Insist on Fuel Cells

In the face of blackouts, fires, and other natural disasters, customers experience first-hand the need to decouple their reliance on the utility companies, to protect against outages, and to ensure resiliency for homes and businesses. Traditional backup generators have been described as a dirtier, less safe, and expensive solution. Solar, even if paired with batteries, does not guarantee protection. Microgrid energy systems which utilize Fuel Cells provide reliable resiliency.

Understanding CHP Generation

Combined Heat and Power units (CHP) generate power onsite, using natural gas. Unlike normal generators, CHP and Fuel Cells provide a consistent and reliable flow of energy to buildings while emitting substantially less pollutants. CHP units are not affected by clouds or power outages, can be utilized to produce free heat for domestic and commercial use. Though avoiding transmission line inefficiencies, CHPs are generally are fifty percent more carbon friendly than traditional utility power.

Insist on Information

Why would IO utilize generation sources other than solar?

IO does not believe claims of companies which promise complete resiliency utilizing only solar and batteries alone, simply because mankind cannot control the weather. Based on real-world data, IO has seen the need for a tertiary source of energy that can add further redundancy to a microgrid solution.

Why would IO support any technology that increases carbon emissions?

IO has recognized the need for decarbonization. However, we must also address the immediate needs of our society. Without a tangible solution that might supplement PV and battery arrays, customers will continue to depend on dirty backup generators. IO clients have also actually enjoyed substantive emission reductions due to the utilizations of natural gas fuel cells and CHP technology, since on-site generation does not suffer the transmission losses which plague utility power, and since IO brokers independent third party deregulated gas solutions, which are accompanied by green carbon credits.

Do IO Fuell Cell and CHP technologies pass AQMD permitting?

IO technologies are designed to go above and beyond Air Quality Management District standards. In fact, our Fuel Cell technology is so safe, some local utilities have approved and permitted it as an appliance, similar to a water heater.