Ford factory processes paint fumes to generate power


NFPA 70E Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$199
Coupon Price:
$149
Reserve Your Seat Today
One Ford factory in Oakville, Canada has created an innovative process to capture harmful gases from their vehicle-painting facility and safely turn the fumes to electricity.

The paint fumes contain volatile organic compounds which act as greenhouse gases and pollutants. Typically, these gases would be incinerated, which while better than leaving the VOCÂ’s alone, still produces excessive amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

Ford has developed a much cleaner process to dispose of the gases.

FordÂ’s system converts the gases into fuel then fed through a molten carbonate fuel cell to produce about 300 kWh of electricity-about what it takes to power 100 homes. The process reduces carbon emissions by 88 percent and eliminates nitrogen oxides entirely.

“The Oakville stationary fuel-cell system is the first of its kind worldwide to harvest emissions from an automotive facility,” said Matthew Daraskavich, the paint-systems engineer at the factory. “Fumes-to-fuel has the potential to significantly reduce manufacturing’s emissions in an environmentally sustainable process. It is very exciting in terms of its potential future applications to manufacturing.”

Related News

Government of Canada Invests in the Future of Work in Today's Rapidly Changing Electricity Sector

EHRC National Occupational Standards accelerate workforce readiness for smart grids, renewable energy, digitalization, and automation,…
View more

Africa must quadruple power investment to supply electricity for all, IEA says

Africa Energy Investment must quadruple, says IEA, to deliver electricity access via grids, mini-grids, and…
View more

British Columbia Fuels Up for the Future with $900 Million Hydrogen Project

H2 Gateway Hydrogen Network accelerates clean energy in B.C., building electrolysis plants and hydrogen fueling…
View more

Bill Gates’ Nuclear Startup Unveils Mini-Reactor Design Including Molten Salt Energy Storage

Natrium small modular reactor pairs a sodium-cooled fast reactor with molten salt storage to deliver…
View more

Lack of energy: Ottawa’s electricity consumption drops 10 per cent during pandemic

Ottawa Electricity Consumption Drop reflects COVID-19 impacts, with Hydro Ottawa and IESO reporting 10-12% lower…
View more

B.C. Hydro adds more vehicle charging stations across southern B.C.

BC Hydro EV Charging Stations expand provincewide with DC fast chargers, 80% in 30 minutes…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified