Ballard Power Systems Inc. (Vancouver, BC, Canada) and Sanmina-SCI Corp. have entered into a sales, marketing and product development memorandum of understanding (MOU). Ballard and Sanmina-SCI will work together to commercialize and sell fuel-cell-based backup power systems for the telecommunication industry. The system comprises Ballard’s Nexa® RM Series fuel cell modules in a Sanmina-SCI manufactured outdoor enclosure.
"A recent New York State Department of Public Utilities report recommended that wireless carriers examine the use of fuel cells for backup power as a result of the power blackout of August 2003. That blackout saw 30 percent of cell sites lose backup power within 12 hours," said Ross Witschonke, Ballard’s vice president, sales and marketing. "The Nexa RM Series fuel cell system has strong performance attributes, such as extended run capability, that add tremendous value to the telecommunications industry for backup power applications. Ballard and Sanmina-SCI are able to deliver fuel cell solutions today."
