In 2012, major U.S. companies purchased more than 32 MW of fuel cell power and 1,131 fuel cell forklifts, making it another successful year for the fuel cell industry. The latest Business Case for Fuel Cells report, released today by Fuel Cells 2000, highlights new and repeat customers of fuel cell systems in the U.S., and draws particular attention to the ways that fuel cells work with other energy sources – natural gas, biomass, solar, wind, and batteries – to “green” a company’s facility and achieve a measure of independence from the electric grid. For these technologies, renewable or otherwise, fuel cells are an ideal technology enhancer and not a competitor.

Some of this year’s most notable fuel cell customers include AT&T, with more than 17 MW either installed or on order for 28 sites in Connecticut and California; Walmart, with 26 stores in California powered by fuel cells and 3 facilities in North America using fuel cell forklifts; and Sysco, with more than 700 fuel cell forklifts deployed at seven facilities in the U.S., with hundreds more on order.

“Fuel cells have many benefits that collectively help boost a company’s productivity – from longer lasting fuel cells for materials handling; stationary units powering through blackouts and hurricanes; to pairing with other technologies to achieve high efficiency and complete grid independence,” , says Jennifer Gangi, program director, Fuel Cells 2000. “All of the fuel cells referenced in the report were manufactured in the U.S., by U.S. companies, another way the fuel cell industry bolsters the economy.”

Read the full report here: http://www.fuelcells.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/FC-Business-Case-2012.pdf