"The more than 225 astronauts who have flown on U.S. Apollo and Space Shuttle missions have been the earliest adopters and beneficiaries of fuel cell technology," said UTC Power President Jan van Dokkum. "UTCFC is taking its experience in designing and operating fuel cells in the most challenging environment conceivable -- outer space -- and bringing it down to earth so the public can enjoy the environmental, efficiency and energy security benefits of fuel cells in stationary and transportation applications."
UTC Fuel Cells has provided three 12 kW alkaline fuel cells for the Space Shuttle Orbiter. The technology has accumulated more than 90,000 hours of operation during 113 missions. Cryogenic hydrogen and oxygen feed each of the self-contained fuel cells, which measure four cubic feet and weigh 260 pounds each. The units produce reliable electricity without the need for backup batteries, with a by-product of water for the crew to drink and for cooling the spacecraft.
In addition to providing fuel cells for the U.S. space program, UTCFC has sold more than 275 PureCell(TM) 200 kW stationary units to customers in 19 countries on five continents. UTC Fuel Cells is currently working with major automobile manufacturers, including Nissan, Hyundai and BMW, and the U.S. Department of Energy on developing and demonstrating programs for automobiles, and is delivering power plants for four zero-emission Van Hool fuel cell buses that will be operated by AC Transit and SunLine Transit in California.
United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX - News), based in Hartford, Conn., provides high-technology products and services to the commercial building and the aerospace industries. Its UTC Power division, based in South Windsor, Conn. includes UTC Fuel Cells and is a full-service provider of environmentally advanced power solutions. With more than 40 years of experience, UTC Power packages on-site power systems for commercial and industrial markets and is the leading developer and producer of fuel cells for transportation and space applications.