Westin S.F. Hotel Installing Fuel Cell Electric Power Plant (CA)

[jpak]

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2007/02/05/westin-sf-hotel-installing-fuel-cell-electric-power-plant/

Alliance Star Energy, a joint venture between FuelCell Energy and Alliance Power, has received a $1.25 million incentive check from Pacific Gas and Electric Company to help pay for a fuel cell electric power plant at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel in San Mateo, California.

The power plant from FuelCell Energy will generate 500 kilowatts of energy by converting fuel into hydrogen, hot water and electricity. The Westin’s Direct FuelCell units will generate approximately 100 percent of the hotel’s electricity requirements. Surplus heat from the power plant will be captured to provide 40 percent of the hotel’s thermal requirements for hot water and heating the swimming pool.

PG&E helped finance these clean energy projects through its self-generation incentive program. The program offers cash incentives to help offset the upfront costs associated with renewable energy power generation systems.

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[Castleman]

1. So...why the bloody

fuck can't every hotel, plant, business, etc do this?
I'd LOVE to go fuel cell in my home. It'd cut my power costs dramatically, give me reliable power (I live in Seattle, home of major storm blackouts), and not destroy the environment!!! Our local power company already has a methane plant over a landfill that is very green, but I want MORE!!! And if they can power a HOTEL, surely they can power a car?

[kestrel91316]

2. It's coming. Really. Please be patient.

Right now the home units are VERY pricey, IIRC. Needs economy of scale.

[jpak]

3. Connecticut has RFPs out for 100 MW of fuel cells as part of there RPS

California and NJ are not far behind, and Japan is way ahead of everyone...

:)