How to Get a Hydrogen Fix for Cell Site Utility Bills
Using hydrogen fuel cells as backup power units for telecommunication sites, particularly remote ones, is a common practice. More fully incorporating the units into a provider’s overall managed power strategy makes economic sense, too. A WCAI-members only webinar—“Smart Energy Solutions Using Fuel Cells”—will explore the option Thursday, Feb. 23.
Chris Horne, the chief technical officer of LBA Group Inc., will host and moderate the webinar’s Q&A period following a presentation by Joe Blanchard, chief operating officer of Spokane, Wash.-based ReliOn. The company is a global leader in development of modular, fault-tolerant, proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology.
An estimated 1,300 fuel cell systems are situated at cellular and telecommunication sites in North America as backup units during periods of interrupted power service. The hydrogen fuel cells have several advantages over the more traditional diesel power units, including being quieter, longer-lasting, and more easily and less frequently fueled.
Integrating the units into a wireless provider’s energy management plan can have significant bottom line consequences. Utility rates can be reduced and credits earned for a company that has reduced its peak power demand. The webinar will offer examples of how to optimize energy usage.
Blanchard joined ReliOn in 2005, coming there after 18 years in management at Texas-based Fujitsu Network Communications, an innovator in connection-oriented Ethernet and optical transport technologies. In all, Blanchard has been working for more than a quarter century in design, development and support of products spanning DLC/DSLAMs and FTTx systems, telecom cabinets and power systems, optical transport, DWDM systems, Class 5 switching and PBX systems.
Horne is a professional registered engineer with a doctorate in electrical engineering. He is a board member of WCAI, the trade organization for the wireless broadband industry with a mission of advancing opportunities for the industry. The organization’s several hundred members include such heavyweights as AT&T, Sprint and Clearwire.
The hour-long WCAI webinar begins at 4 p.m. eastern standard time. Member sign-up details here.
Since 1963, LBA has been providing RF equipment and engineering consulting services for radio and television broadcast and wireless communications.
