5 Evolutions in Fuel Cells for
Telecom that can Move Your
Business into the Future
Darin Painter
September 22, 2016
Copyright 2016, Plug Power Inc.
Technology Evolution
• Fuel cell technology and solutions have evolved substantially since
they were first used in telecom 12 years ago.
• The fuel cell market has grown to thousands of sites located in 46
U.S. States and dozens of other countries.
• Currently, every major domestic carrier and many rural carriers
utilize fuel cells in their networks to provide backup power.
• Five areas of evolution in the fuel cell space you should know about:
Outside
Plant
Power
Fueling
Solutions
Rooftop
Power
Central
Office
Power
Warehouses
1 2 3 4 5
2
How Does a PEM Fuel Cell Work?
• Provides 100% rated power as long as it has fuel
• Run time determined by quantity of fuel storage (like a generator)
• Uses an electrolyte
• No moving parts
• Twice as efficient as fuel combustion
• The only outputs are DC power, warm-moist air, and a small
amount of pure liquid water
3
PEM Fuel Cell Process
Electrons
from
Hydrogen
Electrical Load
eO2
H+
H2
e-
Oxygen
Molecules
H+
H+
Hydrogen
Molecules
e-
H
e-
Catalyst/Electrode
H+
Water molecules forming
+H -
H+
H2
H+eO
H+
Proton exchange
membrane electrolyte
O
H
Catalyst/Electrode
4
Site Power System
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•
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•
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Utility
Feed
Meter
AC
Panel
Battery
Rectifier
Simple DC Bus Connection
Connects on the Load Side of Meter
Parallel to Battery and Rectifier
Fuel Cell Dimensioned for Power
Hydrogen Dimensioned for Energy
Indoor or Outdoor Mounting
Load Following
Fault-Tolerant
DC
Bus
• Efficiency and Power Reduction
Fuel Cell
Equipment
Load
•
•
•
New technology in telecom gear
More efficient power conversion
Cooling solutions
Simple maintenance and fewer site visits mean up to 84% lower operational costs when
compared to combustion generators.
Plug Power Confidential and Proprietary.
5
1
Outside Plant power: New is a cost-saving,
space-saving integrated power solution.
Who is using Fuel Cells in Telecom Compounds?
•
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Fuel cell customers are a diverse set of industry leaders seeking solutions to
the kinds of power challenges our world throws at us every day.
Urban, suburban, rural and remote locations
Temperature ranges from -40oF (-40oC) to 122oF (50oC)
Climates including desert (semi-arid and arid), tropical, marine, mountain
Weather events including hurricanes, winter storms, electrical storms and wind
events
Power requirements from 50W to 20kW
Fuel cell users have in common the desire to serve their customers to the best of their ability
despite power challenges.
Plug Power Confidential and Proprietary.
7
Wireless Network Solutions
Fuel Cell Solutions
10s to 100s of hours of autonomy
BTS
MacroB
TS
Sites
Pico
BTS
Sites
BTS
BTS
4G/LTE
4G/LTE
4G/LTE
4G/LTE
Hybrid Energy Site
CLOUD
CORE
Pt to Multi Pt
Hub
DAS/RRU
BTS
4G/LTE
COW
Plug Power Confidential and Proprietary.
8
Wireline Network Solutions
DAS/RRU
COW
BTS
BTS
BTS
MW
Alt. Energy Site
BSC
MTSO
POP
ILA/REGEN
METRO
RING
TRANSPOR
T RING
ILA/REGEN
PSTN/IP/VIDE
O CLOUD
CO
ACCESS
RING
BLC
OLT
HE
FTT
H
FTTN
xDSL
Plug Power Confidential and Proprietary.
9
Integrated OSP Solution Drivers
Capital Cost & TCO
• Lower capital expense for backup power equipment
• Reduced maintenance of fuel cell relative to combustion generators
Reduced Footprint
• Lower ground space lease cost – recurring expense
• Greater applicability to larger number of existing locations
Speed to Deploy
• Permitting challenges increasing for combustion generators
• Simplified deployment
• Reduction of on-site backup power integration / expense
Enhanced Intelligence
• Integrated SNMP monitoring/alarming
• Integrates w / IP based radio equipment
Plug Power’s Integrated solution equips telecommunications customers with a reliable single cabinet solution for their
network power and communications equipment, providing customers with a reduction in capital and operational expenses
at each site.
