Fuel Cell Power Plant Dedicated at Yale University

Published: December 3, 2003

New Haven, Conn. — Yale University, state and local officials and FuelCell Energy, Inc. today dedicated Connecticut's first high-efficiency fuel cell power plant at the Class of 1954 Environmental Science Center near Yale's Peabody Museum.

"As a leader in environmental research and education, Yale is committed to operating its campus in an environmentally sound manner," said President Richard C. Levin. "We are pleased to work with the state in adding fuel cell technology developed in Connecticut to our efforts to meet our energy needs as efficiently and cleanly as possible."

The 250 kilowatt fuel cell will provide approximately 25 percent of the building's electricity needs, with the heat being used primarily to maintain tight temperature and humidity controls at the facility.

"The location at the Yale Peabody Museum is very appropriate because the Environmental Science Center can effectively use both the electrical and heat output of the plant. It is further demonstration of universities as an ideal application for our Direct FuelCell products," said Jerry Leitman, chairman and CEO of FuelCell Energy. "Our fuel cells are operating all over the world and we are thrilled to have a customer site in our home state."

Connecticut Governor John Rowland said that Connecticut's leadership in fuel cell technology is unsurpassed. "Fuel cells are a growing part of the industrial economy in Connecticut and projects like this help bring greater awareness of the benefits of fuel cells to our environment as well as to the stability and reliability of the electric power system here in Connecticut and the United States."

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund purchased the fuel cell power plant last year for use in the state, and the Connecticut Siting Council approved the Yale University location in December 2002. The Clean Energy Fund invests in enterprises and initiatives that help promote the development, production and use of energy from clean and renewable sources.

"Connecticut's leadership role in providing for a cleaner energy future is greatly enhanced and advanced by projects such as this," said Arthur Diedrick, chairman of the Clean Energy Fund. "We are pleased we can help to provide funding that helps pushes products like fuel cells out in the commercial marketplace where they can benefit the citizens of Connecticut and beyond."

Background

Direct FuelCells generate electricity with no combustion. They operate like large, continuously operating batteries generating electricity as long as fuel, such as natural gas is supplied.

Since the fuel is not burned, there is none of the pollution commonly associated with the combustion of fossil fuels (like NOx, SOx, particulates). The high efficiency of the fuel cell reaction produces more electric power from less fuel.

About Connecticut Clean Energy Fund

The Connecticut General Assembly created the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund in 1998 as part of legislation restructuring electric utilities; formal operation of CCEF began in 2000. Their mission is to invest in enterprises and other initiatives that promote and develop sustainable markets for energy from renewables and fuel cells, for the benefit of Connecticut ratepayers. The Fund will significantly assist in achieving Renewable Portfolio Standards in the State of Connecticut.

About FuelCell Energy

FuelCell Energy, Inc., based in Danbury, Connecticut, is a world leader in the development and manufacture of high temperature hydrogen fuel cells for clean electric power generation, currently offering DFC power plant products ranging in size from 250 kilowatts to 2 megawatts for applications up to 50 megawatts. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Thermoelectric Inc., is a leader in the development of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) products and the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of thermoelectric stationary power generators for use in remote locations.

Other institutions of higher education at which FuelCell Energy has installed power plants or plans to install them include the University of Bielefeld in Germany, Grand Valley State University in Michigan and Ocean County College in New Jersey.

The Company has developed commercial distribution alliances for its carbonate Direct FuelCell technology with MTU CFC Solutions GmbH, a company of DaimlerChrysler AG, in Europe; Marubeni Corporation in Asia; Caterpillar, PPL Energy Plus, Chevron Energy Solutions and Alliance Power in the U.S; and Enbridge in Canada. FuelCell Energy is developing Direct FuelCell technology for stationary power plants with the U.S. Department of Energy through its Office of Fossil Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory. More information is available at ww.fuelcellenergy.com.

PRESS CONTACT: Janet Rettig Emanuel 203-432-2157