Going Green: Phipps Powered By Fuel Cell

First Conservatory In World To Use Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

POSTED: 6:28 pm EDT July 10, 2007

UPDATED: 7:53 pm EDT July 10, 2007

PITTSBURGH -- Channel 11's commitment to Going Green put the spotlight Tuesday on the Phipps Conservatory.

You'll find more than just green thumbs at Phipps; you'll find the latest advances in green technology.

It is the first conservatory in the world powered by a fuel cell.

It is powered by a solid oxide fuel cell system.

The fuel cell is manufactured by Pittsburgh-based Siemens Power Generation Inc.

It is an international model for green conservatory construction and operation.

It is the first conservatory in the world to use a solid oxide fuel cell --an energy-efficient, highly-reliable fuel source that produces no harmful waste.

Buried 15 feet below the greenhouses, the 1,899 square feet of earth tubes create a sustainable, non-electric passive ventilation and cooling system.

Unlike traditional conservatories, the facility employs an open roof design that allows hot air to exit naturally.

It is one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally-clean technologies available today.

Learn more from WPXI.com's Going Green section.