Hydrogenics Corp. (Toronto, Canada), a designer and manufacturer of fuel cell technology, announced that it is partnering with IdaTech, the fuel cell subsidiary of IDACORP Inc., to develop a 50kW fuel cell system that can serve as an independent energy source for large facilities such as hotels, hospitals and office buildings.
IdaTech was recently awarded a $9.6-million development program by the US Department of Energy (DOE, Washington, DC) after the DOE's recent solicitation for proposals toward new research in advanced fuel cell technology for stationary applications. The 50kW fuel cell system will use newly developed component technologies, including Hydrogenics' fuel cell power module technology, and IdaTech's fuel processing technology.
The fully integrated proton-exchange membrane fuel cell system will combine IdaTech's patented multi-fuel fuel processing technology with a Hydrogenics fuel cell power module and will deliver both electricity and thermal energy to hotel systems. Future potential applications include multi-family dwellings, office buildings, prison systems, hospital/medical care facilities, and similar defense market applications. Three 50kW systems will be field-tested, one each with Sempra Utilities, Puget Sound Energy and Marriott International.