10
Integrated OSP Solution
Site Footprint Improvement
Power,
Radio,
Backhaul,
MW, &
SPD
HSM-16
300 kW-hr
Fuel Cell
& Battery
5 day runtime @
2.5kW load
System Configuration
Remote Radio
H2 Storage
Integrated Cabinet
2 Environments
Upper Compartment:
HEX
Lower Compartment:
Ventilated
LTE Radio
Microwave
Fuel Cell
DC
Bus
Telco/Lease
Battery
Utility
Feed
Meter
Disconnect
Data Comm
AC
Panel
Rectifier
HVAC
Ancillary
11
Outdoor Installations
• Hardened outdoor cabinets
• Temps from -40oC to +50oC / -40oF to 122oF
• Multiple options for a variety of power and runtime requirements
12
Indoor Installations
• Power & Communications indoors
• Hydrogen fuel outdoors
13
Remote Operations Capabilities
Customer’s Distributed
Fuel Cell Network
Fuel Service
Fuel Cell #1
Secure M2M or
encoded data
transfer
IP
Network
Fuel Cell #2
Customer
NOC
Fuel Cell #n
Monitoring
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•
•
•
•
•
Active Fuel Level Monitoring
Automated Fuel Service Options
M2M via SNMP
Active Alarm Monitoring
Remote Testing
Secure Data Transfer Options
Connectivity
• Ethernet/IP Network
• USB
• Modem – per Operator standards
CDMA/GSM/GRPS
• Adaptors
• Local Display
14
2
Fueling: Hydrogen fueling programs now
make the refueling of fuel cells just as easy
as it is for diesel generators.
Hydrogen Statistics
• About 10 million metric tons of hydrogen are produced in the U.S.
annually – enough to power 20-30m cars or 5-8m homes
• A large hydrogen production site exists today near almost every
major U.S. and European city.
• Hydrogen is used safely today in many different industries:
•
•
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Food manufacturing
Food production
Welding
Cryogenics
Weather balloons
Oil refining
Household (hydrogen peroxide)
Fuel for transportation and stationary power
• A Plug Power GenFuel hydrogen refueling into a forklift, industrial
vehicle or stationary fuel cell happens every 11 seconds – that’s
nearly 9,000 fills each day…and growing.
16
ELECTROLYSIS
STORAGE
ANY SOURCE OF CLEAN DRY HYDROGEN
REFORMING
Fueling Options
17
Bulk Hydrogen Fuel Delivery
On-site refueling from multiple vendors
• Hose included for expanded access
• Utilize remote fill-port if required
•
•
•
•
Pressure equalization for rapid refueling
“Top-off”capable
Similar to traditional refueling model
On-site fill time: less than 20 minutes
18
Cylinder Supply & Delivery
Large distribution infrastructure
• Thousands of locations nationally
Proven technology
• Standards established for siting & delivery
197
Capacity / run time dependent on:
Cu. ft
• Number of Cylinders
• Cylinder Size
• Cylinder Pressure
261
Cu. ft
60”
Common Cylinder Sizes
Cylinder Sizes:
Size
Capacity
Weight
Energy
6” x 33”
80 cu-ft
65 lbs
3 kWh
9” x 56”
197 cu-ft
125 lbs
7 kWh
9” x 60”
261 cu-ft
140 lbs
9 kWh
D.O.E. Hydrogen Safety On-Line Course:
http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/firstresponders.html
19
GenFuel for Stationary Markets
Complete Fuel Service Offering
• Complete support services
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•
•
•
•
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Initial fueling
Refueling
Disaster recovery
Preventive maintenance
Live call center 24x7x365
All fuel logistics handled for customer
• Disaster recovery support
• Partnerships with service companies for delivery
• Agreements in place for fuel sourcing
• Leverage Plug Power assets where available
• Remote monitoring is available or Customer NOC
dispatched
• Services offered driven by project commitment
20
Hydrogen Availability
21
3
Rooftops: Fuel cells solve rooftop
challenges by eliminating the noise,
vibration, emissions, weight and fuel spills
seen by diesel generators.
