Verizon plans to install clean-air fuel cells as the primary
electrical power source at a major call-routing center on Long
Island, NY. The new energy generating system, which is described
as the largest fuel cell deployment project in the world, is
expected to be fully operational in 2004. Seven fuel cells
manufactured by UTC Fuel Cells (a unit of United Technologies
Corp.) will operate alongside four new natural-gas-powered
generators. The fuel cells are powered by natural gas and give
off virtually no air pollutants. Once the Verizon project is
operational, the fuel cells and natural gas generators will
produce more than four megawatts of power. The Verizon switching
center delivers local phone service to some 40,000 customers.
More than 1,000 employees also work there, handling various
functions, including answering customer calls. Verizon already
has installed smaller fuel-cell units at small field equipment
sites in a Boston suburb and on Long Island.
http://www22.verizon.com/about/?loc=HH
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These days Central Offices (COs) have big banks of batteries backed up by desil generators for emergency phone power during electric company power outages. It's nice to see some revenue for fuell cell manufacturers.

-p