Detailed fuel cell demonstration site summary report: Naval hospital at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center - Twentynine Palms

Fuel cells are an environmentally clean, quiet, and a highly efficient method for generating electricity and heat from natural gas and other fuels. In fiscal year 1993 (FY93), the Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) was assigned the mission of managing the DOD Fuel Cell Demonstration Program. Specific tasks included developing turnkey PAFC packages, devising site criteria, screening candidate DOD installation sites based on selection criteria, evaluating viable applications at each candidate site, coordinating fuel cell site designs, installation and acceptance of the PAFC power plants, and performance monitoring and reporting. CERL selected and evaluated 30 application sites, supervised the design and installation of fuel cells, actively monitored the operation and maintenance of fuel cells, and compiled “lessons learned” for feedback to fuel cell manufacturers. At the conclusion of the demonstration period, each of the demonstration fuel cell sites was given the choice to either have the fuel cell removed or to keep the fuel cell power plant. This report presents a detailed review of a 200 kW fuel cell installed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) – Twentynine Palms and operated between June 1995 and May 2000. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR. ERDC/CERL TR-06-17 iii