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World's largest hydrogen fuel cell generator leaving British Columbia, headed for U.S. |
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 It’s the size of a tractor trailer, it’s on wheels
and completely transportable, with the capacity to power a small town.
And now the world’s largest hydrogen fuel cell, one of the world’s
cleanest and greenest sources of energy, will soon be on its way from
Burnaby, B.C., to Eastlake, Ohio for a five year trial run, the first
ever deployment of its kind. -The deal between Ballard Power Systems and Ohio’s FirstEnergy Generation Corp
will allow the U.S. utility to activate this fuel cell generator –
known as CLEARgen and based on Ballard’s proton exchange membrane (PEM)
technology – during periods of peak demand, taking strain off the power
grid and ensuring uninterrupted power to customers during the summer
when demand is highest. The fuel cell system is capable of generating up
to one megawatt of power – enough to power 500 homes on its own.
“It’s a huge leap forward and a significant first for Ballard,” said Michael Goldstein,
Ballard’s Chief Commercial Officer. “More importantly, we believe this
deal helps ensure that fuel cell technology will be an integral part of
the clean energy solution identified as a priority by President Obama.”
CLEARgen Trailer - Exterior
Because
fuel cells use hydrogen to generate electricity – producing only heat
and water as by-products – they are a far more environmentally-friendly
means of generating power than diesel or coal. And because the Ballard
generator is transportable, it can be relocated to other sites on a
seasonal basis.
Not
only is Ballard’s CLEARgen useful for utilities, it can also provide a
clean energy solution to remote communities in Canada and around the
world, which are too far from the electrical grid and forced to rely on
noisy, dirty diesel generators for power.
|
It’s the size of a tractor trailer, it’s on wheels
and completely transportable, with the capacity to power a small town.
And now the world’s largest hydrogen fuel cell, one of the world’s
cleanest and greenest sources of energy, will soon be on its way from
Burnaby, B.C., to Eastlake, Ohio for a five year trial run, the first
ever deployment of its kind. 
