Brown Applauds LG Investment in Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems in North Canton

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today applauded the news that LG has invested $45 million to acquire a 51 percent share in Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems, located in North Canton. The company will now be known as LG Fuel Cell Systems, Inc. According to the companies, LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc. will continue to further the research, development, testing, and commercialization of solid oxide fuel cell technology aimed at megawatt-scale distributed power generation for industrial, commercial, and electric utility markets and applications.

“Fuel cell technology is one way that we can help reduce our unsustainable and dangerous reliance on foreign oil. LG’s investment in North Canton’s Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems will help ensure that we don’t replace our dependence on foreign oil with a dependence on foreign-made clean energy technology,” Brown said. “By developing and commercializing fuel cells in Ohio, we can continue to position our state as the Silicon Valley for clean energy manufacturing.”

Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems, Inc. consolidated its fuel cell research and development activities at the company's location at Stark State College of Technology in North Canton. In 2009, Brown helped secure $1 million for Stark State to upgrade the clean room at the Stark State Fuel Cell Prototyping Center. That project brought critical fuel cell technology to Ohio, providing students with first-hand training opportunities to advance and commercialize a one-megawatt solid-oxide fuel cell, which when used in stationary power generation, will aid in smart-grid electric power. He worked with members of the Ohio Congressional delegation and the Appropriations Committees to help secure funding for that project in the FY10 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. According to the companies, LG Fuel Cell Systems, Inc. will have access to Rolls-Royce technical expertise and will continue to engage with the US Department of Energy’s SECA (Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance) Program.

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