Alternative Power

For the millions of people enjoying this year's New York State Fair, and for the many event goers who will visit the New York State Fairgrounds in the future, new fuel cell systems installed on the grounds will provide essential communications backup during emergency and other situations to ensure operations continuity and emergency preparedness.

 

In a bid to provide the necessary backup for key communications infrastructure at the location, Plug Power (News - Alert) Inc., a provider of on-site energy products announced today they installed four of their GenCore fuel cell systems.

 

The GenCore systems provide an alternative power source to batteries and standby gensets and as the company notes also reduces life cycle costs and improves reliability. The systems are also unique for their ability to operate to at least 10 years even in face of weather, and with low maintenance requirements.

"It's critical that we're prepared in the event of a power outage or other emergency, especially with respect to our ability to communicate with people throughout the fairgrounds, which spans nearly 400 acres," said Dan O'Hara, the Director of the New York State Fair, a division of the New York State Department of Agriculture.

 

The hydrogen-fueled GenCore 5-kilowatt backup fuel cell system installation was funded by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) as "part of a program to deploy fuel cells that will provide backup power at 22 public safety communications facilities across New York State."

 

Utilizing fuel cells for a backup power source is growing in popularity and essential for mission critical applications. "Because of their proven reliability and effectiveness, fuel cells are gaining traction with New York State in a variety of backup power applications," said Mark Sperry, Plug Power's Chief Marketing Officer in a statement to the press.

 

Specifically, back up power was installed for  PA system at the Coliseum, the fairground's sport area as well as for telecommunications systems, fiber optics and computer networks at the fairgrounds.

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