LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has installed what is believed to be the largest commercial design fuel cell system in North America.

The John Ferraro Building (JFB) Fuel Cell Power Plant, manufactured by Danbury, Conn.-based FuelCell Energy Inc., is located at the LADWP's headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. It provides 250 kW of electricity, enough power to serve about 250 households. The plant, which sends electricity to the city's power grid, is said to use up to 50 percent less fuel per kilowatt-hour than the average conventional power plant and produce nearly zero emissions.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham commended the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power for "their willingness to be on the leading edge of tomorrow's technology."