Stone Edge Farm increases energy efficiency with state-of-the-art fuel cell
The bucolic setting that is Stone Edge Farm just got a little cleaner and greener thanks in small part to a high-efficiency stationary fuel cell from ClearEdge Power. The organic farm and winery on Carriger Road is using the ClearEdge5 system to advance its energy efficiency and sustainability goals. The ClearEdge5 system enables Stone Edge Farm to significantly reduce the energy costs required to run a successful estate and vineyard. In particular, it reduces the energy required to run the farm’s irrigation system and lights.
“At Stone Edge Farm we are committed to making world-class organic wine, while also to serving as an industry steward of sustainable practices in agriculture, farming and conservation,” said Mac McQuown, proprietor of Stone Edge Farm. “A key to minimizing our impact on the earth is determining energy efficiency best practices that help meet the operational needs of our growing agricultural operations. ClearEdge Power has been instrumental in helping us advance toward this goal by providing a system that significantly reduces our dependence on traditional energy sources while dramatically lowering our carbon emissions.”
By using the ClearEdge5 to provide power and heat for some operational functions, Stone Edge Farm expects to save 49 percent on its electricity bill and remove 24,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the environment annually. The financial savings will allow the winery to save more than $250,000 on total energy costs over a 20-year period. In addition to the clear financial benefits, Stone Edge Farm chose the ClearEdge5 system for its efficiency, ease-of-installation and overall aesthetic value.
“Stone Edge Farm is making tremendous strides in reducing the environmental impact of their agricultural production, and we are excited they have included our ClearEdge5 system as part of their impressive sustainability efforts,” said ClearEdge Power President and CEO Russell Ford. “This deployment clearly demonstrates the economic and environmental benefits that commercial and agricultural entities, like farms and wineries, can achieve with onsite continuous power systems such as the ClearEdge5. By providing efficient and 24/7 access to clean power and heat we can help businesses achieve energy independence, while saving money and becoming better stewards of the environment.”
The ClearEdge5 is a five-kilowatt fuel cell from ClearEdge Power that combines heat and power in a scalable solution that can meet individual business’ specific energy needs. Unlike power sources that use traditional combustion technology, the ClearEdge5 uses an electrochemical process to convert natural gas to electricity and heat. This process dramatically reduces the environmental impact of producing electricity by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 35 to 40 percent compared to traditional combustion technology. Roughly the size of a standard refrigerator and incorporating a system for real-time remote monitoring, the innovative fuel cell system also reduces other typical pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds, ash and particulates, to trace levels.
