On December 4th, the Connecticut Science Center (Hartford, CT, became the first science center or museum in the country to generate the majority of its energy needs on-site with a fuel cell. The UTC Power phosphoric acid fuel cell technology will generate almost 100% of the electricity demanded by the Science Center on an annual basis. During operating hours, the fuel cell provides approximately two-thirds of the needed power for the downtown Hartford destination. When the Science Center’s power demand is less, the 200-kilowatt fuel cell transfers energy back into the power grid system. The cumulative effect will result in almost 100% of the energy used being created by the clean, environmentally-friendly energy source. As an added benefit, the fuel cell will provide back-up power. The fuel cell is wrapped in educational graphics which help to explain the technologies used, thus becoming one of the over 150 exhibits, including an entire exhibit gallery (Energy City) dedicated to emerging energies, at the Science Center.
The historical commissioning ceremony was highlighted by Congressman John B. Larson, a long-time proponent of fuel cell technologies, along with Connecticut Clean Energy Fund President Lise Dondy and others. The ceremony marked the culmination of a two-month installation period that began when the fuel cell, manufactured by Connecticut-based UTC Power, was delivered to the Science Center on October 1, 2009.
The historical commissioning ceremony was highlighted by Congressman John B. Larson, a long-time proponent of fuel cell technologies, along with Connecticut Clean Energy Fund President Lise Dondy and others. The ceremony marked the culmination of a two-month installation period that began when the fuel cell, manufactured by Connecticut-based UTC Power, was delivered to the Science Center on October 1, 2009.
By generating clean power on site and then recovering the heat from the electrochemical reaction, the Connecticut Science Center is able to reduce the burden on the New England power grid and its impact on the environment by preventing the release of more than 270 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. The environmental benefit is equivalent to planting 63 acres of forest to mitigate an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide. For more information, go to CTScienceCenter.org/energy.
Using a fuel cell for clean energy is only one of numerous initiatives of the new Connecticut Science Center in its commitment to minimizing its carbon footprint. The Science Center is anticipating a Gold Level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC is the premier “Green Building” agency created in 1993 to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
Using a fuel cell for clean energy is only one of numerous initiatives of the new Connecticut Science Center in its commitment to minimizing its carbon footprint. The Science Center is anticipating a Gold Level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC is the premier “Green Building” agency created in 1993 to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
