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AEP Ohio is committed to providing safe, reliable power to our customers and the communities we are proud to serve. We are installing a fuel cell system on a customer's property off of Scioto Darby Creek Road in Hilliard. The fuel cell system will use a non-combustion method to convert natural gas into electricity to provide power to the customer.
In June 2025, AEP Ohio representatives filed a Letter of Notification (LON) with the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) for this project. The Scioto Darby Creek Road Fuel Cell System Project, Case No. 25-0649-EL-BLN, received approval in September 2025.
Construction is planned to start in early fall 2026 and continue through early fall 2027.
Non-combustion reaction generates high-efficiency electricity.
Solid-oxide fuel cells convert fuel into electricity without combustion.
Modular building blocks come together to meet small- or large-scale power needs.
Fuel cells offer highly efficient, clean and safe power that is separate from the regional electric grid. For this project, Amazon Web Services (AWS) contracted with AEP Ohio to construct, install and operate a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system made up of 228 Energy Servers® to provide 72.9 megawatts (MW) of power to the AWS Data Center located on Scioto Darby Creek Road. There are currently no plans to install fuel cells at any other location within the city of Hilliard.
The fuel cell project is part of a contract between AEP Ohio and AWS, which will cover all costs (fuel cell equipment, pipeline infrastructure, etc.) associated with it. The local community will not bear any of the project costs.
Yes, fuel cells are a safe, proven technology.
While the actual fuel cells operate at high temperatures, the components are contained within many layers of insulation. During normal operation, the unit is cool to the touch and operates quietly. Hot surfaces are protected by the outer panels.
The fuel cell system is electronically controlled by a Remote Monitoring Control Center (RMCC) and has internal sensors that continuously measure its operation. If a condition outside normal operating parameters is detected, the fuel supply is stopped and individual system components are automatically shut down.
If necessary, an RMCC operator can remotely initiate an emergency stop. An emergency stop initiates an automatic shutdown sequence that puts the fuel cell system into standby mode and causes it to stop exporting power. Following a shutdown, proper review and maintenance of equipment is completed prior to putting the system back in service.
Fuel cell fire prevention and emergency response information and safety training will be made available to local fire departments and first responders. Fires are extremely rare. In the event of a fire, proper emergency protocols will be followed.
Project drawings will be presented to area fire departments for review and field staff will walk fire inspectors through the project, showcasing shut off and emergency procedures. This procedure is in line with safety practices at other fuel cell facilities across the country. (Gas pipeline and fuel cell emergency response will be covered during this walkthrough.)
These fuel cell systems, which are manufactured in the United States, are UL-certified and professionally engineered and constructed. AEP Ohio and AWS are adhering to or exceeding all required regulations and safety standards for this project.
The pipeline that is being built to support the project will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with standards established by the United States Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The 8” gas pipeline will be marked and buried underground, similar to most other natural gas pipelines servicing businesses and homes in central Ohio.
Once the fuel cells are up and running, they will be monitored 24/7. The system monitors gas pressure and can detect if it goes outside normal operating conditions. If necessary, an automatic pressure switch will trigger an emergency system shutdown and the fuel input will be isolated until inspection can be completed.
The site also has a manual valve that can shut down all natural gas to the entire fuel cell system.
PHMSA requires natural gas transported by pipeline to be odorized to help detect leaks. In addition, PHMSA regulations applicable to pipelines located in populated areas require more frequent leak surveys. All transmission pipelines require an integrity management program to ensure that the pipeline is maintained to the highest standard. The pipeline will be further assessed every five years using smart pigging tools to ensure the pipeline integrity matches the management program. The gas company monitors the pressures and flow on this pipeline on a 24/7 basis through the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system. If the gas company detects abnormal conditions, there are control valves that can shut the flow of gas off through the SCADA system.
Yes. AEP Ohio and Bloom proactively met with the Ohio EPA’s Division of Air Pollution Control to discuss this specific fuel cell technology and emissions from this project.
Based on the project’s low overall air emissions, the project is considered a “minor source” and the Ohio EPA issued a Permit to Install and Operate (PTIO) for this project, which can be found on Ohio EPA’s air permits website as well as posted to the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) docket.
AEP Ohio will monitor and operate the facility consistent with the conditions in the PTIO and Ohio law.
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