News

Starwood Installs Second DFC at Sheraton San Diego

September 29, 2005 by Jeff Shepard

FuelCell Energy Inc. (FCE, Danbury, CT), a manufacturer of electric power generation plants, announced an additional 500 kW direct fuel cell (DFC) power plant installation at Starwood Hotels and Resorts' Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina. The additional installation increases Starwood's commitment to base load heat and power from DFC power plants to 2.25 MW at four hotels in California, New Jersey, and New York. The Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina's original installation of 1 MW of DFC power generation at its East Tower has been increased by 500 kW with a second installation at its West Tower. The fuel cells will supply base load electricity for the 1,044-room hotel, while the heat by-product will be used for the hotel's pools.

The two separate fuel cell installations will generate a total of 1.5 MW onsite. This will be the largest commercial fuel cell installation in the United States, according to FuelCell Energy. Starwood will purchase the electricity and heat output from the DFC power plants under a long-term power purchase agreement. The DFC power plants at the hotel will be installed and operated by Alliance Star Energy, a joint venture between FuelCell Energy and Alliance Power.