First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plant Installed at County Jail

Dec 26 - In Business

Officials announced completion of California's first megawatt- class hydrogen fuel cell cogeneration plant that transforms hydrogen from natural gas into electricity and water without combustion and captures waste heat to improve efficiency. Installed at Alameda County's Santa Rita Jail hy Chevron Energy Solutions, the project will provide half of the annual power needs, save taxpayers more than $260,000/year, and improve the environment. Manufactured by FuelCell Energy, Inc., the unit - along with the previously- installed solar power array - will shrink power purchases hy as much as 80 percent during peak-demand months. The lower demand will eliminate more than 3,200 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. "With installation of the unit, Santa Rita Jail is now the 'greenest' county facility in the country," declared Keith Carson, president of the county's Board of supervisors. The $6.1 million project was supported by $2.4 million in grants and incentives: $1.4 million from Pacific Gas and Electric and $1 million from the U.S. Department of Defense Climate Change Fuel Cell Program. The remaining cost of $3.7 million - $2.8 million financed through a California Energy Commission Energy Partnership Program Loan - is heing funded hy cost savings under a performance contract with Chevron Energy Solutions and FuelCell Energy.