The University of Bridgeport and FuelCell Energy Inc., a Danbury-based power supply company, have struck an agreement to reduce carbon emissions by more than 7,000 tons annually. Under the deal, FuelCell Energy will install a 1.4-megawatt fuel cell power plant at the university for 12 years, supplying about 80 percent of the school’s energy.
The project is a move by the university to provide on-site power generation that will add energy security and power reliability to the campus, allowing it to save money and operate independently of the electric grid, according to the FuelCell Energy website.
The university, which will buy the electricity generated by FuelCell Energy’s power plant, plans to use it to heat and power its campus buildings. The school anticipates saving $3.5 million in energy costs over the 12 years.
“Sustainable and affordable energy is an increasingly important component of the new energy mix at the University of Bridgeport,” said university president Neil Albert Salonen.
The deal also includes an academic collaboration agreement, which allows FuelCell Energy to work with the university’s faculty, staff and students to monitor and evaluate the fuel cell’s performance. The fuel cell company will provide students with learning tours and internship opportunities as well.
Salonen added that the university has a renewable energy research lab that focuses on evaluating technologies in energy conversion, utilization and storage in fuel cells, solar, wind and hybrid systems. The fuel cell power plant project will provide students an opportunity to learn more about fuel cell energy as it relates to sustainability, he added.
The university said in a press release it has made substantial savings since 2008 by upgrading the campus electric grid, and installing high-efficiency boilers, insulated roofing systems, energy-efficient windows and LED lighting.
Just curious – what fuel will this fuel cell use?