In 1999, the New York City Police Department’s Central Park precinct was in an electrical jam. The grid feed to the historic building – a converted stable built in the early 1870s – was insufficient and couldn’t provide all the power the station needed. In the summer, officers were forced to shut off air conditioners to run their computers and copiers. And plans for a much needed electronic booking system were shelved due to the lack of power.

Upgrading the electrical feed presented huge problems. For one, it would cost $1.2 million to install a new feed in the middle of Central Park. It would also mean ripping up parts of the park to bury new lines.

“They didn’t even know it happened until somebody looked out and saw the street lights were out. They weren’t affected at all by the blackout. Never skipped a beat."

Walter Burnes
Detective, Central Park Precinct
New York City Police Department


 Energy Productivity

The New York Power Authority (NYPA), which supplies electricity to public facilities in New York City’s five boroughs, considered a distributed generation alternative. Placing a power source at the site large enough to handle the building’s load would be less costly and intrusive. While traditional generators were an option, their high noise levels and emissions were a concern. Instead, NYPA installed a PureCell® Model 200 solution, with grant support from the U.S. Departments of Defense and Energy.


 Energy Security

The PureCell® Model 200 system was on duty at the Central Park police station when the blackout hit in 2003. Originally installed to save money and provide clean power, the PureCell® solution’s independence from the power grid meant New York’s finest didn’t miss a beat. Throughout the blackout the station’s lights served as a beacon for citizens and aid agencies alike.

“The UTC Power PureCell® system was an ideal solution for the Central Park police station – it provides an abundance of power, ultra low emissions and superior reliability. We were especially pleased our PureCell® system was able to keep the Central Park Police Station fully operational during the blackout.”

Jan van Dokkum
President, UTC Power


 Energy Responsibility

	The Central Park police station 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 station'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 the Central Park police station by almost 3 tons each year, which equates to the same environmental benefit as removing 140 cars*** from the road.