Integration of fuel cell applications into the power supply for information and telecommunications technology

Power & Air Solutions´ customers are operators of telecommunications and IT equipment. To ensure operation of these systems in case of a malfunction in the utility company´s power supply network, electric power sources have been backed up in the past by emergency generators such as diesel-fueled motor-generator sets or rechargeable battery systems. A variety of energy converters (such as inverters or rectifiers) are required in order to implement such a system. The fuel cell offers a sustainable approach to a CO₂-reduced power supply; given its high level of efficiency, it is also an ideal substitute for diesel generators with electricity generation. Power & Air Solutions has initiated many projects to check the fuel cells for long-term operational performance (particularly with the PEM cell) and suitability for integration into UPS systems and reliability, with the aim of verifying the overall system´s potential for use as an uninterruptible power supply and for advancing the system to market maturity level. The following systems were inspected and analyzed: (i)1 MC (molten carbonate) fuel cell as permanent power supply (ii) PEM (polymer membrane) fuel cells as backup instead of a battery (two of them in the soccer stadium at the World Cup 2006) (iii) SO (solid oxide) fuel cells as permanent power supply Results from the projects currently indicate that the PEM and the MC fuel cells are approaching market maturity. But further development work is needed with respect to the immediate fuel cell periphery. In this context there is one more question: Is it possible and necessary to look for standards for the use of fuel cells in UPS for telecommunication? In 2007 one new MC fuel cell system will be used for UPS in a data center.