Hamden High School to Generate Clean Power On-Site with PureCell® System Model 400 from UTC Power

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, today announced that the Town of Hamden, Conn., and the Hamden Board of Education have signed a 10-year Energy Services Agreement (ESA) to furnish, install and operate a UTC Power fuel cell at Hamden High School.  The 400 kilowatt (kW) fuel cell will provide 90 percent of the high school's annual electricity requirements and its byproduct thermal energy will be used to heat the school during winter months as well as provide heat year-round to the school's swimming pool.

Hamden High School's PureCell System Model 400 fuel cell, a combined heat and power system, will be supported with a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) through its On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation Program. The grant will consist of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds being managed by CCEF. "The Town of Hamden has been a leader in its support of clean energy," said Dale Hedman, acting president of CCEF.  "This fuel cell project joins a growing list of green initiatives being implemented in Hamden, including the CCEF-supported 4 kW solar photovoltaic installation at the community center and the 5 kW system at the middle school. Hamden and its Board of Education have been true leaders in their efforts to educate residents about the need for and benefits of clean energy generation. We applaud them for their work."

The Town of Hamden and Board of Education anticipate that the 400 kW PureCell System will reduce the school's energy costs by $800,000 over the 10-year duration of the contract. "I'm very happy that more clean energy is coming to Hamden, and that the town will benefit from reduced emissions and cost savings," said Mayor Scott Jackson. The town's Board of Education shares the Mayor's enthusiasm for the project. "I'm very pleased that we are moving forward with this exciting project," said Adam Sendroff, chairman of the Hamden Board of Education's operations committee. "This fuel cell will play an integral role in our green initiatives here in Hamden." The fuel cell at Hamden High School will offer a variety of benefits to the school, its students and the environment. The Board of Education is planning to include the fuel cell as part of the science curriculum offered at the high school. "We think it's important for the students to learn about the benefits of their school's fuel cell. We want them to recognize its role in the day-to-day operation of the school, from providing reliable electricity to supplying the heat to warm the swimming pool," added Sendroff.

The PureCell System Model 400 incorporates UTC Power's latest technology and design innovations and builds on the company's unmatched fuel cell fleet durability and 10 million hours of operating experience. The Model 400 provides customers with an industry-leading 90 percent system efficiency, 10-year cell stack durability and 20-year product life.  

"The Model 400 offers our customers lower energy costs, reduced emissions, 24/7 assured power and an industry-best system efficiency and product life. No other stationary fuel cell product in the field today can offer the same range of benefits," said Neal Montany, director of UTC Power's stationary business. "UTC Power is proud to partner with the Town of Hamden, the Hamden Board of Education and CCEF on this project. We are thrilled that Hamden High School has plans to incorporate the technology and benefits of the Model 400 into the school's science curriculum. We believe it is important to teach students and the general public that our fuel cells are not the technology of tomorrow but are here today generating efficient, secure and clean power to familiar everyday places like schools, supermarkets, hospitals and hotels."

By generating most of its power on-site with UTC Power's PureCell System, Hamden High School will reduce its burden on the local grid and the environment. The fuel cell will reduce the school's annual carbon dioxide emissions by more than 809 metric tons, the equivalent to planting more than 187 acres of trees. In addition, the PureCell System is designed to operate in water-balance -- annually saving the high school more than 3.8 million gallons of water when compared to central generation and other fuel cell technologies. The PureCell System is expected to be operational by the end of this year and will help the Town of Hamden exceed its clean energy goals of 20 percent by 2012.

About UTC Power

UTC Power is part of United Technologies Corp. (UTC), which provides energy-efficient products and services to the aerospace and building industries.  UTC is a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index each year since it was launched in 1999.  Based in South Windsor, Conn., UTC Power is the world leader in developing and producing fuel cells that generate energy for buildings and for transportation, space and defense applications.  For more information, please visit www.utcpower.com

About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)

CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by the electric ratepayers. CCEF's mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut's ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut's economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public authority. For more information on CCEF, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.

CONTACT: Annie Donnelly, 860.727.2485, [email protected]  

SOURCE UTC Power