California's largest fuel cell is being unveiled at the Santa Rita Jail today and is expected to cut the prison's annual electric bill by over $260,000.

The energy-saving project has cost $6.1 million in total, part of which has been raised by government grants, and will enable the institution to supply its own power and reduce its reliance on the state's troubled electric grid.

Motivated by a massive power failure in 2003, the jail has been looking for solutions to save energy while benefiting the environment.

The county's energy programme manager, Matthew Muniz, told Fuel Cell Today: "The fuel cell wasn't the cheapest, but it was compelling enough and the savings was enough. And it fits with our sustainability programme."

Jack Brouwer, associate director at the National Fuel Cell Research Centre, added: "This is a technology that is still emerging…but we can already see today installations that are cost-effective for customers.

"It is one strategy that we can use to mitigate the very real threat we have for rolling blackouts in the future."

By converting the hydrogen energy in natural gas into electricity, the fuel cell will supply more than half of the jail's annual electricity consumption for 25 years and should repay the investment within the first 15 years.

The waste heat produced by the fuel cell will also be used to heat water for showers and laundry.

As fuel cells increase in popularity, they will become a key growth area for platinum and pgms, as the metals are used as catalysts in the technology.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd