of land with the fuel cell power plant using
about one quarter of an acre to produce 2.8 megawatts and
approximately 1,000 solar panels occupying about 8 ½ acres to
generate approximately 5 megawatts.
"Megawatt-class fuel cell power plants are helping to transform
the power generation industry with clean, on-site power that
enhances the resiliency and security of the electric grid," said
Chip Bottone, President and Chief Executive Officer, FuelCell
Energy, Inc. "Leadership by the State and Public Utilities
Regulatory Authority (PURA) that acknowledged the need to enable
utility ownership of renewable power combined with the vision of UI
culminated in these two transformative projects to benefit power
users and the communities at large."
FuelCell Energy was the successful fuel cell bidder in a
competitive solicitation issued by UI in 2013 under its "Renewable
Connections" program. The program was enabled by the Connecticut
legislature under Public Act 11-80 in 2011, which granted each
Connecticut electric utility authorization to directly own up to 10
megawatts of Class 1 renewable power generation, including
stationary fuel cell power plants. The program was
subsequently approved by PURA and a bill expanding the program by
an additional 50 MW is currently under consideration in the State
legislature.
Multi-megawatt fuel cell installations address power generation
challenges for utilities as the combination of near-zero
pollutants, modest land-use needs, and the quiet operating nature
of fuel cell power plants facilitates their siting in urban
locations. Fuel cell parks offer a multitude of advantages for
utilities and neighboring communities, including:
- Environmentally friendly power generation with virtually zero
nitrogen oxide (NOx) that causes smog, sulfur dioxide (SOx) that
contributes to acid rain, or particulate matter (PM10) that
aggravates asthma, and the power is delivered with a low carbon
footprint
- Distributed power generation places power near where it is
used, enhancing the resiliency of the grid
- Highly efficient power generation process that is
economical
- Continuous renewable power around the clock that is not reliant
on weather or time of day
DFC® power plants utilize carbonate fuel cell technology, which
is well suited for megawatt-class applications due to its
scalability and favorable cost profile. Another
advantage is that carbonate cells operate efficiently without
the need for noble metal catalysts, such as platinum, which are
required by some other types of fuel cell technology.
The fuel cells bought from FuelCell Energy will serve UI
customers by enhancing the resiliency of the electric grid and
delivered in an environmentally friendly manner.
About UIL Holdings Corporation:
Headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut, UIL Holdings
Corporation (NYSE:UIL) is a diversified energy delivery company
serving more than 700,000 electric and natural gas utility
customers in 66 communities across two states, with combined total
assets of over $4 billion.
UIL is the parent company of The United Illuminating Company
(UI), The Southern Connecticut Gas Company (SCG), Connecticut
Natural Gas Corporation (CNG), and The Berkshire Gas Company
(Berkshire), each more than 100 years old. UI provides for the
transmission and delivery of electricity and other energy related
services for Connecticut's Greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas.
SCG and CNG are natural gas distribution companies that serve
customers in Connecticut, while Berkshire Gas serves natural gas
customers in western Massachusetts. UIL employs more than 1,850
people in the New England region.
About FuelCell Energy
Direct FuelCell® power plants are generating ultra-clean,
efficient and reliable power at more than 50 locations
worldwide. With more than 300 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 two 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
www.fuelcellenergy.com See us on YouTube
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.
CONTACT: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
Kurt Goddard, Vice President Investor Relations
203-830-7494
ir@fce.com
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