Update - Fuel Cell Technology: An emerging solution for Back-up Power to replace or supplement the traditional solutions

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is the review of hydrogen fuel cell technology and its application within the MTS Allstream Network. It will provide an update on the previous paper, Fuel Cell Technology: A Promising Alternative for Extended Back-up Power Run Time for Telecommunication Sites, presented by the author at INTELEC 2008. This paper provides a description of a new fuel cell technology system installed in 2008 at two of MTS Allstream sites, and preliminary evaluation of the systems. Today's networks demand long duration, highly reliable and cost effective back-up power solutions. Fuel cell technology is an emerging solution for back-up power to replace or supplement the traditional solutions. Traditional solutions for back-up power are batteries (VRLA, flooded, NiCd,) and standby generators (generator sets). Unlike a battery, a fuel cell does not run flat or require recharging, and much like a generator it will produce electricity as long as fuel is supplied. Unlike a diesel generator, no combustion takes place and therefore no harmful pollutants are produced resulting in a supply of "green" energy at the site. MTS Allstream is actively researching new technologies that can support the company in improving its performance in achieving its targets without jeopardizing reliability and quality of supply to the customer. The many benefits offered by fuel cell technology prompted MTS Allstream to investigate the feasibility of this technology in the telecommunication environment. Fuel Cells 2000 reported that there are more than 2000 fuel cell installations all over the world. Most of the installations are test and demonstration sites. There are many fuel cell companies that compete for the back-up power market. The best known fuel cell companies providing either complete systems or the fuel cell portion of backup power are Hydrogenics, ReliOn, Ballard and IdaTech. Most of the fuel technology vendors are marketing the fuel cells as a replacement of VRLA batteries and standby generators. MTS Allstream is taking an innovative approach of selecting fuel cell technology to supplement and extend the existing traditional back-up power. This paper provides a summary of back-up power solutions and fuel cell technology in terms of its operation, application and benefits. In addition it provides MTS Allstream's perspective on fuel cell technology as a promising alternative for extended back-up power run time for telecommunication sites. The program objective is to prove the viability of hydrogen fuel cells housed in an outdoor cabinet to extend back-up power, improve reliability, and lower operation and maintenance costs when compared to the pre-existing VRLA batteries at Telecommunications Remote Offices. Site test and evaluation results should provide direction for future back-up power deployments. MTS Allstream will extend the project to other sites in order to gain additional field experience. Sites to be considered in the future will be for fuel cell installation housed within indoor and outdoor enclosures.