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For More Information Contact:
Kathi VanderZanden, PNGC Power, 503-288-1234
PNGC Power Member Cooperative Lost River Electric Offers Glimpse of Future Through Participation in Fuel Cell Demo
PNGC Power's self-contained fuel cell - now hosted by Lost River Electric Cooperative -
promises to change the face of energy distribution
Mackay, Idaho - 10/10/2002 - Lost River Electric Cooperative has introduced the next big idea in generation technology at its headquarters, powering a portion of its main office, at 305 Pine Street, in Mackay, Idaho, with a prototype fuel cell.
Lost River Electric (LRE) is hosting the fuel cell by virtue of its membership in PNGC Power. PNGC Power was among a select group of Northwest utilities chosen in August 2001 to participate in a fuel cell testing program sponsored by the Bonneville Power Administration.
According to LRE Manager, LaNea Holt, the fuel cell unit is supplying power to various appliances in the Lost River Electric office, including some sophisticated computer equipment, in an effort to evaluate its ability to provide a high degree of power quality and reliability.
"By offering the fuel cell to our members, we hope to discover whether it suits the distinct needs of rural customers, who have their own unique load profiles based on the kinds of appliances they run," said Kevin Watkins, PNGC Power vice president of Engineering. "We're also going to find out whether this kind of technology can supplement or replace the need for additional power lines to remote locations, which could save our customers money."
About the size of a refrigerator, the fuel cell is expected to revolutionize the energy industry in much the same way the personal computer changed global communications, according to regional power experts. The self-contained units can be installed where they are needed - a key selling point for customers in isolated locations who sometimes face steep line extension costs as well as power quality and reliability issues.
In addition, fuel cells are an environmentally friendly energy source because they convert fuel directly to electricity. Any emissions from the fuel cell are minimal when compared to the combustion of fossil fuels. The only byproducts of fuel cells are carbon dioxide, water and heat. A fuel cell can meet most of the hot water needs of the average household, using heat recovered from the fuel cell.
"As a member of PNGC Power, Lost River Electric is able to get in on the ground floor of innovative distributed generation ideas that appeal to our customers," said Holt. "PNGC Power helps us find smart, cost-effective ideas that our customers want."
PNGC Power is a Portland-based electric power services cooperative owned by 15 Northwest electric distribution utilities. In 1996, the company became the first power cooperative in the country to receive a power marketing license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. PNGC Power creates value for its member systems by providing sophisticated power management, technical innovation and cutting edge customer services and products. More information about PNGC Power can be found at www.pngc.com.
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