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Taking another step toward the goal of making fuel cell generators available for residential and commercial use, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has named 10 initial research partners in a new and innovative fuel cell energy project. These BPA providers and end-users will be the first to test subjects in BPA's fuel cell project to test and evaluate proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

In June, BPA declared its desire to work with its public customers to field test the first 10 fuel cells in the project. While over 20 companies expressed an interest in the project, only ten fuel cells were available.

The electric power generators chosen to take part in the initial test are:

1.) Central Electric Cooperative, Redmond, Ore.
2.) City of Idaho Falls, Idaho
3.) Emerald PUD, Eugene, Ore.
4.) Energy Northwest, Richland, Wash.
5.) Eugene Water and Electric Board, Eugene, Ore.
6.) Fergus Electric, Lewistown, Mont.
7.) Grant County PUD No. 2, Ephrata, Wash.
8.) Lincoln Electric Cooperative, Eureka, Mont.
9.) Mason Co. PUD No. 3 & Lewis Co. PUD No. 1 (in partnership), Washington
10.) Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative, Portland, Ore.

These 10 companies will operate the first 10 fuel cell systems at their own facilities and performance data and feedback from them will help define the next generation of fuel cell systems. In addition, 100 second-generation units will be produced to further test and refine the technology. Northwest Power Systems, the company that is manufacturing the PEM fuel cells, expects to have the first unit ready this fall.

"BPA is extremely pleased to have so much interest and support for this project," says Mark Jackson, BPA's fuel cell development manager. "I think our customers and the region as a whole are beginning to see the potential benefits fuel cells offer as clean, quiet, efficient power systems. "

BPA and Northwest Power Systems will unveil the first unit in a special display at the Northcon/99 Conference in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 7. Northcon/99, sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), is a technical applications conference that will explore embedded systems technology. Participants will take delivery of their units starting later this year on through mid-2000.

Edited by Stephen Heiser

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