Bloom Energy held a ceremony Tuesday marking the 10th anniversary of its site at the University of Delaware STAR Campus in Newark.
The plant has delivered more than 15,000 fuel cell “energy servers” in use around the globe. The plant also produces hydrogen-producing electrolyzers.
According to Bloom, the company has invested $40.5 million at the Delaware site. Bloom also noted that its Energy’s Repair and Overhaul Operations team in Delaware recycles and reuses 98% of materials, making fuel cells more efficient after overhauls and upgrades.
The company has also expanded its community involvement while providing a path to blue-collar jobs that do not require advanced degrees. Bloom has worked with Delaware Technical Community College and the University of Delaware on building a talent pipeline.
Bloom has focused on its servers, providing power to data centers, public safety, and other sites that need electricity during outages. Other uses may include powering ocean vessels that burn fuel that represents a major source of emissions.
Bloom has also adapted its fuel cells to work on renewable landfill gas and hydrogen.
Bloom’s other manufacturing site is in Fremont, a short drive from its headquarters in San Jose. Both are in the Silicon Valley area of northern California.
The Delaware plant came about after an agreement was approved by the Legislature that allowed Bloom’s fuel cells to be considered a part of the state’s alternative energy mix. The natural-gas-fueled servers feed electricity into the Delmarva Power grid. Delmarva customers pay the difference between market rates and the fuel cell power costs.
Due to lower-than-forecast wholesale electric prices, the posted cost differential between Bloom and wholesale prices often amounts to $4 or $5 monthly.
The cost difference borne by ratepayers has been the subject of controversy, with Bloom supporters noting that the deal came during a difficult period after Delaware saw the shutdown of both its auto assembly plants. A lawsuit failed to upend the 25-year agreement.
There has also been controversy over the efficiency of Bloom fuel servers and the need for upgrades after efficiency declines.
Employment came in below expectations during a portion of the plant’s existence as Bloom worked to find market niches and improve the efficiency of the fuel cells. The Delaware headcount has since hit the 800 mark.
