- This is a demonstration project using a Connecticut-made fuel cell
system to clean up landfill gas (LFG) and generate electricity in the
process. It is a cooperative agreement between the Town of Groton and
The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, with technical support from
International Fuel Cells Corporation (IFC). The project required
approvals from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
and the Connecticut Siting Council.
- Construction involves the installation of a 20-ton, 200 kilowatt
PC25 phosphoric acid fuel cell and associated LFG clean-up system.
Generation is expected to be at least 1.6 million kilowatt over the 18
month test period.
- While the demonstration project is scheduled to run for eighteen
(18) months, we expect that the term of the project will be
significantly extended upon mutual consent of the Town of Groton and
CL&P.
- Research will be conducted to refine the design of the LFG
pre-treatment (clean-up) system. This should result in an upgraded,
simplified system design.
- CL&P has spent approximately $400,000 on the purchase of
materials, labor and installation of the required equipment, which is
valued at $1.5 million.
- A Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Groton and
CL&P was signed in July 1995. A Development Agreement and Land Use
Agreement was signed in December 1995. Connecticut Siting Council
approval to construct was received in January 1996.
- This is the only project in the world involving the use of a fuel
cell and LFG to generate electricity. The long-term goal is to
demonstrate and refine its operation to replicate it at other landfills.
- The fuel cell and clean up systems are made in Connecticut by IFC in
South Windsor.
- The clean up system and its designer, Ron Speigel of the EPA’s
National Risk Management Laboratory, has won an award from Discover
Magazine for environmental innovation.
- The project is electrically connected to the CL&P power grid.
- In combination with the LFG clean up system, fuel cell technology is
an environmentally superior method of electricity generation, because
the process is relatively quiet and does not involve combustion and its
by-products, producing virtually no harmful air emissions.
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