by Shane Henson — October 19, 2011—The U.S Department of Energy has reported the commissioning of a combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell system at Portland Community College in Oregon.
Two five-kilowatt CHP fuel cell systems will help Portland Community College save on its energy bills and achieve its energy efficiency and sustainability goals. And, students will learn about the fuel cell technology used in the project as part of a comprehensive alternative energy curriculum offered by the school.
This is just one project that the DOE has commissioned in its ongoing effort to make large institutions and facilities more energy efficient. Nine other CHP fuel cell systems that will go into operation on the West Coast as part of a $2.8 million combined industry and government award that includes $1.4 million of DOE funding.
In addition to providing electricity, the CHP fuel cell system captures the excess heat generated inside the fuel cell and releases it into the facility to provide space heating. The excess heat can also be used for hot water or other heating needs, while excess electricity produced but not consumed by the building can be sold back to a local utility company.
