Tech Tuesday: Fuel cells made simple
Tech Tuesday is an ongoing series profiling the Forum’s Technology Pioneers. The Tech Pioneers are companies that have been recognized by the Forum for groundbreaking and innovative approaches in tackling some of the world’s most wicked problems. Each week we will showcase one of the 2012 Tech Pioneers. You can learn more about the Technology Pioneer Programme on the Forum’s website.
Electro Power Systems’ fuel cells guarantee back up power in remote areas
When a broadband or mobile phone network experiences even a brief power outage, the loss of communications can have catastrophic results, not just for customers relying on their cell phones and Blackberries to stay in touch but also for the phone company which risks being seen as unreliable. Backup power, usually from diesel generators, is essential to guaranteeing continued service. The downside is that providing fuel and maintenance to remote installations in difficult terrain is both time consuming and expensive.
Electro Power Systems’ revolutionary new fuel cell technology makes the most of this expense and unnecessary effort by recharging automatically and dramatically reducing the need for maintenance. During normal operations, Electro Power’s fuel cells use standard power to electrolyse hydrogen from water and recharge themselves. If the power goes off, the cell kicks in automatically and provides power until regular current is restored, at which point the cell begins to replenish itself once again. Hardly any carbon emissions result from Electro Power’s manufacturing process, and once the cell begins operating the only emission is water, which is used to generate more hydrogen when normal power is restored. Electro Power Systems has the largest installed base of functioning fuel cells in Europe and is developing operations in Asia and Latin America. Its emphasis on maintaining close contact with fuel cell development in leading university research labs ensures its position as a cutting edge market leader in the field.
Adriano Marconetto, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Location: Torino, Italy
Number of Employees: 48
Year Founded: 2005
Electro Power Systems SpA
via Livorno 60 c/o Environment Park
Torino, 10143
Italy
Telephone: +39 011 225 8211
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