Fujitsu Becomes First Silicon Valley Company to Install Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power
SUNNYVALE, CA, Aug 17, 2007 -- MARKET WIRE
Fujitsu America, Inc. today dedicated a hydrogen fuel cell on its Sunnyvale campus. The fuel cell provides clean, efficient power for the campus data center and other operations, significantly reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Fujitsu, the first Silicon Valley company to install its own hydrogen power plant, has spent a decade making a significant, sustainable investment in enterprise-wide initiatives designed to reduce the environmental impact of its products and operations. The hydrogen fuel cell will provide 50 percent of the power needed to cool the Fujitsu Sunnyvale campus data center and labs, reducing the amount of fossil fuel that must be burned to maintain operations and easing pressure on the local power grid.
"Our real-world use of the hydrogen fuel cell is a clear demonstration of the ability of corporations to make a significant and financially responsible investment in reducing harmful impacts on the environment, with the ultimate goal of reversing global warming," said Tetsuo Urano, head of American operations, Fujitsu America. "With a payback of about three and a half years and a lifespan of about 15 years, hydrogen power is an excellent investment for the company. All of us at Fujitsu have a deep commitment to environmental responsibility, and we are proud of the leadership we've shown over the years, from reducing our carbon footprint, to eliminating lead and other harmful wastes from our supply chain and products, to broad recycling and reuse programs. We will continue to invest in innovation and programs that are both good for the environment and good for our business."
The hydrogen fuel cell installed on the Fujitsu Sunnyvale campus is the UTC Power PureCell(TM) Model 200 system, featuring ultra-low emissions. It meets the most stringent air emissions standards as set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB 07). Although it utilizes natural gas, it produces 35 percent less CO2 per megawatt-hour than the average fossil fuel-based power plant, and approximately 4,000 lbs per year less NOx, the equivalent of taking more than 100 average passenger cars off the road. The system has a low sound profile at 60 decibels at 30 feet, and emits no ozone-depleting fluorocarbons. Fujitsu America will also be contributing to water conservation. When compared to conventional power plants, a UTC Power PureCell(TM) Model 200 system will save at least 800,000 gallons of water per year. Over the 15-year life of the fuel cell system, Fujitsu will leave 12 million gallons of water untouched.
"Fujitsu is a model for how large organizations can work through the process of understanding their energy requirements, researching the best solution to meet their fiscal requirements and their environmental impact goals, and then making a solid, long-term investment in a clean, efficient, cost-effective energy system," said Jan van Dokkum, UTC Power President. "Our environmentally advanced UTC Power PureCell(TM) products offer proven reliability, energy productivity and a reduced carbon footprint to benefit our customers and their communities."
The Greening of Fujitsu
The hydrogen fuel cell is just the latest environmental initiative for Fujitsu. Other corporate-wide initiatives include meeting the stringent requirements of the European Union's RoHS standard for eliminating toxic substances; establishing end-of-life product recycling programs in North America, Europe and Asia; and initiating a variety of operational and employee-based programs such as recycling, carpooling, reduced lighting, and compulsory e-learning programs on the environment. Fujitsu has made the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index eight years in a row, and the FTSE4Good Index Series five years in a row. (1)
Fujitsu currently has 16 Silver-rated LifeBook(R) mobile PC and Stylistic(R) tablet PC products registered on the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) (2). Fujitsu also has notebook computers that comply with the new stricter ENERGY STAR(R) 4.0 guidelines, and the company is an early participant in the Climate Savers Computing Initiative (3). The Fujitsu PRIMERGY(R) TX120 server currently has the world's smallest footprint of any server and PRIMERGY and PRIMEQUEST(TM) servers offer a Cool Safe Design for increased cooling efficiency. ETERNUS(R) storage systems offer Massive Array of Idle Disks (MAID) that conserve energy by powering down when not in use. Fujitsu has introduced a new 2.5-inch hard disk drive that reduces power consumption by more than 50 percent and footprint by nearly 70 percent. High-speed, RoHS-compliant document scanners allow Fujitsu and customers to reduce the use of paper in offices. And by producing technical documentation only on CD ROM and DVD, one Fujitsu division is saving 2.6 million pieces of paper per year. Fujitsu was also the first company to utilize a bio-based polymer made from corn and other plant starches in fabricating notebook PC housings.
About Fujitsu America, Inc.
Fujitsu America, Inc. provides administrative and financial support to Fujitsu North American Companies. The company offers shared services in IT, facilities, HR operations, employee benefit programs, as well as payroll and other administrative functions. In addition, Fujitsu America supports its sister companies in tax, legal and customs for compliance purposes. The company also supports Fujitsu Limited, its Japanese parent company, in procurement operations, and provides IT support to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan with the operation of the Subaru telescope in Hilo, Hawaii.
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and communications solutions for the global marketplace. Pace-setting device technologies, highly reliable computing and communications products, and a worldwide corps of systems and services experts uniquely position Fujitsu to deliver comprehensive solutions that open up infinite possibilities for its customers' success. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 5.1 trillion yen (US$43.2 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. See http://www.fujitsu.com for further information.
Fujitsu, the Fujitsu logo, LifeBook, PRIMEQUEST, and ETERNUS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fujitsu Limited in the United States and other countries. Stylistic is a trademark or registered trademark of Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation in the United States and other countries. PRIMERGY is a trademark or registered trademark of Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH in the United States and other countries. ENERGY STAR is a U.S. registered mark of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. All other trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.
The statements provided herein are for informational purposes only and may be amended or altered by Fujitsu America, Inc. without notice or liability. Product description data represents Fujitsu design objectives and is provided for comparative purposes; actual results may vary based on a variety of factors. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Copyright 2007 Fujitsu America, Inc. All rights reserved.
(1) The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index consists of companies representing the top 10 percent of the leading corporate sustainability companies in 58 industry groups across 24 countries. These companies are selected from the largest 2,500 companies by market cap in the Dow Jones Global Indexes. Corporate Sustainability is a business approach that creates long-term shareholder value by embracing opportunities and managing risks deriving from economic, environmental and social developments. The FTSE4Good Index Series has been designed to measure the performance of companies that meet globally recognized corporate responsibility standards, and to facilitate investment in those companies. Transparent management and criteria alongside the FTSE brand make FTSE4Good the index of choice for the creation of Socially Responsible Investment products. FTSE Group (FTSE) is a leader in the creation and management of more than 100,000 equity, bond and hedge fund indices.
(2) EPEAT, operated by the Green Electronics Council (GEC), helps buyers evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT also provides a clear and consistent set of performance criteria for the design of products, and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to secure market recognition for efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its products.
(3) The Climate Savers Computing Initiative brings together industry, consumers and conservation organizations to significantly increase the energy efficiency of computers and servers. Visit http://www.climatesaverscomputing.org/ .
SOURCE: Fujitsu America, Inc.
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