UPS and fuel cell technologies have been integrated to produce an advanced backup power system which has been installed for power protection at Investec banking group’s London Headquarters. This marriage of a Chloride PowerRACK UPS and a 5kW IdaTech ElectraGen™5XTR fuel cell system delivers high reliability power protection with extended backup power run times to the building’s security office.

This state-of-the-art product combines a PEM fuel cell stack, reformer, fuel storage and delivery, controls and power electronics. It provides a clean, compact and quiet alternative to diesel generators for city centre applications. Traditional solutions such as generators, batteries or fuel cell systems using bottled hydrogen are only practical for a limited number of hours. The IdaTech unit internally produces high-grade hydrogen for the fuel cell stack, enabling days of operation from a very compact liquid fuel source. The ElectraGen™5XTR system also provides an economical solution to help avoid the traditional challenges associated with hydrogen delivery and storage by producing hydrogen on-site and as needed. It is perfect for remote locations such as telecommunications towers or in cities where diesel generator operation may be a problem.

IdaTech Sales Director Nicolas Pocard commented: “Key differentiators of the ElectraGen™ solution as compared to alternative models are that it can be used indoors or outdoors while offering predictable, quiet performance from a compact liquid fuel and in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +50°C. By installing the system at Investec, IdaTech’s parent company, we are demonstrating the dependability of this advanced power protection system at a site where backup power is critical”.

Installed by Cell Care Technologies, the system has gone ‘live’ and is delivering on its promise of high reliability and extended run times.