Work begins at Bloom fuel cell factory

Preliminary work has begun at the sites of the planned Bloom Energy factory and a "cluster" of electrical generators that will feed Delmarva Power.

Bloom last year won Public Service Commission approval to build two clusters of fuel cell boxes at Delmarva substations.

Some of the boxes will be the first batch of orders at Bloom's planned fuel cell factory at the site of the former Chrysler plant, now owned by the University of Delaware.

At Delmarva's Red Lion substation, an entrance road has been constructed and preliminary site work, including environmental testing, is under way, said Bridget Shelton, spokeswoman for the utility.

Bloom is handling permitting, and the company is still awaiting permits, she said. Bloom is planning to generate 26 megawatts of power there, to be connected to the regional electric grid through the substation.

Bloom will lease the land from Delmarva, with an agreement close to being signed, she said. "From that point on, it's in their hands," she said.

Bloom is also planning to generate 4 megawatts of power near Delmarva's Brookside substation. Bloom is leasing that land from the state, she said.

UD spokeswoman Meredith Chapman said the university is preparing the site at the Science and Technology Campus for the construction of the Bloom factory.

Eastern States Construction, based in Wilmington, is handling the removal of concrete, footings and asphalt, work which began in mid-December, she said.

"The site will be delivered to Bloom in advance of its March 1 date to begin its construction activities," Chapman said.

Meanwhile, Bloom, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., has begun seeking employees on the East Coast.

On its website, Bloom was advertising for an East Coast government relations specialist as well as commercial account managers for the U.S. Northeast and Southeast.

The company's spokeswoman did not reply to inquiries on Thursday seeking further details on its construction schedule or hiring plans.

Source: AARON NATHANS, The News Journal