Omaha Zoo fuel cell helps keep jungle warm and green

Leopards, monkeys and tropical birds living in the Lied Jungle in Omaha, Neb., will keep warm this winter thanks to a 200-kilowatt fuel cell powerplant operated by the Omaha Public Power District.

Monkey enjoys a fuel cell-powered climate at the Lied Jungle Exhibit.

The fuel cell generates electricity for the Lied Jungle exhibit at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. The small powerplant also produces waste heat to keep the jungle warm, OPPD said. As part of a two-year agreement with the zoo, the utility owns, operates and maintains the unit, charging the zoo only for electricity consumed. The fuel cell began generating electricity Aug.10. "The zoo's participation in OPPD's fuel cell project is evidence of both organizations' focus on improving our community and the environment," said Jim Krist, OPPD account executive.

20 tons of power

OPPD purchased the $800,000 unit from UTC Fuel Cells, based in South Windsor, Conn. The fuel cell is 10 feet wide, 18 feet long, 10 feet high and weighs 40,000 pounds. The Department of Energy's 2000 Climate Change Fuel Cell Program paid $200,000 of the project's cost through a grant.

Rather than using combustion, fuel cells produce electricity chemically, usually by converting natural gas into hydrogen, then combining that with oxygen. Because there is no combustion, fuel cells are virtually emission-free.

High demand

Lied Jungle Exhibit waterfalls are heated with warm water-a fuel cell byproduct.

The fuel cell replaces two 60-kilowatt cogeneration units that were providing power to the jungle exhibit. The exhibit was a good candidate for the project because of its constant high demand and its ability to use waste heat from the fuel cell to control the jungle's temperature, the utility said. It also provides a visible location for fuel cell education, said OPPD Project Manager Terry Johnson.

The eight-story jungle includes a 60,000-square-foot rainforest with streams, pools, and waterfalls, circulating 40,000 gallons of water. Bamboo, fig trees, orchids, and other plant life make up the jungle that provides a habitat for about 90 different animal species, including small-clawed otters, Indian fruit bats, and pygmy hippos.

"For this application, the fuel cell is going to be fantastic," said Danny Morris, senior zoological curator at the zoo. "A byproduct of the fuel cell is heat. We'll use this heat for warming the water for a number of pools in the Lied Jungle to specific temperatures. In addition, the 5,000 gallons of water we use to irrigate the plants every night needs to be heated. Although we still pay for the electricity, we're coming out ahead on the heated water."

Standby generation

The zoo is also participating in OPPD's standby generation program, which will provide the zoo with $57,600 annually, in energy credits for curtailing loads during specific periods. Krist said. The program rewards large- and medium-sized customers for switching to standby generators to decrease load during peak times, relieving OPPD from the need to buy electricity when prices are high.

Each month, participating customers receive $2 per kilowatt for standby generating capacity. If customers run a standby generator to reduce load, OPPD pays them an additional 15 cents per kilowatthour.

Success built on relationships

"OPPD and the zoo have built a strong, mutually beneficial business relationship over the years," said Krist. "Our goal is to help Omaha's world-renowned zoo grow and become more energy-efficient in the process."

The jungle exhibit is named after Omaha businessman Ernst F. Lied. The Lied Foundation Trust donated $15 million to the exhibit, said a zoo spokesperson.

Print friendly version