EnerSys, a provider of stored energy solutions for industrial applications announced that it has sold an Extended Run Time Solution hydrogen fuel cell system to Time Warner (News - Alert) Cable and that it has successfully installed it at Time Warner Cable’s facility in Southern California.

According to company sources, the innovative 30kW fuel cell system is based on Altergy (News - Alert) Systems’ proprietary Freedom Power hydrogen proton exchange membrane or PEM fuel-cell technology. This technology provides environmentally clean reserve power in case a commercial grid outage occurs. It will also ensure that Time Warner Cable customers enjoy continued digital telephone, Internet and video services without interruption.

Also Time Warner Cable is employing a time-saving fill-in-place system, which enables the replacement of hydrogen in the fuel cells without switching cylinders.  This system was installed by Altergy two years ago.    

In a press release, Jon Tennies, Time Warner Cable facility supervisor, said, “With the installation of this fuel cell system, Time Warner’s superior service reliability will now be even better.”

“In addition to providing our customers with the highest quality services, this reserve power system will help us reach the State of California’s goals for improving air quality, secure our energy future by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cut our petroleum dependency,” Tennies added.

Company officials explained the technology behind the hydrogen fuel cell system. It actually replaces the need for a diesel generator and liquid fuel tank that is usually deployed for backup power during a commercial power outage.  

It also differs from the diesel generator that uses petroleum fuel for combustion. The Time Warner Cable fuel cell system will produce electricity from hydrogen in an electrochemical reaction process. The byproducts being only heat and water, with no greenhouse gas emissions.

The noise levels during operation is also extremely low and the technology reduces maintenance needs to very low levels. It is a sustainable sources of energy as hydrogen fuel is a renewable resource.

EnerSys (News - Alert), offers stored energy solutions for industrial applications, manufacturers and distributes reserve power and motive power batteries, chargers, power equipment, and battery accessories to customers worldwide. Application for motive power batteries are in electric fork trucks and other commercial electric powered vehicles.

Company sources added that reserve power batteries are used in the telecommunications and utility industries and by uninterruptible power suppliers and in numerous applications that need standby power.