Rooftop Backup Power Challenges
• Critical infrastructure sites
•
•
Typically located in densely populated areas
Limited real estate for solutions
• Restricted site access
•
•
Refueling and maintenance access is limited.
Fuel storage limitations
•
•
Liquid fuels difficult to site due to spill containment considerations
Weight of fuel and fuel storage limit options
• Noise & Vibration major issues
•
Generator noise and vibration are problematic
Plug Power Confidential and Proprietary.
23
Fuel Cells On Rooftops
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Power For Urban Sites
Platform or Surface Mounting
Solves Fuel & Electrolyte Spill Issues
Multiple Fueling Options
No Emissions
24
Power Solution Comparison
Solution comparison
• Significant advantages to fuel cells w/H2 Module
Rooftop Solution:
Metrics:
Noise & Vibration
Spill Containment
Weight
Backup Reserve Time
Floor Limit
Refuelable while running
Footprint
Combustion Generator
Poor
Poor
>2500lbs
Fuel Limited
May Req Boost Pump
Maybe - Nat Gas Supply
4'x10'
Fuel Cell w/Cylinders Fuel Cell w/HSM
Good
Good
1900lbs
8-12 hrs
None
Yes
3'x6'
Good
Good
4500-6500lbs
48 hrs +
< 10 Floors
Yes
4'x10'
Fuel Cell w/2kg H2 Module
Good
Good
1770 lbs
36 hrs +
None
Yes
5'x8'
25
Fueling Options for Rooftops
Traditional Steel
Cylinders
Bulk H2 Ground
Storage
Utilizes industrial
cylinders at 2200-2400
psi
Utilizes HSM with fill in
place solution
Advantages:
• Widely available
• Mobile – cylinder
cradle
Limitations: Weight per
unit of backup
• 140lb cylinder ~
9.0kW-hr
• 6 cylinder cabinet
w/cylinders
• ~1190lbs
• Run time = 55kW-hrs
Advantages:
•
Long run times: 300kWhrs
•
Refueling performed at
ground level
Limitations:
•
Landlord and
stakeholder buy-in
•
Requires running
a fuel line to the
fuel cell on the
roof
•
Space available
on ground for
HSM
•
Length of fuel run has a
practical limit < 10
stories
Bulk H2 Rooftop
Storage, Remote Fill
G-Pod Carbon
Fiber Tanks
Utilizes HSM or carbon
fiber with fill in place
solution w/remote fill port
at ground level
Utilizes new carbon fiber
33kW-hour H2 Module
Advantages:
•
Long run times: 300kWhrs
•
Refueling performed at
ground level
Limitations:
•
Landlord buy in for fuel
line on building exterior
•
Historic facades
•
Length of fuel run has a
practical limit < 10
stories
•
HSM has excessive
weight ~ 4,000-6,000lbs
Advantages
•
Higher capacity than
steel with same flexibility
for transport
•
Reduced weight for
rooftop installations
• Integrated frame
w/wheels – 150 lbs
•
Integrated frame
w/wheels facilitating
easier transport
•
Confined access
•
Elevators
•
Stairs
•
Can be pre-positioned
for imminent storm
conditions
26
Fueling Options for Rooftops
Traditional Steel Cylinders
Bulk H2, Remote Fill
Bulk H2, Ground Storage
G-Pod
Carbon
Fiber
Tanks
27
4
Central Offices: Fuel cells in this
environment help to harden the network
against grid service interruption, providing
the operator with improved reliability and
reduced greenhouse gas emissions and
helping operators to meet corporate
sustainability goals.
AT&T
• AT&T and Bloom Energy have 28
projects installed in California,
Connecticut, New Jersey and New
York totally 17.1 MW.
