FuelCell Energy Powers UConn Tech Park

Green technology from FuelCell Energy will soon power the Innovation Partnership Building at the UConn Tech Park in Storrs.

Through a new partnership, announced June 25, the Danbury-based company will install fuel cells at the facility.

The four 250-kilowatt solid oxide fuel cells will generate one megawatt of clean energy. 

That’s enough to supply all of the Tech Park’s laboratories, centers, and institutes with power and thermal energy. 

It will also allow the facility to operate independently of the local utility grid. 

FuelCell Energy said any unused power will be exported to the Eversource power grid. 

Sustainable Energy

The fuel cells will be installed over the next several years.

Once they’re up and running, UConn researchers will be able to analyze them for data like efficiency and cleanliness.

“Innovation requires energy, and our leaders have worked hard to establish an environment where our power needs are met without negatively impacting our carbon footprint,” said Pamir Alpay, UConn’s vice president for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

“We are thrilled that our home state university shares our passion and purpose to develop and drive sustainable energy solutions.”

FuelCell Energy’s Jason Few

UConn president Radenka Maric said FuelCell’s platforms are part of UConn’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.

“This valuable partnership will help UConn to accomplish two critical goals: utilizing clean and sustainable energy sources to power our campuses as we work toward our carbon neutrality goals, while at the same time providing research and learning opportunities for members of our campus community,” she said. 

“We are thrilled that our home state university shares our passion and purpose to develop and drive sustainable energy solutions and has been recognized for its leadership in sustainable energy study and adoption,” added FuelCell Energy president and CEO Jason Few. 

Education Opportunities

The Innovation Partnership Building at the UConn Tech Park is the university’s center for cutting-edge research, collaboration, and innovation.

The goal is to connect businesses with their research facilities and technology services.

FuelCell and UConn will collaborate on educational opportunities including lectures, tours, and internships.

As part of the partnership, FuelCell and UConn will also collaborate on educational opportunities.

That includes lectures, tours, and internship opportunities for engineering students. 

“We need to get more of our engineering students, students in general, to be exposed to practical tech problems, so that they can be better prepared to hit the ground running with real work environments that face real challenges,” Michael DiDonato, business development manager for the Innovation Partnership Building, told the CBIA BizCast in December.