In 2002, the town of South Windsor made a decision affecting the South Windsor High School curriculum, the environment, and the level of power security available at their school. They purchased a PureCell® Model 200 fuel cell powerplant. As a regional emergency shelter, South Windsor High School is required to have a system that continuously generates electricity, even in a power failure.

“South Windsor is proud of its leadership role in the utilization of alternative, renewable energy sources for our community and our state. The reliable nature of fuel cell technology significantly enhances our regional community preparedness program.”

Matthew B. Galligan
Town Manager, South Windsor, CT


 Energy Security

The PureCell® solution, developed by UTC Power, provides 200 kilowatts of electricity. The exhaust heat created in the process is captured and used to provide heating for the school in the winter months. The entire system is set up to ensure the fuel cell remains running under any conditions, seamlessly providing electricity and heat to the building in the event of an emergency.

By selecting the PureCell® solution, South Windsor took their need for back-up emergency power one step further – they chose a proven technology with environmental and educational benefits. Fuel cell technology fundamentals have been integrated into the curriculum and students can monitor the day-to-day operation of the powerplant using computers.

The South Windsor High School installation was made possible by a funding program through the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, which is administered by Connecticut Innovations. Also, in Connecticut as well as several other states, fuel cells are considered Class I and Class II renewables and are eligible to participate in Renewable Energy Credit (REC) trading programs. As of July 2005, these credits amounted to $55,000 per year for South Windsor High School.

“At South Windsor High School we’ve created a Fuel Cell Engineering course that allows our students to explore the energy sector, learn fuel cell basics and then design their own fuel cell system. Through the educational process, the students take away a deeper understanding of the environmental, economic and social implications of current and future energy production systems.”

Al Mothersele
Course Design and Instruction
South Windsor High School


 Energy Responsibility

	South Windsor High School is proving that sustainability makes economic sense. While reducing its carbon footprint, it’s also conserving natural resources. The UTC Power fuel cell will reduce the school's carbon footprint by 780 tons each year. To achieve the same positive environmental impact, 160 acres* of forest would need to be planted.
	The power generated by a megawatt of fuel cells saves over 4 million gallons** of water each year that would otherwise be wasted by conventional electrical generation. That’s enough water to fill more than 6 Olympic-size swimming pools. Water conservation is especially important as humanity battles to conserve precious water resources.
	Reduction of harmful emissions like nitrogen oxides (NOx), is yet another environmental benefit of fuel cell technology. NOx emissions will be reduced at South Windsor High School by almost 3 tons each year, which equates to the same environmental benefit as removing 140 cars*** from the road.