Why Fuel Cells for Buildings?
Fuel cells are a crucial and proven component of our collective global roadmap to energy independence.
As our global energy demand continues to increase (fueled by increasing population, mobility and residential use) an unsustainable strain is placed on our centralized energy generation and distribution grids leading to energy shortages, rolling blackouts and exhaustion of our natural resources.
Installation of PureCell® System at The Octagon in New York City
Not All Fuel Cells Are Created Equal
The PureCell® Model 400 System, our latest-generation stationary fuel cell provides up to 400 kW of assured electrical power plus up to 1.5 million Btu/hour of heat for combined heat and power applications. This ability to provide assured power as well as thermal energy enables our systems to achieve industry-best system efficiencies of up to 90% (compared to 55-60% for fuel cells that do not deliver thermal energy). This high efficiency - extracting more energy from the same amount of fuel - translates to lower energy costs and reduced environmental emissions.
Fuel cells are contributing to a cleaner and more efficient planet today by providing highly efficient energy through a non-combustion process. Fuel cells offer:
- Energy savings and attractive ROI
- Clean, quiet energy generation ideal for green buildings
- Energy security through optional grid-independent operation
UTC Powerls fleet of PureCell® Systems is providing clean and efficient energy to some of the world's most progressive and recognizable companies. Many are repeat customers who have been delighted by the performance and benefits of the PureCell system.
With nearly 10 million kW hours of field experience, customers benefit from lower energy costs, reduced emissions and an industry-leading 90% system efficiency, 10-year cell stack durability and 20-year product life. No other stationary fuel cell technology offers the comprehensive range of benefits that are provided by the PureCell system.
Fuel Cells Compared to Wind
and Solar Power
Stationary fuel cells, like solar and wind, are critical components of our world's roadmap to energy independence. Fuel Cells are particularly beneficial for several reasons. Stationary fuel cell powerplants can provide electricity and heat at rated output around the clock. Because they can run continuously they are well suited for commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings and facilities with 24/7 electrical and thermal requirements. By comparison, solar panels and wind turbines operate intermittently, subject to the availability of sunlight and sufficiently strong breezes. Consequently, these resources are better suited to applications where the utility grid can make up any shortfalls to fulfill power requirements. The ability to supply process heat to satisfy a facility's thermal load is an additional benefit of certain types of fuel cells (such as UTC Power's PureCell system). Fuel cells also differ significantly from solar and wind by offering power densities that can be hundreds of times greater than solar/wind and also providing siting flexibility - from outdoor to indoor to basement to rooftop installations.
