Florida Purchases Distributed Gen Fuel Cell Units

The GenCore is a 5 kW fuel cell system that operates on hydrogen, producing water and heat as byproducts. The fuel cell systems will convert the hydrogen gas into electricity and provide backup power for DEP's offices during an electricity interruption with reduced operating costs and zero emissions. The systems will be purchased from Plug Power Inc. and warranted for two years.

"These state-of-the-art fuel cell systems use existing, proven technologies to deliver reliable backup power in case of a service interruption," said DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs and Energy Allan Bedwell. "They will also provide simple, cost-effective environmental benefits."

Already a national leader in the development of hydrogen energy, Florida currently has 15 mobile and stationary hydrogen demonstration projects underway or in the development stage. Another 13 projects are in the planning stage. Florida is also investing in eight of the world's first commercially available hydrogen shuttle busses for visitor transit in the Orlando area. Last February, Governor Jeb Bush broke ground on Florida's first hydrogen energy station

In 2003, the Governor also launched "H2 Florida," a statewide initiative to grow the hydrogen technology industry, spur investment and economic opportunity and safeguard the nation's natural resources. H2 Florida partners the state with industry, local governments and academia to accelerate hydrogen innovation and stimulate a consumer market for the newest hi-tech approach to cleaner, sustainable sources of energy.