Fluor Subsidiary to Work on Fuel Cell Power Plants

Fluor Corp.’s Fluor Daniel Inc. subsidiary and a unit of Energy Research Corp. in Danbury, Conn., said Monday they have signed an agreement to cooperate on commercial development of fuel cell power plants.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The companies have agreed to cooperate on sales, installation and support services, development of international markets and securing financing for demonstration projects.

Direct fuel cell power plants produce electricity by combining hydrogen in the fuel with oxygen in the air to produce electricity and water. There are virtually no toxic emissions because the fuel isn’t burned. Current models use natural gas as fuel, although alternative fuels, such as ethanol and coal-derived gas, are being studied.

The two companies are working on a demonstration project in Santa Clara that would be capable of supplying electricity to 1,500 homes.