Coca-Cola to test new fuel cell technology

Fuel cells powered by biogas will be tested at a Coca-Cola packaging plant.

David Greenfield

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The Coca-Cola Company has agreed to test fuel cellspowered by environmentally friendly biogas to power its Odwalla juice packagingplant in Dinuba, CA. The company has signed on as a FoundationPartner with Bloom Energy, a California-based firm that manufactures fuel cellsthat can generate electricity from a variety of energy sources, including naturalgas.

The core technology--solid oxide fuel cell--was originally developed for NASA. It is reported to be one of the mostefficient devices available for converting hydrocarbon fuels, such as naturalgas, into electricity.

Five Bloom Energy server fuel cells will beinstalled late this year at the Dinuba plant. The fuel cells, which will run onre-directed biogas, are expected to provide 30% of the plant's power needswhile reducing its carbon footprint by an estimated 35%.

"The Coca-Cola Company has committed to holdits overall worldwide manufacturing carbon emissions flat through 2015 from its2004 level. We intend to do this while actually reducing emissions in the U.S. and otherdeveloped markets, improving energy efficiency and using cleaner forms ofenergy, like these fuel cells," said Brian Kelley, president and general manager,Coca-Cola North America Still Beverages and Supply Chain.

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-Edited by DavidGreenfield , editorial director
Control Engineering Sustainable Engineering News Desk