Fuel Cell Provider Gets $6 Million in Government Awards

LATHAM, N.Y.—Plug Power Inc. has received more than $6 million in awards from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for “fuel cell market transformation programs.”

The company says it will use the funding will be used to integrate its fuel cell solutions into material handling, residential and stationary power applications.

Additionally, nine programs were awarded to Plug Power customers for DOE market transformation projects, totaling more than 304 GenDrive units deployed into the field. Replacing lead-acid batteries in electric lift trucks, these product installations will allow for fleet conversions within warehouses and distribution centers in Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.

“These awards move commercial customers beyond field trials to full fleet conversions,” says Tony Troutt, director of sales at Plug Power. “Strong support from large customers in diverse industries will drive rapid market adoption.”

As part of the $6 million, the DOE will also fund a three-year project to verify the durability and commercial readiness of Plug Power’s combined heat and power GenSys product. Designed for residential and light commercial applications, GenSys replaces traditional furnaces and boilers, creating electricity and heat for the consumer. The DOE-funded reliability fleet will be installed in Southern California as a result of an arrangement with Southern California Gas Co., a Sempra Energy utility, and the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine.

“We appreciate the DOE’s investment and commitment to fuel cell technology,” says Katrina Fritz Intwala, vice president of government and public relations. “Their vision and leadership has facilitated expansion and growth within the industry. This will allow companies like Plug Power and its customers to deploy exciting alternative energy products and accelerate the growth of green jobs.”