AT&T has partnered with Bloom Energy Corporation to install Bloom Energy Servers, aka Bloom Boxes, throughout California in an effort to provide clean, affordable and reliable power via solid oxide fuel cell technology. 

The Bloom Boxes, which contain stacked fuel cells and convert air and natural gas into electricity through a electrochemical process, will help power 11 different sites in California. The Bloom Boxes will produce 7.5 megawatts of onsite power, and over 62 million kilowatt-hours of energy annually, which could power 5,600 homes per year. 

"Bloom Energy is excited to be working with AT&T in helping to achieve their corporate sustainability goals," said Bill Thayer, Executive Vice President of Sales and Service at Bloom Energy. "With a shared vision of reliability, environmental stewardship, and innovation, Bloom Energy and AT&T's collaborative efforts are sure to make an impact throughout their facilities in California."

The Bloom Boxes are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent, in comparison to the traditional grid. It will eliminate harmful particulate emissions like nitrous oxides and sulfur oxides. 

"AT&T is committed to finding more sustainable ways to power our business operations as part of our efforts to incorporate alternative and renewable energy sources into our energy portfolio," said John Schinter, director of energy for AT&T. "Bloom Energy provided us with a solution that was not only cost comparable but also allows us to minimize environmental impact."

The sites that will receive Bloom Boxes in California will include Corona, Fontana, Pasadena, Redwood City, Hayward, San Ramon, Rialto, San Bernadino, San Jose and San Diego. The installations are to begin later this year, and will be completed by mid 2012.