UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of NBCUniversal's continued efforts to employ the latest in alternative energy, an innovative onsite fuel cell energy system has been installed at Universal Studios Hollywood(SM), enabling the theme park to cut CO2 emissions from its enormous food production operations by 40% compared to traditional forms of power generation, an environmental impact equivalent to the planting of almost four acres of trees.

Announcement of the new energy system program built on fuel cell technology,  coincides with "Green is Universal's Earth Week, April 17-24," observed throughout NBCUniversal.  The announcement was made jointly by Universal Studios Hollywood and ClearEdge Power, the company that created the theme park's newly installed fuel cell technology program.

Since embarking upon a sweeping energy-reduction program in 2007, the company has continued to reinforce its commitment to proactively implement sustainable products like the ClearEdge5 and other programs, which drive both business growth as well as satisfy their customers' demand for energy efficient products and practices.  

"The ClearEdge Power stationary fuel cell energy system is a great fit for our needs at Universal Studios Hollywood," said Russ Randall, Senior Vice President, Technical Services, Universal Studios Hollywood. "The fuel cell system is an excellent example of the type of innovative solutions that we adopt to address our environmental challenges while helping to demonstrate that new energy solutions are now available to people who want to make a greener choice."

ClearEdge Power president and CEO, Russell Ford said, "NBCUniversal's thought leadership and action- oriented sustainable practices are a guiding force for companies like ours who are working to bring cost effective alternative energy solutions to businesses and consumers. We are proud to be part of the diverse Universal power system and to provide this same smart energy across the California market and beyond."

Functioning as a reliable microCHP (combined heat and power) system, four ClearEdge5 energy appliances are installed and currently supporting the power and hot water needs of the Universal production kitchen serving the theme park where reliable heat and power are a necessity.  The ClearEdge5 appliances are uniquely equipped for the kitchen's needs where both hot water for the dishwashers and food prep areas are needed along with electricity.  

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A. (SM), includes a movie-based theme park and Studio Tour, the CityWalk® entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal Cinemas and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue. The theme park features the groundbreaking attractions "The Simpsons Ride™," "Revenge of the Mummy(SM) —The Ride," "Shrek 4-D™," "Jurassic Park®—The Ride" and the world-renowned Studio Tour, which features the world's largest and most intense 3D experience, "King Kong 360 3D," created by Peter Jackson. The Studio Tour also takes guests behind-the-scenes of such landmark TV and movie locations and sets as Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" and ABC's hit series "Desperate Housewives."  Universal CityWalk features 65 entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops and dynamic entertainment options. The Universal CityWalk Cinemas, which includes California's largest IMAX venue, features the best movie-going experience in Los Angeles.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a unit of the Universal Parks & Resorts division of NBCUniversal.  NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE (NYSE: GE) holding a 49% stake.

ClearEdge Power is a privately held, technology company leading the way for smarter, cleaner on-site energy systems focused on commercial, institutional and residential buildings. The company designs, manufactures and markets the ClearEdge5 system, a unique, proven fuel cell appliance that cleanly converts natural gas to electricity and heat, offering both significant financial and energy savings as well as a greatly reduced impact on the global environment. The ClearEdge Power corporate management systems are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Please visit: http://www.clearedgepower.com.

SOURCE Universal Studios Hollywood