Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center

U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-1) toured the Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center (CGFCC) on Monday, September 11, 2006 and met with center personnel to identify areas for collaboration between faculty researchers and other fuel cell entities throughout the State. An ardent advocate for fuel cell research and development, Rep. Larson has introduced the Energy Independence Act and the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Authorization Act to fund and promote fuel cells, and he is a founder and co-chair of the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Coalition.

Among those attending the event were prior University of Connecticut President Philip Austin, Vice Provost for Research & Dean of the Graduate School Greg Anderson, UConn Health Center Chief of Staff Bruce Carlson, Interim Dean of Engineering Erling Smith, Associate Dean for Research & Outreach A.F.M. Anwar, and Larson Chief of Staff Elliot Ginsberg. The group was hosted by Kenneth Reifsnider, previously CGFCC Director and Pratt & Whitney Chair Professor in Design & Reliability, who presented an overview of activities at the CGFCC, and Associate Director Tricia Bergman. The CGFCC was founded in 2001 with support from Connecticut Innovations and industry, and it is regarded among the largest academic fuel cell centers in the nation.

During his tour of the center, Rep. Larson spoke with several faculty and student researchers who showcased their work, including assistant professor Benjamin Wilhite (Chemical, Materials & Biomolecular Engineering) and Trent Molter, research scientist and CGFCC Business Development Officer.

During his introductory remarks, Dr. Reifsnider pointed out that Connecticut has the largest concentration of fuel cell companies of any state in the nation, according to studies, because of its concentration of powerhouse companies such as United Technologies, General Dynamics Electric Boat, FuelCell Energy - the world's largest manufacturer of molten carbonate fuel cells - as well as Proton Energy Systems, GenCell, and Infinity Fuel Cells.

Dr. Reifsnider commented that "This remarkable initiative at UConn is dedicated to bringing fuel cell technology to society by bridging the science and engineering gap between the fuel cells being developed by many organizations and the fuel cell systems we need to run our automobiles, factories, and homes to increase our energy independence and reduce environmental pollution."

Current fuel cell technology involves the harvesting of hydrogen from sources such as natural gas and coal, fossil fuels that produce environmentally harmful emissions. A primary focus of the CGFCC involves green energy technologies being developed in collaboration with the University's Biofuels Consortium. Faculty from the two units are developing technologies ranging from carbon-neutral, renewable fuels to biological systems capable of digesting biomass into either hydrogen or electricity. The Biofuels Consortium comprises faculty and graduate students affiliated with the Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Economics and Plant Sciences units within UConn. The consortium members seek to develop, produce and use bio-derived fuels from sources such as algae, bio-gas or high-yield crops (e.g. corn, soybean).

Dr. Wilhite described how farm crops could be processed to produce sugars and cellulose, for example, to yield hydrogen. The concept sparked Rep. Larson's interest in pursuing agricultural-based biofuels as a means to salvage Connecticut's increasingly strapped family farms. The challenge to produce enough low-cost energy from even intensively farmed food crops, however, has led researchers to consider alternatives involving, for example, biogas such as methane and water, or liquid bio-fuels such as ethanol or bio-butanol, both natural alcohols.

The consortium is also equipped to analyze the economic and environmental impacts of candidate bio-fuel cycles. Among the options being investigated by the team is generation of photosynthetic bacteria-based hydrogen from water using light and carbon dioxide as energy and carbon sources. Another concentrates on generation of biological hydrogen from domestic wastewater treatment through fermentation processes.

Rep. Larson expressed excitement and optimism concerning the future of the research underway within the CGFCC. As a strong proponent of fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, he declared his interest in helping the center secure funding for its green energy initiatives.