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Ballard Receives ElectraGen Fuel Cell System Order For Deployments in Digicel Network [Global Data Point](Global Data Point Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) This is the second tranche of Ballard methanol-fuelled systems ordered for Digicel, which will bring the total systems deployed at critical sites around the Caribbean island of Jamaica to 25. The initial fuel cell systems ordered have been successfully operating in Digicel's network for more than two years. Digicel has over 14 million customers across its 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific regions. The company is renowned for delivering "best value, best service and best network." PP%7EA is responsible for deployment as well as ongoing servicing and fueling of fuel cell systems in Digicel's Jamaica network. The majority of these newly ordered backup power systems will be sited at rooftop base station locations. Ballard's ElectraGen™-ME systems are particularly well-suited for rooftop deployments due to their small footprint, quiet operation and light weight. These systems also generate very low levels of emissions, eliminating many community concerns over the use of diesel generators in similar rooftop locations. "There are inherent challenges with incumbent backup power technologies on rooftops," said Larry Stapleton, Ballard Vice President of Sales. "Our methanol-fuelled systems offer a practical solution to address those challenges and deliver meaningful value to telecom operators globally." With the deployment of these 13 additional systems, Ballard will have 161 ElectraGen -ME methanol-fuelled systems deployed and operating in the Caribbean in such countries as Puerto Rico, Jamaica, The Bahamas, St. Lucia, Turks %7E Caicos, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat as well as Trinidad and Tobago. This region is particularly susceptible to power disruptions due to extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes. As a result, telecom networks are vulnerable to frequent grid outages which impact continuity of service to subscribers. This reality puts a priority on the need for extended duration backup power solutions. For extended power outages, lead-acid batteries and diesel generators are not necessarily a practical or financially attractive means of providing backup power, whereas fuel cell systems can offer a reliable and economic alternative - in addition to being a clean energy solution. Ballard's ElectraGen-ME methanol-fuelled systems provide extended runtime backup power with a high degree of reliability, long product life and minimal preventive maintenance requirements. The ElectraGen-ME include a fuel reformer that converts HydroPlus - a methanol-water liquid fuel mixture - into hydrogen gas to power each fuel cell stack. (c) 2014 GlobalData Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |