Progress Energy Investing in Alternative Energy Technology

As Progress Energy embarks on an aggressive building campaign to meet growing electricity needs in the Carolinas and Florida, the company is also focused on future energy sources.  That philosophy is behind a recent decision to commit $1 million to Microcell Corp., a Raleigh-based company working to bring commercially available fuel cell applications to industrial, commercial and consumer markets.

Raleigh, N.C., based Progress Energy serves more than 2.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida through two electric utilities.  The company believes the future of energy and electricity is bounding with possibilities and untapped resources, and it will continue to be involved in researching and demonstrating promising new technologies.

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy.  Unlike batteries, which convert chemical energy stored within the battery, fuel cells theoretically continue to deliver electrical energy as long as fuel is supplied.

A potential application for fuel cells is in operating distributed generation, or power plants located on or near the customer's property.  Progress Energy’s Florida electric utility is conducting one such research project with Plug Power, a fuel cell systems provider.  The two groups have joined together to install a 5-kilowatt fuel cell at Palm Garden of Largo, a skilled- nursing facility on the west coast of Florida.  It will provide hallway and safety lighting for the facility if hurricanes or other emergencies interrupt power.

Progress Energy is also involved in a number of other hydrogen-related initiatives in Florida, including teaming up with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a sustainable hydrogen generator and fuel cell for the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park.  The hydrogen fuel cell at this location uses only sunlight and water as a fuel source, producing enough electricity to power the park’s Wildlife Encounter Pavilion.

In addition, the company is piloting hydrogen-fueled Ford Focus fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) in Florida.  The vehicles are driven by energy counselors who make home visits to advise customers in energy-efficiency methods.  A hydrogen fueling station is also under construction, in partnership with Ford, BP and the DEP, at Progress Energy’s Jamestown Operations Center in Oviedo, Fla.  Another hydrogen fueling station is being built on Progress Energy property near the Orlando International Airport, in partnership with the DEP and Chevron, and will be used to fuel eight state-owned Ford hydrogen-powered shuttle buses to transport airport visitors.

Finally, Progress Energy is supporting the development of a student curriculum at eight Florida schools called “Hydrogen: The Power and the Potential,” with the Florida Solar Energy Center.

While any widespread consumer application of fuel cell technology is likely years away, increased research and development—as well as active pilots and demonstrations such as these by Progress Energy—help to accelerate the process.  For more information, please visit www.progress-energy.com/environment.

© 2008 Edison Electric Institute