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    1. Energy Efficiency

    University of Hartford Installs 4 Stationary Fuel Cells to Produce Clean Energy and Heat On Campus

    April 23, 2024
    The University's fuel cell units are not only expected to generate 1.8 MW and reduce the load on the electrical grid serving the campus but also minimize the interruptions during times of peak electricity demand
    University of Hartford
    6627ccb47515d9001de4be5b University Of Hartford

    The University of Hartford in Connecticut and HyAxiom, a global fuel cell and hydrogen solutions provider, have partnered to install four stationary fuel cells on the southeastern side of the campus.

    The power plants are HyAxiom's flagship product, the PureCell M400, a proprietary phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) that produces clean energy and heat with a reduced carbon footprint compared to conventional power plants. The PAFC also features the capability of being able to easily convert to use hydrogen as a fuel. 

    "We at the University of Hartford are thrilled to see the completion of this exciting project that will result in positive environmental impacts to our campus, surrounding neighborhoods, and communities," says University of Hartford Acting President Stephen Mulready. "While we anticipate significant savings in energy costs over the months and years to come, what the fuel cell means in terms of our future sustainability goals is even more exciting."

    The University's fuel cell units are not only expected to generate 1.8 MW and reduce the load on the electrical grid serving the campus but also minimize the interruptions during times of peak electricity demand. Additionally, the University can utilize the heat byproduct from the units for the nearby East Hall in the future.

    HyAxiom's fuel cells are a resilient source of energy that help mitigate energy capacity and reliability challenges while adjusting its power output as demand for electricity fluctuates throughout the day - also known as load-following. The low emissions from the cells also help improve air quality and greenhouse gas targets found in existing electrical architecture.

    The University of Hartford is accepting the clean energy educational opportunities provided by the fuel cells, and in the summer of 2024, University students will have the opportunity to visit the site and learn more about the alternative energy source and how it relates to campus sustainability efforts. 

    DESA Service, a subsidiary of Doosan Energy Solutions America, is the owner and operator of the project.

    About the Author

    EnergyTech Staff

    Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 14 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.

    Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

    He can be reached at [email protected]. 

    EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.

    Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.