ClearEdge Power Installs Fuel Cell at Cambrian Center

A senior and disabled adult HUD housing facility broke ground on a $1.2 million dollar clean energy and building efficiency retrofit, including a CHP fuel cell system from ClearEdge Power.

The green building retrofit will contain four ClearEdge Power 5kW fuel cells, along with a re-engineered "cool roof," energy efficient windows, sliding glass doors, and energy efficient refrigerators. Fuel cells fit into this green system by generating clean, energy efficient energy for the adult housing facility, while at the same time providing heating and cooling.

The funding for this retrofit was provided from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, in order to improve the energy efficiency of federally funded facilities, and this reduce operating costs, saving taxpayer money.

This fuel cell installation alone will payback itself in only 5-6 years through the savings in energy it provides. In addition, ClearEdge's fuel cell systems are an even better alternative than other alternative energy options such as solar, as the fuel cell system is 11 times more productive.

In addition to the increased efficiency improvements, this project will create about fourty clean-tech, construction, and service related jobs for approximately six months.

Rep. Joe Lofgren of San Jose supports this project in his district, saying

"The Cambrian Center retrofit will create green construction jobs while at the same time reducing long term energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Investments in reducing energy consumption, like the ones being made at the center, are not only good for our environment; they will also be good for the Center's bottom-line down the road. These investments are about making our country stronger, cleaner, and more energy independent, and I'm glad to have helped the Cambrian Center be part of this."

This is a great step forward for fuel cells, as with the adoption of fuel cell power by the federally owned Cambrian Center, it shows a positive movement towards acceptance by the administration.

Furthermore, all of the benefits applicable to the Cambrian Center can be applied to any fuel cell retrofit or installation. Fuel cells provide energy savings, reduce green-house gas emissions, and increase energy efficiency.

Source: Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association