GenCell Introduces Long-duration Backup Solution for Telecom

GenCell Energy, an Israel-based manufacturer of fuel cell energy solutions, has launched its latest long-duration backup power solution, the GenCell Backup Operations eXtender (BOX)™, which is an efficient and reliable alkaline fuel cell technology specifically designed to meet the challenging backup power requirements of telecom and critical communications operations.

In a world plagued by ever more frequent and severe climate-related weather incidents, causing serious and extended power outages that threaten lives, property and public safety, resilient long-duration backup power is increasingly mandatory. These recurrent disasters reinforce the indispensable role which telecoms and digital connectivity play in today’s world and therefore uninterrupted connectivity is a vital priority.

However, this connectivity is entirely dependent on electricity to power the network equipment and devices that enable everyone to stay connected. Moreover, when communications systems are becoming even more power-hungry, providers are seeking to transition to green energy sources to replace the fossil fuels that are a root cause of the climate crisis that is behind these more frequent power outages.

In these circumstances, critical communications providers need ultra-reliable, weather-independent, and sustainable power that ensures continuous, long-duration operation of network equipment and devices that support continuous connectivity, disaster recovery and emergency response.

Offering an immediate injection of 5kW power with virtually unlimited run-time, the hydrogen-fueled GenCell BOX, according to the company, is:

• Highly resilient to extreme environmental conditions
• Compact in size to fit even small outdoor installations
• Serviced by one simple annual maintenance
• Zero CO2 emissions, no noise, no vibrations
• Designed to connect with standard telecom Energy Management System protocols
• Easy plug-and-play installation

Rami Reshef, CEO GenCell, comments, “Efforts to overcome climate crisis, minimize emissions and transition to renewables have become top of agenda for public agencies and private enterprises alike. With the presidential administration and Department of Energy committed to expanding the U.S. hydrogen economy, we are proud that our new GenCell BOX solution brings the critical communications community a fuel cell solution that has been designed to meet all their specific requirements.”

Reshef continues, “Working closely with the GSMA and leading mobile network operators, GenCell has focused its efforts on engineering affordable green power solutions that will enable telecom providers worldwide to achieve sustainability and accelerate their transition to renewable energy, including in remote poor and off-grid locations. The compact dimensions and rugged exterior of the GenCell BOX have been designed to align with the specifications of most outdoor telecom base stations. The unit outputs 48V DC and is capable of connectivity with standard telecom energy management systems. In the event of grid outage, the ultra-reliable BOX kicks in immediately to deliver uninterrupted power for continuous telecommunication operations that will extend for as long as hydrogen fuel is available.”

Fueled by hydrogen, the GenCell BOX resolves the key weaknesses of the most common other backup power solutions, such as the limited stored energy in batteries, the fumes, noise, CO2 emissions and lengthy startup time of diesel generators and the daylight limitations of solar PV energy systems.

Frank Wolak, President & Executive Director, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) comments, “The FCHEA is glad to see our member GenCell Energy exhibiting at IWCE 2021. Telecom operators are increasing their efforts to minimize climate impact on their networks, take advantage of incentives and comply with environmental regulations by improving energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy resources, and fuel cells will be a key component in these endeavors. As the demand for fuel cells to provide U.S. telecom providers with resilient backup power and strengthen the critical communications infrastructure is strong and growing, we believe that the GenCell BOX will provide value while creating jobs and supporting the transition to a clean energy future.”

Rami Reshef concludes, “We are excited to be at IWCE 2021 to bring telecom professionals the resilient power solutions that are so crucial to ensuring continuous connectivity and enabling emergency responders to extend communications and restore public safety even during severe weather incidents.”

GenCell Energy is proud to be launching this new solution at IWCE 2021, North America’s premier critical communications conference & expo; GenCell welcomes professionals from across the critical communications ecosystem to visit us in Booth 926 where we will be demonstrating our resilient, emission-free backup and off-grid power solutions.