Conshohocken, Pa. — IKEA plans to install a fuel cell system manufactured by Bloom Energy at its location in Emeryville, Calif., which is one of two San Francisco-area stores for the Sweden-based home furnishings retailer. The fuel cell system will be installed, commissioned and activated by summer 2015.
Consistent with the IKEA focus on emerging energy technologies, this project represents the first IKEA endeavor globally to convert biogas into electricity through a clean electro-chemical process.
Slightly larger than the physical size of a commercial backup generator, the 300-kW system will operate on biogas and produce approximately 2,497,651 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 1,304 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) — equal to the emissions of 249 cars or to providing electricity for 163 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).
Combined with the solar energy system installed atop the store in 2011, these fuel cells will help generate more than a majority of the store’s energy onsite.
For the design, development and installation of this fuel cell system, IKEA contracted with Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Bloom Energy, a provider of breakthrough solid oxide fuel cell technology generating clean, highly efficient on-site power.
“We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment with fuel cells at IKEA Emeryville,” says Pat Choa, store manager. “Similar to our rooftop solar array, this fuel cell system will reduce greatly our carbon footprint and the store’s reliance on the power grid.”
This investment in fuel cell technology reflects the company’s goal to be energy independent by 2020 and complements other IKEA renewable programs in the U.S., including solar presence at nearly 90% of its locations, a geothermal heating and cooling system at two stores, and two wind farms totaling 104 turbines.
Drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, IKEA strives to minimize its operations’ carbon emissions because reducing its environmental impact makes good business sense. Globally, IKEA evaluates locations regularly for conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material; incorporating energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems; recycled construction materials; skylights in warehouse areas; and water-conserving restrooms. Operationally, IKEA eliminated plastic bags from the checkout process, phased out the sale of incandescent bulbs, facilitates recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs, and by 2016 will sell only LED. IKEA also has installed EV charging stations at 13 stores, with plans for more locations.
The 274,000-square-foot IKEA Emeryville opened in April 2000. There are currently more than 360 IKEA stores in 47 countries, including 40 in the U.S. For more information, visit IKEA-USA.com.
SOURCE: IKEA