Ballard hits methanol fuel-cell benchmark
by CanadianManufacturing.com Staff
Once the darling of green investors, the resurgent Ballard has repositioned itself as a fuel cell provider for telecom backup power
VANCOUVER—Ballard Power Systems has shipped its 500th methanol-fueled telecom backup power system since the firm restructured its product line in August 2012.
Once the darling of green investors, the resurgent Ballard has repositioned itself as a fuel cell provider for telecom backup power systems with liquid fueled methanol systems and gaseous hydrogen fueled systems.
In Southeast Asia and South Africa, unreliable electricity grids render telecom networks vulnerable to frequent grid outages. Fuel cell systems outclass traditional lead acid batteries and diesel generators as practical and financially viable backup power sources.
Ballard has focused on carving out a niche in extended duration backup power solutions in telecom networks, which has translated into growing demand for fuel cell telecom backup power solutions. In 2012 Ballard shipped approximately 400 ElectraGen™ backup power systems, comprised of 240 methanol fueled and 160 hydrogen models.
Ballard Power Systems designs and manufactures fuel cell products in Vancouver.
