Contents
Executive Summary
Fuel Cells
10
Key Observations
11
Conclusion
11
Executive Summary
Telecom networks require significant energy to operate. Even though energy prices are
presently at relatively reasonable levels, the operators are trying to reduce the energy
consumption of their networks. There are several factors behind this focus. For example, energy
bills contribute to more than half the operating cost of the network. In addition, lower energy
usage is an effective way for operators to minimize their environmental impact, reduce carbon
footprint and use more sustainable forms of energy.
Since telecom networks typically have tens of thousands of sites, operators must reduce
operational and maintenance costs to compete effectively. Operators around the world are
exploring applications of alternate energy solutions in their networks. Solar arrays, wind turbines
and fuel cells have all been implemented in various telecom applications with varying degrees
of success. These solutions have higher initial costs but offer significantly lower costs of operation
and maintenance with substantially lower carbon footprint. The options for reducing costs and
the environmental impact of running a network are not only good for the environment; they
also make excellent business sense for operators and support sustainable, profitable business.
Some governments, such as the United States, are even offering tax incentives to help foster the
adoption of these technologies. This paper provides evidence that hydrogen fuel cell back-up
power systems are not only reliable and green, but result in real operating expense reduction.
Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy in fuels into electrical
energy directly, thereby generating power with high efficiency and low environmental impact.
There are a variety of different types of fuel cells. This paper focuses on the Proton Exchange
Membrane (PEM) fuel cell which utilizes hydrogen as a fuel. PEM fuel cells are best suited
for backup power applications as they provide high power densities and operate at low
temperatures (60 to 80C), which allows them to startup faster than other fuel cells.
Typically, backup power for telecommucation sites is provided by lead-acid batteries and diesel
generators, which have considerable environmental impact. Fuel cells provide an eco-friendly
backup power solution as the only byproducts are heat and water. They are efficient, reliable,
quiet, and designed to last a long time.
Figure 1 illustrates a 8-kilowatt fuel cell module housed in a 63-inch (H) x 45-inch (W) x
52-inch (D) cabinet, which is Telcordia GR-487 compliant. The cabinet contains all necessary
power conditioning equipment for providing regulated DC Voltage to match site requirements,
typically at battery float voltage. The system provides instantaneous power upon loss of AC or
DC power using a small bridge battery located in the battery compartment of the cabinet.
Figure 1
The equipment stack in the cabinet from the top to the bottom includes the following:
1. AC to DC Rectifier, used to provide primary power when grid electricity is available
2. Overall System Controller (OSC)
3. A Power Conditioning Modules (PCM) a DC-DC converter, which provides regulated
voltage to load
4. Wireless Radio and Microwave backhaul equipment
5. An 8-kilowatt Fuel Cell Power Module (FCPM) Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) based
hydrogen fuel cells
In addition, the cabinet has a DC distribution panel with breakers for connecting the DC load,
the PCM and bridge batteries. The OSC provides the necessary means to detect loss of AC or
DC power in order to turn on the FCPM for providing power when needed. The PCMs prime
function is to take unregulated DC voltage from the FCPM stack and convert to a steady-state
DC voltage as required by the telecommunications application. Typically 54 volts of direct
current (VDC) is provided with a +/- 0.5 volt variance. The system operates in a hydrogen fail
safe mode in accordance with ANSI/CSA FC-1 requirements. The OSC also provides a series
of alarms such as open door intrusion, power major/minor and other alarms along with those
specific to fuel cell technology. In addition, the OSC controls the time necessary to purge five
volumes of air from the system, per the FC-1 requirement. This purging operation followed by
turn up of the FCPM to full power is about 90 seconds.
The cabinet equipment configuration discussed above is recommended for new site installations
or for sites where the existing radio equipment can be accommodated in the fuel cell cabinet to
reduce the overall site footprint and power consumption. For existing sites, the fuel cell cabinet
can also be installed with only the fuel equipment in the cabinet, and it can interface with the
existing power supply, batteries, and radio equipment located in other cabinets or shelter on
the site.
