DANBURY, Conn., Nov. 17, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean high efficiency power plants using renewable and other fuels for commercial, industrial, government, and utility clients, today announced that its 2.8 megawatt (MW) DFC3000 power plant operating on natural gas has been certified under the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) distributed generation emission standards that were established in 2007 (CARB 2007).
The CARB 2007 certification affirms the ultra-clean emission profile of the DFC3000 to the various California Air Quality Management Districts that oversee the clean air permitting process. Due to this certification, the local Air Quality Management District can choose to exempt clients from local clean air permitting. Certification requires extensive testing of emissions to ensure compliance with California's toughest-in-the-nation air quality standards.
"This clean air certification is important for our clients as it demonstrates the ability of Direct FuelCell power plants to meet challenging clean air standards," said Jeff Cox, Director Policy Development, FuelCell Energy, Inc. "Our technology generates ultra-clean electricity, an attribute that is highly valued in locations with strict air permitting requirements, such as the State of California. Combustion based sources of power generally require clean air permitting, which is sometimes difficult to obtain in certain regions of California."
Additionally, the DFC3000 received certification that the power plant meets national product safety standards. This ANSI/CSA America FC1-2004 certification assures local authorities and insurers that the power plant meets all design, construction, quality, safety and operational requirements and confirms that the power plant can be safely connected to the existing power infrastructure.
These certifications help to simplify and accelerate the approval process for installing distributed generation DFC3000 power plants.
The DFC3000 joins FuelCell Energy's other power plants that previously attained these certifications, including the DFC1500 and DFC300. The Company recently announced two sales of DFC3000 power plants to clients located in California.
Fuel cells provide ultra-clean power generated in a highly efficient and reliable manner. Power is generated by an electrochemical reaction that does not require combustion. Fuel cells emit virtually no pollutants due to the lack of combustion, resulting in clean power generation. The fuel cell power generation process is very efficient, particularly when the byproduct heat is used for combined heat and power (CHP) applications. The high efficiency results in a greater amount of electrical output for a given amount of fuel. Our DFC products also meet all California standards and targets for green house gas emissions.
Additional information about CARB 2007 is available at the California Air Resources Board website: .
About FuelCell Energy
DFC® fuel cells are generating power at over 50 locations worldwide. The Company's power plants have generated over 600 million kWh of power using a variety of fuels including renewable wastewater gas, biogas from beer and food processing, as well as natural gas and other hydrocarbon fuels. FuelCell Energy has partnerships with major power plant developers and power companies around the world. The Company also receives funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and other government agencies for the development of leading edge technologies such as fuel cells. For more information please visit our website at
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's plans and expectations regarding the continuing development, commercialization and financing of its fuel cell technology and business plans. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could cause such a difference include, without limitation, general risks associated with product development, manufacturing, changes in the regulatory environment, customer strategies, potential volatility of energy prices, rapid technological change, competition, and the Company's ability to achieve its sales plans and cost reduction targets, as well as other risks set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Direct FuelCell, DFC, DFC/T, DFC-H2 and FuelCell Energy, Inc. are all registered trademarks of FuelCell Energy, Inc. DFC-ERG is a registered trademark jointly owned by Enbridge, Inc. and FuelCell Energy, Inc.
CONTACT: FuelCell Energy, Inc. Kurt Goddard, Vice President Investor Relations 203-830-7494 ir@fce.com