New Connecticut Whole Foods Market to Generate On-Site Power with Fuel Cell Technology from UTC Power

The new Whole Foods Market in Glastonbury, Conn., is claimed to be the first supermarket to generate most of its power on-site with a fuel cell from UTC Power. 

“We are always looking to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Kathy Loftus, Global Leader, Sustainable Engineering, Maintenance and Energy for Whole Foods Market.  “Together with UTC Power and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, we’ve designed a combined cooling, heating and power system for our new Glastonbury store using a quiet, highly energy-efficient fuel cell that will reduce our carbon footprint dramatically.”

The new 46,000-square-foot store at 55 Welles Street in the Fox Run Mall opens its doors at 10 a.m. on March 12 and will generate 50 percent of the electricity and heat and nearly 100 percent of the hot water needed to operate the store on-site using fuel cell technology.

The fuel cell at the Glastonbury Whole Foods Market will be configured for grid-independent operation and is capable of providing 200 kW of standby power if there’s a grid failure, which will enable the store to operate without disruption.  “Our UTC Power PureCell system provides Whole Foods Market with enhanced energy security and will ensure a reliable food supply for customers and protect against costly food spoilage if the power grid goes down,” said Jan van Dokkum, UTC Power president.

It has been claimed by the company that Whole Foods Market’s use of a fuel cell system versus a conventional power plant has carbon dioxide-mitigating benefits equal to planting more than 21 acres of forest, and reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions equal to removing 100 cars from the roadways per year. 

The store’s fuel cell is eligible for an Onsite Renewable Energy grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF). The CCEF promotes, develops and invests in clean energy sources for sustainable energy for the benefit of Connecticut ratepayers.

Source: Fuel Cell Today