News

NiSource to Install First Residential Fuel Cell Energy Package

April 30, 2000 by Jeff Shepard

NiSource Inc. (Merrillville, IN) announced plans to install the first full-scale test unit of its residential fuel cell energy package in a new housing development in Chesterson, IN. The home's energy-generating system will be a fuel-cell-based package developed by EnergyUSA through its joint venture with the Institute of Gas Technology called MOSAIC Energy LLC.

Plans for the clean energy fuel cell test installation were unveiled on the 30th anniversary of Earth day on April 22, 2000. The home construction will begin this summer and the model will provide EnergyUSA, a wholly owned subsidiary of NiSource, and MOSAIC Energy with useful information on the performance of the fuel cell energy package. The by-product heat produced by the fuel cell package will be redirected for various uses within the home, including space heating, which will increase overall energy-cost savings for the homeowner and provide additional energy efficiency.

"An initial Midwest facility (in 2001) will serve the first phase of prototype production, with plans to ramp up to full-scale operations in the middle of 2002," said MOSIAC Energy General Manager Roger Gyger.