Sheraton New York Becomes First Hotel in Manhattan to Use Environmentally-Friendly High Temperature Fuel Cell Technology

These fuel cell projects are part of a master agreement that PPL and Starwood signed that could eventually lead to PPL installing DFC power plants at other hotels. Sheraton, Starwood's upscale brand, has taken the lead in adopting fuel cell energy applications in the metropolitan area with DFC power plants manufactured by FCE and installed by PPL. This comes as part of an agreement that Starwood signed last year with Danbury, Conn.-based FuelCell Energy Inc.'s (NasdaqNM: FCEL - News) distribution partner, PPL, to install the hotel's direct fuel cell power plant.

The DFC power plant, will provide roughly 10 percent of the hotel's electricity and hot water and will be able to supply back-up electricity for a segment of the hotel. PPL will own, operate and maintain the DFC power plant.

A fourth DFC power plant was recently announced in January for the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina in California.

"The successful completion of our third fuel cell power plant in as many years is a testament to Starwood's commitment to environmental stewardship and energy efficiency," said John Lembo, Director of Energy for Starwood. "We believe that embracing technologies such as fuel cell applications will reduce harmful emissions and provide our guests with more reliable power. Starwood has been a two-time recipient of the ENERGY STAR Partner® of the Year Award, and will continue to adopt and implement environmentally safe and friendly practices that save energy and protect the environment."

Fuel cells generate electricity with no combustion. They are, in effect, like large, continuously operating batteries that generate electricity as long as a fuel source, such as natural gas, is supplied. Since the gas is not burned, there is no pollution commonly associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. Because hydrogen is generated directly within the fuel cell module from readily available fuels such as natural gas and wastewater treatment gas, FCE power plants are ready today and do not require the creation of a hydrogen infrastructure.

FuelCell Energy manufactured the hotel's fuel cell power plant, which uses natural gas that will be supplied by Consolidated Edison. Trystate Mechanical Inc., a PPL mechanical contracting subsidiary based in Yonkers, N.Y., was responsible for its installation.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded $920,000 toward this project.

About FuelCell Energy | FuelCell Energy, Inc., based in Danbury, Conn., is a world leader in the development and manufacture of high temperature fuel cells for clean electric power generation. The company has developed commercial distribution alliances for its carbonate Direct FuelCell products with world class companies such as PPL Energy Plus, Caterpillar, Alliance Power, Chevron Energy Solutions and LOGANEnergy in the U.S.; Marubeni Corporation in Asia; MTU CFC Solutions in Europe; and Enbridge Inc. in Canada. FuelCell Energy developed its patented Direct FuelCell technology for stationary power plants with the U.S. Department of Energy through its Office of Fossil Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory.

The sub-megawatt DFC fuel cell power plant is a collaborative effort using Direct FuelCell® technology of FuelCell Energy and the Hot Module® balance of plant design of MTU CFC Solutions, GmbH, a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler. FuelCell Energy is also developing next generation high temperature fuel cell products, such as a diesel fueled marine Ship Service Fuel Cell, a combined-cycle DFC/Turbine® power plant, and, through its investment in and partnership with Versa Power Systems, solid oxide fuel cells for applications up to 100 kilowatts. More information is available at .

About PPL Corporation | PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, Pa., controls about 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets, and delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America.

About Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood® corporation is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and W®, Hotels and Resorts as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit