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Public utilities

Next-Generation Fuel Cell System Provides Reliable Backup Power for Homes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

WATT Fuel Cell, in partnership with Essential Utilities, has successfully installed a next-generation WATT HOME solid oxide fuel cell system in Peoples Natural Gas' Western Pennsylvania service territory. This cutting-edge technology converts natural gas into electricity without combustion, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources. The system operates as a backup power solution, providing a dependable source of electricity during grid outages, minimizing the impact of power disruptions. This marks a significant step forward in enhancing energy efficiency and reliability for residential customers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WATT HOME system converts natural gas into electricity through an electrochemical process without combustion, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources.
  • The system provides a reliable backup power solution, keeping the lights on during outages without the noise or pollution created by standard backup power generators.
  • On average, U.S. electricity customers experience approximately 5.5 hours of electricity interruptions annually, highlighting the urgent need for resilient, efficient, and clean energy solutions.
  • The WATT HOME system is designed to provide safe, clean, efficient, and reliable energy directly to homes, with a smaller physical footprint and reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional energy sources.
  • Peoples Natural Gas plans to pilot installations of the WATT HOME system in multiple company field offices, informing a future public rollout and defining the installation and operational process across different use cases.
  • The partnership with WATT Fuel Cell is the latest in a series of innovative concepts championed by Peoples to meet modern-day energy demands, leveraging the region's abundant natural gas supply.

Statistics:

  • Average hours of electricity interruptions experienced by U.S. electricity customers annually: 5.5 hours
  • Number of people served by Essential Utilities: approximately 5.5 million
  • Number of homes and businesses served by Peoples Natural Gas: approximately 740,000
  • Number of acres of forests and habitats protected by Essential Utilities: more than 7,600
  • MWh of electricity generated by the WATT HOME system: not specified
  • Percentage of greenhouse gas emissions reduced by the WATT HOME system compared to traditional energy sources: not specified

Sources:

  • BusinessWire: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250527270225/en/
  • WATT Fuel Cell: www.wattfuelcell.com
  • Peoples Natural Gas: peoplesng.com
  • Essential Utilities: essentialutilities.net

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