CGFCC in the News

Winter 2002, Frontiers Newsletter, Volume 13, Number 2 School of Engineering Establishes Fuel Cell Center with $14.5M in Support

The School of Engineering has established a new center of excellence in fuel cell technology, with investments in the amount of $14.5 million from various federal, private and State partners. The center, called the Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center, incorporates a core research activity with six endowed Chaired Professorships, a new state-of-the-art fuel cell building, and two recently-donated major fuel cell power plants.

Central to the initiative is an historic agreement signed recently between Connecticut Innovations (CI) and the University of Connecticut for establishment of the Center, drawing on a $3.5 million investment committed by CI through its Clean Energy Fund initiative. The sum will be matched with another $3.5 million to be garnered from industrial partners and State matching funds. In addition, $2.5 million has been earmarked by the U.S. Congress for fuel cell research at the Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center.

In announcing the agreement, Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland said "This will be the most significant facility of its kind in the country - if not the world. It is an extraordinary concept that will create the knowledge base and the workforce that will influence the future of fuel cell technology worldwide."

The Center will be housed in a new 16,000 sq. ft. building located at the University's nearby Depot Campus. Design and construction of the building, which was completed in October 2001, was subsidized through a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Authority augmented with $670,000 in State matching funds.

The Center will benefit significantly from the recent donation of two powerful large-capacity fuel cells. The power plants, with an estimated combined market value of $2.25 million, were donated by Energy East Corp., via its subsidiary Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) Corporation, and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.

UConn President Philip Austin said "This is a groundbreaking partnership which will propel commercial development and deployment of a vital new alternative energy source. With the current high-profile focus on energy and the nation's ability to meet growing demand for power, fuel cells hold promise for increasing the nation's reserve of sustainable, renewable energy resources. This alliance will put Connecticut on the nation's energy map as a leader of new energy development."

Under terms of the agreement, the Center will establish six new Chaired Professorships - to be filled by world leaders in the field of fuel cell R&D - in the School of Engineering. Each Chair will have discretionary authority to spend the investment income associated with a $1 million endowment/chair. The new Center will focus on fostering research and development of advanced fuel cells, collaboration with Connecticut's energy companies, academic instruction and continuing education, outreach, technology transfer and business incubation.

Arthur Diedrick, Chairman of CI's Board of Directors and the Clean Energy Fund, said "This center will add a new dimension to the very substantial research and development activities going on at our Connecticut companies and around the world."

Fuel cells are virtually pollution-free, depending on the fuel used, and offer a new alternative to conventional electrical power sources for many applications. Moreover, owing to their mobility and variable size, they can be used to power vehicles, buildings, appliances from lawnmowers to laptop computers, and data centers, hospitals and other users who demand round-the-clock access to reliable electrical power.

"Energy is a hot button not only here in the U.S. but, increasingly, worldwide, as issues of supply, sustainability and environmental degradation grow more urgent," agreed John Petersen, Chancellor and Provost of the University of Connecticut. "We believe this Center, in partnership with Connecticut industry, will transform scientific knowledge into competitive, reliable and sustainable fuel cell development and ultimately commercial deployment."

One fuel cell unit, a new 250 kW Direct FuelCell® power plant developed by FuelCell Energy, Inc. of Danbury, CT, is scheduled for installation in mid-2002 at the new Fuel Cell Center building, where it will power the Center itself, with residual energy available for other nearby facilities. The unit's cost was underwritten by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund at a cost of $1.25 million. The Clean Energy Fund invests in enterprises and other initiatives that promote and develop sustainable markets for renewable energy. When installed, the 250 kW unit will distinguish the University of Connecticut as among the first Direct FuelCell® power plant recipients in Connecticut.

The second unit, a PC 25TM fuel cell donated by CNG's Energy East, will be installed at the United Technologies Engineering Building at the Storrs main campus. The PC 25C unit, supplying 200 kW, is a large-capacity cell suitable for powering commercial buildings; it was manufactured by UTC Fuel Cells of South Windsor, a United Technologies Company. It allows for waste heat to be integrated into the building's thermal conditioning system (heating and cooling) and is virtually pollution- and noise free. The unit has an estimated market value of $1 million.

Dean of Engineering Amir Faghri expressed great enthusiasm and satisfaction with development of the Fuel Cell Center. "With a unique assembly of quality resources and commitment by State, federal and industrial partners, the new Fuel Cell Center will be the leading global center of excellence in fuel cell technology and innovation."