Rehlko installs H2 fuel cell gen set at US hospital

Installation of Rehlko fuel cell gen set (Photo: Rehlko)

Together with partner Toyota Motor North America, Rehlko (formerly Kohler Energy) has developed a new power generation system based on a hydrogen fuel cell.

One of the new fuel cell-based power gen systems has now been installed at Klickitat Valley Health in Washington state.

The 100 kW solid polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell will be used for emergency backup, peak shaving and demand response.

The installation is intended to support a continuing strategy of sustainability at Rehlko, which will help to reduce the environmental impact of power generation at customer sites.

Rehlko supplied the fuel cell as a complete solution, having sourced, integrated and manufactured the complete system and related accessories, including electrical architecture, exhaust, cooling and fuel inlet system.

Local energy service providers were also called in to oversee the installation and commissioning of the unit. They will also provide a range of aftersales services.

“The fuel cell will provide KVH with a sustainable supply of zero-emissions power,” said Ben Rapp, Business Development manger at Rehlko. “Our one-source responsibility means it has been designed for widespread component interoperability to provide resilient power on demand, while offering low-maintenance operation and reduced through-life costs.”

The fuel cell system is suitable for a broad range of mission-critical power users, including hospitals, data centers and water treatment plants. It is suitable for prime or backup power delivery through microgrids, while it can also support electric vehicle charging.

KVH said it partnered with Rehlko to reap the benefits of working with an experienced technology provider that could offer an end-to-end solution.

“Rehlko has a long history of power systems innovation and has been intensely researching fuel cell technologies for several years,” said Jonathan Lewis, director of Support Services at the hospital. “That knowledge and experience meant Rehlko was perfectly positioned to meet our sustainable power requirements.”

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