FuelCell Energy Solutions Announces Final Acceptance of Largest Fuel Cell Power Plant Made and Operating in Germany

• Highly efficient and environmentally friendly power generation for Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) office complex in Berlin
• BMBF office complex achieves highest possible 'Gold Certificate' under Sustainable Building for Federal Buildings (BNB) rating system

DRESDEN, Germany, 2014-12-11 22:02 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH, a provider of ultra-clean, efficient and reliable fuel cell power plants, today announced the final acceptance of its first German-manufactured fuel cell power plant that is installed and operating at Berlin's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) office complex. BAM Deutschland AG constructed the office complex, which achieved a gold certificate sustainability rating recognizing sustainable practices incorporated into the design and operation of the office complex. FuelCell Energy Solutions built the fuel cell plant at its manufacturing facility in Ottobrunn, Germany and is operating and maintaining the power plant on behalf of BAM Immobilien-Dienstleistungen GmbH under a long term service agreement. This building project, executed on schedule and within budget, illustrates the first large-scale civil engineering project undertaken by the federal government as part of a public-private partnership.

"The Federal Ministry of Research values sustainability as new innovations increase energy efficiency and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Rüdiger Frischer, Press Officer at BMBF. "We deliberately chose a sustainable energy management system for the Ministry complex. The high efficiency of the fuel cell power generation process is a critical aspect of this sustainability system, using about a third less fuel compared to conventional power generation alternatives. Additionally, the fuel cell plant enables the Ministry complex to be about 50 percent below relevant energy saving regulations."

The highly efficient and ultra-clean fuel cell power plant is the cornerstone of the sustainable energy management system that also includes solar arrays for meeting peak energy demand when the sun is shining and a natural gas engine for peak power when solar is not available. "The fuel cells, as the heart of this innovative energy concept, contribute largely to the reduction of the fuel demand of the building complex," said to Markus Koch, head of the building contractor BAM Deutschland GmbH.

"This installation, located inside an office complex in central Berlin, showcases the ability of fuel cells to meet power load requirements for a large facility, cleanly, quietly, and with an economically compelling value proposition," said Chip Bottone, President and Chief Executive Officer of FuelCell Energy, Inc. and Managing Director of FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH. "Stationary fuel cell power plants are well-suited for both commercial applications as well as utility grid-support as their high electrical efficiency makes them an affordable solution that is not dependent on the weather or time of day to produce power."

The power plant is configured for a combined heat and power (CHP) application to enhance the system's efficiency and provide the office complex with continuous electricity and usable high quality heat for heating and absorption chilling. The fuel cell power plant generates approximately 40 percent of the facility's electrical needs and 20 percent of thermal needs. The virtual absence of pollutants, quiet operation and lack of vibrations enables fuel cell power plants to be located in populated areas and within buildings, such as this installation. The on-site power generation acts as a micro-grid, enhancing energy security for the complex as power is available even in the event of a grid outage.

"This installation exemplifies our goal at FuelCell Energy Solutions, which is to offer full-service and affordable distributed power generation solutions that satisfy our customers' energy and sustainability needs," said Andreas Froemmel, Vice President Commercial and Business Development, FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH. "We have a long term service contract with BAM for the monitoring, operation and maintenance of the power plant including a power output guarantee."

The installation of the fuel cell power plant combined with extensive building efficiency features that support the sustainability of the BMBF complex resulted in the awarding of a gold certificate from the Sustainable Building for Federal Buildings (BNB) ranking system, the highest level achievable. Under this system, gold, silver and bronze certifications are awarded to buildings based on a variety of sustainability criteria including ecological, economic, sociocultural and functional, technical and process quality.

Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) power plants solve energy, environmental and business-related power generation challenges by providing ultra clean, efficient and reliable distributed power generation. The fuel cells combine a fuel such as natural gas or renewable biogas with oxygen from the ambient air to efficiently produce ultra-clean electricity and usable high quality heat through an electrochemical process. Virtually no pollutants are emitted due to the absence of combustion. Avoiding the emission of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM¹⁰) supports clean air regulations and benefits public health. The high efficiency of the fuel cell power generation process reduces fuel costs and carbon emissions, and producing both electricity and heat from the same unit of fuel further supports favorable economics while also promoting sustainability.

FCES, with its German manufacturing base, is the sales, manufacturing and service business for the European Served Area for FuelCell Energy, Inc. FCES is a joint venture between Fraunhofer IKTS Fraunhofer IKTS and FuelCell Energy (Nasdaq:FCEL).

About FuelCell Energy Solutions, GmbH

FuelCell Energy Solutions manufactures, sells, installs, and services stationary fuel cell power plants that efficiently and economically generate electricity and usable high quality heat suitable for making steam. Administrative offices are located in Dresden, Germany and manufacturing operations are located in Ottobrunn, Germany. Continuous power generated at the point of use with the virtual absence of pollutants supports energy security and power reliability as well as sustainability initiatives. Ultra-Clean baseload distributed generation is attractive to electric utilities, universities, hospitals, government facilities, industrial operations and other locations with significant power needs. For more information please visit our website at www.fces.de

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding FuelCell Energy, Inc.'s plans and expectations regarding the continuing development, commercialization and financing of its fuel cell technology and business plans. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could cause such a difference include, without limitation, general risks associated with product development, manufacturing, changes in the regulatory environment, customer strategies, potential volatility of energy prices, rapid technological change, competition, and FuelCell Energy, Inc.'s ability to achieve its sales plans and cost reduction targets, as well as other risks set forth in the FuelCell Energy, Inc. filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release. FuelCell Energy, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in FuelCell Energy, Inc.'s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

         CONTACT: FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH
         Andreas Froemmel
         VP of Business and
         Commercial Development
         + 49 351 2553 7390
         afroemmel@fces.de
         
         FuelCell Energy, Inc.
         Kurt Goddard
         Vice President Investor Relations
         +001 203-830-7494
         ir@fce.com