Requested White Paper
Backup Power for Telecommunication Applications: Comparing Fuel Cells to Diesel Generators
The options for backup power are varied, but the most often used power source for moderate-sized telecom sites needing extended runtime is a diesel internal combustion generator. This incumbent technology has been the mainstay for years, despite issues with reliability, maintenance costs and environmental cleanliness. As the nation has shifted its focus to the importance of all these issues, fuel cells have become a viable option for more and more locations.
There are currently more than 1,300 telecommunication sites using fuel cell power solutions in North America alone. While this represents a small percentage as far as total telecom sites, it is clear that fuel cells are a growing solution to the need for reliable energy for sites in locations as diverse as cities, suburbs, rural, off-grid and environmentally sensitive areas.
This paper investigates the case for fuel cells, focusing on the similarities and differences between diesel generators and fuel cells.
