| Fuel cells as a business continuity measure
The system is based on a Hydrogenics fuel cell engine, which utilises Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology. In this, hydrogen is passed over one side of the Proton Exchange Membrane and Oxygen over the other side. In linking to form water vapour, negative ions are produced which are captured at the membrane. Winton has purchased three 10kW fuel cells mounted in the same rack providing a maximum of 30kW of power; its modular, rack-integrated design makes it easy to add more additional power. Winton’s fuel cell system is linked to a 30kW 3-phase UPS that, in the event of a power failure, will provide potentially unlimited runtime. Winton was looking for a standby power solution that would provide power for unlimited periods in the event of extended power loss. Installing and running a diesel generator was out of the question due to environmental concerns. Installing a large battery bank was also impossible as there was insufficient space to house the volume of batteries necessary. To manoeuvre the fuel cell into the only space available in Winton’s office required UPS Systems to display a great deal of ingenuity … and some painstaking winching up from the street. The final phase of the project was the hydrogen housing. To ensure a totally sensitive integration of the system Winton commissioned a hydrogen store below ground. A hydraulic mechanism means access to the tanks is simple and efficient - the roof of the construction lifts. As a final touch, the construction was finished in brick and slate to remain in keeping with rest of the building. Owen McCormack, head of IT for Winton explained: “Working in a 24 hour industry means we can’t tolerate extended downtimes due to power problems. Our location imposed other limitations and I was looking for a standby power solution that could give us the unlimited power option that we required”. McCormack continued, “When I heard about the fuel cell system being used at UPS Systems, it sounded like the answer to our problems and seeing the system in action at their offices proved to me that it was.” Fuel cells need very little maintenance when compared to the twice yearly, in-person maintenance checks for batteries or the oil and filter changes needed for diesel generators. The fuel cell system is clean, almost silent and the hydrogen, which is piped in from an external tank or bottles, produces no exhaust gases other than water vapour.
•Date: 14th June 2007 • Region: UK •Type: Article •Topic: Power management
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