AT&T Becomes Bloom Energy's Largest Non-Utility Fuel Cell Customer

DALLAS and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reliable and affordable alternative power generation is crucial for a clean energy future.   AT&T took a step toward that future with the announcement of a planned additional 9.6 MW of fuel cell power from clean energy provider Bloom Energy. The new installations will make AT&T Bloom Energy's largest non-utility customer.

In July 2011, AT&T announced an initial contract with Bloom Energy to deploy 7.5 MW of "Bloom Boxes" at 11 AT&T sites in California including data centers. With today's announcement, AT&T will now have 17.1 MW of Bloom Energy Servers helping to power 28 AT&T sites in California and Connecticut.  Once fully operational, all of AT&T's Bloom Box installations are expected to produce more than 149 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually, enough to power more than 13,680 homes per year.

"AT&T continues to be on the forefront of energy management and understands the need to find innovative ways to power the next generation," said KR Sridhar, CEO of Bloom Energy. "The investment they are making now not only means they will have control on their own energy destiny, but will also help ensure a brighter and more energy rich future for all."

Bloom Boxes contain stacked fuel cells that convert air and natural gas into electricity through a clean electrochemical process.  Use of this power reduces carbon emissions by approximately 50 percent compared to the grid and virtually eliminates all SOx, NOx, and other harmful smog forming particulate emissions.

"A key differentiator for fuel cells compared to other forms of alternative power is that fuel cell electricity production is virtually constant," explained John Schinter, AT&T's Senior Energy Director. "They provide steady recurring electricity production at a relatively predictable cost, replacing the traditional electricity bill, which can be volatile." 

Bloom Box installations fit into AT&T's three pronged approach to energy management – alternative energy where cost comparable, company-wide energy efficiency projects and effective collaboration to develop best practices in energy management – which is described in AT&T's recently released, 2011 Sustainability Report. In addition to Bloom Energy fuel cells, AT&T has deployed nearly 3.9 MW of solar installations and works with external groups, such as the Environmental Defense Fund and Rocky Mountain Institute to investigate highly-scalable energy efficiency projects. These initiatives build on AT&T's energy management work, through which the company completed 8,700 energy efficiency projects that led to an annualized savings of $86 million in 2010 and 2011.

Visit www.att.com/csr to learn more about AT&T's sustainability initiatives.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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About Bloom Energy
Bloom Energy is a provider of breakthrough solid oxide fuel cell technology generating clean, highly-efficient onsite power from multiple fuel sources. Founded in 2001 with a mission to make clean, reliable energy affordable for everyone in the world, Bloom Energy Servers are currently producing power for several Fortune 500 companies including Google, Wal-Mart, AT&T, eBay, Staples, The Coca-Cola Company, as well as notable non-profit organizations such as Caltech, and Kaiser Permanente. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. For more information, visit www.Bloomenergy.com .

SOURCE AT&T Inc.