Ikea to power up with fuel cells in Northeast

Ikea is extending its renewable energy commitment with plans for its first biogas-powered fuel cell system on the East Coast.



The home furnishings giant contracted Bloom Energy, Sunnyvale, California, for the design, development and installation of the system, which will be located at Ikea’s location in New Haven, Connecticut. Combined with the 940.8-kW solar array that was installed atop the store in 2012, the fuel cell project will help generate a majority of the store’s energy onsite.



Slightly larger than the physical size of a commercial back-up generator, the 250-kw, biogas-powered project will produce approximately 2,081,376 kWh of electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 1,218 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) – equal to the emissions of 233 cars or to providing electricity for 163 homes yearly.



More than a year ago, Ikea completed installation of a similar project at its store in Emeryville, California. And, earlier this summer, the home furnishings giant announced plans for similar projects at four additional California stores.



Pending permits, the New Haven fuel cell system will be installed, commissioned and operational by the fall, bringing Ikea’s cell portfolio to more than 1.5 MW.



Ikea’s investment in fuel cell technology reflects the company’s goal to be energy independent by 2020.