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Fuel Cells

As an 'early adopter' of fuel cell technology for standby power applications, UPS Systems have implemented the UK's first two integrated UPS / fuel cell systems which now protect the IT infrastructures of our own offices and those at Winton Capital Management in London.

To discuss your fuel cell requirements, please call us on 01488 680 500.

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About fuel cells

Originally invented by Sir William Grove in 1839, fuel cells are now becoming a viable source of standby power on the commercial market.

Fuel cells can be regarded as generators. But whereas conventional generators use internal combustion engines to rotate an alternator, fuel cells generate power by producing electrons directly, with no moving parts. As a result, they are very efficient and reliable. Moreover, they are almost silent and, other than electricity and heat, they produce only water vapour. This makes them ideal for indoor use.

Fuel cell systems are clean, very quiet and produce no exhaust gases other than water vapour. As there are very few moving parts, maintenance is minimal. The system is designed to be installed in a typical computer-room rack and stand adjacent to the UPS and server racks in the computer room.

 

When should fuel cells be considered?

Where 'clean' Standby Power is required, either to comply with an organisation's environmental policy or local authority planning regulations. Diesel generators, though cost-effective, can be both noisy and smelly - sometimes to the extent that planning permission won't be granted.

In many central city areas it has become difficult to obtain planning permission for diesel generators. For example the City of London Authority, when granting planning permission for generators now insist on additional sound cladding, high level emission stacks and catalytic converters. These additions increase the capital cost of new generators and, in many circumstances, fuel cells, with their significantly lower maintenance costs, are considered as economically viable alternatives. The message for the IT community from the government-commissioned Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change (published in late 2006), is that the decision to buy low carbon emission products may mean slightly higher up-front costs (though these are now falling rapidly), but lower expenditure over time.

Enlightened Boards are now setting corporate environmental policy with a focus on energy efficiency and reduced emissions. Driven by demands for cleaner air - for example the EU Directives on air quality and the Campaign for Clean Air in London – and faced with the difficulties of obtaining planning permission for conventional generators in central city locations, organisations are now seeing fuel cells as genuinely attractive alternatives. 

Advantages of hydrogen fuel cells, as opposed to diesel generators

• Standard hydrogen bottles offer a green alternative to conventional fuel and/or batteries
• Unlimited runtime - simply increase the number of hydrogen bottles
• Low audible noise – suitable for indoor installations
• Only heat and water by-products so safer for the environment
• In larger systems the waste heat from a fuel call can be used to provide hot water or space heating
• Easy indoor installation- no major planning permission required
• Modular rack integrated design – easy to add more power
• Few moving parts, so less need for maintenance
• Politically reduces dependence on oil
• Some factories and plants may already have hydrogen installations or can utilise hydrogen produced by existing processes
• Certainly lighter than batteries and lighter than many conventional generators
• More energy efficient in power terms than either a battery or generator
• Generated power close to or inside the computer room

 

Fuel cell technologies

There are a number of technologies in development. The first to have an impact in the Standby Power world, (other than R&D sites) is Proton Exchange Membrane technology (PEM), and these products are now reaching the market, see currently available products.

At this point in time, these units are relevant to organisations in the 5kW to 60kW power range. However, on the horizon are much larger sizes using both PEM and Solid Oxide technology (SOFC).

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell technology (DMFC) products are now available from UPS Systems in the 65W to 325W power range. Suitable for signalling, road signage, CCTV, telemetry or comms cabinets (with runtimes of up to 12-months), these systems are particularly relevant for standalone electronic devices in remote locations or where there is no easy access to mains power.  Meanwhile, Toshiba are said to be releasing DMFC to the laptop and PDA market within the coming twelve months.

To discuss your project, please call us on 01488 680 500.