MA Energy Secretary Visits Trenergi to See Ground-Breaking Fuel Cell Prototype

Franklin startup advances fuel cell technology as state and local municipalities look to lower energy costs, reduce climate change emissions

(Franklin, Mass.) October 1, 2015 – Trenergi, a Franklin, Massachusetts-based fuel cell developer, recently demonstrated its breakthrough one–kilowatt fuel cell prototype to Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Matthew Beaton. The fuel cell is based on a radically different design than existing fuel cells, and is capable of efficiently generating on-site electricity, heat, and hot water from most existing hydrocarbon fuels.

The Trenergi fuel cell operates at up to 90 percent energy efficiency, saving as much as 44 percent in energy usage compared to grid-sourced electricity for power and natural gas for hot water. It reduces climate change emissions by more than 60 percent compared to the average US coal plant and as much as 45 percent compared to the average US natural gas power plant.

During his visit, Secretary Beaton learned about the multitude of uses of the Trenergi fuel cell and its patented High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane-Plus (HTPEM+) design. Operating alone or as part of a microgrid, these fuel cells can provide electricity, heat and hot water for an almost limitless range of residential, commercial, municipal, and defense applications, including: containment of methane gas at municipal landfills, reducing damaging greenhouse gas emissions while providing cities and towns with a new source of revenue; fuel-flexible, quiet, low-maintenance power for emergency services, disaster relief and aid organizations; on-demand power for communications towers or small equipment backup; mobile military power; and auxiliary power for aircraft, offshore platforms and other commercial spaces.

The Secretary met with Trenergi leadership, including President and CFO Alden R. Taylor and Dr. Mohammad Enayetullah, Trenergi’s Chief Technology Officer. An author of many patents, Dr. Enayetullah has achieved a major advancement in the membrane/electrode technology, which allows for higher power density and lower manufacturing cost than previously achievable. Trenergi’s fuel cell operates using readily available fuels, such as propane, natural gas, and even jet fuel, instead of the pure hydrogen required by older fuel cell technologies.

 “Massachusetts has become an environmental leader because of the work of small businesses all over the state committed to solving the biggest challenges of our time,” said Secretary Beaton. “It’s critical that we continue to explore and support new clean energy solutions fueled by the innovation and ingenuity that has made the Commonwealth an environmental model for the nation.”

“With Secretary Beaton’s experience as an energy entrepreneur, legislator, and cabinet member, he provided us with some unique insights that are valuable to us as we consider various commercial, nonprofit, and government avenues to explore,” said Norman F. Strate, Trenergi’s Chairman and CEO. “We are grateful to the Secretary and the Baker administration for their commitment to learning about advancements in fuel cell technology and what we hope to contribute to the Commonwealth.”

Founded in 2009, Trenergi is a Franklin, MA company focused on the development of global distributed energy solutions based on an innovative fuel cell design.