New Fuel Cell System Installed At Hamden High School

HAMDEN, CT — Officials celebrated the unveiling of a new 460kW Fuel Cell at Hamden High School in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.

Mayor Lauren Garrett joined ACES - Area Cooperative Educational Services ACES UP, Daisy Solutions, Hamden Superintendent Gary Highsmith, and State Representative Laurie Sweet, at the ceremony.

The clean energy system is expected to save more than $300,000 a year in energy costs to Hamden High School and the surrounding community, according to officials.

“Fuel cells are a clean and efficient energy technology that produces electricity through a chemical reaction, with water and heat as the only byproducts,” officials wrote in a news release. “By installing a fuel cell system, Hamden High School is taking a significant step towards reducing its carbon footprint and promoting environmental sustainability.

“The project is a significant step forward for the ACES UP program sponsored by ACES for Connecticut school districts. The program is designed to facilitate the deployment of renewable energy in the state’s school districts to achieve financial cost savings while improving environmental sustainability. The project was installed as a collaboration between Daisy Solutions which administers the ACES UP program for ACES and VFS Energy Services which handles the project financing and legal matters.”

Read more from the news release below:

In addition to the environmental benefits, the fuel cell system will provide Hamden High School with reliable and resilient power, ensuring continuous electricity supply during grid outages or emergencies. This is crucial for maintaining a safe and functional learning environment for students and staff.

Furthermore, the installation of the fuel cell system is expected to result in significant cost savings for the Hamden community. By generating electricity on-site, the school will reduce its reliance on traditional grid power, leading to long-term savings on energy costs.

“We are thrilled to introduce this innovative fuel cell system at Hamden High School,” Garrett said. “This project exemplifies our dedication to sustainability and demonstrates how investing in clean energy technologies can benefit our environment and our community.”

Hamden Superintendent of Schools Gary Highsmith said, “The fuel cell system not only aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship but also ensures that our school remains operational and secure, even in challenging circumstances. We are excited about the positive impact this will have on our school and the Hamden community.”

ACES Executive Director Tom Danehy said: “This project reflects our ongoing effort to promote energy efficiency and resiliency in educational facilities. We are proud to partner with Hamden High School in implementing this cutting-edge technology.”