Fuel Cell Technology: A Promising Alternative for Extended Back-up Power Run Time for Telecommunication Sites

Fuel cell technology is an emerging solution for back-up power to replace or supplement the traditional batteries and/or generators solutions. 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 NITS Allstream to investigate the feasibility of this technology in the telecommunication environment. This paper provides an industry overview of back-up power solutions and fuel cell technology in terms of its operation, applications and benefits. It provides MTS Allstream perspective to view fuel cell technology as a promising alternative for extended back-up power run time for telecommunication sites. A section of paper is devoted to discuss prototype Project Criteria and the Field trial prototype selected by MTS Allstream. Conclusions of fuel cell system specification verification, efficiency and functionality after (6) months field operation trial will be shared.