Fuel Cell
CSUN is the first institution in the world to have a grid connected fuel cell plant. The plant has a 1 megawatt capacity and eliminates more than 6,400 tons of CO2 a year that otherwise would be released into the atmosphere. The plant generates up to 8.3 million kWh per year of electricity from the chemical conversion, rather than the combustion, of natural gas at an efficiency of close to 40%. Waste heat from the plant is captured to heat buildings and the USU pool, and to generate domestic hot water. Waste water and CO2 are used to feed the adjacent rainforest.Â
