December 7, 2005—Progress Energy Florida, a diversified energy company, has installed a hydrogen fuel cell to provide backup electric power to a Pinellas County skilled-nursing facility, the company says.
A 5-kilowatt fuel cell was installed at Palm Garden of Largo, a skilled-nursing facility on the west coast of Florida. It will provide hallway and safety lighting for the facility if hurricanes or other emergencies interrupt power.
The joint project between Progress Energy and Plug Power will advance the technology further. A fuel cell is similar to a battery, and uses hydrogen to create electricity. It has low emissions and operates quietly, says Progress.
In addition to the project at Palm Garden, Progress Energy is involved in a number of other projects to explore the viability of hydrogen as a carrier of energy, including installing the first sustainable hydrogen fuel cell at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park near Crystal River and piloting hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
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