JUN 17

My gut tells me that at this point in time and with our world’s scientific knowledge, there is no excuse for building something that isn’t energy efficient on at least some level. Luckily, even large scale, high profile construction projects are on the same bandwagon.

The New York Power Authority and UTC Power are hooking up to create one of the world’s largest fuel cell installations. The Freedom Tower and three other new towers under construction at the WTC site are getting 12 fuel cells – the PureCell Model 400 – that will increase energy efficiency for the buildings. This particular model of fuel cells is reportedly one of the cleanest, quietest and more energy efficient on-site power generating technologies available, delivering twice the power and double the lifetime of the previous model – apparently nothing but the best for the Freedom Tower. Though, at the current rate of research and improvements, they may be outdated pretty quickly. The cells are reported to not require any fossil fuel to produce their 400 kilowatts of energy each, and they meet the strictest air emissions requirements in the US. But from what I can find on UTC's website, the PureCell still needs to be plugged in to the grid, hence, fossil fuels are burned elsewhere. But, the plans are to waste not, want not, as the thermal energy generated by the fuel cells will be used for cooling and heating.

This project, like any similar project in our country, doesn’t come without a few feathers to stick in one’s hat. At times, that seems like the whole reason behind some eco-friendly construction. The incorporation of these fuel cells scores points for LEED certification, a significant goal for all the WTC tower projects. Then, there is also the symbolism, which, honestly, I think really does go a long way in promoting green thinking among the general public:

"One of the most important building projects in the nation will be equipped with space-age energy technology that uses an electrochemical process to produce clean on-site power," Gov. David Paterson said. "The fuel cells and other measures will help make the new World Trade Center towers an exemplar of environmental sustainability and will signal to the world New York State's commitment to greater energy security and reduced dependence on foreign oil. I can think of few sites in the country where the symbolism of this is more important."

Symbolism aside, fuel cells may not have been the best bet for generating power, considering some other ideas that could have been utilized on buildings of this scale. For instance, solar windows, solar panels on the roof, wind microturbines…all of which cart around less negative impact than fuel cells. There are quite a few tower projects that could be used as examples for better ideas. But, steps are steps are steps.

Via Sustainable Business, UTC Power; Photo by Mike Roberts NYC

Comments (10)

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written by snoojdelanooj, June 17, 2008

Some clarification please. The statement, "The cells do not require any fossil fuel to produce their 400 kilowatts of energy each..." - where is their input fuel coming from? Are they anerobically digesting onsite waste to get the input hydrocarbon? Or are they using nat gas?

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written by asdfjkl, June 17, 2008

Don't they just need oxygen and hydrogen? I assume the H will have to be purchased and delivered.

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written by Alex, June 17, 2008

These fuel cells run off either natural gas or anaerobic digester gas (either of which is converted into hydrogen gas in a fuel processor), but the press release made no mention of which one would actually be used to power these. They will be hooked up to the grid not to draw power, but to supplement grid power, since 4.8MW won't be enough to power the whole building - they'll also be buying wind power. But 4.8MW is enough to make a nice backup supply when the grid goes out.

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Unspecified fuel source
written by Benjamin Bach, June 18, 2008

...and yet they use the term "green". Those kinds of press releases should be ignored or simply criticized more. The last paragraph states firmly that better sources are available, but that's not enough apparently, because the digg story says "Freedom Tower Goes Green...". You should've been harder on them, Jaymi.

I bet they didn't use fuel cells to spare the environment, but rather to save money and avoid oil as a part of a more general U.S. strategy for the future.

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Wow
written by JOhn Thomas, June 18, 2008

Very nice. You have to admit that was a good article.

JT
http://www.FireMe.To/udi

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Did you even read the article?
written by Yoshi, June 18, 2008

JT, did you even read this article, or was this just a way to get your URL included?

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Pork barrel
written by Ben, June 18, 2008

Green pork! It's like green eggs and ham.

Would you give out some green pork?
Yes we will, says New York!

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oops
written by Ben, June 18, 2008

that's backwards. politicians get pork... must think of a better rhyme

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Propaganda
written by Bacchus, June 18, 2008

I concur with the snoojdelanooj and Alex; there's no mention in this article or the UTC press release, which this article is essentially based on regarding the input fuel source for the fuel cells. While fuel cells allow for combined heat and power applications, there is no mention of the recovery of low-grade and high-grade heat to pre-heat or heat domestic hot water or building heating systems.

UTC doesn't seem to the specs on the as-yet-unreleased 400kW model on their website, but the previous model was capable of producing electricity at about 0.6 # of CO2 per kWh, depending on the fuel source. You can compare that to the 1.1 # of CO2 you get from ConEd power--I don't know what power mix of NYPA electricity is. Note: NYPA will be proving the grid electricity to the WTC and not ConEd.

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written by Rajesh, June 28, 2008

The article didn't mention anything about what else they're doing for that building. Are there any solar windows or low wind turbines or any other cool stuff?

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