Figure 2
All aspects of the fuel cell operation are monitored by the system controller and can
be communicated remotely using an Ethernet connection or a wireless modem.
Several alarms are also reported by the system controller. Following is a partial list of
these alarms:
tDoor Open Alarm
tVentilation Fan Alarm
tDC Power Major and Minor Alarms
tAC Fail Alarm
tBattery on Discharge
tAmbient Temperature (Internal and External)
tHydrogen Storage Pressure for each Bank
tCabinet Low Temperature Alarm
tFCPM Major and Minor Fail Alarm
Data collected through remote fuel cell activation or as gathered when actual power outages
occurred can be used to evaluate the reliability and durability of the fuel cell.
Figure 3
The fuel cell and the hydrogen storage cabinets were placed next to each other on an existing
concrete pad on this site. The DC bus of the wireless site was connected to DC distribution panel
in the fuel cell cabinet. The system controller monitored and recorded data on all aspects of the
fuel cell operation. The data was transmitted remotely through a wireless GPRS modem. This site
experienced frequent power outages and as such the fuel cell operated each day to provide
power. The daily power outages ranged from as low as 15 minutes to as high as 17 hours. The
fuel cell provided the required power load and kept the wireless cell site operational at all times.
The system monitored the hydrogen fuel consumption at the site and generated automatic e-mail
for the local hydrogen distributor to schedule hydrogen delivery on the site. This notification
scheme worked very well in ensuring timely delivery of the hydrogen to the site. Figure 4
depicts the power outage on this wireless cell site for a 50-day period, during which there
were 235 outages. The fuel cell supported all the outages and operated for a cumulative time
period of 126 hours.
Figure 4
Another installation in Asia was on a cell site shared by several wireless operators and owned
by a tower company. Figure 5 illustrates this application. The fuel cell provided backup
power for two operators on this site. The DC bus for the wireless operators was tied to the DC
distribution panel in the cabinet. This site also experienced frequent power outages and the
fuel cell provided backup power during all outages. The setup of this installation was similar
to the one described above with respect to monitoring and data collection. Figure 6 depicts
the power outage on this wireless cell site for a 30-day period, during which there were 48
outages. The fuel cell supported all the outages and operated for a cumulative period of 31
hours. The ambient temperature during these operational periods at these sites was about
45C. Both of these field installations have demonstrated the high reliability and durability of
the fuel cell cabinets in providing backup power.
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
During Hurricane Irene, the office building had an 18-hour power outage. The fuel cell
provided the backup power during this period. The office building has recently experienced
other power outages due to bad weather in the area and the fuel cell has supported all these
power outages.
10
Key Observations
The field installations in various parts of the world, and with different equipment configurations,
have demonstrated that the advanced fuel cell solution provides a reliable and cost-competitive
means of providing backup power. A summary of the key observations from these field
installations is listed below:
tThe fuel cell operated in diverse environments with 100 percent availability
tAverage maintenance costs were reduced by 77 percent and average operational costs
were reduced by 37 percent
tOn average, the footprint space was reduced by 50 percent
tReal time remote monitoring of power backup reduced truck rolls
tHydrogen is widely available and misconceptions about safety easily were dispelled after
installation and operational experience
Conclusion
The fuel cell application, in various geographical locations around the world and in different
equipment configurations, has demonstrated that it is a highly reliable, durable and costcompetitive solution. Several telecommunications companies around the world have started
to evaluate the fuel cell technology for backup power. Some governments and agencies are
providing incentives to help companies embrace this environmentally friendly technology and
deploy it in significant volumes.
www.commscope.com
Visit our website or contact your local CommScope representative for more information.
2013 CommScope, Inc. All rights reserved.
All trademarks identified by or are registered trademarks or trademarks, respectively, of CommScope, Inc.
This document is for planning purposes only and is not intended to modify or supplement any specifications or warranties relating to CommScope products or services.
WP-104050.3 EN (06/13)
11