CT Transit, which currently operates five buses powered by UTC Power transportation fuel cells, purchased a PureCell stationary fuel-cell system from the supplier for its headquarters in Hartford, Conn.

The fuel-cell will provide 400 kilowatts of clean, reliable power to the 330,000-square-foot facility. Thermal energy from the fuel-cell will be used to preheat two boilers that support the building's primary heating system.

"We are excited to add this cutting-edge fuel cell technology to provide onsite, local power generation in an extremely environmentally positive way,” CT Transit GM David Lee said. “This will reduce our utility costs and improve the reliability of our electrical service."

By generating power onsite with a fuel-cell, CT Transit will prevent the release of more than 827 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually — the equivalent of planting more than 191 acres of trees. The reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions compared to a conventional power plant are equal to the environmental benefit of removing more than 102 cars from the road. In addition to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the PureCell system will enable CT TRANSIT to save nearly 3.6 million gallons of water annually.

This project is supported by a grant from the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction Program (TIGGER). The program is run by the Federal Transit Administration. TIGGER is a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

UTC Power's stationary fuel cell, the PureCell system, is a combined heat and power system that represents a game-changing technology.

Compared to typical central generation and other fuel cell offerings, the PureCell system offers customers lower energy costs, reduced emissions, an industry-leading 90 percent system efficiency, 10-year cell stack durability and 20-year product life.