In a groundbreaking achievement for providing clean and green power, The Octagon, a 500 unit residential apartment in the Roosevelt Island in New York, created history in pioneering the use of fuel cell in providing “clean and green electricity” and meeting the energy demands of the apartment. Power generation through fuel cells has been tested, but its use in meeting the domestic power demands of a residential complex has been an epitome of the application of clean and green power generation technologies in US. This innovative, $1.2 million project, which uses a 400 Kw UTC Power fuel cell to supply heat and electricity to the building, has been sponsored by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA).
The UTC Power Fuel Cell is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) used for large scale energy production and works on the basis of co-generation of heat and power (CHP). This type of fuel cell requires a very high temperature (700-100 Degree Celsius) to produce electricity. This high temperature requirement does create some problem, but the steam produced from the high temperature can be utilized to produce more electricity.
Natural gas is converted into electricity by this SOFC through a constant electrochemical process that requires less combustion producing lesser emission. Above all, the efficiency of this fuel cell is much higher than the electrical grids and other energy generation systems. The heat produced by this fuel cell is enough to heat the building’s space and domestic water during the winter. Use of large capacity fuel cells in different energy demanding institutions is quite known, but the efficient use of these fuel cells in meeting the demands of a huge residential unit has undoubtedly paved a way of applying fuel cell technology. The Octagon will seek to reduce carbon emissions of about 790 metric tons every year.
Along with the installation of an array of 50Kw solar photovoltaic panels besides the fuel cell, The Octagon has earned the recognition of a model green building in US. NYSERDA is also extending financial support of $21.6 million through Customer Sited Tier Fuel Cell Program in a bid to encourage others in producing cleanand green energy through fuel cells. Presently, various organizations around New York are setting up fuel cells for power generation with partial assistance from NYSERDA.
Via: FuelCellWorks
