New hydrogen fuel cell park opens in Connecticut

Fuel cell park delivered by FuelCell Energy

FuelCell Energy, a leading developer of hydrogen fuel cells, has announced that it has completed a new fuel cell park for Dominion Resources, a provider of electrical power. The fuel cell park is located in Connecticut and was completed on time for Dominion. The energy provider will use the fuel cell park to generate electrical power, distributing this energy throughout Bridgeport, the city where the park has taken root.

Fuel cells gaining momentum as residential energy systems

Hydrogen fuel cells are not often used for residential energy in the U.S., but this use is somewhat common for fuel cells in other parts of the world. In Japan, for instance, fuel cells have been used to provide homes with electrical power for several years. In the U.S., fuel cells are often considered to be not viable for residential energy purposes due to their high cost. As such, fuel cells are typically used only for commercial energy projects.

Hydrogen fuel cells to provide 14.9MW of power

The fuel cell park from FuelCell Energy boasts of an energy capacity of 14.9 megawatts, enough to power approximately 15,000 average homes. Dominion notes that the fuel cell park is a progressive step for Connecticut's overarching renewable energy initiatives. The state has become one of the strongest supporters of hydrogen fuel cells, and not only in transportation. State officials have been pushing for fuel cells to be used as residential and industrial energy systems for some time and many laws have been formed that support fuel cell developers.

Fuel cells gain attention outside of transportation

Much of the popularity that hydrogen fuel cells have garnered over the years comes from their use in transportation. The global auto industry has put a great deal of focus on fuel cells, with most automakers planning to release hydrogen-powered vehicles in the near future. Fuel cells are beginning to gain more attention outside of the transportation realm, however, but these energy systems still face significant challenges that could keep them out of the mainstream for some time.