MGE UPS Systems Inc. (Costa Mesa, CA), a leader in high-availability power solutions to the industrial, telecom and IT markets, and Ballard Power Systems Inc. celebrated the official launch of field trials for MGE's Evolution uninterruptible power supply (UPS) powered by Ballard's Nexa® RM Series fuel cell modules. In demonstrations, the 3kVA Evolution UPS provided power to a rack of computer networking equipment and a large plasma screen display.
The integrated fuel cell UPS system provides 3kVA of power in a rack-mounted package that is suited for providing continuous power to small networks, internetworking equipment, call center infrastructure and other applications where business continuity is critical. Duration of backup is determined by the size and quantity of fuel storage tanks and typically ranges from 4 to 24 hours. Hydrogen is provided via an adapter kit from standard 31in high Q-style or 51in high K-style pressurized gas cylinders from Praxair Inc.
The Nexa RM Series produces a dc voltage that is bused to the Evolution. The implementation combines state-of-the-art, proton-exchange membrane, fuel cell technology, with an established line-interactive UPS product, to provide a high level of reliability as well as cost and space optimization.
Field trial units of the fuel-cell-powered Evolution and Nexa RM Series are available now, with commercial production slated for 2004.
