GenCell Energy, a leading provider of hydrogen and ammonia power solutions and SIMTEL Team (SMTL), the Romanian market leader for rooftop photovoltaic (PV) plant solutions have deployed a GenCell FOX™ ammonia-based off-grid power solution field test at a mobile telecom tower site in Romania, operated by Vodafone.
The GenCell FOX is a low-temperature alkaline fuel cell which generates power from liquid ammonia – one of the most effective and energy-dense carbon-free hydrogen carriers – with only water, nitrogen and heat as its by–products.
The solution has been designed to comply with strict zero-emission sustainability objectives, ensure resilient 24/7 continuous power even in harsh weather conditions, and minimise operating expenses through its use of economical and widely available liquid ammonia fuel.
Liquid ammonia is less flammable than gasoline, propane, hydrogen or natural gas and emits a strong odor that makes leaks rapidly detectable. When handled in accordance with regulations and proper equipment, liquid ammonia achieves excellent safety records. Composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, ammonia is carbon-free, and thanks to the broad availability of existing infrastructure, growing market demand and technological developments, ammonia is an increasingly cost-effective green energy vector.
GenCell follows strict procedures for safe handling of ammonia. Its equipment incorporates built-in sensors that will shut down fuel cell operation immediately on detection of any leaks. The GenCell FOX™ is an off-grid product that is designated for placement in remote locations distanced from urban areas and requires minimal on-site maintenance and service.
The objective of the field test was to evaluate the ammonia-based power solution’s performance, resilience and cost-savings potential over a six-week timescale. Initial results from the test indicate that the system operated reliably, providing required power output through the entire test period. The system was operated autonomously and minimal intervention from GenCell personnel was required. Upon demonstration of the resilient and reliable performance of the solution, Vodafone will showcase it to different business units.
Rami Reshef, CEO GenCell
GenCell is seeing a substantial uptake in interest in its solutions across the telecom sector, especially in Europe where regulations are tightening against carbon emissions. Alkaline fuel cell technology can help operators implement renewable power solutions directly at mobile sites, even when they are located in remote locations and the toughest climate conditions.
Radu Villau, CTO & Co-Founder of Simtel
We understand the tough power challenges facing our MNO customers. After testing the GenCell’s FOX for more than 1,200 hours continuously in different power loads at a live telecom site, we are confident that the GenCell FOX stand-alone power solution can offer a solution to these challenges, keeping remote mobile towers running continuously while complying with increasingly strict European regulations around the use of fossil fuels. Following this successful field test, we expect to explore more opportunities for deployment of joint projects together by Simtel and GenCell.
