ONSI demonstrated the GPU with a phosphoric acid fuel cell at a power plant at the Penrose Landfill in Sun Valley, California. After a successful demonstration at Penrose, in which the fuel cell operated at 140 kilowatts of electricity over a six-month period, ONSI dismantled and relocated the fuel cell to the Flanders Road Landfill in Groton, Connecticut, for a second demonstration. Northeast Utilities of Berlin, Connecticut, sponsored this demonstration to test the fuel cell as an environmentally responsible and viable energy resource. Fuel cells decrease the need for fossil fuels and reduce the environmental impact of generating electricity. We're taking a source of pollution today and directly converting it into high-quality electricity.
Fuel cells can also have economic benefits.
With the project in place, the Groton landfill saves a half-million dollars immediately by not having to install a flare to burn off the methane gas. Groton will be able to safeguard the local environment while capitalizing on an innovative energy resource. In addition, Northeast Utilities gains a valuable new generating source, which makes good economic and environmental sense. Summary of Benefits Experience with Innovative Technology Zero Emission Energy Source Government, Industry, and Utility Partnership Lessons Learned A simpler gas pretreatment unit is needed to improve operations and overall availability. The fuel cell unit itself proved very reliable.