News

Ballard Ships Initial 100 ElectraGen Systems For Backup Power in Wireless Telecom Networks

September 27, 2012 by Jeff Shepard

Ballard Power Systems confirmed shipment of the Company's first 100 ElectraGen™ fuel cell power generation systems to Cascadiant Inc. and Inala Technologies, Ballard distributors in Southeast Asia and South Africa, respectively.

These are the first 100 systems shipped subsequent to a recent transaction through which Ballard acquired select assets from IdaTech, a Ballard customer for the past several years. The systems are comprised of both direct hydrogen ElectraGen-H2 units as well as methanol fuelled ElectraGen-ME units and are planned for deployment in the networks of wireless telecom service providers.

ElectraGen-ME systems incorporate a fuel reformer to extract hydrogen from HydroPlus™, a mixture of methanol and water available from accredited suppliers around the world. The hydrogen is then used as feedstock for the fuel cells. Methanol is a readily available fuel around the globe, making ElectraGen-ME a practical solution for backup power needs even in remote locations.

Ballard's portfolio of highly reliable fuel cell power generation systems provides more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solutions for "short duration runtime" and "extended duration runtime" backup power applications than the alternatives of lead-acid batteries and diesel generators. Further information regarding Ballard's backup power solutions is available on the company's website.