• Expected to produce more than 149
million kilowatt hours (kWh) of
electricity annually, enough to
power more than 13,680 homes per
year
"A key differentiator for fuel cells compared to other forms
of alternative power is that fuel cell electricity production is
virtually constant. They provide steady, recurring electricity
production at a relatively predictable cost, replacing the
traditional electricity bill which can be volatile." – John
Schinter, Director of Energy, AT&T
Additionally, AT&T has more
than 350 wireless telecom sites
using smaller fuel cells to
provide backup power.
http://www.bloomenergy.com/customer-fuel-cell/att-alternative-energy/
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=23407&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=35457&mapcode=
29
Verizon & Cox Comm Fuel Cell Projects
• Verizon installed 22 Doosan
fuel cells across several
facilities in CA, NY and NJ
• Cox Communications
installed four fuel cells in CA
operating on directedbiogas
• Provides 1.6MW of power &
heat
• Prevents 5,387 metric tons of
carbon annually
• Saves 10 million gallons of
water
30
Verizon Fuel Cell Project
• Verizon installed Bloom Energy fuel cell
systems at three of its California-based
locations:
• two call-switching centers in Los Angeles
and San Francisco
• one data center in San Jose
• Bloom Energy’s solid oxide fuel cells are
expected to generate more than 16 million
kilowatt hours of clean electricity for
Verizon each year.
• Verizon also has more than 50 wireless
telecom locations using smaller fuel cells
for backup power.
https://www.verizon.com/about/community/ca_green.html
31
Small Central Offices
• Continued reduction in
power requirements puts
small central offices in the
sweet spot for fuel cell
solutions
32
5
Warehouses: Fuel cells have been replacing batteries
in forklifts fleets for a growing number of commercial
customers over the past several years, including
Coca-Cola, Walmart and Sysco, but have not yet seen
traction in telecommunications warehouses.
This is an area where fuel cells can offer significant
productivity and financial savings while also assisting
a company in decreasing its carbon footprint.
Forklift Fuel Cell Market Traction
12,000+ fuel cells powering
material handling
equipment currently
34
Benefits of Fuel Cells in Warehouses
Class 1 Suite
Sit-down Lift Trucks
8 kW, 10 kW
Capital Savings with
Environmental Benefits
• Reduce electricity needs
• Reduce demand charges
• Increase productivity
Class 2 Suite
Stand-up Reach Trucks
8 kW, 10 kW
• 90 second refill
• No emissions
• GHG savings
• Constant Full Power
Class 3 Suite
Rider Pallet Trucks
1.8 kW, 3.2 kW
35
• Easier to provide emergency facility power
35
Full-service Hydrogen Systems
1
H
1.00794
Molecule
Infrastructure
- Large Outdoor H2 Pad
- Small Outdoor H2 pad
Indoor & Outdoor
Dispensers
More than 2.5 million forklift refuelings have been completed safely and conveniently.
36
Environmental Value:
Reducing Carbon Footprint
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
LPG / Grid / Reforming / Liquid H2
Based on an actual 260 truck fleet (typical mix)
Tons of CO2 Produced per Year
8000
7000
6000
75% Reduction of
Grid Charging
5000
90% Reduction over
LPG
4000
3000
2000
1000
7512
2810
2010
699
LPG Truck Emissions
Grid Charging
Fuel Cell Emissions Onsite Reforming
Fuel Cell Emissions Liquid Hydrogen
0
Carbon Emissions Reduction:
90% compared to LPG. 75% compared to grid charging.
37
Conclusions
Conclusions
• Fuel cells offer a highly-reliable, clean, cost-effective solution
for a growing number of telecom applications.
• Evolutions in these 5 areas are providing solid reasons for
carriers and contractors to expand adoption of hydrogen and
fuel cells.
Outside
Plant
Power
Fueling
Solutions
Rooftop
Power
Central
Office
Power
Warehouses
1 2 3 4 5
The world is moving – join us and move boldly into the future.
39
Tax Incentives & Resources
Federal Programs
• Fuel Cells – 30% or $3k/kW (whichever is less)
of qualifying property as an Investment Tax
Credit
State Programs
• Varies widely – from Sales Tax abatement, to
capital offset, to renewable credits – See
www.dsireusa.org
www.dsireusa.org
http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/permitting
www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells
40
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