Dallas, Texas 05/19/2014 (FINANCIALSTRENDS) – Ballard Power Systems Inc announced that the installation of its fuel cell telecom backup-power systems is now proceeding in Philippines, with 12 ElectraGen™-ME-systems and is now deployed at the key sites in the metro-Manila. The systems are part of the initial 20-system-order that had been received in the Q3 of 2013 from AECi, which is the company’ channel-partner in the Philippines, for deployment in the network of the major full-service telecom company there. Due to severity of the Typhoon Haiyan in 2014 November, the installation of the methanol-fuelled back- up power systems had to be deferred.
The ideal solution
The Typhoon Haiyan had a very devastating impact across the Philippines, and it had 250 km an hour (160 mile/ hour) winds that created a national calamity as per Benigno Aquino, the President. The extreme weather effect had also reinforced the urgent need for a very reliable, and extended-duration backup power capability for maintaining the continuity of communications in between the emergency services personnel and the general public in the time of crisis situations such as this one. The company’s chief executive officer, Steve Karaffa said that the BLDP methanol fuelled systems are gaining in popularity in South East Asia.
Solid proof
This deployment in Philippines is an added proof point and telecom operators are now recognizing that fuel cell backup-power systems are inherently useful in delivering very high network-availability during the extreme weather events or even whenever the electric grid isn’t reliable. All 20 of the initial systems are set for installation on various rooftop locations at metro Manila. The rooftop installations are all very challenging, but the fuel cell systems also provide many advantages in comparison to the conventional batteries & the diesel generators, including cost-effectiveness. They also have a very quiet operation, and are light weight as well as reliable start-up & operation.
