Fuel cells

Clear benefits of the fuel cell
The benefits of fuel cell technology over battery-buffered 48 VDC back-up systems will become increasingly clear in future, particularly in the global network infrastructure for mobile communication base stations.
- A long service life reduces essential servicing and maintenance work.
- Improved adaptability to temperature fluctuations creates potential savings.
- Flexibly scalable back-up times help to optimise the costs for each individual location.
- Overall, the fuel cell reduces the total cost of ownership compared with current emergency power supply options.
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For maximum availability
For applications which demand the ultimate in reliability, fuel cell systems are able to supply electricity independently with the maximum possible availability. Unlike conventional battery-buffered emergency power supplies which are dependent upon temperature and sunlight, and which also entail certain disadvantages linked to the ageing process, size and weight, fuel cells operate perfectly within a broad temperature range inside the enclosure. The broader spectrum of interior temperatures means that climate control of the outdoor enclosure can be achieved more cost-effectively. What is more, fuel cells are both low-maintenance and fully functional at all times, and have a significantly longer service life than batteries.
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Fuel cells provide an independent power supply to the outdoor sector
In critical high-availability applications, it is essential to develop reliable redundancies in the form of emergency back-up power supplies. From the mobile phone sector, to telematics and remote measuring stations, to primary power supplies for information terminal systems or applications used at open air events, the fuel cell is a convincing power supply alternative. Rittal uses its expert know-how in outdoor enclosure technology, climate control and system integration to supply complete systems.

Applications for the outdoor sector:
- The Rittal fuel cell in the outdoor enclosure Toptec CR is a fully functioning unit designed as an emergency back-up power supply for outdoor use, which is combined with a leading-name primary supply. The Rittal solution offers clear benefits over battery-buffered back-up systems in terms of service life, temperature fluctuations, backup times and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
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Exhibitions, festivals, sporting events: The kiosk is ideal for use in all situations where information needs to be made available to an international audience. A fuel cell power supply offers complete independence from mains connections, ensuring that the POI kiosk is up and running in the fastest possible time. The complete fuel supply is integrated into the outdoor enclosure. Methanol is converted into hydrogen using the reformer system, and the high hydrogen concentration in methanol allows long operating times. The robust yet attractively styled outdoor enclosure has a twin-walled design offering further system benefits such as vandalism protection, noise-reduced PC systems, and a broad ambient temperature range.
Ideal for large events: TeleStations are supplied by a PEM cell. Herten-based company Idatech Fuel Cells GmbH developed the TeleStation power supply in collaboration with RITTAL and other regional partners using a 250 W PEM fuel cell as the basis. The total project volume was just under 400,000 €, around 150,000 € of which was provided in the form of regional subsidies. The system was put to the test in a number of stadiums across Germany during the FIFA World Cup, and proved highly successful.
» Application reports
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