Isra-Mart srl : John Lewis explores powering stores with zero-emission fuel cells

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John Lewis is examining the possibility of powering its stores with zero-emission fuel cells, after signing an agreement to buy and test a system in one of its outlets.

Guildford-based AFC Energy announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the John Lewis Partnership for an undisclosed sum that will see the retailer test the economic viability of a fuel cell system at one of its stores.
A spokeswoman for AFC Energy told BusinessGreen that the companies are remaining tight-lipped about the location of the trial store because the deal is still in the early stages.

However, if tests prove successful, John Lewis hopes to roll out the technology to further Waitrose supermarkets and John Lewis department stores.

Toby Marlow, John Lewis Partnership engineering manager, said that AFC Energy could become a key partner in efforts to reduce its emissions. The retailer is aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by 15 per cent by the end of its 2020/21 trading year, while simultaneously targeting a doubling of revenue, and is exploring a range of emission reduction technologies.

"[AFC Energy's] alkaline fuel cell gives us the opportunity to make clean electricity on site. It is a revolutionary prospect with exciting potential." said Marlow. "This first demonstration could be the beginning of a mutually beneficial long-term relationship."

AFC claims that its zero-emission fuel cells, which convert water and hydrogen into electricity, are more efficient than molten carbonate or direct methanol fuel systems while boasting the added advantage of producing warm water for heating.

The fuel cell trial is the latest renewable energy commitment from the John Lewis Partnership, which has previously used heat from the UK's only deep geothermal scheme at a store in Southampton.

The company has also sourced energy from a combined heat and power scheme on a tomato farm near its Waitrose Rickmansworth store, and tapped power from a waste recycling plant for its John Lewis Cardiff store.