NEED OF BACKUP POWER IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIES

Telecommunications providers rely on backup power to maintain a constant power supply, to prevent power outages, and to ensure the operability of cell towers, equipment, and networks. The backup power supply that best meets these objectives is fuel cell technology.

The telecommunications industry relies on an elaborate network of cell phone towers and field facilities to transmit phone calls and provide services. To operate effectively, each of these towers and field facilities requires a constant and highly reliable electrical power supply.

The industry transmits voice and electronic data through wired and wireless networks. To provide these services, facilities require substantial electrical power, which usually comes from the electrical grid but may also be converted to direct current (DC) power at -48 volts for wired networks and +24 volts for wireless networks. Adequate, effective backup power is essential because the electrical grid is subject to disruption by natural and man-made causes like extreme weather and power shortages.

As the telecommunications industry continues to expand rapidly, the increased use of cell phones, computers, and high-speed Internet requires an increase in the number of cell phone towers and field facilities needed to support these services. This expansion introduces new challenges, and service reliability through backup power sources remains at the forefront for industry providers. To prevent power outages, providers use redundancy and backup power sources.

BACKUP POWER SOURCES:

When a tower or facility loses power from the grid, a backup power source must assume the site load. Most telecommunications facilities have at least eight-hour backup often required by regulation but locations prone to lengthy power outages, such as hurricane-prone areas, require backup capability between 24 and 72 hours. To accomplish this requirement, most providers use a combination of three backup power technologies: batteries, generators, and fuel cells.

BATTERIES:

As the most-common source of backup power, batteries provide direct current (DC) power. Lead-acid batteries continually charge with grid power and provide the stored electricity as backup power until the grid is restored. Batteries can supply only as much power as they have stored, and severe weather conditions can hinder their operation.

GENERATORS:

Generators provide alternating current (AC) power and can be automatically or manually activated. In remote, off-grid locations, generators may be used as general power sources.

FUEL CELLS:

Backup power fuel cells use proton electrolyte membrane (PEM) technology to provide DC power. PEM fuel cells are fueled directly by hydrogen, operate at low temperatures, are smaller than other fuel cells, and have a short warm-up time. Most PEM fuel cells have integral batteries or ultra capacitors to provide immediate power.