Cal State San Marcos Enlists Doosan Fuel Cells to Minimize Campus Water Use, Carbon Footprint and Reliance on Local Utilities
South Windsor, CT (PRWEB) September 01, 2015 -- California State University San Marcos has finalized an agreement that will provide the 304-acre campus with two fuel cells to help the institution adhere to strict sustainability standards and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption. The project, developed by BioFuels Energy LLC, will utilize power plants provided by Doosan Fuel Cell (Doosan), which will shrink reliance on the San Diego power grid and, unlike a grid power, will consume no water during energy production – a key performance advantage in drought-stricken California.
“As an institution for higher learning, we believe it is our responsibility to continually look for the most efficient and innovative ways we can operate our campus,” says Lindsey Rowell, director of energy management and utility services for CSUSM, which serves more than 14,000 students. “CSUSM’s new fuel cells not only represent a significant step toward achieving our aggressive sustainability goals, they will also offset electricity costs and ensure we can sustain continued growth while remaining one of the most energy-efficient universities in the state.”
BioFuels Energy, a project developer that supplies its clients with “renewable energy solutions” through strategic alliances and long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), has acquired two 440 kW fuel cells and a 90-ton chiller from Connecticut-based Doosan. BioFuels, located less than a half-hour from CSUSM, plans to sell the electricity to the university, provide free use of chilled water and/or hot water and create numerous eco-friendly benefits at the campus, including annually saving 2.5 million gallons of water (compared to traditional utility water consumption).
“The Doosan fuel cells have been in existence longer than most any stationary fuel cell for commercial applications. These units have very reliable uptime and (energy) availability,” says Ken Frisbie, managing director for BioFuels. “In this flexible financing model, using a combination of state and federal incentives has helped Cal State San Marcos acquire the benefits from fuel cells with no upfront expense.”
The Doosan PureCell Model 400 technology requires no water consumption or water discharge while combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and heat. The fuel cells, which meet the CARB (Calif. Air Resources Board) standard for ultra-low emissions devices, operate quietly, can be installed in nearly any indoor or outdoor environment and have the potential to deliver grid-independent power.
“As businesses, including college campuses across America, reduce their environmental impact and cut greenhouse gas emissions, fuel cells are moving to the forefront,” says Jeff Chung, president and CEO of Doosan Fuel Cell. “As demonstrated by Cal State San Marcos, this is especially true in California where water resources are evaporating due to drought conditions and building a sustainable future with ultraclean energy from fuel cells is essential.”
About Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc.
Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc. (Doosan) is a subsidiary of Doosan Corporation, a South Korea-based industrial company founded in 1896 that has current operations in 38 countries and has been a Fortune Global 2000 company since 2007. Doosan, headquartered in South Windsor, Connecticut, designs, engineers and manufactures fuel cells for commercial and industrial applications. Formed in July 2014 following Doosan Corporation’s acquisition of ClearEdge Power (formerly UTC Power), Doosan is the U.S. arm of the Doosan Fuel Cell Business Group and focuses on 440-kilowatt phosphoric acid fuel cells capable of supplying combined heat and power to building and utility systems. With its growing team, and focus on innovation and technology leadership, Doosan’s stated vision is to be the global leader in the fuel cell industry. For more information, please visit http://www.doosanfuelcell.com.
About California State University San Marcos
California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout the year of 2015. Since its founding, CSUSM has distinguished itself as a forward-focused institution dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. With over 14,000 enrolled students, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, South Orange and Southwest Riverside Counties.
Eighty-five percent of CSUSM’s nearly 35,000 alumni stay in the region after graduation. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For (The Chronicle of Higher Education). CSUSM is located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos. It is 15 miles east of the ocean; just 30 miles north of downtown San Diego.
About BioFuels Energy
BioFuels Energy, LLC was established in 2007 and has a proven track record in the renewable energy, electric utility, competitive power and energy efficiency industries. The BioFuels team has knowledge in all aspects of power generation and cogeneration technologies using a wide range of fuels, including landfill gas, natural gas, digester gas and biomass.
BioFuels Energy has implemented over 5 MW’s of fuel cell projects as wells as 10MW’s of biogas projects and looks to expand their energy base with California institutions.
Cullen Bushnell, NSTIG8 Communications, http://nstig8.com/, +1 (760) 585-7050 Ext: 405, [email protected]
Share this article