RETAILER JOHN LEWIS PLANS FUEL CELL TRIALS

John Lewis has signed a deal that could lead to it trialling alkaline fuel cell technology to generate low carbon electricity at one of its Waitrose stores. The company has signed a commercial memorandum of understanding with Surrey based AFC Energy to evaluate the economic potential of its technology. Following successful evaluation, John Lewis will order and demonstrate the system in store as part of an integrated low carbon energy project.

John Lewis Partnership has pledged to deliver an absolute reduction in its carbon emissions of 15% by the end of its 2020/21 trading year, while at the same time targeting a doubling of revenue. This commitment is supported by a range of initiatives and targets covering operational emissions from energy, refrigeration and cooling, transport, waste and water. The retailer says it could save a potential 200,000 tonnes in carbon emissions by taking 150 stores off grid to generate their electrical and thermal energy.

Toby Marlow, engineering manager, John Lewis Partnership, said: “AFC Energy's alkaline fuel cell gives us the opportunity to make clean electricity on site: it is a revolutionary prospect with exciting potential. This first demonstration could be the beginning of a mutually beneficial long-term relationship.” AFC Energy's alkaline fuel cell has the capability to significantly reduce carbon emissions for commercial buildings. An integrated system powered from bio-methane with carbon capture and storage (CCS) offers the ultimate prospect of carbon negative energy generation.