FuelCellsWorks

The fuel cell, which will be housed in a 4,300-square-foot area at  the county’s General Services Department, comprises $9 million of the  county’s $20 million Comprehensive Energy Project, Sonoma County General  Services Department Manager Jose Oberon said.

The Comprehensive Energy Project also includes other efficiency  measures and upgrades to county facilities and mechanical systems.

The project will reduce and replace 13.4 million kilowatts from  the PG&E grid and reduce water consumption by 19 million gallons a year, the  General Services Department said.

The energy project is expected to reduce the county’s emissions of  greenhouse gases by more than 6,000 tons annually, Sonoma County Board of  Supervisors Chairman Paul Kelley said.

“This is an example of applying action to commitment,” Kelley  said.

During the first 16 years of operation, the annual energy cost of  savings will more than pay for the cost of the fuel cell project and over its  lifetime of about 30 years, it will save the county between $40 and $50  million, county officials said.

Aircon Energy of Sacramento is installing the fuel cell project.  The company has installed other fuel cell projects in the state but spokesman  Jeff Wagner said the Sonoma County project will result in the greatest  reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Direct fuel cell technology uses a non-combustion, electrochemical  process to combine natural gas with oxygen and ambient air to produce  electricity, heat and water.

The excess heat will be used to warm water and buildings in the  county administration complex that includes the county jail, administration  building, human services and permit and resources management departments.

It will take several months to install the fuel cell, which is  scheduled to go into operation in September or October 2010.