Photo: FuelCell Energy

Remember when we were all sweltering in July, cranking up the A/C and worrying about blackouts as we sweatedthrough a statewide heat wave? An interesting insight from Dan Brdar, CEO of FuelCell Energy, a company that makes hydrogen fuel cells (pictured at left): It’s not just?that the state doesn’t have enough sources of energy; it’s that?the grid - California’s system for transmitting the power from power plants to places where it is needed - is old and worn out.

According to Brdar, that’s also one reason hydrogen fuel cells like the giant one that provides energy to Santa Rita Jail in Pleasanton are useful. These fuel cells are installed right where they are being put to use - “onsite,” as the energy cognescenti put it.No transmission system is needed.