Low Cost Alkaline Fuel Cell Generator for Telecoms Continuous Power Applications

Diesel generator technologies are polluting and require frequent maintenance. This and the rising cost of diesel is creating a demand for more environmentally friendly technologies using alternative fuels. AFC Energy is developing alkaline fuel cells for onsite power applications. Our current market focus is in waste hydrogen markets – including chloride, chlorate and petro chemical – we are interested to investigate market interest in our technology for telecoms continuous power applications.

Technology

An alkaline fuel cell is a device that converts oxygen (from the air) and hydrogen (from a supply) into electrical energy and heat. It’s chemically comparable to a battery that will provide electric power continuously, as long as you feed it with hydrogen and air.

There is only one by-product – water.

Excluding water, an alkaline fuel cell is a zero emission device.

AFC Energy is targeting to produce a 3.5 kW system at a cost of below £2,600 (based upon a production rate of 1,000 kW per annum).

Advantages

• Compared to other Fuel Cell technologies
• Lower material costs
• Simple system design
• No combustion
• Increased safety – eliminates need to flare waste hydrogen
• No harmful NOx or SOx 
• No danger of igniting other gas streams
• Highly efficient conversion of hydrogen to electricity
• Quiet operation
• Design
• Simple – reducing maintenance 
• Few moving parts
• Small footprint – efficient use of space
• Modular and scaleable
• Energy security
• On site generation of power
• Reduced dependence on additional power imports

Applications

• Base stations
• Tower antenna sites
• Remote power
• Wireless networks

About AFC Energy

AFC Energy PLC is a commercially focussed, very low-cost fuel cell company, and we’re entering the market place by targeting waste hydrogen applications.

• Experienced management team
• £6 million (approx.) invested in AFC Energy’s technology to date
• Unique, low-cost electrode
• Low-cost system
• 3 corroborating reports from independent experts, confirming our competitive advantage
• 15 patent applications + 3 in course of preparation
• Alkaline fuel cells are proven technology (spacecraft, submarine applications) 
• Cost engineering-focussed alkaline fuel cell technology