Fuel cell system approved for Middletown High School

Voters this week approved authorising the city to spend $1.3 million in grants it received to pay for a fuel cell energy system and emergency generator at the new Middletown High School, Connecticut. 

The approval allows officials to use the money to pay for a hydrogen fuel cell that will supply a portion of the school's electrical power needs and a two-megawatt generator, costs that were not included in the $106.65 million school construction project voters had approved.

During construction of the school, which opened last month, the state legislature came up with $1.3 million in grants to pay for the fuel cell system and the generator, sparing local taxpayers the additional expense. Although the additions did not cost the city more money, the grants did put the project above the $106.65 million voters had approved.

The generator allows the school to be used as a shelter during natural disasters. It would be used to power food services, heat, air conditioning, hot water and lighting.

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-midref0924.artsep24,0,3912692.story

Source: Courant