Fuel Cell

Partnering with the City of Turlock, TID constructed a fuel cell which is located at the City's Regional Water Quality Control Facility. The 1.2 megawatt fuel cell generates clean, renewable energy from the methane gas produced by the facility.

Prior to the fuel cell, a portion of the methane gas was utilized to operate three boilers at the treatment facility while the remaining portion was burned into the atmosphere. Because fuel cells convert methane gas into electricity electrochemically, there is no combustion or creation of greenhouse gases. They operate hundreds of times cleaner than conventional power generation facilities which significantly reduce nitrogen oxides, particulates and sulfur dioxides emitted into the air which gives the City the opportunity to reduce its emissions.