Solar - fuel cell system installed in New York
NEW YORK, New York, US, April 6, 2005 (Refocus Weekly)
A solar PV system has been installed on Long Island to work with fuel cells.
Three arrays of photovoltaic panels with capacity of 15 kW were installed on
the roof of the headquarters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers in Hauppauge, with energy supplemented by a 5 kW fuel cell from Plug
Power of Latham. The system is the first on Long Island to combine solar with
fuel cells, according to the Long Island Power Authority, and is part of a
state-funded, ten-year US$355 million program to encourage the use of renewables.
“It's becoming increasingly apparent that Long Island must decrease its
dependency on fossil fuels and expand the use of renewable non-polluting sources
of energy,” says LIPA chairman Richard Kessel. “The use of solar energy,
fuel cells, wind power and other renewable technologies will help bring Long
Island a little closer to achieving that goal.”
In addition to generating electricity for the grid, the system also heats water
for the facility, and will serve as a training centre for electricians to become
more familiar with renewable energy technologies. Fuel cells generate
electricity by converting natural gas through an electrochemical process that
does not involve combustion.
The roof-top solar system consists of 81 panels that will displace the emission
of 563,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, 749 pounds of nitrous oxide and 2,458
pounds of sulfur dioxide over the life of the solar panels, compared with
conventional generation technology. The solar system was installed by
electrician volunteers at IBEW Local 25.
LIPA's Clean Energy Initiative was fostered by governor George Pataki, and is
designed to encourage energy conservation, energy efficiency and the development
and use of wind, solar, geothermal and fuel cells.
“I applaud Richard Kessel for having the foresight to promote the advancement
of both solar and fuel cell technology,” says Donald Fiore of the IBEW local.
“The growing use of this type of environmentally friendly power is necessary
for us to advance our independence from the growing pollution of fossil
fuels.”
“LIPA's innovative renewable energy initiatives are positioning Long Island as
a national leader in clean energy,” adds Gordian Raacke of Renewable Energy
Long Island. “Whether it's solar panels or fuel cells, wind turbines or energy
efficiency programs, these technologies help us bring pollution-free energy to
Long Island while keeping more of our energy dollars in the local economy.”
Kessel was presented with the Pathfinder Award of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council for
his efforts in promoting the use of fuel cells and other renewables. The USFCC
estimates that 166 fuel cells have been installed by LIPA and have operated for
1.1 million hours, generating 3 million kWh of electricity.
LIPA is a non-profit municipal utility that owns the retail power system on Long
Island and provides electricity to 1.1 million customers. It does not own any
on-island generation assets.
Click
here for more info...
Visit http://www.sparksdata.co.uk/refocus/ for your international energy focus!!
|