BC Hydro (Burnaby, BC) announced it has developed a hydrogen-fuel-cell-based emergency backup system for utility applications, powered by Ballard Power Systems Inc.'s (Vancouver, BC) Nexa® RM Series fuel cell modules. The system is environmentally friendly, provides extended backup time, and is expected to offer better long-term reliability and reduced maintenance compared to existing battery and generator systems. The installation for this field trial is at BC Hydro’s office in Burnaby.
The Nexa RM Series has the potential to replace battery-based systems in as many as 500 applications within BC Hydro’s operations and thousands of applications in utilities around the world. BC Hydro has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ballard that includes both field testing and the potential for commercialization of the Nexa RM Series for utility backup applications. Ballard and BC Hydro are working with the Electric Power Research Institute to deploy further field tests with utilities in the United States.
