Gaia Power Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of devices designed to overcome deficiencies in the nation's electricity infrastructure, recently teamed with the operator of a Manhattan co-op apartment building to give the complex sophisticated protection against electricity disruptions and to ensure the operation of vital systems.

Gaia's PowerTower for Alternative Power was installed at Marlo Towers, a cooperative apartment building at 301 E. 48th Street in Manhattan.

There, a five-kilowatt unit operates in tandem with a hydrogen fuel cell in an effort to demonstrate the viability of clean, cutting-edge energy storage technology in an urban environment.

The PowerTower helps ensure availability of electricity during peak load periods, as well as the delivery of a stable level of power during routine periods. It provides power to the building's security, lighting and phone systems.

The project was the latest in a series of collaborations between Gaia and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority. Other partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, 1st Rochdale Electrical Cooperative's Green Apple Initiative and the Delaware County Electric Cooperative Corp.

The project was the latest in a series of recent installations for the company. It's PowerTower for Backup unit was recently installed in the offices of TPW Management, a Bondville, Vt.-based, family-owned business. The unit is operating in the company's headquarters and ensures that even in an extended blackout, the management company will be able to service its properties.

The company also recently installed its PowerTower for Demand Reduction in a major Manhattan hotel and several Manhattan units of a major national coffee chain. The PowerTower offers several compelling advantages over generators and other conventional backup solutions.

Since it requires no fuel to operate, there are none of the hazards associated with long-term fuel storage.

Also, the PowerTower can operate in many environments that are not suitable for generators, since it emits no noise or pollution. It's also uniquely suited for residences, since it can easily be installed by any licensed electrician and requires no digging or other extensive site modification.

Gaia also recently installed the PowerTower for Alternative Power, a version of its flagship device designed to operate with solar cells, fuel cells, wind turbines and generators, in a private Pennsylvania home.

In this case, the home sits atop a natural gas well, and runs completely "off the grid," meaning it is not tied into the local electrical system infrastructure. Gaia's unit minimizes generator operation and maximizes generator life by calling it into operation to charge the batteries only when needed.

As a result, the PowerTower has reduced total generator runtime, fuel consumption, and pollution by about 75%, while still providing all the necessary power to the residence.

These latest installations come as the company's products have expanded into a variety of new markets.

Recently, Gaia was involved in a high-profile project in Delhi, NY, sponsored by the Delaware County Electric Cooperative and the U.S. Department of Energy to determine the feasibility of alternative energy usage in the home.