High-Temperature Fuel Cell and Absorption Chiller at UCI Medical Center Scheduled for Completion in Summer 2015

The Advanced Power and Energy Program, in conjunction with the University of California, Irvine Medical Center (UCIMC) is deploying an integrated high-temperature fuel cell and absorption chiller (HTFC/AC) system at the UCIMC's Douglas Hospital. The HTFC/AC system will provide the hospital with 1.4 MW of electricity and over 200 refrigeration tons of cooling (800 kW) while serving as a technology transfer showcase for the Distributed Generation market.

The fuel cell chosen for this application is Fuel Cell Energy's DFC1500. This molten carbonate fuel cell is designed to operate as a base load electricity provider and has the benefit of producing high quality waste heat. An absorption chiller is used in this application to capture the high quality waste heat and convert its energy into cooling for the Douglas Hospital hydronic air conditioning system.

The project which is currently under construction is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2015. As a showcase of HTFC/AC technology, it will incorporate an onsite technology transfer room dedicated to informing the public, students, industry leaders, and government officials of the benefits of clean HTFC/AC technology. The project is funded by the California Energy Commission.



April 8, 2015