The state’s fuel cell industry is benefiting from infrastructure growth
BERLIN—The build-out of natural gas pipelines in Connecticut has expanded energy choice and reduced costs for natural gas customers. It may soon provide an infrastructure for another expanding energy need: the state’s fuel cell industry.
Fuel cells are an 80-year-old technology that is only just beginning to gain widespread acceptance. They use electrochemical reactions to produce electricity and can power everything from cars and laptops to factories and entire cities. Their cost has dropped significantly in recent years, making them an even more attractive option for low-emissions energy. While there are several different types of fuel cells, many rely on hydrogen as their fuel source. And, of course, hydrogen is often created from natural gas.
Paul Zohorsky, vice president of Eversource Gas, has pointed out that as electricity prices climb, so too will demand for fuel cells.
That is good news for companies like Eversource, which already provides natural gas to 46 fuel cells operating at 32 sites. The company is looking to increase its natural gas service to power a potential 135 fuel cells, currently in various stages of development at 39 sites.
Municipal governments could be among the first beneficiaries of the tie-in of fuel cells and natural gas. The state is making $4 million available in grants for the design of community microgrids, and an additional $2 million is available in loans. In the event of large-scale storms and other outage threats, local grids will be able to provide power to critical facilities such as police and fire departments, wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, grocery stores and cellphone towers. The grids may be run by fuel cells powered by natural gas.
Fuel cell businesses are hoping to make the most of the natural gas infrastructure already in place.
In Naugatuck, for example, Eversource is building additional residential gas lines and extending a 1,200-foot line to reach fuel cells at the borough’s wastewater treatment plant. According to Mayor Peter Hess, those fuel cells are expected to save the city $175,000 annually on electricity.
Durham, too, is benefiting from work by Eversource to connect natural gas lines from Wallingford to Middletown. Residences along the extended line will be able to connect to natural gas, with schools and industrial parks possibly following in the future.