Green Schools | News

Central Connecticut State U To Save $100,000 per Year with Fuel Cell

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 07/19/12

Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) has installed a 1.4-megawatt fuel cell power plant that will reduce the school's energy costs by $100,000 per year.

The $9 million project was funded in part by $3.4 million provided by the Connecticut Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA). Greenwood Energy developed and financed the project, and will own the plant and sell power and steam to the University as part of a long-term energy purchase agreement. FuelCell Energy provided the equipment and will maintain the plant.

"We couldn’t do this alone," said University President Jack Miller at a ribbon cutting ceremony. "We wish to thank Greenwood Energy for its financing of the fuel cell power plant, along with the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, and our thanks to FuelCell Energy which designed and built this plant."

The power plant is part of a larger sustainability initiative at the university, which recently retrofitted 500 outdoor lamps around campus with light emitting diodes (LEDs) in an effort to reduce energy consumption. The school was an early participant in the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, and has been recognized by the Princeton Review as an exemplary green institution for three years in a row.

"As an institution of higher education, it is our responsibility to take a leadership role in developing policies, infrastructure and institutional practices that lead to a culture change," said Miller. "This power plant is a significant step in helping CCSU achieve our aggressive goals for reducing greenhouse gases and improving energy efficiency on campus."

Founded in 1849, CCSU serves approximately 12,500 students with five schools. It is Connecticut's oldest public institution of higher education. More information about CCSU's sustainability efforts is available at ccsu.edu.