FuelCell Energy has announced an order from its South Korean partner, POSCO Energy for 121.8 MW of fuel cell kits and services to be manufactured at the FuelCell Energy production facility in Torrington, CT, USA. The estimated value of the multi-year contract is approximately $181 million. POSCO Energy, the largest independent power producer in South Korea, is a subsidiary of POSCO, a leading global steel producer. "POSCO Energy recently signed a contract to build the world's largest fuel-cell park, a 58.8 MW project located in South Korea," said Jung-Gon Kim, Senior Vice President, POSCO Energy. "This order to FuelCell Energy for 121.8 MW will help us meet demand in South Korea as well as other Asian countries." "This is the largest order ever received by FuelCell Energy … almost tripling our product backlog and initiating our planned increase in production levels for 2013," said Chip Bottone, President and Chief Executive Officer, FuelCell Energy. "The extensive market acceptance in South Korea for ultra-clean and efficient fuel-cell power generation is a deployment and job-creation model that can and should be replicated in other regions of the world." South Korea adopted an ambitious RPS (renewable-portfolio standard) in 2012 to promote clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and develop a local green industry to support economic growth. Utilities and project investors are developing new and renewable power projects under the RPS including the new 58.8 MW fuel-cell park that is in progress with construction expected to commence in 2012. The ownership of the 58.8 MW fuel-cell park includes Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Samchully, POSCO Energy, and financial investors. The electricity will be sold to the power grid and the heat from the fuel cells will be supplied to a district heating system. "This multi-year committed order is really quite extraordinary from a production standpoint as it allows us to level-load our factory and provide committed volumes to our supply base, important factors for further improving our overall cost profile through operating leverage, manufacturing efficiencies, and stronger supplier relationships," commented Tony Rauseo, Chief Operating Officer, FuelCell Energy. "We can continue to support market development efforts by POSCO Energy through further cost reductions." The first delivery will occur in May 2013 to ensure an uninterrupted supply of kits as deliveries under the existing 70 MW order will conclude in April 2013. Each kit consists of 1.4 MW of fuel cell components that are interchangeable and can be used for MW-class fuel cell power plants or sub-MW plants. Mr. Bottone continued, "Production from this order, combined with production for scheduled restacks under existing service agreements, generates annual committed production of approximately 50 to 55 megawatts, which is the level needed for the Company to achieve quarterly positive gross margins." As an additional indicator of demand for stationary fuel-cell power plants, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power executed a memorandum of understanding with Seoul City on September 28, 2012 for the joint development of new and renewable power generation, including 120 MW of stationary fuel-cell power plants. Expected fuel-cell applications include the Seoul City subway, municipal water treatment facilities, and resource collection facilities. Electrical and thermal efficiency is important under the RPS and the fuel-cell power plants are expected to be configured for CHP (combined heat and power). DFC (Direct FuelCell) power plants excel at solving energy, environmental, and business problems by providing ultra clean, efficient, and reliable distributed power generation. Direct FuelCells combine a fuel such as natural gas or renewable biogas with oxygen from the ambient air to efficiently produce ultra-clean electricity and usable high quality heat through an electrochemical process. DFC power plants emit virtually no pollutants due to the absence of combustion. Avoiding the emission of NOx (nitrogen oxide), SOx (sulfur dioxide), and particulate matter supports clean-air regulations and benefits public health. The high efficiency of the fuel-cell power-generation process reduces fuel costs and carbon emissions. Producing both electricity and heat from the same unit of fuel further supports favorable economics while also promoting sustainability. FuelCell Energy
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