What's Happening in Danbury, CT…

The University of California-Irvine (UCI) Medical Center recently announced a new venture that has significant cost-saving potential.

The path to this savings comes from a joint project with a Danbury, Connecticut firm that will put the medical center on track to producing 30% of its own power. The measure boasts an ambitious goal: a $10m reduction in energy expenses in less than 20 years.

The planned new power plant, a 1.4 megawatt fuel cell facility, is expected to produce 200 tons of cooling. It will also support the center’s campus in achieving California’s carbon cap-and-trade requirements.

Whether it’s a huge organization like UCI Medical Center, or a small operation like a local Print company, energy cost saving is a high priority for every organization.

Faculty member Scott Samuelson, Director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center, is excited about the improvements the plant will bring in the reliability of power generation while also accomplishing a noticeable reduction of carbon emissions.

According to an Orange County Business Journal article, the deal does not call for UCI to make a major capital investment. Instead, the center will enter into a long-term contract with FuelCell Energy Inc., the company that will install, operate, and maintain the plant. If all goes well, the Danbury partner will have the plant operational by early 2015. Get a Free Quote for Print