Fuel-Cell Based Back-Up Power for Telecommunication Applications: Developing a Reliable and Cost-Effective Solution

Abstract

Fuel cells combine the best features of engine-driven generators and batteries, since they can operate for as long as fuel is available and they produce electricity directly from this fuel via electrochemistry, which is inherently more efficient than combustion and minimizes the adverse characteristics associated with combustion engines (e.g., excessive noise, emissions, and maintenance). Therefore, fuel cells offer a potentially attractive back-up power solution for telecom sites where extended run times are desired, but generators are considered unacceptable. As customer expectations for a variety of uninterrupted communication technologies increase and/or as the reliability of the electric grid decreases, these fuel-cell attributes will become increasing attractive. However, in order to be widely accepted for telecom-power applications, fuel cells must prove that they are more reliable and cost competitive than the incumbent solutions. This will require fuel-cell systems that are very simple, yet also very small, since added complexity and size results in inherently unreliable and expensive products. UTC Power has developed a back-up power product for telecom applications, which utilizes proprietary technology that requires minimal number of balance-of-plant components and has a polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel-cell (PEMFC) stack with unmatched power density. The fundamental PEMFC technology that enables this unique system will be explained, as well as a brief description of a complete 5-kW back-up power product