In addition to collecting valuable data, the units are also serving as educational tools.

“The units’ location outside the Visitor Center helps demonstrate the potential of fuel cell power systems to the public,” said Bryan Coates, project manager, NASA GRC.

Coates added that more than 50,000 people visit NASA GRC annually, including the general public, government officials and business professionals.

“The units showcase NASA Glenn’s commitment to the research and implementation of cleaner energy sources, and further solidify NASA Glenn’s position as a leader in fuel cell research and implementation.”

NASA has been developing and using fuel cells as part of its spaceflight program since the 1960s. 

Headquartered in Latham, New York, Plug Power is actively selling to the backup power market today and expects strong growth in the coming years. The company believes its next growth area is in prime power applications, where fuel cells can provide continuous power to telecommunications networks.  In addition to its collaboration with NASA GRC, Plug Power is also partnering with NexTech Materials and the Wright Fuel Cell Group, as well as Dana Corporation, Ametek and Parker Hannifin, all of which manufacture components used in the GenSys® system.

Organizations like the Wright Fuel Cell Group, the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition, Edison Materials Technology Center and the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative have made groundbreaking progress in opening communication channels and fostering newly collaborative partnerships.  Specifically, the Wright Fuel Cell Group has enhanced the success of Ohio's well-networked fuel cell community by engaging out-of-state companies, such as Plug Power, to contribute to Ohio projects.