Fuel Cells in Backup Power Applications

Abstract

Availability and reliability of backup power sources are a major
concern in the United States. Weather conditions and a fragile power in-
frastructure have caused blackouts across the country, making customers
and service providers look for backup power solutions that offer dura-
bility and flexibility, at a reasonable cost. More recently, the realization
that our power generation and distribution system may be vulnerable
to interruptions increased this need signi ficantly.
There are a variety of backup electrical power systems that all
strive to provide power when the grid power is unavailable; yet how
each system achieves this goal is very different. For many years, backup
power has been provided primarily by valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA)
battery systems (i.e., UPS systems) and engine-generator sets. More
recently, ultra capacitors, flywheels and new battery technologies have
been employed. Although each technology has some advantages; the
disadvantages are signi ficant enough that service providers, especially
those employing outdoor applications, are searching for alternatives.
Fuel cell manufacturers have responded by designing fuel cell systems
to compete with traditional technologies meeting backup power require-
ments in stationary applications. This article discusses the use of hydro-
gen-fueled fuel cells fro the purpose of providing back up power.