Look at them as signs of technological prowess, environmental conservation, or independence from foreign oil.  Whichever sort of symbol you prefer, fuel cells will be installed in several World Trade Center buildings.

The Freedom Tower and three other structures aren’t going to get all of their energy from these fuel cells, but together, the cells boast an impressive 4.8 megawatts of generating capacity.  That’s roughly equivalent to the output of a modern railroad locomotive.

The New York Power Authority asked UTC Power to provide the fuel cells as part of a $10.6 million agreement, and the NYPA’s president and CEO, Roger B. Kelley, stated, “We are committed to helping make clean energy initiatives at the new World Trade Center site a reality.”

He also addressed concerns about experience, reliability, and the greater scheme of things by adding, “To date, we’ve installed 15 fuel cells in New York City and other locations, and expect to add to this total in support of the Governor’s ambitious goals for significant increases in the state’s renewable power.”

As divisive as some aspects of the Freedom Tower’s design and construction have been, this development looks set to be relatively controversy-free.