FuelCell to power municipal microgrid in Woodbridge

Utility officials have reached an agreement with Woodbridge to build an electric micro-grid for municipal buildings that will be powered by FuelCell Energy of Danbury.

FuelCell said the contract calls for a 2.2 megawatt power plant to serve as the central component of the micro-grid, which can also provide independent electricity in the event of an outage. Buildings that will be powered through the micro-grid include the police station, fire department, town hall, senior center and Amity Regional High School.

In addition to providing electricity for the high school, the power plant will also be a source of heat and hot water.

Amity’s superintendent said in a statement that the deal will result in a substantial savings for the regional school district.

“Amity Regional School District No. 5 is pleased to host this groundbreaking clean energy project, which will deliver economic, environmental, educational, and resiliency benefits to our community,” Charles Dumais, superintendent of the Amity Regional School District, said in the statement.

The fuel cell and microgrid will be built by United Illuminating as part of the utility company’s commitment to produce 10 megawatts of renewable energy. A 5 megawatt combined fuel cell and solar project in Bridgeport by United Illuminating, which is also powered by FuelCell Energy products, will also help to fill the company’s commitment to provide cleaner energy.

“Under this utility ownership structure, the town of Woodbridge avoids the need to directly invest in resiliency infrastructure and The United Illuminating Company reinforces its leadership position in terms of reliable power delivery in an environmentally friendly manner,” said Chip Bottone, CEO of FuelCell.

Bottone said towns in New York and California have been evaluating the model to be used in Woodbridge for their own communities.

FuelCell Energy (Nasdaq: FCEL) will break ground this week on a 100,000 square foot expansion of its Torrington manufacturing facility that will eventually double the company’s production capability.

In September the company reported a quarterly net loss that narrowed to $7.3 million, or 2 cents per share, compared with a loss of $7.8 million, or 3 cents a share, during the third quarter of last year. Most analysts are expecting FuelCell will report a fourth quarter loss of about 2 cents per share. The stock has traded as high as 98 cents per share earlier this month.