Direct hydrogen 5.0 kW PEM fuel cell system supplying an uninterruptible power supply

Hydrogen systems appear as strong contenders to replace batteries in the emergency backup or uninterrupted power supply (UPS) markets. Cost-effective alternatives able to face traditional technologies (such as lead acid batteries and engine-generator sets) that have demonstrated good reliability, flexibility and durability are currently examined by telecommunication wireless operators. In this study is reported a feasibility study for an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system based on 5 KW class PEM Fuel Cell Power Module in order to compare this solution with a conventional UPS battery based system. A commercialized Power Module was tested to analyse operational performance, time response with variable load, cold start, consumption, efficiency, quality of power. © The Electrochemical Society.