Hydrogen-based Fuel Cells on Telecom Towers

India has set up a telecom tower in Pune with a hydrogen-based fuel cell to establish a backup power solution that ensures a steady hydrogen supply and power resilience during outages.

An innovative hydrogen-based fuel cells on telecom towers, developed using a plug-and-play model, can support national renewable energy goals while ensuring seamless connectivity for millions and promoting clean energy in the telecom sector.

India has more than a million telecom towers, with tens of thousands in remote areas, where maintaining 24/7 operations is challenging due to limited grid access. Traditionally, diesel generators have been used as backup power sources, but they are expensive and contribute significantly to carbon emissions.

A PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell is an efficient and clean energy solution for powering telecom towers, particularly as a backup during grid outages. These fuel cells provide reliable electricity with quick start-up times and operate at relatively low temperatures, making them a viable alternative to diesel generators.

PEM fuel cells (PEMFC) generate electricity with only water vapour as a by-product, offering an environmentally friendly solution with high power density in a compact size.

They run on hydrogen fuel, which can be stored and transported for refuelling, and require significantly less maintenance than traditional backup power sources.

The working principle involves an electrochemical reaction where hydrogen gas is fed into the anode, oxidized to release protons, which then travel through a polymer membrane to the cathode, where they react with oxygen to produce electricity and water.

Following the global environmental demand, the Department of Telecommunications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) actively promote greener energy solutions.

TRAI’s 2012 directive mandates that at least 50% of rural telecom towers and 33% of urban towers transition to hybrid renewable energy sources. Integrating PEMFC with telecom towers aligns with this vision, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional backup systems.

The Centre for Fuel Cell Technology (CFCT) at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, has developed an innovative fuel cell-based solution.

A key feature of this project is the adoption of a plug-and-play model to ensure easy handling and transport while eliminating security concerns to make the solution practical and adaptable for widespread deployment.

In a first-of-its-kind demonstration, ARCI showcased a mobile PEMFC-based backup power solution for telecom towers using a plug-and-play model.

Unlike fixed installations, this setup allows the power generation unit to be shared among multiple towers, providing backup power where needed. This would considerably facilitate telecom towers to utilize shared backup power and be transported to locations where diesel generator setups are difficult to reach or maintain.

The demonstration project was conducted at a telecom tower of a reputed service provider in the Pune Municipal Corporation limits, with Resicorre Technologies, Nashik, as the industrial partner and sponsored project by the Department of Science and Technology.

With India’s expanding digital infrastructure and growing focus on sustainability, fuel cell technology offers a promising solution for cleaner and more reliable telecom operations. This breakthrough is a game-changer in the telecom sector.

The successful deployment and demonstration of hydrogen-based fuel cells on telecom towers shall promote the usage of clean energy for India’s telecom sector, ensuring uninterrupted service while significantly reducing carbon footprints.