HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR - Bldg & Sfty - Fuel Cell Permit & Pln Check FeesREQUEST:
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DATE:
CONTENTS:
Recommendation:
CITY OF PALM DESERT
OFFICE OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT
STAFF REPORT
APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 08-12 AUTHORIZING FEE -FREE PERMITS
FOR FUEL CELL INSTALLATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT.
Patrick Conlon, Director of Office of Energy Management
February 28, 2008
1) January 24, 2008 letter from ClearEdge Power
2) Resolution No.08-1 2
Waive further reading and adopt Resolution No.08-12 ; authorizing fee -free permits for
fuel cell installations within the City of Palm Desert.
Discussion:
A request from ClearEdge Power was submitted to the Council for consideration of fee -free permits for
new fuel cells installed within Palm Desert. See attached January 24 letter.
We currently offer fee -free permits for other energy efficiency measures, such as photovoltaic and
thermal solar, and HVAC permits.
Fuel cells for the residential market are an emerging technology. Commercial, industrial and vehicular
fuel cells have been around for a while, but the residential market is untapped.
The new ClearEdge residential fuel cell utilizes the home's existing natural gas system and through a
clean conversion process, the unit produces 5,000 watts of electrical power and hot water. At the
current cost of natural gas, the manufacturer estimates the cost of this electrical power to be in the
range of $.06 to $.09 per kilowatt hour. This is well below current Southern California Edison rates.
If the manufacturer is successful in the development, sales and installation of residential fuel cells in
Palm Desert, the resulting energy savings will benefit the city's 30-30 energy goals.
Authorizing fee -free permits will help this emerging technology develop.
Submitted^by:
IOrdertA-LtrtA.--
P Conlon
Director of Office of Energy Management
Approval:
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AP '1
RECEIVED
/ACTION:
DENIED
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