Arcola theatre is now hydrogen fuel cell powered

London’s Arcola Theatre has installed a hydrogen fuel cell to power its café/bar and selected main house shows. The fuel cell operates almost silently, producing nothing but electricity and clean water. The lighting for the show has a peak power consumption of 4.5kW and the lighting for the café bar consumes under 500 watts, all made possible through extensive use of LED combined with other efficient lighting sources. This lighting system uses approximately 60% less than comparable instillations.

The 5kW fuel cell system is on show in the foyer of the theatre accompanied by displays describing the benefits and challenges posed by this ground breaking technology. The prominent location of the fuel cell and the challenge of relying entirely upon it provide both a powerful educational tool and a source of motivation for reducing energy use.

The IdaTech ElectraGen fuel cell system has been supplied by London Hydrogen Partnership with additional funding from the UK Department for Culture Media & Sport, Arts Council England, the London Borough of Hackney and the Mayor of London’s Greening London Theatre Initiative. Hydrogen for the fuel cell has been supplied by BOC gases.

This project is part of Arcola Theatre’s extensive sustainability-related activities - under the banner of Arcola Energy, spearheaded by Dr Ben Todd, the theatre’s Executive Director, who also works as a consultant in the fuel cell industry. He said:

“Through Arcola Energy, Arcola Theatre is demonstrating that bold changes can be made and that making them offers exciting opportunities for new creative partnerships.”

The fuel cell will start operation on Tuesday 12th February, the opening night of The Living Unknown Soldier. Tours and photo-calls can be arranged thereafter until 15th March. For further details about the show please request the additional ‘Show’ press release or visit www.arcolaenergy.com/PR/0802-LUS.pdf. 

London’s Mayor, Ken Livingstone, noted that ‘The Living Unknown Soldier is unique in that it is the world's first production to be powered by a fuel cell, supplied and sponsored by the London Hydrogen Partnership. Every individual, every business, every shop, and every theatre has a part to play in tackling climate change and this lead by Arcola Theatre is just what we need.’

Source: Fuel Cell Today