The largest commercial fuel cell system in the U.S. now provides energy for the U.S. Postal Service in Anchorage, Alaska. This is the first time a fuel cell system has been integrated into an electric utility’s grid, with the ability to sell excess energy back to the grid.
Chugach Electric Association, Alaska’s largest utility, installed the $5.5 million, one-megawatt system, which was manufactured by International Fuel Cells. 425 employees work at the Anchorage Mail Processing Center, the main sorting and distribution point for mail going into and out of Alaska, which operates 24 hours a day. It is located next to Anchorage International Airport.
Heat recovery from the fuel cells will help provide space heating to the facility, increasing the overall fuel efficiency of the Postal Service Center. As a result, less fuel will be needed for conventional systems.
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